I didn't know about the mountain bike trails, that's cool. The White River road ride sounds good, I know these roads... we used to play Big Flat in sports when they had a school!
sentinel, the traffic on this ride is much lighter than that around Mtn. Home, but I would still recommend a partner or group to do this with.
I am assuming you are road bike riding for some reason. There are lots of gravel county roads all over North Arkansas if you are mtn. biking. You would certainly see the 'real' Ark. riding those.
Also, I know we have a few members from NWA over closer to Fayetteville on the board.