CANCELLED - Arkansas Ducati Adventure

[Cher]

In lieu of our annual Hill Country Extravaganza, I thought we should try an epic Arkansas trip; four days, three nights of some of the best riding roads in the southwest.  Anyone who has ever ventured this far north will know exactly what I'm talking about.

These are only TENTATIVE plans and I look forward to more feedback from those interested in making this mega trip.  Dates are somewhat flexible but I figure planning this far out in advance will help plus we should be getting into the changing of the leaves.

The way I've got it figured right now is we'll hoof it to Hot Springs on Friday a.m. for one night (take advantage of the hot spring spas in the basement of the historic Arlington Hotel).   Click on "Spa" for more info (reservations are recommended):  
http://arlingtonhotel.com/  The hotel bar and veranda re not to be missed either.

Then spend all day Saturday enjoying the scenery along the way to Mount Magazine State Park where we can rent a fully furnished cabin that sleeps six (it's more modern and new than the cabins at Koyote Ranch).  Each cabin has a fireplace and a giant hot tub on a huge covered deck that overlooks a gorgeous valley.  Click on "Cabins" for more specific info    http://www.mountmagazinestatepark.com/

Sunday we can spend all day riding in and round Mount Magazine, then come back and spend Sunday night back at the cabin.

Monday will be a travel day back home.

[Cher]

The only other thing I can add about these places we'll be staying is that our family has stayed there many times over the years and they're both good value for the money and clean.  There are plenty of things to do and the staff are friendly.

One thing I think Sam and are going to do in about two weeks is spend three days driving the possible ride route; Sam's getting a little used Fiat 500 with a stick and so what better way to get him acquainted with proper roads and good driving techniques than to flog it long Talimena Trail?    We'll GPS the whole route so we've got no guess work when we get to the actual Ducati October ride weekend.

This has the potential to be awesome - I hope everyone can make plans to be there!

[system error]

Sam's getting a little used Fiat 500 with a stick

Just picked up the Fiat Abarth.  Love that car!  Have fun.  Probably not going to make this trip due to a heavy work schedule but sounds like a great trip!   

[Duc L'Smart]

I'm in!!! 

[LYD]

sorry, out.

[Duc L'Smart]

sorry, out.

damn...

[LYD]

I gotta work friday night.  sorry, would love to but I cant.

[fastwin]

I hear the roads in AR are pretty nice. Too far on the calender for me but I do love riding up there. I'll keep it on the back burner.

[Cher]

OK, I'm planning the ride route right now.  Sam and I are going to drive it in the next few days before school starts (nothing like having a chauffeur    ) just to make sure we don't have any duds or roads out due to construction, etc.  I'll also note gas stations... just in case we need to fill up every 90 miles or so  

Please start thinking about maximum miles per day you're comfortable with; I've got several options.  For those of you who haven't had a chance yet to ride in Arkansas, a 6 hour day may sound like an awful lot but the roads are awesome with so many twisties you feel like you could stay on there all day, easy.  Very entertaining to say the least.

I also would like to ask people to start putting together their contact information for who to call if something happens along the way.  Unfortunately, this has come up before so it's a good thing to it this time too.  Make two copies of your info; one for you and one for me that I'll put on a master list.



Looking forward to this!  Should be an awesome trip  

[Cher]

I've got some numbers for a tentative  route for this trip:

Day 1:
Leave D/FW Friday, October 19 - travel 366 miles, 7 hrs 10 min (includes Talamina Trail).  Overnight in Mount Magazine State Park.

Day 2:
Leave Mount Magazine State Park Saturday, October 20 - travel North up briefly into Missouri, then back down SW into Mountain Home to overight.  232 miles, 5 hrs 19 min (includes Pig Trail).

Day 3:
Leave Mountain Home, Sunday, October 21 - travel south to Hot Springs.  225 miles, 5 hours (includes Push Mountain Road).

Day 4:
Leave Hot Springs, Monday, October 22 - travel back south to the Talamina Trail; back-track down US HWY 75 into Dallas.  359 miles, 7 hours (includes Pig Trail, backwards   ).

Overall, it'll be roughly 1,180 miles in four days.  Two of the days are under 250 miles/day, and two of the days are under 400 miles/day.

....Bicycle shorts  

[muskrat]

Did you include hwy 123?

[system error]

Back in! 

Miles are good.  I did Cloudcroft, NM about three weeks ago with no trouble and that was 1500+ miles over 3.5 days.   

[LYD]

alright as many know there are 2 boards that are mainly used by us.  lisa was good enough to put it up on the other one as well.
chris and i are talking about quotes, and  i was looking at the WV trip, when the boys came up to see me.  and also yesterday at work showing the hill country pics from my phone, made me say,  piss on it I am going to try and make this!

Chris,
You are absoulutely correct!!  If you can make one of these trips.  it will be a memory that will last forever!!

I made a collage of the WV trip as many know. so i was looking at it this morning.  and thought, damn your right chris, i am going to try and make this trip!!
I will verify that I am in on monday to ensure the time off.  (from memory i can get it off, but also I am supose to be on 1st)

want to make one from last yrs hill country, but need more pics from other people. hint hint

So there I am considered IN!!!!!!  :happydance:

lets go more people really try a little harder to make this trip.   
I promise you it will be a great memory!

Ask anyone who has been on these trips!

[Cher]

Sam and I drove the first day of our planned trip and are staying at the Mount Magazine Lodge.  It worked out to be an eight hour day.  We made several stops along the way so I think it is a representative time for the Ducs as well.  The only thing that concerns me so far is that there is a long stretch - roughly 100 miles - of the route that has had a gas station close.  It was the only gas station along the way.  We are going back a different direction on the way home so we'll see if it has gas stations.

I'm taking pictures along the way - it's very scenic.  The lodge itself is very nice - awesome view from the balcony.  Each room faces a giant valley. 

Plus, the roads today ROCKED!   

We'll be off tomorrow for the Pig Trail run and end up in Mountain Home.  Looking forward to Pig Trail; it'll be a weekday so hopefully no slow-moving camper vans, etc...       Probably be a six hour day. 

LYD, glad you can make it.  And system error too 

[Cher]

As soon as we get back home on Wednesday I'll try and post the ride route on Goggle maps.  It rocks, people