Jumpin' Jasper Jack Jive: BMW Bash Year One




Neither showers nor heat nor mountain roads could keep the BMW faithful from their appointed rounds over the Fourth of July weekend at "The Hub" near Jasper, Ark. Ten BMW dealers in six midwestern and southern states invited customers and those thinking about becoming customers to partake of a little laid-back low-key motorcycle-centric hospitality. "The Hub", which is not so much IN Jasper as a bit north of there and south of nowhere occupies a small bit of property at the former Dogpatch USA hillbilly theme park. Many words could be written on the topic "Who thought Dogpatch would be a money maker" but this is neither time nor place. The venue is now something out of a History Channel "Life After People" episode with 25 acres of pavement exploding with interesting weeds and buildings becoming one with nature. Truthfully, it's actually a bit eerie.


There's not much at "The Hub" other than a motel with between 44-66 rooms (depending on whom you believe), a restaurant named Scooter's that apparently survives to service the hotel and a tiny working post office that was once part of the Dogpatch behemoth.




Happy, the Hub dog. Good girl!


The REAL reason to go to north Arkansas wasn't to discuss the oddity of the location but to hang out with old friends, make new friends, talk bikes and ride. All four were accomplished. SMS had a stout contingent at the Bash: Don and Doris Roark, Jason Kilpatrick, and Matt Williams came as store reps and Liz and Steve, Jean and David Hanson, Wellborn and Catherine Jack, Ron and Debby Franks, Mark and Becky Jamroz and Jim (whose last name I am blanking on because I am lame. Sorry, Jim.) were there as loyal supporters (and to have a good time!) I can say with conviction that the SMS group was smarter, better looking, more interesting, and rode better than any other group there...especially since the other groups do not know where to find this blog.




Hmmm. What one thing is not like the others?


Friday people went north, south, east and west in search of fun: to Eureka Springs, Harrison, Little Rock, the "Grand Canyon" of Arkansas, Branson and beyond. Friday night, the troops were on their own and Saturday, more adhoc groups got together for some occasionally wet riding through the hills. Saturday night, the dealers group threw a free bar-be-que feast, gave out tons of door prizes (only the MOST unlucky went without) and struck up the band. (Ed. note: Don and Doris can cut a rug.)



Sunday morning dawned foggy and drippy and Beemers streamed away from dogpatch to all points looking for the roads home. There is no word yet whether the dealers will do a BMW Bash: Year Two event, but whether they do or don't, we appreciate the effort that went into this one.


Matt confirms that "accelerator" and "accelerated depreciation" come from the same root word.



Ow! (Matt did not do this.)

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