AHR 2026, Oct 5-9

[Rob]

I got home from the rally this afternoon. I left out earlier than planned on Wednesday morning because of what happened Tuesday afternoon. Mike Knox, a.k.a. Rooster, was killed in an accident on State Road 14 about 15 miles south of Yellville. I had talked with Mike early Tuesday morning. He told me that he had been up all night, dealing with a family problem in Texas. Then at around 9 am I saw him again . He said " I'm going to hit a wall pretty soon." I didn't know that he was going to ride that day, but he did. I guess ultimately he did hit that wall.

Mike

[Rob]

Was one of my favorite people in this group. He was a war hero, recipient of a Bronze Star for what he did in Vietnam.. But mostly he was just a really good guy. I'll miss him.

[955i]

This AHR started out as a great one. 23 people. BMJ’s food truck. Several new riding friends. Gorgeous weather. But, late Tuesday afternoon our world shifted.

RIP our very dear friend, Mike Knox.

[Lee]

Mike on the right at 2024 THCR

[955i]

Mike on the "right?' Heck, he was right of Attila the Hun!

BTW, I don't recognize the fat old man in blue staring at his phone.

[allikanbe]

Rest in Peace Mike

[Lee]

I made a reservation at Cotter Trout Lodge at Cotter for Oct 4,5,6, and 7 2027.
$90. No deposit. There is no deposit if you call but a small one if reserved online.
Mention my name and you're with the motorcycle group and she'll put us all in the back close to each other.
When we return home next week I'll start a new 2027 thread.

[cabnfvr]

Thanks Lee. W e are reserved Oct 4-8 2027.

[Lee]

[955i]

Branyans are back home safe and sound in Oklahoma at 5:00 p.m.

We were first on the scene of a weird one (two) vehicle incident and stopped to help for about 20 minutes. On the two lane part of 412 west of Ozona and before Huntsville, a big motorhome bus type coach towing a Subaru(?) lost control while slowing for a turning vehicle. He went right into the deep bar ditch then back onto the road, then back into the ditch, then back onto the road, then into the left lane and bar ditch looking as if he was going to roll it, then back into the right ditch at a slowing speed finally coming to a stop upright. He had been slinging body parts and other debris all along his path. Tree limbs, bamboo grass, and assorted other debris. The motor coach was damaged and probably undrivable. The driver's wife had been in the back resting with no seat belt on. She had a wild ride, was crashed onto the floor and was injured enough that EMT's were finally called.

The dude was either a total dork or so shook up he would not talk to me or the other guy who showed up. He finally opened the door. I'd seen enough. They were all going to live. He was uncooperative and could solve the logistics himself. The other person who stopped was retired Army, a Texas Tech Raider, and a good Texan. We left the folks in his good hands. We saw the Sheriff and EMT coming a few miles later. Cathy and I were #2 behind the motor coach. The car immediately behind it just pulled around and left when the dust settled.

Just a day in the life.

[Lee]

That's wild.

[Capnrip]

Also wanted to extend my sympathies on losing a guy I liked. Mike was a what you see is what you get kind of guy. It was interesting talking to him abut Vietnam, wild boars on his farm. etc. He will be missed by this group in subsequent Texas and Arkansas rallies. A picture from Heidi's Ugly Cakes in Arkansas. Mike on the right.

[955i]

Wes, thanks for posting such a great picture. Cathy loved Mike. Mike loved Cathy. Opposites attract.

"What you see is what you get sorta guy" --- but he tried to hide his sweet spots and for his friends, he had a heart as big as all of Texas.

[Bmorganjr]

I want to believe and do believe that Mike had a medical incident before he hit the car, he wasn’t feeling well, had no sleep and evidently a huge amount of stress as rob had mentioned, but that guy was tougher than most and probably thought he could ride or thought he was fine? …..hopefully more will be revealed…

Mike was a man’s man, told it like it was, had a big heart, was easy to talk to, cared deeply about us every yr we were all together. Two time recipient of the bronze star in Vietnam, Mike loved our country and flag one of those types ya know…. The type of man I have always looked up to. Cathy made an honor quilt for him last yr and it brought him to his knees in tears. I personally wasn’t close to Mike as some were, I know this was a very hard day and weekend for Tyson, Cathy, Lee & Deb, Tim Buyse, and Tim & Susan.

We all have had our close calls on the bike and we all know the risks. A lot of us have been doing these events and regularly attending the gatherings for a couple decades, we have made lifelong friends. We have seen and been through some terrible accidents with our friends, we have seen and been thru accidents and remarkably walked away. I wish that was the case during this gathering but it didn’t happen that way this time. But no skid marks, or no indication of avoidance, just bam into a car??? I’m sticking to in my mind he had a medical incident and thank goodness the driver was not injured.

I want to thank Joe and Dale for going to the scene to get Tim picked up and bring his bike back, and providing the state police with information that would help in the investigation, especially in finding out who next of kin would be. Joe always steps up and seems to know what to do during high stress moments and his reactions are instinctually right. Dale had the idea for us to gather as a group and Tyson led us through a few words of remembrance for and about Mike.

this yr was a tough AHR rest in peace Mike Knox, you will be missed.

so some may say wow,??? They are already planning next’s yrs event and he isn’t even in the ground yet. Well I guarantee if Mike fell off a horse he’d get right back on it. That’s what he would say….

Arkansas is a great place to ride and gather, the roads are incredible and at times very technical if you’re into that….. our current hotel doesn’t seem to care if we return or not, based off our quoted rates so we are moving…..the new place is perfect for the way we do things with the food truck. So book your rooms now you can always cancel, there are 9 rooms downstairs where our set up area will be. There are more rooms available up stairs and it’s just few steps away from the gathering area.

I doubt or wonder how much longer the gatherings will continue as most have drifted away or gotten away from riding or just have other interests. It’s just life and things change but if yall get a hankering……..ComOn Down to Arkansas………RIP Mike Knox

[Capnrip]

Well said Bill. I definitely want to make another Arkansas rally as it's one of my favorites. Like you said, this group only has so many more in us, so can't mess around.

[justjoe]

Thank you Bill for your words concerning Mike's passing.

[955i]

Nice writeup, Bill. Thank you. It seemed weird riding, visiting, and even laughing the days immediately after Mike's death. I'm glad we carried on. It helped some of us deal with it. Something about being alone in your helmet working the curves is cathartic. I'm still working through it, but it's easier now. Mike would have no sympathy for whiners. Cathy and I plan to be at the Trout Inn next year at AHR.

[Lee]

Saw a couple Elk at Boxly Valley just now.

[955i]

Been by there many times . . . saw elk only once or twice. Were they deep into the pasture, or a little bit closer?

[Lee]

Over the years we've seen them quit a few times. Only saw 3 today and they were in the trees because it was hot.
The times we've seen them out in the open was early morning and late afternoon.

[cabnfvr]

The ride home was uneventful. There was an argument at the Corner Booth Cafe parking lot in Hardy AR between two female employees on a smoke break. We got a ring side seat as we were parked beside them. Something about "If they effin" think I'm going to effin" take that then they are effin' ..." and other effin" stuff. All this while wildly puffing on their cigs. It was loud. It was intense. We couldn't turn away. Susan is looking forward to stopping there next year. The food is pretty good too. The next day we rode through a Tropical Depression and now we're home.

We can not convey our feelings about Mike any better than others already have. We love you, Mike.

[Lee]

Last night we listened to the band for a couple hours again at the Mountain View courthouse.
We're in Eureka Springs now.

Flat steel sculptures along the road today.

[955i]

Oh. Lee! That picture looks fake.