June 24 & 25: Dualsport Glade Top Trail, Ava, MO

[troy]

This is an invite to join a reddof and I on a dualsport mini adventure over the June 24th weekend. Reddof needs to get out of the house that weekend and I need an excuse to put miles on my new F800. Reddof will be on his F800, too. We don't have much of a plan yet, but want to be back home by Sat night. So we figure we'll go check out the Glade Top Trail National Scenic Byway near Ava, Missouri. The prime time to ride this would be during the Fall colors, but I'm sure we can manage to enjoy it now.

Glade Top Trail National Scenic Byway near Ava, Missouri

We'll slab it out Fri evening to get close to our target area by nightfall. Perhaps stay in a Springfield, MO hotel. Suggestions? Then Sat morning we'll explore the gravel roads and the 23 miles of Glade Top Trail. We'll explore gravel on the way home until time starts running out at which point we'll hit the slab.

We'll take off Fri evening on June 24th from the BATS Exchange parking lot at 8050 Marshall Drive in Lenexa, KS. If you want to go with us, be in the parking lot by 4PM. I'd suggest letting us know you plan to come by posting here. If last minute, call Troy at 913.669.0958.

4PM Friday leave from BATS parking lot
Google Map to the parking lot


Friday Night stay in Bolivar, MO at Super 8
Call 417-777-8888 for reservations. Donna was very nice and helpful on the phone. AAA rate for 2 guys in room with 2 beds is $54. Without AAA it is $60. Michael Bishop and I will probably wait until Wed or Thur to make the reservation.

Proposed route from KC to Bolivar
I'm proposing about 185 miles Fri evening landing in Bolivar, MO. It should be a really fun route with perhaps a tiny bit of gravel in the travel--but not much so we can make time. We'll be hard-pressed to reach Bolivar by dark, but we can always jump off onto a larger highway and beat it down there.

Saturday morning ride from Bolivar to Ava
When we wake up Sat morning (after breakfast and coffee) we'll meander on twisty pavement from Bolivar over to Ava, MO. The route avoids Springfield and looks to be pavement the whole way--but some good stuff.

Explore the Glade Top Trail
Once at Ava, we'll get a drink and gas, etc. before heading S to start the Glade Top Trail experience--about 30 miles or so of gravel.

I have a really fun route to get home that includes going a bit further S to take the ferry over Bull Shoals before winding back NW to get home. HOWEVER, this would be about 460 miles for the day! While I'm not a stranger to long days in the saddle, I know a lot of guys don't like to do that many miles in a day. I built a 2nd route home that is 60 miles shorter--still a 400 mile day. It's never too far to hit 44 and 71 to cruise home fast if needed.

[ajayhawkfan]

I don't think I can make it but it sure sounds fun.

If you stay in Springfield there are a lot of motels at Glenstone and I44 (NE part of town). I stay at the Best Western quite a bit. It is on west side of Glenstone, south of I44.

You might also consider going a little further down Highway 65 to Rockaway Beach, on Lake Taneycomo. It is an old resort town, killed by Branson, that has lots of cheap to very cheap motels and cabins. The location is pretty and roads very nice. Being there is east of the start of the Trail putting you near Ava at the end of the trail.

Here are a few other landmakrs you might enjoy seeking:

Jackson Mill N36 53.834 W92 46.402
Hammond Mill N36 40.538 W92 38.662
Bennett Springs N37 43.005 W92 51.392 (4th largest in MO)

While planning your ride home you might keep in mind, it will take aprox. 3 hours of slab riding from I44 to home no matter where you cross I44 as long as you are west of Rolla.

I'll be anxious to hear what you think of the 800! Have fun and be safe.

[troy]

I KNEW I could count on Eddie for some good advice and things to see! I'll be sure to investigate these for the agenda. Are you SURE you can't come along, Eddie?!

[jasoomian]

I think at least one of you is trying to kill me If those pictures of the GTT are representative of the whole ride - I'll see you guys at breakfast, and then, well, you're on your own!

I'm more than up for a ride. Besides I want to check out your new bike! Today is the day, yes?

While I'll probably take a different route beyond Glade Top Trail (it depends on how it looks) I'd love to meet up in Springfield and ride with you for as long as I dare. While I am getting better at gravel roads and what not, I really don't want to slow anyone down and harp on your fun, so, I'll peel off and head down to the Ferry at some point, run down Push Mountain and fart around as I wind my way towards 123. Troy you mentioned another road that was around that area on our last trip through Arkansas, but, for the life of me I can't remember what it was..pigtail? Does that sound right?

Anyway...

http://goo.gl/maps/C4pn

Above is a route out of Springfield to the Glade Top Trail via 125, although you can get to it other ways. But, depending on how much gravel you guys want to ride on, it shows my intended route out of Springfield and back towards home. If it coincides with yours, at least in theory (anything can be changed), then great - I'll see you in Springfield.

I also just got a notice for Choice Hotels (like the one in Springfield we stayed in last year) for 20% off, so, something to think about.

Keep me posted.

Scottie

[troy]

Troy you mentioned another road that was around that area on our last trip through Arkansas, but, for the life of me I can't remember what it was..pigtail? Does that sound right?

