Big Motorcycle Trip

2025 Big Trip to northern Mississippi

The Sovereign Grace Baptist Fellowship, to which Community Baptist belongs, has a member congregation which hosts a three-day prayer meeting each summer. In 2023, I was considering going to this and my dear wife suggested I ride my motorcycle and make a fun trip of it. She is God’s gift to me in many ways! I did that, two years ago. Medical problems sidelined me for much of 2024 and I was unable to travel to the meeting. In the meantime, I sold my old Honda Sabre and bought a 2010 Honda NT700V, a mid-sized sport-touring bike.

2025 has been much better. It started with my discovery of a 20-years old program called the Grand Tour of Texas, an individual rally with riders choosing which sites around the state – picked by the rally organizers – to ride to. Each rider has his own number, which is to be displayed on the bike at each site; the requirement being to take a picture of the site with the bike in front of it. 25 or more sites earns a patch! That woman God gave me suggested I sign up for this rally – “sounds like fun!”, she said. I asked her if she really just wanted me out of the house a bit.

Starting in March, I rode to carious places with a plan to gather 26 or 27 sites. In May, I took a 4-day camping trip to Meridian State Park (west of Waco) to pick up 8 sites. I had plans to spend time with a friend in the Houston area to pick sites around that area.

But the 2025 prayer meeting had been planned for the second week of June and I wanted to ride the new bike to that. So I consolidated the trip to the prayer meeting with the rally trip to Houston.

The Plan

1 June, ride to Spring, TX after picking up a Ground Tour of Texas site in Shiner, stopping in Sugarland for worship with Lous and his congregation. 200 miles. Spend 4 nights with Andy.

2 June, 239 mile trip to pick up Grand Tour sites in Navasota, Bryan, Hearne, and Burton.

3 June, 211 mile trip to pick up Grand Tour sites in Wharton and Lake Jackson.

4 June, relax. Lunch with John.

5 June, 300 mile trip to JR’s house, picking Grand Tour sites in Groveton, Caddo Mounds, Rusk, and Gladewater.

6 June, 205 mile trip to Warren, Arkansas. Spend one might at Clairmont Inn.

7 June, 200 mile trip to Nesbit, MS. Spend 1 night at Homestay Inn, Horn Lake, MS.

8 June: worship with Mercy Hill then onto Debbie’s house, 17 miles

13 June, 192 mile trip to Warren, Arkansas. Spend one night at Clairmont Inn.

14 June, 212 miles to Donald’s home. Spend one night.

15 June, Pick up 27^th site in Jaquin, TX, then home, 335 miles.

The tires that came on the bike were low end and, after 8,400 miles, with the big trip looming large in my mind, I bought new tires in April and mounted the rear tire pretty quickly. When I got home from the camping trip, I had almost two weeks before the big trip, so I changed the oil and filter, checked the air filter and cleaned it up. 4 days before the trip was to begin, I changed the front tire.

I have been changing my own motorcycle tires for decades. Built a stand for balancing them. This front tire vibrated the handlebars at 45 mph; balancing twice did nothing to resolve that. I contacted a motorsports shop in the city they agreed to balance it for me – on Friday. I got the wheel home that evening and put in on the bike. Saturday morning, I took it for a test drive. The problem remained. I called the shop and was asked to ride the bike in for examination. I told them the bike was smooth as glass with the old tire on it, but they wanted to look at all the components of the front suspension. I was at their shop by 10AM, the day before my departure.

The fellas at the shop wanted to examine everything and charge me for it. I wanted to get the bike ready for the trip, so I agreed. They found nothing wrong with the bike. I told them, again, that I thought the tire was defective – it was only thing that had been changed. They put the wheel on the balancing table and looked at it from the front – and saw the tread wobble back and forth. Defective tire. Their parts guy said they had a couple of tires that size and type; I chose one that got good reviews on the forum for this bike. It was more than twice the price of the defective tire. They mounted it and I headed out – no vibration from the tire! Got home around 4PM.

Side note: the defective tire was under warranty; I returned it and will get a refund.

