This is a series of columns called the Muleshoe Chronicles. Muleshoe is a retired U.S. Air Force veteran who likes to ride. He lives in Benton. Read more of his columns at mysaline.com/muleshoe.
Two Thousand Nineteen was such a great year for riding. I have put over 12,000 miles on the new bike and it’s not quite a year old. Muleshoe here again. The long rides have all but diminished and replaced with runs of only two to three hours at a time. But lately luck has been on our side for a couple of really good rides. Winter has set in but so far, we have been spared any of the frozen precipitation normally seen by this time of the year. In fact, many days over the last few months have been in the upper 40’s and lower 50’s. There have even been a couple of days that the temperature has crept on up into the low 70’s. Unfortunately, those really warmer days have fallen in the middle of the work week. But I have had the good fortune to catch a few of those warmer days and experienced a couple of marvelous rides.
Three that come to mind happened during this past Christmas break. Christmas day was one such day. Since my kids are grown with families of their own, I was left with a free day on the 25th. Our Christmas celebration would have to fit around their busy schedule and take into account their spouse’s family as well. With the ambient temperature in the upper 40’s, a friend of mine, who is in the same situation, rode with me due south from here and through many of the counties below Benton. We struck out through Tull and Prattsville to the Jenkins Ferry Civil War Battle Ground. Although one of the smaller state parks, Jenkins Ferry has a lot to take in. The thing that struck me the most is the fact it is surrounded by swamp. How could anyone transport those old, wooden wheeled, heavy artillery pieces and wagons over a land that is mostly underwater and filled with alligators and water moccasins? My many years in the Air Force never took me anywhere we didn’t stay at a Holiday Inn with rental cars. I am sorry but this area of operation just wouldn’t fit into my creature comfort requirements. The hardships both sides were forced to endure are beyond the imagination. It continues to feed into my firm belief that war should be outlawed forever. The road beyond would take us through Leola and south towards the bottom of the state. Our southern route would take us almost to Camden where many of our military’s tactical missiles are manufactured. We would turn back north at Holly Springs. Picking up Highway 7 at Sparkman, we set our sights on lunch somewhere in Arkadelphia.
Well who would have thought? Everything – I mean everything – was closed on Christmas Day. Even McDonald’s was closed up tight as a drum. It took me a second to remember it was Christmas. A prepackaged sandwich from a gas station in Caddo Valley would have to do. Christmas dinner wrapped in cellophane certainly wasn’t in the plans. It caught me so off guard I didn’t know what to think or how to feel. I was having such a wonderful ride and yet for the first time in a very long time I was not with family on this special day. To fight off the loneliness of the moment I would just have to remember that the coming weekend would be our family time together. A wrong turn would carry us to a dead end at Lake Catherine State Park. It was such an eerie scene. Only a few hardy campers were set up throughout the park. I assume it must be a tradition for those outdoors folks, to spend the holidays at the lake. One thing about it, they didn’t have to fight for a campsite. Back on the correct road and we found our way into Hot Springs and onward to Benton. I was home in time to catch a couple more showings of Ralphie getting a Red Ryder BB gun.
A quick run into Hot Springs and landing at Fat Jacks would offer up my New Year’s Day meal. Although I had a pot of black-eyed peas waiting at home, the main meal of the day was a hearty bowl of etouffee to ring in a promising new year. It was a short ride though. The temperature was in the low 40s but my riding buddy and I were just not up for a frosty butt run.
The Sunday after New Year’s turned into a beautiful day for riding. I met up with a couple of members of our chapter at the Valero station on U.S. Highway 70 to top off the gas tanks. I really wasn’t sure which way we would go, but of course lunch would have to be the first stop. I had to fuel my motor as well. With bellies filled to capacity, circling Lake Ouachita would be our next objective. The gently rolling hills on the north side of the lake always make for a very enjoyable ride. Traffic on Highway 298 was almost non-existent and the feel-good meter was absolutely pegged out. A left turn on Highway 27 at the little intersection at Story and soon we were rolling into the picturesque village of Mt. Ida for a pit stop. At the Exxon on the crossroads of Highways 270 and 27, we found ourselves with plenty of afternoon remaining. Despite a waiting mountain of laundry and a game of chance – home-alone-puppy-roulette – I suggested we strike out towards Arkadelphia. It might be a long while before the weather gods would grace us with such a beautiful day again and this could possibly be the last chance. A refill of Dr. Pepper in my thermos that hangs on my handlebars and off we rode.
Highway 27, south of Mt Ida is such a pleasant mix of countryside, farms and smaller towns. Riding along at no more than 55 or 60, you can take in all the sights and smells. Occasionally someone will be out in their yard. A quick wave to acknowledge each other and you continue to roll onward to the next hilltop. Sundays usually aren’t much to worry about on these rural byways. Normally, on these roads it is just a little bit of church traffic, and never any farm equipment. But never say never. If the hay needs to be cut and baled, well it just has to be cut and baled – even if it is Sunday. Limited line of sight can lead to unwanted surprises as you pop over the rolling hills. To suddenly encounter a tractor pulling a hay rake doing only 15 miles per hour can change the entire dynamic of the moment. Enjoying the ride and being aware must go hand in hand. You must always be on your toes. As we snaked through the old part of downtown Arkadelphia, we make a turn northward on Highway 64 and home to Benton.
All of my recent rides have been in temperatures in the 40s, clear but cold. I have been testing several garments to fight the nippy air. I have worn base layer pieces from three different companies and think all offer significant protection.
- I have one top, a long sleeve t-shirt from a company named 32 Degree. Last year I was caught in a cold drizzle. Under my rain gear, it kept my torso pretty toasty. I have yet to find a bottom piece to go with that top. I highly recommend this company.
- I recently purchased a complete set of base layer, top and bottom, manufactured under the name Magellan Outdoor Gear. Found at Academy Sports, the price was right. Worn during the temperatures from the mid-40s to the mid-50s, I was fairly comfortable. What really stood out was the sleeve of the top piece. There is a thumb hole in the sleeves that helps to keep the garment in place when you don a second long-sleeve layer. It prevents the base layer from bunching up. I also discovered it keeps a layer of fabric over the wrist if you ride with simple leather gloves. As the coat sleeves tend to ride up, the wrists become exposed, making them burn from the frigid wind biting at them. I dislike riding with winter gloves. They can be quite bulky, making flipping switches difficult as you ride.
- A couple of weeks ago I found a bottom piece, designed by XXX Technology, at the new Rock City Harley. On sale, it was only a quarter of the original price. The best part is, this pair of base layer pants kept the tops of my thighs from getting cold. I think most brands tend to allow the cold to creep in because the pants become even more stretched across the tops of the legs as you ride with the knees bent. A little extra material in that portion of the garment seems to prevent thinning as it stretches.
A word of warning. Do not look in the mirror when you are only wearing the base layer. I saw a fat ninja looking back, wearing what resembled full body Spanx that weren’t doing a very good job.
Well I am almost to Malvern so I had better close out this log. I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year and hope you are all able to ride along again in the coming season. So until next time, Ride Safe! Muleshoe
This is a series of columns called the Muleshoe Chronicles. Muleshoe is a retired U.S. Air Force veteran who likes to ride. He lives in Benton. Read more of his columns at mysaline.com/muleshoe.