DS Ride in Western Arkansas

[Tourmeister]

Howdy,

:tab Okay. The AZ trip was a no go. So I am working up another angle :trust: What I want to do is base out of Clarksville, Ar., for a few (2 to 3) days of riding. Clarksville is on I-40 near the West side of Arkansas. It sits at the South end of a HUGE National Forest area with lots of roads to explore. Routes will not likely be suitable for the big dualies unless you are an uber-DS stud. You do NOT want to do this ride if you are new to riding on unpaved surfaces. There are a few places to camp nearby for those wishing to rough it. I will get the details soon.

PEOPLE INTENDING TO GO

PEOPLE PAID
Beemin
Dbdolan
Desmo
Dirt Bomb
Dyna Sport
Hood ornament
Nace (Dirt Bomb's friend)
Tourmeister
Thumper
Wasabi

PAYMENT
:tab Okay, to pay, just click on the DONATE link at the top of the forum. On that page you will see a subscription for Arkansas DS trip - $25. This is for paying via PayPal. For anyone wishing to pay by check, please just mail it to the address at the bottom of that page. I would like all payments to be in ASAP to confirm you are going.

Dates for the trip are 4/29 thru 5/3. Travel first and last day, ride 4/30-5/2.
LODGING

:tab Best Western (Sherwood Inn) 479-754-7900
:tab $59.94 (tax incl.) for two doubles, non smoking

:tab Comfort Inn 479-754-3000
:tab $66.00 (tax incl.) for two queens, non smoking

These two places are middle of the road price wise. The Hampton Inn is the pricey place and there are a few $40/night places. The base hotel will be the Best Western and that is where I will be staying. They have truck parking and a bar/restaurant onsite :trust: This is where we will meet each morning for the ride start.

CAMPING

:tab There are several campgrounds in the area. The only one that I can find that has restrooms and showers is the Spadra site, it is only a few miles from the hotels.

Spadra located on the Arkansas River 2 miles south of Clarksville on State 103 to Jamestown, then 1 mile on access road. Facilities include 35 RV/Tent with electricity, flush toilets, water, showers, boat dock and ramp, pavilion, trailer dump station, marina and restaurant. Open year-round. User's fee charged. Boat launch fee charged year-round.

Go here (http://www.clarksvillearchamber.com/tourism.htm) to see other options in the area.

ROUTES

:tab I am still working on the routes. I have been getting a lot of feedback from other riders that have been in the area and using that as a guide. However, I may toss in some unknown elements just to keep things interesting ;-) I will try to get GPS files put together so you can dload them.

:tab The first ten people to put up the money get to go. I will setup a paypal button for it in the next few days. Any takers...?

[Wasabi]

I am In. Either dates are good for me. :rider:

Bill

[ta2240]

Tourmeister.

For the past several years I have gone on a ride up there north of Clarksville in the National Forest. We were staying in the camp ground at Moccasin Gap with our campers. Just south of Moccasin Gap was a campground that has cabins. From that location there was more dirt roads than we could possibly ever ride plus Magazine Mountain was only maybe an hour away and Clarksville was about 25 minutes.

I will call some buddies and see if they remember the name of the cabins they were usually booked by the horse folks because most of the trail system is used by them.

I just thought I would throw the information at you.

[Hood Ornament]

I'm pretty sure I can make either set of dates.

[Desmo]

I had such a great time on the recent trip to Clayton, OK, how could I pass this up? Put me down as a most probably. The May 3rd date sounds best. Save me a spot on the trailer, too.

Steve

[BEEMIN]

Count me in! I've been spending all my free time mountain biking. Ready to hit some trails with an engine. Got my XR650R all tweeked and just need to add dirt.

[Tourmeister]

Guess I need to setup a paypal link then...

Desmo, any chance you can do the first date?

Beemin, you interested in a slot on the trailer?

[Tx Rider]

In!

You know, the KTM boys actually had an HP2 on their DS ride this year, I'm kinda sorry I missed it, I'd like to get a closer look at one some time.

