RideForum.NET

HERE ARE THE MAIN DETAILS:
(Added by Troy)

WHAT
RideForum.NET Ozarks Trail Ride
This has traditionally been a "hard-core" trail ride using forest roads to connect ATV trails. This year, it appears we'll have a big bike contingency that will do more of a forest road route--you can't beat these roads! So there will be riding to be enjoyed by all--heck, bring your cruiser or sport bike and hit the "Pig Tail Trail" of Hwy 23 and make a loop with Hwy 21 out of Clarksville--both have hairpin switchbacks and twisties galore!

WHEN
Friday, September 28 - Sunday, September 30
Many people will show up Thursday to get some early riding in.

WHERE
Ozark National Forest, near Cass, Arkansas
http://maps.yahoo.com/#mvt=m&q1=Cass%2C ... 7557&mag=6

LODGING
Byrd's River Retreat
http://www.byrdsadventurecenter.com/retreat.htm
This Yahoo Map pinpoints the cabin's location -- click here
This is a rustic cabin on the Mulberry RIver that sleeps 12. It ain't the Marriot, but it works great for a bunch of dusty trail riders. The river is great for cooling off after a long ride!
David H. has been kind enough to reserve, pre-pay, and manage the lodging situation. Please contact David H if you want to reserve a spot--if any are left. The cabin is reserved Thurs, Fri, & Sat night. The cost will be around $20/night--maybe less--per person. Whether you stay one or 3 nights, you will pay your share of all three nights. So plan on about $60 to stay in the cabin. Bring cash or check to pay David H on arrival if you have not already paid him.

FOOD
Folks have volunteered to bring cereal, milk, and frozen entrees along with some other items. For more info on the food situation, read the thread.

ROUTES
NOTE: To download route files, right-click and choose Save Link As.
You basically can't go wrong in this forest--just head down any road and take any turn you see. You'll come across trail markers for those that want to hit ATV trails--travel at your own risk! We have a bunch of fantastic routes from years past.

For the big bike routes:

David H wrote:The big dual sport routes were done by Larry M and I and are ready to ride. Our routes are just to be used as a template, so if you would happen to see something you can't resist, go for it! Our routes are complete and will give you a nice ride if you wish to follow them to the end, but again we are all exploring so do what ever seems right. Give me your e mail address and I will send them to you if you desire.

Contact David H
Contact Troy Wolf

For the trail riders, I am offering 7 routes. Some of you may have your own routes--RIDE WHAT YOU WANT! I have chosen not to route the trail systems themselves. Instead, I have used Sean's routes to get you to the various trail systems, then you can just ride around the system anywhere you want.

The 2 main trail systems close to us are the:

Mill Creek Trail System
http://www.fs.fed.us/oonf/ozark/recreat ... creek.html

Huckleberry Mountain Trail System
http://www.fs.fed.us/oonf/ozark/recreat ... berry.html

You can download all my routes in a single Garmin GDB file here:
http://www.troywolf.com/share/Ozarks/ozarks.gdb

Or you can download individual GPX-format route files in the descriptions below. Unless otherwise noted, all the routes are a mix of gravel forest roads and ATV trails with minimal pavement.

2MillCrk1
13 Miles
This route takes you from the cabin to the Mill Creek ATV Trail System.

2MillCrk2
11 Miles
Another route that takes you from the cabin to the Mill Creek ATV Trail System.

2MillCrk3
51 Miles
This is a really long route that takes you from the cabin to the Mill Creek ATV Trail System. It takes you down around Shores Lake, up by White Rock Mtn (2nd highest peak in AR), down a fantastic Jeep road to Combs, where you get food and gas. From Combs, it's a short ride to the main entrance of the Mill Creek ATV Trail System.

FUNRUN
46 Miles
I modified Sean's original FUNRUN slightly. I eliminated the loop at the very beginning opting instead to cruise up the pigtrail (Hwy 23) to the trail head. I turned the old beginning loop into my "Short" route. The FUNRUN is, in my opinion, about as good as it gets! This is a fantastic ride and will wear you out. It is not for the faint of heart.

Short
11 Miles
This is a simple loop that combines some trails and forest road to do a loop near the cabin. It used to be the first part of the FUNRUN.

