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Only a few days until the TAR Spring ride and the weather looks great. Highs in the low 70's, lows in the upper 50's with a 10% to 30% chance of rain.

I just checked with Valarie at Mack Pines and the cabins are now all booked. Still plenty of RV and primitive camping sites. She also said the restaurant will be open for breakfast and until 7:00 PM for dinner on Friday and Saturday.

Last week I posted GPS tracks at this link:

http://rideforum.net/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1829&start=20.

There is also a link to an adv ride report with videos and pictures for the Mack Pines area. You might also enjoy his editorial of the MP cabins.

Sounds like most of us will be there by later Thursday evening. My thought is to ride the tracks West on Friday. Should make for a full day.

We will get there by at least early afternoon Thursday so if anybody else arrives that early should be a good time to scout out the stream crossings.

To my knowledge there aren't any places to eat along the tracks either Friday or Saturday so plan on packing plenty of food and water for a full day.

As an alternative for Saturday, a friend of mine from Jonesboro, AR will be at Brock Creek. He probably knows the single track better than anybody and would be willing to show us around. By offroad trails it is a good 30 miles to BC, probably take at least a few hours. So, if anybody wants to ride a lot of BC single track you would probably need to truck or trailer over there. If there are enough interested in the ST maybe one group could truck over and meet the other group riding over. Let me know if you are interested in the ST at BC. To ride the ST you pretty much need to have a smaller bike.

I'm looking forward to this trip as I think everyone will really like the riding in this area! If you have any questions feel free to give me a call.

Randy
816-726-6859

You guys have fun down there and take lots of pictures for those of us that aren't able to go. I was planning on making this one for sure up until a few days ago, and long story short I just can't make it happen.

I'm already looking forward to the ride reports!

allkidd wrote:To ride the ST you pretty much need to have a smaller bike.

Define "smaller bike."

jasbaum wrote:

allkidd wrote:To ride the ST you pretty much need to have a smaller bike.

Define "smaller bike."

I've always defined "small bike" as DRZ400 or smaller/lighter. The rest is skill of course. A DRZ would be considered heavy for some of that Brock Creek singletrack. There are sections in there that are really more effort (and risk) than I probably care to work the bike through. Problem is--I don't know the trails enough to know which to avoid, so I end up riding whatever trail I head down!

My attendance this weekend is in jeopardy right now. I'm still home sick after my week-long vacation. I've missed a lot of work. I need to do some work on the bike before the trip, too. Cooped up with a nasty sinus infection and fever...sucks.

Troy - you can't be sick - you're our ride!

just kidding...hope your feeling better, and can make the trip. James and I won't be stranded if you can't.

troy wrote:There are sections in there that are really more effort (and risk) than I probably care to work the bike through.

I'm sure we could trust Randy not to get us in over our head, right Scott?

I'll be listening for Randy to say "I think we're past the really tough stuff" as my cue to turn back and find an alternate route...

Scott_B wrote:I'll be listening for Randy to say "I think we're past the really tough stuff" as my cue to turn back and find an alternate route...

That sounds a lot like Troy during the second day of the Bald Eagle Ride.

jasbaum wrote:

allkidd wrote:To ride the ST you pretty much need to have a smaller bike.

Define "smaller bike."

Smaller than a DRZ...

Actually, I'm thinking we take the back trails to Brock Creek but probably don't want to ride the single track. I've heard that over there and back makes for a full day without riding ST.

troy wrote:

jasbaum wrote:

allkidd wrote:To ride the ST you pretty much need to have a smaller bike.

Define "smaller bike."

I've always defined "small bike" as DRZ400 or smaller/lighter. The rest is skill of course. A DRZ would be considered heavy for some of that Brock Creek singletrack. There are sections in there that are really more effort (and risk) than I probably care to work the bike through. Problem is--I don't know the trails enough to know which to avoid, so I end up riding whatever trail I head down!

My attendance this weekend is in jeopardy right now. I'm still home sick after my week-long vacation. I've missed a lot of work. I need to do some work on the bike before the trip, too. Cooped up with a nasty sinus infection and fever...sucks.

It sucks to have to take precious time off work for something other than vacation or riding.

Darnit! Guys, I am OUT for this weekend. I have family stuff to attend to as it turns out. The weather forecast looks great--you guys are going to have a great time.

I just got done doing 4 hrs of bike prep, including new knobbies, and greased just about every bearing front and rear.
I'm pretty excited about this trip. I'm pretty sure it is all new territory, and the first time in AR on the DRZ.

I am planning on bringing my small Weber "Smokey Joe" grill, some brats, hotdogs, and whatever else I can fit in the cooler. We are planning on leaving Lee's Summit around 1pm, and hopefully will arrive in time to set up camp in the daylight.

Ryan

allkidd wrote:She also said the restaurant will be open for breakfast and until 7:00 PM for dinner on Friday and Saturday.

If the restaurant at camp doesn't look promising, or if we want a change of pace, Russellville is only a 30 minute drive. Should be plenty of places to eat there.

Dover is much closer, but doesn't seem to have much to offer.

I don't want to bring dinner fixins. Breakfast and lunch are easy.

Randy, I got things worked out to join this ride. I won't get there until around noon Friday so I'll find you Friday evening and hope to ride with you Saturday & Sunday.

Rick