I've been meaning to dig up some more tail info for Arkansas, and try to get up there a couple of times this year. I understand there's a lot of trail to ride there, and I don't mean forest roads. :)

[BEEMIN]

10-4 on the trailer slot. Will it be mostly gravel roads or do I need to bring serious protective gear?

[Tourmeister]

Bring the gear. It should be mostly two track, but narrow, rocky, steep, etc,...

[thumper]

I'm in on either date.

[Tourmeister]

trailer slot needed?

[Desmo]

[QUOTE=Tourmeister]Desmo, any chance you can do the first date?

After looking at the calendar I see the next weekend is Mother's Day. I prefer not to be out of town two weekends in a row. So, on second thought, the first date sounds better. But I can probably make either one.

Steve

[gocatgo]

Scott, I'm very interested also. Either date.

[Tourmeister]

Okay, I am really leaning hard towards the first weekend. I will start making more definite plans. Anyone going to camp? (I'm not).

[dbdolan]

Okay I got my kitchen pass I am good to go either of the date slots, put me down for a slot in the truck and trailer. http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d130/dbdolan/gifs/homer2.gif Not sure about camping this time, that 25 deg. in my cheapo tent was pushing my limits last time in Clayton, OK.

[Tourmeister]

All truck/trailer slots are spoken for.

Okay, current attendees:

Beemin
Dbdolan
Desmo
Dyna Sport
Gocatgo
Hood ornament
Tourmeister
Tumper
Wasabi

All we need are two more.

I will set up the paypal link this evening. If you don't wanna use paypal, mail me a check to the address shown at the bottom of the donate page (http://twtex.com/forums/payments.php).

[Tx Rider]

I'll camp if there's a nice place close by.

[gocatgo]

Scott,
I'm not going to be able to make this one. :angryfire I have a remodeling job going on that week. Maybe next time... :tears:

[dirt bomb]

Scott I'm in. Ozarkdualsport.com has some good information on this area.I did a ds ride there last Oct. Have got maps of the area. the site has info about hotels,camping gps maps,stories and pics. Let me know if I can help in any way. Would like to hookup with some D/FW riders for the trip up.

[Hood Ornament]

For those of you in the DFW area, I'm planning to take a trailer that can carry 4 bikes. I should know for sure in a couple days. So there should be at least 2 spots available.

[Tourmeister]

PAYMENT
:tab Okay, to pay, just click on the DONATE link at the top of the forum. On that page you will see a subscription for Arkansas DS trip - $25. This is for paying via PayPal. For anyone wishing to pay by check, please just mail it to the address at the bottom of that page. I would like all payments to be in ASAP to confirm you are going.

Dates for the trip are 4/29 thru 5/3. Travel first and last day, ride 4/30-5/2.
LODGING

:tab Best Western (Sherwood Inn) 479-754-7900
:tab $59.94 (tax incl.) for two doubles, non smoking

:tab Comfort Inn 479-754-3000
:tab $66.00 (tax incl.) for two queens, non smoking

These two places are middle of the road price wise. The Hampton Inn is the pricey place and there are a few $40/night places. The base hotel will be the Best Western and that is where I will be staying. They have truck parking and a bar/restaurant onsite :trust: This is where we will meet each morning for the ride start.

CAMPING

:tab There are several campgrounds in the area. The only one that I can find that has restrooms and showers is the Spadra site, it is only a few miles from the hotels.

Spadra located on the Arkansas River 2 miles south of Clarksville on State 103 to Jamestown, then 1 mile on access road. Facilities include 35 RV/Tent with electricity, flush toilets, water, showers, boat dock and ramp, pavilion, trailer dump station, marina and restaurant. Open year-round. User's fee charged. Boat launch fee charged year-round.

Go here (http://www.clarksvillearchamber.com/tourism.htm) to see other options in the area.

ROUTES

:tab I am still working on the routes. I have been getting a lot of feedback from other riders that have been in the area and using that as a guide. However, I may toss in some unknown elements just to keep things interesting ;-) I will try to get GPS files put together so you can dload them.

[Tourmeister]

I've updated the original post with the new details and a list of folks planning on going.

