PigTrail
0
We're planning a loop ride from Mena to Hot Springs and back on 5/30 and 5/31. The forecast has improved and it looks like the sun will be out and temps in the 60's to 80's. We want to catch a good trip to Arkansas before the heat sets in.
We'd love to have company, so below are the ride details.
There is no cost and we're not organizing anything special other than publishing the route and our planned lodging info. We may organize a group dinner if there is interest. GPX file available at the link here. May count out if downloaded a bunch. PM me if you have any trouble.
Schedule
Friday 5/29
-Travel to Mena, Arkansas
Saturday 5/30
-stands up at 8:30am from Mena Mountain Top Cabins
-Mena to Hot Springs
Sunday 5/31
-stands up at 8:30am from Embassy Suites parking lot
-Hot Springs to Mena
-return home
Sleeping
-Friday 5/29: Mena Mountain Top Cabins
-Saturday 5/30: Embassy Suites Hot Springs
There are many other options in Mena and Hot Springs if these fill up, aren't your cup of tea, or if you want to camp. Post up with questions.
The Embassy Suites has boss bike parking
Fuel
Our fuel range is ~120 miles. We expect to fill up once between Mena and Hot Springs each day. There are a few gas stations, but don't pass one up. We won't...plus, we have little bladders. Gas stations are marked on the .gpx file.
Food
We will pack food for breakfast Saturday and trail lunches. We will do dinner Saturday and breakfast Sunday morning in Hot Springs. I spoke with Alisha at the Embassy Suites and they still provide breakfast, but the scale depends on how full they are onany given night. They are not doing their usual happy hour, but seemed to be running normally otherwise.
Weather
Forecast for Mena as of Mon 5/25 is sunshine on Saturday with a low of 58 and a high of 78. Sunday is 54-79 with more sun. Fingers crossed it stays that way!!
Bike
I'll be on a KTM 690 and Heather will be on a KTM 350. This ride is generally big bike friendly, but expect a few mud holes, some 2 track, and a few "that's a road!?". Heather jokes that it's not a road "if you have to pick a line". Most of this will be road.
99% of the ride is on roads like this or better...
...and much of it is graded gravel:
Some fun to be had...
Map and GPS
Arkansas has relatively good signage, but it is important to have a paper map or GPS device. A .gpx file of our planned route is linked above. We've ridden much of this before, but there is always opportunity for adventure. You should read that as closures, downed trees, washouts, blocked roads, getting lost on a goat trail, etc. etc. etc. Remember to ride your own ride and be prepared for flats, minor breakdowns, and other story worthy derailments.
Google map of the route.
Edit: We've shifted from red to orange. These photos are from the last time we did this ride.
All links
Google Map
.gpx file <-- updated a couple lines below
Friday night lodging - Mena Mountain Top Cabins
Saturday night lodging - Embassy Suites Hot Springs
Updated GPX file: .gpx file v2
We'd love to have company, so below are the ride details.
There is no cost and we're not organizing anything special other than publishing the route and our planned lodging info. We may organize a group dinner if there is interest. GPX file available at the link here. May count out if downloaded a bunch. PM me if you have any trouble.
Schedule
Friday 5/29
-Travel to Mena, Arkansas
Saturday 5/30
-stands up at 8:30am from Mena Mountain Top Cabins
-Mena to Hot Springs
Sunday 5/31
-stands up at 8:30am from Embassy Suites parking lot
-Hot Springs to Mena
-return home
Sleeping
-Friday 5/29: Mena Mountain Top Cabins
-Saturday 5/30: Embassy Suites Hot Springs
There are many other options in Mena and Hot Springs if these fill up, aren't your cup of tea, or if you want to camp. Post up with questions.
The Embassy Suites has boss bike parking
Fuel
Our fuel range is ~120 miles. We expect to fill up once between Mena and Hot Springs each day. There are a few gas stations, but don't pass one up. We won't...plus, we have little bladders. Gas stations are marked on the .gpx file.
Food
We will pack food for breakfast Saturday and trail lunches. We will do dinner Saturday and breakfast Sunday morning in Hot Springs. I spoke with Alisha at the Embassy Suites and they still provide breakfast, but the scale depends on how full they are onany given night. They are not doing their usual happy hour, but seemed to be running normally otherwise.
Weather
Forecast for Mena as of Mon 5/25 is sunshine on Saturday with a low of 58 and a high of 78. Sunday is 54-79 with more sun. Fingers crossed it stays that way!!
Bike
I'll be on a KTM 690 and Heather will be on a KTM 350. This ride is generally big bike friendly, but expect a few mud holes, some 2 track, and a few "that's a road!?". Heather jokes that it's not a road "if you have to pick a line". Most of this will be road.
99% of the ride is on roads like this or better...
...and much of it is graded gravel:
Some fun to be had...
Map and GPS
Arkansas has relatively good signage, but it is important to have a paper map or GPS device. A .gpx file of our planned route is linked above. We've ridden much of this before, but there is always opportunity for adventure. You should read that as closures, downed trees, washouts, blocked roads, getting lost on a goat trail, etc. etc. etc. Remember to ride your own ride and be prepared for flats, minor breakdowns, and other story worthy derailments.
Google map of the route.
Edit: We've shifted from red to orange. These photos are from the last time we did this ride.
All links
Google Map
.gpx file <-- updated a couple lines below
Friday night lodging - Mena Mountain Top Cabins
Saturday night lodging - Embassy Suites Hot Springs
Updated GPX file: .gpx file v2
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