Here are the details for our Spring Arkansas trip:
Friday morning start through late Sunday night, March 26-28. We will be based in Clarksville, AR.
Friday will be mostly a travel day. In discussing this with several folks, it sounds like most people will be trailering their bikes. In the past though, there has also been a group that rides the whole way. Trailering to Clarksville (our over-night "base camp") takes about five or six hours depending on traffic when leaving Dallas. Riding to Russelville would be an all day kind of thing; do-able but a really long day on a bike.
We'll spend the nights (Friday and Saturday, 3/26, 3/27) at either the Holiday Inn or the Hampton Inn across the street; your call, whichever you prefer. Here are the appropriate links to make your reservations:
Holiday Inn Express: http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ex/1/en/hotel/fsmff?&cm_mmc=mdpr-_-googlemaps-_-ex-_-fsmff
Hampton Inn: http://www.hamptoninn.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=FSMCLHX
Saturday will be an "all riding" day. Usually we leave around 8:30 or 9 a.m. and return to the hotel around dark. There will be two ride groups; a Sport group for riders who want to carve it up and then a Touring group that will travel the route at a relaxed pace. I will be the ride leader for Touring. Jim Dugger has volunteered to lead Sport. The two groups will meet for lunch (town TBA) then we wi'll split again and meet back up at the hotel at the end of the day.
The main thing is we want everyone to feel good about attending this trip. Every type of rider will be accommodated so everyone can have a great time. We're all about enjoying each others company at the end of the day
The ride route is here and can be downloaded and copied so you've got your own copy:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=clarksville,+ar&daddr=ponca,+ar+to:jasper,+ar+to:mt+judea,+ar+to:lurton,+ar+to:magic+springs,+ar+to:marshall,+ar+to:Big+Flat,+ar+to:advance,+ar+to:big+flat,+ar+to:yellville,+ar+to:western+grove,+ar+to:lurton,+ar+to:clarksville,+ar&hl=en&geocode=FXBAHQIdM9Bt-imjV6X2BWvMhzFqdUv0YgxPTg%3BFbOvJQIdbl5v-il5xRqdyJjOhzFIkKPs6Do5qQ%3BFcRwJQId-hVy-imhcY00uTrMhzGPK4J6WaP6qQ%3BFToeJAIdsgN0-ikJDAB1En_OhzGXs_ql8Pm4Vg%3BFUzUIQIdVr9z-ikN4MzLXNPNhzGJnOXNVXypbg%3BFaZ-IgIdThV3-ikBp9q9StnNhzE5O4IyYTaQBA%3BFWTtIwIdFY96-ikdhPY83gDOhzHOi-BzxJmtEQ%3BFdFkJQIdmgV--imTnhjhQ_zRhzEZWWEq07ZBcA%3BFdSvJwIdU1t--ilHHsPx_-PRhzGzDsVsvVLQGg%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B&mra=ls&sll=35.81685,-92.88194&sspn=1.164775,2.469177&ie=UTF8&ll=35.848987,-92.881165&spn=1.164318,2.469177&z=9 (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=clarksville,+ar&daddr=ponca,+ar+to:jasper,+ar+to:mt+judea,+ar+to:lurton,+ar+to:magic+springs,+ar+to:marshall,+ar+to:Big+Flat,+ar+to:advance,+ar+to:big+flat,+ar+to:yellville,+ar+to:western+grove,+ar+to:lurton,+ar+to:clarksville,+ar&hl=en&geocode=FXBAHQIdM9Bt-imjV6X2BWvMhzFqdUv0YgxPTg%3BFbOvJQIdbl5v-il5xRqdyJjOhzFIkKPs6Do5qQ%3BFcRwJQId-hVy-imhcY00uTrMhzGPK4J6WaP6qQ%3BFToeJAIdsgN0-ikJDAB1En_OhzGXs_ql8Pm4Vg%3BFUzUIQIdVr9z-ikN4MzLXNPNhzGJnOXNVXypbg%3BFaZ-IgIdThV3-ikBp9q9StnNhzE5O4IyYTaQBA%3BFWTtIwIdFY96-ikdhPY83gDOhzHOi-BzxJmtEQ%3BFdFkJQIdmgV--imTnhjhQ_zRhzEZWWEq07ZBcA%3BFdSvJwIdU1t--ilHHsPx_-PRhzGzDsVsvVLQGg%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B&mra=ls&sll=35.81685,-92.88194&sspn=1.164775,2.469177&ie=UTF8&ll=35.848987,-92.881165&spn=1.164318,2.469177&z=9)
On Sunday, there should be plenty of time for a ride before heading back to D/FW in afternoon.
As with most Arkansas trips during the Spring, rainy, cold weather is ALWAYS a possibility so the actual ride date may get pushed back to a weekend in April.
SO! Those are the specifics. I hope everyone will make plans to join us... this one is going to ROCK!
P.S. You'll need to bring your own Moon Pies...