[BEEMIN]

Hey DYNASPORT, I'll throw in some camping gear and join you. Hopefully no storms will blow through while we're out there.

[thumper]

Looks like I'll probably camp out of my motorhome.I'll probably drive to Texarkana on the evening of 4/28 and be up there before noon on the 29th. [Give some time to setup]. Anyone that's camping and wants to split the ride let me know. I can haul 3 bikes. The RV averages around 10-12 mpg w/ the trailer.

[Tourmeister]

Wasabi and Thumper have both paid as of 04/11/06.

[Hood Ornament]

Wasabi and Thumper have both paid as of 04/11/06.

Hey now, I paid back on the 10th! I got the confirmation e-mail.

[Tourmeister]

via Paypal? Lemme look again, I may have missed the email. I get more SPAM than you can imagine and every now and then I miss something...

Dyna Sport is paid.

[Tourmeister]

Albie has paid as well :trust:

[dbdolan]

Scott, I just sent you a pay pal payment for the trip. Let me know when you get it. Woooooohooooow, I am going to order a fresh D606 next week I have about 4,000 miles on the current one.
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d130/dbdolan/gifs/wheelianimated.gif

[dirt bomb]

hey Scott, just did the pay pal thing. Looking foward to meeting all of you guys. Who all is camping and hoteling it? I haven't decided yet. I love to camp, but I also love a hot shower and a good bed after riding all day. Looks like maybe I have made up my mind. Albie, if you have room on your trailer,I would be glad to split gas with you guys. I have another buddy who is interested if he can get a kitchen pass.

[Tourmeister]

Dirt Bomb, are you Chris?

[Tourmeister]

Okay, six people paid. Still need four more.

I have the routes for the first two days done. I will be doing the last days' route tonight. I should have the GPS file up for downloading in the next few days.

[dirt bomb]

Scott, yes I would be Chris. Man look at that, two posts in one night, I think I'm up to 8, This is gettin out of hand.

[Tourmeister]

Beemin has paid.

[Tourmeister]

Bob, when did you get the XR650?

[Tourmeister]

If you have a GPS and would like to see the routes, email or PM me.

[dirt bomb]

Say Scott, lets get this thread active again. Just read about the Easter Saturday beach ride. Looks like those guys had fun, makes me wanna ride! Have a question for you. What are the distances for gas stops? I am trying to decide which bike to ride on this trip. Sign up guys! Chris

[Tourmeister]

I would say you should be able to do a bare minimum of 100 miles, more would be better ;-) In some of the areas though, gas might be hard to find. There just aren't many towns of that size in the National Forest.

[Sleepy Weasel]

Shoot! Are you still planning this for the Pie Run weekend?

[dirt bomb]

Hey Scott,
A friend of mine decided to go with me on the Arkansas ride. Rather than trying to explain to him how to sign up, I just signed him up myself. His name is Nace and he's ridden this area several times. How many does that give us? I might have another friend that is interested.
Chris

[Tourmeister]

That gives us eight paid riders. Got room for two more.

[Desmo]

I'm in. Paypal sent.

Scott, hope you still have room on the trailer.

Steve

[Tourmeister]

Okay nine paid. Room for one more rider. Desmo, still got you down for a spot on the trailer ;-)

[Wasabi]

For those of you in the DFW area, I'm planning to take a trailer that can carry 4 bikes. I should know for sure in a couple days. So there should be at least 2 spots available.

Hi Albie

What is the status of the trailer ? I would like a spot if you have any room.

Bill

[Tourmeister]

Leeroy, I know you are looking at this thread... YOU know you want to go... Give in to your feelings... :-P

[Hood Ornament]

Hi Albie

What is the status of the trailer ? I would like a spot if you have any room.

Bill

Well, I was hoping to convince Marty to go, so I figured we could take the trailer and be able to take a couple more bikes. Marty can't make it so it's just me. No one else has asked about the trailer. Unless someone else posts up, we can easily haul both our bikes in the back of my truck so theres no need to take the trailer.