Did what packing I could Saturday evening and went to bed, anticipating the trip and thanking God for an understanding wife. I had packed some books, to give to the friends I would stay with. At 7AM on 1 June, I headed to Houston.

Time spent with Louis and New Covenant Church was joyful. Nice to get re-acquainted with old friends and meet some new ones. They have lunch at noon, Lord’s Supper after lunch, then singing, praying, and a message with Q&A. This was good for my soul. I gave Louis a copy of A Tale of Two Confessions and Faith, Law, and Society. I arrived at Andy’s house around 5PM; traffic around Houston is always miserable. Andy and I rode together for many years, making two camping trips into Arkansas. I stayed with Andy and his wife until Thursday morning, spending Monday riding northwest to pick up 4 sites and Tuesday riding south for 2 more. Wednesday was a riding sabbath; I rested that morning, met an old, dear, friend for lunch and much theological discussion. Quiet time that evening, as my hosts had a party to attend.

I hit the road early, with little more than 300 miles ahead of me, with stops to pick up 4 sites on the way. I’ve developed a habit while riding – when the road doesn’t demand my full attention, I’ve begun praying for various people and singing hymns in my head. This has been very good for my spiritual health. I arrived at JR’s farm around 5 PM. JR and I have been friends since around 2000; we met at a men’s Bible study on Friday mornings. He and his wife are dear to my soul. I gave JR a copy of The Gospel in Isaiah; we talked into late in the evening.

Short day on Friday, little more than 200 miles to my motel in Warren, Arkansas. As I rolled into that small town, a shack of a restaurant caught my eye – Roberton’s Smokehouse. It was a bit after noon and I turned in. My, oh, my! $12 for about a third of a pound of lean brisket and two sides. And it was SO good! Mark that joint; it is worth a visit.

Saturday was to be another short day of little more than 200 miles to my destination in Horn Lake, Mississippi. There was a light rain when I left Warren, which dried up in about 90 minutes. I passed south of Helena and got on US49 to cross the mighty Mississippi River. That bridge rises up about 50 to 75 feet above the river, the pavement was wet and the wind was blowing across the road. About half a mile into Mississippi, a cross wind of about 50 mph ‘bout blew me right off the highway. A drenching rain, the likes of which I haven’t seen in more than 40 years, soaked every bit of me in less than 3 minutes. In the valley of that great river there are no places to turn off the road, no places to stop under any shelter. So I road on – for 10 miles in that downpour – until I saw a Dollar General store. I pulled into their lot, went inside, puddled everywhere I walked. Bought some trail mix and bottle of water; the workers lent me a chair to sit on. I chatted with my wife on a phone that kept telling me there was moisture in the charging port.

The rain nearly stopped about an hour after I went inside the store. I ventured back in a light drizzle. 5 miles later, heavy rain. I was on a back road that would have been a lot of fun in daylight. As it was, I could go no more than 35 mph because of the rain. Despite the darkness and heavy rain, I noticed some cars being driven without their headlights on. At one point, I slowed down for no apparent reason – and an unlit car appeared, approaching me on my side of the road as he drove around a downed tree on the road. I later contemplated on this – I am thoroughly convinced God restrained me at that point, causing me to slow down so I wouldn’t hit that car head-on. He has delivered me from death thus far; how can I not trust Him? Do you know Him? Only one way to have peace and eternal life – believe on the Lord Jesus!

About 30 minutes out from my hotel in Horn Lake, Mississippi, the sun came out. I did not get anywhere close to dry by the time I arrived. I checked in, took everything off, dried myself, put on dry clothes (nothing in my luggage was wet!), then put my wet riding clothes, jeans, and gloves on the bike to be dried by the sun. Used the hair dryer to dry out my boots. Wrung the water out of the other bits and hung them up in the bathroom. Then I walked 5 minutes to a Waffle House and had a pecan waffle, sausage, and coffee for a late lunch. Everything was dry by 7 the next morning.

