Road Less Traveled - A Documentary by James Beatty

Day-13

July 19, 2006

Unexpected challenge...

It was another scorcher of a day but a good night sleep had everyone pumped up for the ride into Oklahoma. James, Steven and Michael broke out the tools for some minor adjustments on their bikes and then headed off for another day of exciting riding through one last patch of Ozark Mountains before passing into their 4th state, Oklahoma. James was fascinated with the Arkansas Ozarks. “They are much more pronounced than the Missouri Ozarks, and maybe a bit taller” said James. Eventually the trio arrived at a small bridge. There were no signs or markers, but from the trail maps the boys knew that just across the bridge was Oklahoma. “The change was obvious because we went from mountains to flat farmland” explains James.

The riders were now in their fifth straight day of 100+ degree weather and towards the end of this day of riding, were running low on food and water. Michael had not had any days off yet and with his combined efforts of agressive trail riding and no breaks while filming the brothers, was really struggling in the intense heat. After a quick Powwow they all agreeded it was best for Michael to get on the highway and ride to Bartlesville on his own where Chris and Mathew were already waiting in the hotel.

James and Steven continued on for an amazing ride stopping at Moodys, OK for something to eat at a nice little diner/movie rental store. A very nice lady who was looking for a movie to rent was very interested in what they were doing. She was so inspired by their purpose that she offered them each $10 as a way to help. “It’s not much but it’ll get you a meal somewhere and that’s something” she said. Continuing down the trail they came across a Bobcat – the first one James had ever seen. “It was a big cat” jokes James “very cool.” They also were behind a Roadrunner a one point. The bird ran ahead of the bikes for quite a while and would do a flying jump forward every time the bikes got too close. It was amazingly fast.

At sunset the brothers got off the trail onto the highway to make up some time and it turned out to be a good thing they did. What happened next was potentially a trip-ending problem. There was: “a grinding of metal on metal” explains James. “It sounded awful” said Steven “and then a big black cloud of smoke shot out the back of the bike.” “I knew that was it” said James a bit mournful. They were forced to coast to the side of the road and call for help. Unfortunately, James’ phone battery was dead as well. Luckily, there was just enough juice left for him to call Chris and give their location just east of Tulsa, before it died altogether. Chris and Mathew jumped in the truck, not knowing what was wrong, and headed to the location. Everyone was fine but was that the end the trip? We tied the bikes onto the trailer and headed back up to Bartlesville for a good night sleep at the Skyline Motel. James hit the hay right away knowing that we had a major challenge to deal with first thing in the morning.

Photography Copyright © 2006 Motorrad Media. All Rights Reserved.

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