[beer]
i am well equipped to bring my own moonpies. maybe enough to share.
no go that weekend.
have fun and enjoy
misery loves company so stay home and we'll ride somewhere. [leo]
Some additional details on the recommended Hotels:
Hampton Inn Holiday Inn Express
2630 West Clark Road 2502 West Clark Road
Clarksville, AR‎ Clarksville, AR‎
(479) 754-4444 (877) 863-4780
These two properties are right next door to each other. Generally, the guys I have ridden with prefer the HDX. It's a nearly brand new hotel, and has an in-room fridge for your beer. There's also a really nice outdoor pool area to hang around after the ride.
I have a preference for the Hampton, though, because of the beds. The property itself is a little older and not as contemporary, but man oh man that bed...
Ride up route. For those riding up, feel free to harvest any of this you want. It's a long day, but dooable since most of the roads are relatively straight vs. what we will see once in Arkansas.
As mentioned in the other thread, be careful on the Talihina/Mena bit...
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Motopia,+Dallas,+tx&daddr=2207+N+Center+St,+Bonham,+TX+to:Ivanhoe,+TX+to:Monkstown,+TX+to:Arthur+City,+TX+to:US-271+to:Indian+Trail+to:Talihina,+OK+to:OK-1%2FUS-271+to:OK-1%2FTalimena+Scenic+Dr+to:OK-1%2FTalimena+Scenic+Dr+to:AR-88%2FSkyline+Dr+to:Ink,+AR+to:Gibbs,+AR+to:Story,+AR+to:AR-309+to:35.180824,-93.589783+to:Paris,+AR+to:2502+WEST+CLARK+ROAD+Clarksville,+AR&hl=en&geocode=Fc-z9AEdgRc7-iGEbLNVzm9NoA%3B%3B%3B%3B%3BFZdhCAIdht1M-g%3BFR31DgIdSWpX-g%3B%3BFc3xEgIdHxVX-g%3BFSSuEQIdYZtb-g%3BFYhJEQIddiBd-g%3BFWsSEQIdv8Rg-g%3B%3B%3B%3BFSnZFwIdhM1s-g%3B%3B%3B&mra=dpe&mrcr=15&mrsp=16&sz=13&via=16&sll=35.163986,-93.574505&sspn=0.073395,0.153809&ie=UTF8&ll=34.682911,-94.213257&spn=2.362294,4.938354&z=8 (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Motopia,+Dallas,+tx&daddr=2207+N+Center+St,+Bonham,+TX+to:Ivanhoe,+TX+to:Monkstown,+TX+to:Arthur+City,+TX+to:US-271+to:Indian+Trail+to:Talihina,+OK+to:OK-1%2FUS-271+to:OK-1%2FTalimena+Scenic+Dr+to:OK-1%2FTalimena+Scenic+Dr+to:AR-88%2FSkyline+Dr+to:Ink,+AR+to:Gibbs,+AR+to:Story,+AR+to:AR-309+to:35.180824,-93.589783+to:Paris,+AR+to:2502+WEST+CLARK+ROAD+Clarksville,+AR&hl=en&geocode=Fc-z9AEdgRc7-iGEbLNVzm9NoA%3B%3B%3B%3B%3BFZdhCAIdht1M-g%3BFR31DgIdSWpX-g%3B%3BFc3xEgIdHxVX-g%3BFSSuEQIdYZtb-g%3BFYhJEQIddiBd-g%3BFWsSEQIdv8Rg-g%3B%3B%3B%3BFSnZFwIdhM1s-g%3B%3B%3B&mra=dpe&mrcr=15&mrsp=16&sz=13&via=16&sll=35.163986,-93.574505&sspn=0.073395,0.153809&ie=UTF8&ll=34.682911,-94.213257&spn=2.362294,4.938354&z=8)
We are out that weekend with some car racing. Have fun guys.
Sorry to hear that, but I've seen video of your races and that's some cool shit!
So it's looking like Jim, Lisa, Memphis and me?
so far so good. i may make the trip twice, again when 'skrat can make it. all pending finances and weather of course.
(and lack of ncaa tourney tix)
Still tentative based on my work schedule [thumbsup]
I'd like to make this, don't see any reason I can't ;D
I can trailer out if I need to, & carry 2 bikes + mine. I wouldn't mind going up on Thursday, and/or returning Monday.
Looking forward [thumbsup] [moto] [beer]
If the group size ends up 4-5, that's really all the better as far as I'm concerned. It can be really difficult to manage to all of the preferences of a larger group. Bigger groups are a lot of fun back at the hotel, but on the trail it's nice to be quick and compact, and easy for the leader to confirm everyone is together going into a direction change.
With Arkansas in March, you pretty much just watch the weather and go whenever you can. And, having some flexibility in routing can help, too. I'll sort that problem as best I can on the day of the ride so we get as much clean road as possible.