2Clarks
42 miles
This is a very fun route from the Cabin to Clarksville. It includes that long, winding, gravel downhill with all the whoops! It takes you around Horsehead Lake. This is a route you can take if you are heading all the way down to the Huckleberry Mountain Horse Trails 20 miles south of Clarksville. (See "2Huck") This route includes some great trails, forest roads, and a fair amount of pavement.

2Huck
19 Miles of mostly pavement. This route is simply a way to get to the Huckleberry Mountain Horse/ATV trails. This trail system is the home of the "bitch" hill that has left its mark on many a bike and rider....just ask our own KC!


Hayden's original post:
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I know its early for this but wondering if its crossed your minds yet. We had a great time this last Sep and wondering if its going to happen agian?

I am planning to hit the Mulberry Mountain Music Festival again this year (sept 22-23) and the following weekend is when we had the fall ride. I may stay down all week like last year if this happens.

Hayden

I have not given it any thought yet.

It has almost become a given that we will ride AR in the fall...so that weekend sounds as good as any. I will check the three lodges in the area and see what is open.

I think it would be great to head back to the nice lodge....although that river sure came in handy last year.

Would you folks like swanky or not-so-swanky? The cost really isnt that different. For three nights, I think it is $75 vs $125 or so.

The Mulberry Mountain Lodge obviously can host a much larger group if we need it.

I know a lot of people probably prefer to go as ultra-low-cost as possible, but I don't get away on vacation very often, so when I do, I don't mind paying extra to enjoy myself. For a really good 3 day riding weekend, the difference between $100 or $200 is not a show-stopper.

In my opinion, the only thing the Byrd's Retreat offered as an advantage was the river---which was really, really nice. However, that Mulberry Lodge was about as nice as you can get. That would be my vote.

The Mulberry Mountain Lodge hosts the Mulberry Mountain Music Festival that Hayden is going to. I wonder if they'd be setup to host a group the following wknd. Let's see what Sean finds out.

Sean, without a doubt, when you look into the Mulberry place--ask for the "Lodge". I'm sure finding the 15 - 20 people required to fill that place will not be a problem. Did you ever get any feedback from them last year? Were they happy to have hosted our group of rag-tag, dirty bikers?

Im with troy. Either place was cool with me. I can enjoy camping it at White Rock so to have a shower and a place to hang (Watch video) is super cool. The river was super nice but it was pretty warm that weekend. The weekend before you all wouldnt have been doing that.

Remember that earlier that week is the Fayettville Harley Rally and they(Mulberry Mountain Ranch) had a Harley thing going on the weekend you were all down. They had music etc going on. Isnt that the reason we were at the River anyway?

Hayden

Ok guys, I will see what I can come up with. With 10 guys, the big lodge comes out to be $180 a person for 3 nights...that is certainly within reason for a vacation of this caliber.

If we have under 10 people the Star Lodges work well and would be a bit cheaper. They are very nice and have that covered barn for all the bikes. That would be more like $120 a person for the long weekend....

Sooooo how does this sound.

Show up Thursday night (27th) at whatever time you can make it. Rack out.

Ride Friday, Saturday all day and Sunday until 1. I will try to get a 2 pm checkout. Clean up and head back. Back with the better half by 9 at the latest.

If this is what everyone had in mind...I will start looking into it a bit. I am going to be in China most September again, but I am about 99% sure I will be back.

MoRidin wrote:Ok guys, I will see what I can come up with. With 10 guys, the big lodge comes out to be $180 a person for 3 nights...that is certainly within reason for a vacation of this caliber.

If we have under 10 people the Star Lodges work well and would be a bit cheaper. They are very nice and have that covered barn for all the bikes. That would be more like $120 a person for the long weekend....

Sooooo how does this sound.

Show up Thursday night (27th) at whatever time you can make it. Rack out.

Ride Friday, Saturday all day and Sunday until 1. I will try to get a 2 pm checkout. Clean up and head back. Back with the better half by 9 at the latest.

If this is what everyone had in mind...I will start looking into it a bit. I am going to be in China most September again, but I am about 99% sure I will be back.

Make it so number one!

Cool with me

Daryl Perry wrote:
Make it so number one!

