Issue:
July/August 2005

Text:
Chris Myers

Photography:
Chris Myers

Geographic Region:
AR, USA

Pages:
24 - 31

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Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, far from it. Farmers working barren fields mean it's springtime and another riding season is finally here. The brand new Honda Gold Wing 30th Anniversary Edition had remained resplendent despite 800 miles of insects unfortunate enough to have occupied my slip of space in the I-40 corridor up until this recent infusion of airborne, Mississippi Delta talcum. I wanted to start my explorations right away when I arrived in Little Rock, but a car wash visit seemed like a better idea. Like most state capitals, Little Rock is a fairly big city and a high-pressure hose is no further off in any direction than the closest stretch of gas and burger franchises. Two minutes later, the Wing is as good as new, and I'm the same but feeling even dirtier. Oh well, when Sandpaper Man rolls out to save the world, he always does it on a clean machine.

A low-speed reconnaissance loop around town arouses some curiosity about finding Cotham's, a joint proclaiming its "hubcap hamburger." Assuming they're describing the size and not the texture, I figure they're bound to know quite a bit about this distinctly American delicacy. After all, a rather prominent politician with an often-reported fondness for burgers once called Little Rock home. Despite an urge to increase the area's bovine mortality rate, the timing is off: it's too late for lunch and too early for dinner. That, combined with a warm, breezy spring day, doesn't do much to silence the call of the road. I'd love to stick around and explore in town but that would involve getting off the bike, and I'm not ready for that just yet. Full of true grit in both respects, I decided instead to get down to some touring. ...