I had planned to meet with the saints known as Mercy Hill, in Olive Branch – been with them twice in the past couple of years. They have a connection with some folks back home at Community Baptist and I feel at home with these dear folks. It was a short ride; the weather that Sunday was beautiful! Arrived in time to score a blueberry cake do-nut and cup of coffee. Gave the preacher a copy of A Tale of Two Confessions, the 1644 London Baptist Confession, and Faith, Law, and Society. His message was very good. Had lunch at the house of a member with whom I’ve become good friends. About 8 others from Mercy Hill were there as well. Had a fine time talking with them, then another short ride to Debbie’s house, where I would stay until my departure home on Friday.

Debbie is a member of the host congregation; she has the gift of hospitality. She has hosted folk who come to this prayer meeting in the past. Her father had died a couple of months before – he was 99 years old. All who knew him spoke well of him, and his daughter. A friend from Louisiana joined us; he had driven up for the prayer meeting. This picture is the view from Debbie’s house. Debbie is food pusher, always wanting to cook something and feed her guests. Also, much mutual benefit in talking about the Lord and how He is always good to His own people. I gave a copy of Captive to the Word of God.

The prayer meeting started at noon each day, with times of prayer until 5 PM. A light supper then a message from a brother who was there. This year, the focus was on various aspects of personal revival and awakening. I think the Lord was preparing me for this time during my travel; praying and singing while alone on the road. The prayer time with these dear folks was sweet and impactful; the Lord has restored the joy of my salvation! I do not want to lose this deep-seated sense of satisfaction with and humble awe of the all-powerful, all-knowing creator reaching down to save me from sin and hell and reconcile me to Himself. Here’s part of a hymn that is still making music in my head:

And what wondrous love is this 
Though I raised my clenched fist 
He opened up my hand to received His gift. 

And what wondrous love is here 
The God Immortal has drawn near 

And shed His blood to close the rift. 

How truly awesome it is to be redeemed by the Lamb! The time with the saints gathered for this prayer meeting was strength for my soul as God Himself ministered to us and to me.

As I looked to Friday, beginning my travel home, the weather was fickle. Friday morning was clear, no – it had lots of rain! By late Thursday, I determined to get back on the road regardless. Friday morning was partly cloudy and delightful. My trip to Warren, AR was more enjoyable than my trip from that town. Lunch at Robertson’s Smokehouse was another terrific meal.

Saturday looked to be a good day for travel and I hit the road for a short day to m friend Donald’s house, near Mansfield, LA. On the way, a bridge had a very rough joint where it met the abutment on one end. Nearly shook me loose from the handlebars. Some time after that I stopped for chow and discovered that bump shattered the plastic outer shell on my left saddlebag. There are sturdy fabric liners in the saddlebags; none of my stuff fell out. I met Donald at a family camp in northern Arkansas back when we lived in SE Oklahoma. Donald and his wife treat me like family. I got to see a new-born calf on his farm, the momma cow standing over it, licking it and nudging it to stand. Nice conversation until late into the evening. I gave him a copy of Faith, Law, and Society.

Sunday morning came early – I had about 375 miles to go to get home. Had breakfast on the road and enjoyed bright sun and some cooling clouds. Picked up my last Grand Tour site as I entered Texas. As I made my way south and west, I ran into rain – about 90 minutes from home. It was hard enough to slow me down but didn’t soak me like the rain in the Mississippi River valley. I outran the clouds and had sun the rest of the way. Arrived home around 5 PM. The liner in the saddlebag kept my stuff dry!

The total trip ran just over 2,500 miles. I ended up with 27 sites for the Grand Tour, should get a patch later this year. My wife was glad to see me; both dogs were waggy-tale happy. I am thankful to God for keeping me safe on the trip and keeping the bike running like a clock. This trip was not as tiring as the 2,000 trip I made on the older bike 2 years ago. I do not know how much longer I’ll be able to ride, so I enjoy it while I can. Finding a replacement for the saddlebag is difficult – such parts are no longer being made and supplies are rare.

Back home, determined to not be satisfied with religious formalism; must have Christ!