5 trails, 5 states, 5 days

[fbj913]

Not to toot my own horn. Okay I am. This is in no way a sales pitch! I just want to share a very cool adventure that I was a part of this last summer.

The story on the web site is very well written, so I'll keep my description short. Justin and I met when I was in college at UCM. Justin used to own Freeride Bike and Skate there in Warrensburg. We met at the shop and then became great friends while riding and racing hare scrambles. Him and I spent every single Sunday at Chadwick during my senior year in College. Anyway, he eventually got hired by a bicycle giant (Quality Bicycle Products) and now runs the Salsa Brand. The rest is in the link! I hope you like!

http://salsacycles.com/stories/5_trails_5_states_5_days

Some extra pics that aren't on the site. Some I took myself along the way.

[kendall_smith]

I just read the article in your link and all I can say is "EPIC"! Awesome report!

As a certified 2 wheel junky I would love to do something like that someday. I've been through most of the places that you guys went on your trip at one time or another, but definitely not with the mobility that you guys had with your rigs. That is a really cool way to get some great riding in!

I don't think we've ever met, but if you find yourself in NW Arkansas (we've got several IMBA epic trails down here), shoot me a PM and maybe we can do some riding.

[fbj913]

Huh. Funny you say that. I will be there on Tuesday. Can you ride?

[kendall_smith]

Definitely- I'm wide open during the week, so that should work great. The weather for the upcoming week is looking realIy good too!

I live in Holiday Island, which is basically Eureka Springs North. I'm minutes from Leatherwood, and ES in-town trails, although I need to have a local show me some of those again. I did the in town ride at the Fat Tire festival a couple of years ago, but I didn't run my GPS, so I'm at a loss to find some of the trails. I can be at Slaughter Pen or Blowing Springs in less than an hour. Some of my wife and I's favorite trails are the White River system in Branson, which is only 45 minutes to an hour northeast of hour house.

My cell phone number is in my signature, so give me a call/text whenever.

Are you bringing the MTB and GS?

[fbj913]

I would ride Slaughter Pen. I've always wanted to and not been able. I'll shoot you a text.

[troy]

That 5 day trip makes me tired just thinking about it! What a whirlwind--looks like a blast!

[allkidd]

Great ride report....thanks for sharing.

This coming May I'm planning on riding my GS back East in the Great Smokey mountain area of North Carolina. Great GS riding but also some really good mountain bike riding. Thinking that I couldn't haul my MB on my GS, I've been looking into renting a MB at the trail location. Unfortunately, I haven't found any bike rentals right at a trail.

Your posting gives me hope that maybe I could haul my MB. Did I read that the mounts were custom made or is this something that could be purchased?

[Mattern]

Great pics. I grew up in the Dakotas and go back often. My brother and I are taking are bikes with to run up along Lake oahe, the Badlands and the Black Hills.

Allkid...are you going to ride the Tail of The Dragon while you are in NC? I have been trying to plan a trip East with that as a goal.

Dave

[kendall_smith]

Did I read that the mounts were custom made or is this something that could be purchased?

http://2x2cycles.com

I need one of these for my DR! This would be perfect for your trip out east Randy.

[kendall_smith]

I would ride Slaughter Pen. I've always wanted to and not been able. I'll shoot you a text.

Good to meet you yesterday, Josh!

It became horribly apparent how much I've let my conditioning go over this winter when I tried riding at Slaughter Pen yesterday. I guess I'm still stuck in the flatland frame of mind when it comes to easing back into MTB'ing after a long time off. Unfortunately, the climbs up the hills in NW Arkansas don't really care whether you've been riding every day or taken a couple of months off! I was sucking wind and felt like my heart was going to pop out of my chest. I guess it was a wake up call to get ready for spring if nothing else. Hopefully by the next time you come to ride the area, I'll be a bit more ready for some riding.

[fbj913]

I would ride Slaughter Pen. I've always wanted to and not been able. I'll shoot you a text.

Good to meet you yesterday, Josh!

It became horribly apparent how much I've let my conditioning go over this winter when I tried riding at Slaughter Pen yesterday. I guess I'm still stuck in the flatland frame of mind when it comes to easing back into MTB'ing after a long time off. Unfortunately, the climbs up the hills in NW Arkansas don't really care whether you've been riding every day or taken a couple of months off! I was sucking wind and felt like my heart was going to pop out of my chest. I guess it was a wake up call to get ready for spring if nothing else. Hopefully by the next time you come to ride the area, I'll be a bit more ready for some riding.

Thanks for the tour. Nice meeting you as well. I had a good time. I almost went back yesterday but thanks to my long night the day before I was feeling like death.

[Hank Moody]

Great ride report....thanks for sharing.

This coming May I'm planning on riding my GS back East in the Great Smokey mountain area of North Carolina. Great GS riding but also some really good mountain bike riding. Thinking that I couldn't haul my MB on my GS, I've been looking into renting a MB at the trail location. Unfortunately, I haven't found any bike rentals right at a trail.

Your posting gives me hope that maybe I could haul my MB. Did I read that the mounts were custom made or is this something that could be purchased?

Years ago I was able to rent mountain bikes at the at the Nantahala Outdoor Center near Bryson City, NC. Looking at their website I don't see bike rentals, but it never hurts to give them a call.

[fbj913]

Great ride report....thanks for sharing.

This coming May I'm planning on riding my GS back East in the Great Smokey mountain area of North Carolina. Great GS riding but also some really good mountain bike riding. Thinking that I couldn't haul my MB on my GS, I've been looking into renting a MB at the trail location. Unfortunately, I haven't found any bike rentals right at a trail.

Your posting gives me hope that maybe I could haul my MB. Did I read that the mounts were custom made or is this something that could be purchased?

Call up Garrett at 2x2 cycles. He makes a rack for just about any bike. You could easily haul it with you.

[allkidd]

Great pics. I grew up in the Dakotas and go back often. My brother and I are taking are bikes with to run up along Lake oahe, the Badlands and the Black Hills.

Allkid...are you going to ride the Tail of The Dragon while you are in NC? I have been trying to plan a trip East with that as a goal.

Dave

I haven't really done much planning as to exact location. I was hoping to ride more forest type roads...if they have them back there? If I'm in the area I wouldn't be able to turn down riding the dragon.

[fbj913]

Wow! Beyond words! Enjoy

http://expeditionportal.com/five-states ... five-days/

[kendall_smith]

That's another awesome article!

I was just catching up on some back issues of Dirt Rider and they had a similar article in the January issue I believe. Here's a link to the online version- http://www.dirtrider.com/features/video-bikes-on-bikes/