Triumphrat

parrycm · 03-07-2005

I live north of Dallas and I'm going to the Ozarks RAT Raid in May at Osage Beach - due to time constraints I will head straight there using highways.

But I plan to take a leisurely route back to Dallas, leaving Osage Sunday midday and planning to be back in Dallas no later than Tuesday evening.

I've read good things said here about Hwy 23 (Pig Trail?) and Hwy 1 from Mena into OK, but does anyone have any other suggestions - both roads and sights?

Thanks!

00wabbit · 03-07-2005

I am going to ride hwy 1 into Mena this weekend. We will also be heading up to Magazine Mountain.

You are welcom to come along if you can get Friday off and spend the weekend riding.

Otherwise. Ill let you know what the roads were like when I get back. I am going to video tape hwy 1 with the camera on my bike.

parrycm · 03-07-2005

Sounds great but as I'm married to a Dublin girl, I'll be doing Paddy's Day on Greenville this Saturday. Slainte!

Let me know how you get on....

jefftarlton · 03-07-2005

OK 1 turns into AR 88 at the state line. Also called the Talimena Drive. Very nice views and mostly gentle sweepers. Usually very little traffic.
AR 23 (pig trail) is pretty decent in spots, but I usually wind up behind a slow moving truck.
AR 309 over Magazine has nice views and curves, but the surface is a little loose. I can't really trust it.
AR 123 is the best road in the state. Look just South of Jasper.
Ar 27 just South of Danville is nice.
AR 27 just North of Dover is nice.
AR 16 West of Clinton is nice.
The Ouachita Mountains are different from the Ozarks. The Ozarks are a little rougher and the roads up there are twistier.
My friend Mario's book "Arkansas Rider's Guide" is worth the price. Check out arkansasrider.com.

parrycm · 03-08-2005

Jeff...

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it. I'm thinking that I will take your recommendation of 123 and also take in 125 since it has a ferry ride across Bull Shoals Lake - I'll get a kick out of that.

So now I need a good route from Osage Beach to Bull Shoals and a good route from Clarksville/Lamar to the start of Talimena Drive.

jefftarlton · 03-08-2005

You could go ahead and go over Magazine and then use 27 down to 8.
I've got a picture of my sprint on the ferry across Bull Shoals in my album here. The roads North of the ferry aren't congested but they don't curve enough. That is the last ferry in AR to my knowledge.
I forgot AR 303 South of War Eagle. That is one twisty little bit of asphalt.

parrycm · 03-10-2005

Jeff...

Thanks to you, I've got a route roughed out; and I took your advice re Magazine Mountain.

I think I will buy Mr Caruso's book because, if the ride is as good as I think it will be, I shall return!

parrycm · 03-10-2005

Jeff...

Thanks to you, I've got a route roughed out; and I took your advice re Magazine Mountain.

I think I will buy Mr Caruso's book because, if the ride is as good as I think it will be, I shall return!

00wabbit · 03-10-2005

I should have some pics from magazine mtn. This weekend. Pcaking up the t-bird and heading to Mt. Ida tomorrow. Then on to magazine mtn.

00wabbit · 03-10-2005

I should have some pics from magazine mtn. This weekend. Pcaking up the t-bird and heading to Mt. Ida tomorrow. Then on to magazine mtn.