[Tourmeister]

:tab For you guys that are trailering with me, any chance you can come up Friday night and spend the night. We are looking at a 500 mile drive so I would very much like to leave around 7:00am Saturday. This means we need to get the bikes loaded up Friday night. I have two sleeper couches and two queen sized air mattresses. We are looking a 9-10 hours on the road assuming no delays.

[leeroy]

Leeroy, I know you are looking at this thread... YOU know you want to go... Give in to your feelings... :-P
That is so wrong!

[Desmo]

Scott, unfortunately I cannot come up Friday night. I will be in Philadelphia all next week. It is all I can do to get there Sat. morning. But I will try to be there before 7:00 AM.

Steve

[Tourmeister]

Steve, anyway we might be able to get your bike up here before then? Perhaps you could come to the bike night on Thursday and I could ride it here? Of course, this might require your fictional wife to come with you so you'd have a ride home :-P

[Tourmeister]

Leeroy, did yo call my cell phone recently? I got some bizarre message from someone that left a partial number for me to call back. That sounds like your normal MO... ;-) I keep telling you I never have my cell on unless I am actually making a call, hehe. Buzz me at home or at work on the 800 number. Just don't call before noon :trust:

[leeroy]

Leeroy, did yo call my cell phone recently? I got some bizarre message from someone that left a partial number for me to call back. That sounds like your normal MO... ;-) I keep telling you I never have my cell on unless I am actually making a call, hehe. Buzz me at home or at work on the 800 number. Just don't call before noon :trust:
It was me that called your cell.My question has been answered by another.Thanlks for calling back.Yes I want to go but I can not on those dates.

[Photojojo]

Wow, still one more spot......


So who's gonna step up to the challenge?

[dbdolan]

Wow, still one more spot......


So who's gonna step up to the challenge?
Come on Chris you know you want to go:trust:

[Tourmeister]

Everyone got their lodging taken care of? Bikes ready to go? Camera batteries charged?

[Hood Ornament]

Kinda waiting to see what the weathers gonna be like to make the camping/hotel call.

[Tx Rider]

This is what NOAA has so far

Friday: Partly cloudy, with a high around 74. South southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low near 53.

Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high around 72.

Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 53.

Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high around 72.

[Tourmeister]

Looks good to me!

[Tx Rider]

Latest weather prediction

Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am, then a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high around 71. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low near 49.

Monday: Partly cloudy, with a high around 72.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high around 73.

If it doesn't change it might be a little muddy Sunday, but no dust. Bring good knobbies. :)

[dbdolan]

Sweet, nice weather. Should I bring my textile jacket or mesh? I am thinking textile right now. Mesh is good for 85 deg. and higher:rider: I also borrowed some tire irons from my neighbor and mounted my front and rear 606's. I figure might as well have some new knobb's and not have to worry about changing them up there.

[thumper]

Looks like this is gonna be a great trip! I'm still gonna make Texarkana by Friday nite. Hopefully, I'll be in Spadra by noon on Saturday. Is anyone else planning on staying there?
Hey Scott, couple of questions... about how far are the routes that we'll ride? what time will we start on the first day? and anything else we should know before leaving...

[BEEMIN]

Hey Thumper, I plan on staying in Spadra. Are you going to be camping? If so care if I join you? I'll be trailering up with Scott.

[thumper]

Hey Thumper, I plan on staying in Spadra. Are you going to be camping? If so care if I join you? I'll be trailering up with Scott.


Sure, I'm gonna setup by the river. I'll be bringing a couple of nites worth of firewood and all the other RV stuff.

[Tx Rider]

Guess I'll see you guys at Spadra then. :) Hope I don't need to reserve a tent site.

[thumper]

Guess I'll see you guys at Spadra then. :) Hope I don't need to reserve a tent site.


They don't take reservations but have told me they have plenty of room. If y'all want to we can use one large site on the water. They'll usually allow up to 3 tents and one RV. Either way its not a big deal, the sites should only run about 12 bucks a nite. Let me know how many tents are going and either we can camp together or I can try to put dibbs on another site for y'all.