Pig Tail Trail. Hwy 23 between Hwy 16 (near Combs, AR) and I-44 (Ozark, AR). The best parts are 6 miles just N of Hwy 215 at Cass, AR. Just S of Cass is the famous Turner Bend. Large convenience store, gas station, canoe & cabin rental, etc.

If you ride down the pig trail, you owe yourself a burger over at the famous (infamous?) Oark Cafe in Oark, AR (not Ozark). It's E on Hwy 215. There is/was about a mile of easy, wide gravel road in the middle of that highway section. Great views of the scenic Mulberry River.

Google "Pig Tail Trail", "Hwy 23", "Turner Bend", and "Oark Cafe" in Google and specifically AdvRider -- you'll learn more than you want.

[fbj913]

hello everyone. i will try and make it. it would be my first ride with the "group" not sure whats going on yet. i will have to talk to the boss. she works some saturdays so if thats the case it will be no problem!

[fbj913]

hello everyone. i will try and make it. it would be my first ride with the "group" not sure whats going on yet. i will have to talk to the boss. she works some saturdays so if thats the case it will be no problem!

i was just reminded that day is our family reunion. F! oh well i will catch up with you all next time. Be SAFE!

[Dave Mac]

Hi Troy, thank you for your help with my account-

I would like to join in the ride this week end. Will it involve highway riding?

dave mac

[troy]

Will it involve highway riding?

Yes. How much is the question. If you leave the metro around 4 pm and want to get down towards Springfield before dark, you have to make some time.

We do not have to make Springfield Fri night. The more gravel in our travel the better. Plans are not solidified, but we are riding!

[troy]

NOTE: THIS INFO IS OLD. See the FIRST POST for up-to-date info!

I almost certainly will not have the time to invest in planning this ride that I'd like. As usual, there are at least 100 route options and cool things to see that we simply can't do---not enough hours in the day and not enough days.

I'm proposing about 185 miles Fri evening landing in Bolivar, MO. It should be a really fun route with some gravel in the travel--but not much so we can make time. We'll be hard-pressed to reach Bolivar by dark, but we can always jump off onto a larger highway and beat it down there. Here is a route proposal:
http://www.marengo-ltd.com/map2/?route=16856

Comfort Inn looks nice. Dinner at Ozark Mountain BBQ?

When we wake up Sat morning (after breakfast and coffee) we'll meander on twisty pavement from Bolivar over to Ava, MO. The route avoids Springfield and looks to be pavement the whole way--but some good stuff.
http://www.marengo-ltd.com/map2/?route=16857

Once at Ava, we'll get a drink and gas, etc. before starting the Glade Top Trail experience. Here is the Glade Top Trail route plus a little extra. 36 miles of gravel!
http://www.marengo-ltd.com/map2/?route=16786

I need to figure out the route home....long day.

[Dave Mac]

I'm in. See you Friday @ 4:00

are you making reservations at the comfort inn or winging it?

[JasonK94Z]

This is looking so tempting! If there isn't anything I'm supposed to be doing for the wife, i want to go.

How much is a room at the comfort inn? May be on a budget

[jasoomian]

This is looking so tempting! If there isn't anything I'm supposed to be doing for the wife, i want to go.

How much is a room at the comfort inn? May be on a budget

One adult at the Comfort Inn in Bolivar is running 79.99 a night. Figure half that if you can find someone to share the room. They do have rooms that will sleep 3 (with an extra bed)

[troy]

I'm in. See you Friday @ 4:00

are you making reservations at the comfort inn or winging it?

Winging it is a bit more my style, but I'll probably make reservations on Thursday for Fri night.

[ajayhawkfan]

When in Bolivar I have stayed at a Super 8. It is one of the older properities but the last time through it was cheaper then the other chains. South of town, less then a mile there is a mom and pop place called the "Welcome Inn". You might give that a call as well.

[Dave Mac]

i'm on a budget too. the super 8 is $58.00- fine by me

I called information and they did not have a # for the welcome inn though it did come up when i googled it (but no #)

[troy]

Jason glad to hear you might come along! Oh, and thanks for returning my motorcycle jack.

FYI, Jason is looking for a roommate for Fri night. He sleeps naked, snores, and is into cuddling and moonlit walks.

[ajayhawkfan]

i'm on a budget too. the super 8 is $58.00- fine by me

I called information and they did not have a # for the welcome inn though it did come up when i googled it (but no #)

Welcome Inn (417) 326-5268 Try that.

[troy]

I updated the first post with latest details, and will continue to do so.
http://www.rideforum.net/viewtopic.php?p=9050#p9050

Super 8 is where I plan to stay. See first post for details. It's gonna be a great ride!

[JasonK94Z]

FYI, Jason is looking for a roommate for Fri night. He sleeps naked, snores, and is into cuddling and moonlit walks.

The secret is out now! Glad you didn't mention me riding with those assless chaps that have the tassels down the sides.

Unfortunately I won't be able to make it this time. I have something important to do with the kids Saturday. Next month is better for me though if you plan to ride anywhere. Hopefully I will have a new seat soon also. A couple of hours on an old KLR seat is torture for my buns.


PS - drop bread crumbs with the gps. I'd love to see the route on mapsource.