Sitting out here in the outside living room to which was one of mikes favorite places and realized it’s now time. Mike first of all was my friend and a very true friend as he was to many others in this group. Yes he was loud and had a knack for calling right when I was in a project with grease clear to my elbows or on horseback trying to catch a wayward bovine off the interstate or many others such scenarios. That being said I loved that big guy and the more you was around Mike you realized there were many many layers of Mike. Yes some of them washed off after he rode that bike for most a week that should have taken two days . H always stayed around a few days to a week after everyone else had gone and I came to realize that he just wanted to have family and true friends ,of which he had neither except here at the farm and the fine people of this big dog forum. We had lots of deep talks and last year when I told him there would not be any more gatherings it about broke his heart and he assured me there would be one more held here at the farm and I just laughed. Imagine my shock at the news and instantly knew there would be one more gathering. I’ve got the ashes of Mike here at farm which I see as a great honor, where others saw only liability to be rid of . Mike loved all the country and saw a lot of it but had many more areas that he wanted to see but he loved this part of Arkansas and east Oklahoma and his special friends in the establishments we frequented .
Many nights at deep thought here in horse barn I developed an idea or plan if you will to show Mike how much he meant to me and to many orders. First he’s going to Sturgis since his plan last year to go fell thru. wheather or not I get a clean bill of health this week I’m taking off on the 2000 mile journey to deliver a small part to the black hills and if I can circle thru Wyoming.
Now for the main event which I think should be that last weekend of September 26 and 27. You can come early and stay late , I don’t care but 26 and 27 will be the days. This WILL NOT be like any gatherings before, it will strictly be a time to honor Mike and engage with the great friendships that has evolved in this group. Big dog motorcycles brought each one of us together but it’s grown so much more that just bikes. It’s the real family that some of us never had. Anyone that feels the same and wants to honor Mike is welcome.
friday we are going west around grand lake and stopping at the Bra Bar . Mike liked this route and liked stopping at this bar. His highlife tale of this route was when the whole group roared and rumbled thru grove while a parade was going on and unknowingly,we were in the middle of it.
Saturday ,we going to Cookson the the deck , he loved that place and those girls loved him. They were distraught at the news and asked if they could be one more time a part of the group and make mikes last ride a part of the deck. I said he is smiling right now cause his plan is now complete. They asked for Saturday so everyone of the wait staff and owners could be a part of this. I already ordered a burnt cheese pizzia which is a inside joke from another ride years ago.
On these rides there will not be a dedicated leader or blockers . It is just not safe any longer to d this and safety is the name of the game here. No hot rodding and everyone ridding at his own pace with a common destination. I will print maps for everyone and the groups should not be more than four to six bikes at most. Every bit of these routes will have major road construction and many unplanned construction stops. In otherwise not bike friendly but for Mike these are the routes.
There is electric and bathroom and shower at horse barn . The electric where the big campers stay out by shop is iffy and will not have time to work on it..
Hman has the Harry Potter room in the house and there are three more rooms available but Harry gets first pick if he wants an upgrade.
Bikes , cars, vettes, it doesn’t matter what you bring , Mike would just want all his friends in one place .
Anything anyone else wants to add ,please feel free to do so.
Rip old friend.