[XR650Rocketman]

Just wanted to wish y'all a safe and fun trip, I wish I could have gone with you.....Just too many trips planned and too little time....I know we'll be seeing a great ride report and pics....Can't wait !!!!

Steve

[Hood Ornament]

I'm in on the camping, looks like only one night where we might get a little damp. The big site sounds ideal.

[Tourmeister]

Be at the Best Western ready to leave the parking lot by 9:00am each morning. Bring a clear face shield as there is no guarantee we will be back by dark. Looks like those creek crossings will be full...

IF we get away from Huntsville on time, we should be hitting Clarksville about 5-6pm.

The planned routes are around 200 miles per day. However, that is the optimistic route that assumes everything goes according to plan, we don't get lost, no breakdowns, blah blah blah... The good thing is that at most any time we feel like it, we can bug out of the route and be back to Clarksville in a relatively short time. It would be good for everyone to be able to do a MIN of 100 miles on a tank. More would be better ;-)

[Photojojo]

Bring a clear face shield as there is no guarantee we will be back by dark. Looks like those creek crossings will be full...

That just makes me even more pissed that I can't go. You guys have fun.

[Hood Ornament]

Face shield? My goggles won't fit under a face shield. :rofl:

[Tourmeister]

Clear goggles then :roll:

[Desmo]

OK, I'm back from Philadelphia (finally!)

Scott, if it is not raining I will try to ride up tonight. It will probably be after 9:00 PM when I arrive. You still have an air mattress I can use, right?

It looks like the rain will happen on Saturday morning and we will have great weather for riding. I can't wait!

Steve

[Tourmeister]

Steve, we gotcha covered ;-)

[Tx Rider]

Looks like all the rain will be tonight, hopefully it'll dry out ok by Sunday.

Tonight: Periods of showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could be severe, with heavy rain. Low near 63. South wind between 15 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.

Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before noon. Partly cloudy, with a high near 77. West wind between 10 and 20 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. West wind between 5 and 15 mph.

Sunday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 86. Southwest wind between 5 and 15 mph.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind between 10 and 15 mph.

Monday: Partly cloudy, with a high around 86. South southwest wind around 15 mph.

Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low near 64. South southeast wind 10 to 15 mph becoming northwest.

Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. North northeast wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. North northeast wind around 5 mph becoming east southeast.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.

Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 62.

Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79.

[Tourmeister]

Gonna be wet! Creeks will be up! Hill climbs will be intense! Can't wait!! :dude:

[chadleys1]

I wish I would have seen this thread sooner!!!
I will have to start checking in more often.
I hope y'all are having an excellent ride.
I'm jealous.
-Chadley

[Tourmeister]

When you see the pics and hear the report, you might feel differently ;-) Thank goodness there is a nice hot tub at the hotel!! We managed an average speed of 7mph for the 60 miles we did the first day... :brainsnap

[Photojojo]

Come on guys get to work. Lets see some pics.

[Chris-V65Magna-TX]

:popcorn:

:rider:

[Photojojo]

Come on guys

:popcorn:

[chadleys1]

When you see the pics and hear the report, you might feel differently ;-) Thank goodness there is a nice hot tub at the hotel!! We managed an average speed of 7mph for the 60 miles we did the first day... :brainsnap

=== a real teaser of a post :trust:
I can't wait to hear the story and I hope y'all took pictures.
:popcorn:

[Tourmeister]

Day 2, 116.5 miles at an average of 12.5mph... Day three was cancelled due to weather and old age aches... :-P We are all home now. Pics and vids coming eventually. It was brutal... I hurt so now I must go to bed ;-)

Over 3" of rain in the 24 hours before we started riding made for some interesting water crossings... My feet have only now begun to unshrivel :eek:

[hcope1]

Day 2, 116.5 miles at an average of 12.5mph... Day three was cancelled due to weather and old age aches... :-P We are all home now. Pics and vids coming eventually. It was brutal... I hurt so now I must go to bed ;-)

Over 3" of rain in the 24 hours before we started riding made for some interesting water crossings... My feet have only now begun to unshrivel :eek:

Sorry I missed out on this!
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Tourmeister]

Trip reports and pics here:

http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9328