Don't I outrank you Commander?

Hey Daryl...I was talking to Leigh yesterday (had to send my shock to him). He somehow knew we knew each other.

He wanted to know if you were GTG and got your sag set?? I told him you were doing some test rides in AR of several bikes trying to decide what you liked.

My shock was due for a service...hope he gets it back my Chadwick or I will be riding the smoker.

MoRidin wrote:

Daryl Perry wrote:
Make it so number one!

Don't I outrank you Commander?

You might have, but you got out private!

MoRidin wrote:Hey Daryl...I was talking to Leigh yesterday (had to send my shock to him). He somehow knew we knew each other.

He wanted to know if you were GTG and got your sag set?? I told him you were doing some test rides in AR of several bikes trying to decide what you liked.

My shock was due for a service...hope he gets it back my Chadwick or I will be riding the smoker.

Yes, I mentioned to him that I rode your 400 and was the best bike I have ever riden. He and I had some confusion over the old sag setting, but I understand now and it is set! I just don't know if I can go oragne or not, I'm very happy with the Husky especially after Leigh did his magic to the suspension!

If you need me to pick up your shock I can and I will bring it to Chadwick??? If not, please put some Bel-Ray in the smoker, man I miss that smell from my youth.

Daryl Perry wrote:If you need me to pick up your shock I can...

Somebody already "picked it up" for him. Now if we only knew WHO that was...I'll let Sean explain.

troy wrote:

Daryl Perry wrote:If you need me to pick up your shock I can...

Somebody already "picked it up" for him. Now if we only knew WHO that was...I'll let Sean explain.

Well sounds like a little wrenching before we ride. Troy has experience installing rear shocks.

This guy knows about rear shock problems!

This rear shock is from a KLR in the middle of Mexico. Read the full story in this AdvRider thread.

Guys...the shock made its way home...well actually it made it to Letko. The Postal Inspector called me (dont know how they found my number) and asked if I was "attempting to ship a some suspension"....I was a bit worried how to respond.

He told e the good news is that they found it....the bad news is that "one of your shocks is missing".

He told me it wound up in some kind of loop riding from Omaha to Wichita every day for a couple weeks. Nice.

Anyway...Leigh has it and is doing his thing.

Nothing a little prayer wont solve...not that the Lord has to worry about my shock.

That's funny. Your suspension was within 2 miles of my house probably a dozen times the last couple of weeks!!

Great to hear you recovered it, thought for sure it was a gonner.

What's a guy got to do to be part of this? Would this be similar riding as the Eureka Springs or are we talking single track here. What town is the hotel or lodge? Is the lodge a common area type of set up?
Thanks

Carl

Everybody comes. This got started a couple of years ago when the KTMtalk.com guys got together and hosted a ride in AR. They came from Ohio to Oklahoma and inbetween. It was a great time. We all split up into a couple of groups so we had the ALL KTM guys and then a group of mixed riders from Hondas to Huskeys. Even had a KLR this last year. Its mostly Trail riding with a little or a lot of single track. Its all up to you and how much you want to do. Lots of rock and river crossings too to mix it up. It is basicly just doing a lot of exploring in the Ozark National Forest on ATV trails. Bike must be street legal. Its quite a hoooot.

Hayden

carlrf wrote:What's a guy got to do to be part of this? Would this be similar riding as the Eureka Springs or are we talking single track here. What town is the hotel or lodge? Is the lodge a common area type of set up?
Thanks

This is a lot of single track with a dose of fire roads thrown in. I didn't do the Eureka Springs ride, but Dave H did do last years ride and he would be able to compare and contrast the two rides.

Even if you feel like you can't do the single track/ATV trails there are miles of fire roads. Also, your bike should be street legal. Hope to see you there.

Daryl

Sorry...guess you also wanted to know where it is. The lodge we stayed at the first time is the Mulberry Mountain Lodge/ranch just N of Cass AR on Hwy 23. Your about 30-40 miles east of Fayettville AR. and a little south. Just a short jot to Oark and Ozark AR. Last year we stayed at Byrds Adventure Center Lodge which sits on the Buffalo River just up from Turner Bend on 23. The riding we did was the surrounding area here with trails starting out the front door of either place.

Hayden