If the weather farts out on us completely, I'll figure out a way to do a guest day at Eagles Canyon or something the first week of April and we can just ride out there instead. The road is just as twisty, it's just not quite as scenic [laugh]
Y'all *do* have electric gear, right? If it's 40-50 and clear/sunny... I'm going.
Final thoughts: Can someone confirm that Highway 23 (Pig Trail) is in fact closed? I heard the rain and ice caused the road bed to collapse and slide in areas, and the highways is closed for a few months. I wasn't a huge fan of the road, anyway, but that does eliminate one usually decent route and access to Eureka Springs if true.
I've been thinking of doing a Arkansas ride. I might in.
You're description of the road damage on 23 is confirmed. Should be fixed by September (in time for another event...) ;D
Bump-A-Rooney
Who's in?
Quote from: Duc L'Smart on January 31, 2010, 07:38:51 AM
Bump-A-Rooney
Who's in?
Are you going to combine this trip with a trip to Dallas or are you going to meet up in Arkansas?
[moto] This is the weekend of Mods vs Rockers - just a FYI. [bacon]
Quote from: Lisa Boyd on January 31, 2010, 08:55:27 AM
Are you going to combine this trip with a trip to Dallas or are you going to meet up in Arkansas?
I'll be coming to Dallas, probably the weekend before.
I'm in if I get a streetbike by then. I got cold feet on my last purchase. The whole XTO (who I work for) being bought out by Exxon made me too nervous to take all my savings and sink it into a bike. They already took my Sundays away, and it's looking to really slow down by March/April. At the moment I don't even have a bike I can ride street or track. The Gixxer is pretty banged up, and the 900 is in Granbury at abpilot's house. It's pretty depressing not having a bike to ride lately...
Its 36 degrees outside. For all intents and purposes, I also have no bike to ride right now.
Yeah, this one looks like it's slipping away. Still plenty of time yet but the weather may really be a big negative this year...
Go to Barber in May. There's a museum, and warmer weather and a holiday weekend.
I wasn't going anyway but it seems this trip is a bust. just saying....
I love riding to and through AR. I missed going last year due to weather and neglect. These March dates are a little too early in the year for me. If it gets pushed into April/May that will be more my speed (pun intended). That's the stormy season for sure in OK/AR but I'd rather dodge those issues than cold and possible sleet/ice that can happen in March. It's nice having today's forecasting technology at your fingertips. Helps in planning rides. Beats all the guessing and hoping we did 25 years ago on AR rides! [bang] Been there, done that.
Barber really is looking to be The Trip for 2010... So no worries on this particular Arkansas weekend then. As has been said before; there will be other weekends later in the year with predictably better weather so let's just shoot for some other time ;)
Agreed.
Don't check in here often, but:
If the weather is good, I'll be there.
If not, I won't.
The weekend before is the first Harris Hill track day. I'm planning to do that one.
March is always touch and go. Make the call the Thursday night before...
I will make this one... if you guys do end up going. Will keep up with the thread..
Ashok
Good to hear from you Ashok!! [thumbsup]
Quote from: fastwin on February 04, 2010, 09:39:19 AM
Good to hear from you Ashok!! [thumbsup]
Thanks Brian. I may not be here often, but whenever I do peep.. it warms my heart to see all of ya hooligans keeping this alive:)
Quote from: muskrat on February 01, 2010, 07:11:13 AM
I wasn't going anyway but it seems this trip is a bust. just saying....
New member, long time Duc owner!!
Hardly a bust, since we really don't know what the weather will be like in 4+ weeks. If the weather forecast looks good, I'll be there. I just hope that Buell Fanboi will be there, so I can show him what a real V-twin looks like hauling azz on AR 341-Push Mountain. ;D ;D
You better bring back video
I think I'd still like to go on this but I'd rather cruise. Hot Springs would be a nice place to overnight; historic downtown, plenty of choices for hotels and dinner (The Arlington Hotel AND hot spring pool and spa...) and sidewalks that don't roll up at 6pm [laugh]
Here's a link to the Arlington Hotel:
http://www.arlingtonhotel.com/index.htm (http://www.arlingtonhotel.com/index.htm)
It is haunted and has a bar. What could be better? [evil]
When we've stayed in Hot Springs before on one of these Ducati Arkansas weekends, we'd leave around nine or ten Friday morning from Dallas, ride on scenic roads to Hot Springs getting in around 5 or 6, check into the hotel, then walk to dinner. There's a nice steak place, an Irish pub, or a very good German food restaurant within easy walking distance. If we stayed at the Arlington, breakfast is included in the price of the room.
We could plan a Saturday ride over dinner Friday night depending on what people feel like doing.
Quote from: muskrat on February 22, 2010, 01:40:36 PM
You better bring back video
I doooooo love chasing that yeller duc. Great riders, great bikes and great roads = good times. And, anyway, who wants a back-facing AR341 cam with the front end of a Buell in frame the whole time? [laugh]