Arkansas ride Oct. 21-23

[allkidd]

We are planning a weekend ride in Arkansas, Oct. 21-23, and wanted to see if anybody wants to join...the more the better. We will drive to Buffalo Point campground, about 4:15 hours from Lees Summit. The plan is to base out of Buffalo Point and ride in a different direction each day. Our plan is to camp but there are cabins available just a few minutes away.

Let me know if you have an interest or have any questions.

[troy]

What kind of ride? Dualsport or gnarly off-road trails?

Thanks for the invite.

[allkidd]

We are open to what everybody wants to do although probably more dual sport. After riding dual sport for a day I get the urge to ride more of the gnarly so we may split into different groups.

[allkidd]

We have changed the location to the more centrally located Mulberry Lodge and Camping.

http://www.mulberrymountainlodge.com/

[troy]

I will be unable to make this ride due to some family obligations. HOWEVER, I can't emphasize enough how excellent this entire area is for motorcycle riding! EVERYONE who can work this into their schedule should make it happen. It's the perfect time of year as the fall colors should be out. (Muted this year because of extreme dry conditions.) You simply can't take a bad road in that part of the St. Francis National Forest. The pavement sections are fantastic with hills, twists, switchbacks, and views. The gravel forest roads are great dualsport riding. For off-road riding, you can ride a few hundred miles of trail including the official Mill Creek ATV system.

The Mulberry Mountain Lodge has a very nice campground with a nice shower house. Their cabins can't be beat--very nice! If you get a large group, the "lodge" sleeps up to 14 people--it is luxurious with giant stone fireplace, washers & dryers, 2 showers, etc.

You definitely have to eat at least once up the road at Backwoods BBQ. I am not kidding when I say it's the best BBQ I've ever had. Seriously. I've had it 3 times over the last 3 years, and it's consistently excellent. Cory & Anita are great people, too. From Hwy 23 & 16, head E towards St. Paul. It's a little place on the right side. They operate out of a small RV trailer with picnic tables under a pavilion. The ribs and pulled pork will blow you away. You have to try their smoked chicken salad--wow! Oh, and a friend of Anita's makes the pies they offer---DELICIOUS!

We've always enjoyed eating at the Oark Cafe, but enjoyed breakfast there this last trip for the first time---breakfast was good!

Others have recommended the Catalpa Cafe to me...my group tried it and we won't be back. Their pies are supposed to be legend, though.

For the GPS savvy, there are PLENTY of pre-planned routes available out there including Fall Color Tour, Hillbilly Dualsport, etc. I'll post up some route ideas, but it may be after I return from Disney World on the 16th.

You guys will have a great time!

[safiri]

What Troy said:
1. BBQ is awesome.
2. Breakfast at Oark was awesome. Supper has been good, too.
3. Catalpa was ... less than good. I won't be back.

Mulberry hosts the http://www.yonderharvestfestival.com/ Oct 13-16, so don't go then unless you like bluegrass and lots of people.

Going the weekend after you may find lots of tent stakes, etc. left by the festival goers.

[electrician]

I think Im in. Hopefully there will be more people.....

[Foster]

What kind of ride? DS or pavement? How many riders are going?

[electrician]

I prefer to ride off road. Just making the short trips on pavement to get to the forest roads.
I run a dunlop 606 on the rear, and pavement eats it alive, as does running it on an XR650R.

This is a great place to ride for thoes who have not been down there. IMHO: The best riding by trailering out 4-5 hours from 66044 Lawrence Kansas, is in The Turners Bend/Mulberry MT area.

Is the lodge that same cabin by the creek, just North of Turners Bend, then up the road to the left?

[Foster]

OOOOOhhh! On the pig trail! That would be a blast!That whole area has tons of jeep trails and forest roads! How many people are planning on attending this little event?

[stimmer6253472]

Is the lodge that same cabin by the creek, just North of Turners Bend, then up the road to the left?

Not sure where you are talking about but the lodge isn't next to a creek. It is about 4-5 miles north of Turners Bend on 23. Here is the coordinates to the Mulberry Mt: N35 42.678 W93 47.999

We are planning on going to Chadwick next weekend. If we change our minds to White Rock we will look you guys up.
Jim

[electrician]

Yes I looked it up. Thats the same cabin.

Whos up for driving? Trailering?

I rode there once. It was quite a long haul from Lawrence.

[troy]

Yes I looked it up. Thats the same cabin.

Whos up for driving? Trailering?

I rode there once. It was quite a long haul from Lawrence.

You are thinking of Byrd's River Retreat
http://www.byrdsadventurecenter.com/Riv ... etreat.htm

This ride is not planning to stay there. They are staying at the MUCH nicer Mulberry Mountain Lodge. Great lodging and camping.
http://mulberrymountainlodge.com/lodging.htm

[allkidd]

I'm not sure how many of us will be there....several have indicated they will be there but you never know....my guess is small group anywhere from 3 to 10. We are leaving lees summit about 7am friday morning...I know of others who have talked about working some friday and then coming down later friday. We will be in the campsite with a bright blue dodge dakota and a KTM LC4 640 and Suzuki DRZ. Actually, I'm also thinking about bringing my KTM 2 stroke if anybody is up for more gnarly off road.

[allkidd]

Is the lodge that same cabin by the creek, just North of Turners Bend, then up the road to the left?

Not sure where you are talking about but the lodge isn't next to a creek. It is about 4-5 miles north of Turners Bend on 23. Here is the coordinates to the Mulberry Mt: N35 42.678 W93 47.999

We are planning on going to Chadwick next weekend. If we change our minds to White Rock we will look you guys up.
Jim

We just rode chadwick on friday...great riding....found a lot of really good single track.

[Foster]

I am thinking of coming down late on Friday (trailering my DRZ). I am a novice in dirt and so would pass on the gnarly off road. Is there a group doing tamer off road stuff?

[allkidd]

I'm sure there will be some riding forest roads each day.

[fbj913]

just to be clear. This is a drive and ride right? driving down then riding "dirt bikes". I want to do an adventure dual sport ride that weekend!

[allkidd]

Yes, we are driving down in my truck and then riding once there.

[fbj913]

Yes, we are driving down in my truck and then riding once there.

DANG!!! have fun guys!