Touring - Bike Ride Around Arkansas

The spring ride is coming soon. It is called the Bike Ride Around Arkansas and it will start on April 11, 2011. This will be the third year for this event, and it is growing each year. All the riders to date have been from the state, but this year it seems we may expand a bit.

Each spring and fall the Arkansas Bicycle Club has a BRAA, which is Bike Ride Around Arkansas. Somehow I have become the planner for this ride, so be it.

This year we will travel the Southwest section of the state. This is a self supported ride, which means you carry all you own camping gear on you bike. We will camp for 5 nights, hopefully at state or federal parks, but thing change during the ride, so be ready if we stealth camp for a night or two. Normally we have between 6 and 10 riders. We take care of each other. It is an adventure.

This year we will visit the only diamond mine in the Northern Hemisphere, and it is open to the public. We will also visit Old Washington, which is a small settlement in Southern Arkansas that was the capital of Arkansas during the Civil War. Other events from this small town was the invention of the Bowie Knife. Add to that is the fact that Davey Crockett and Sam Houston met in Old Washington and then traveled to Texas. I do believe the Battle of the Alamo was next. A lot of history.

Anyway, it is 6 days and 5 nights of self supported travel through the rolling hills of Southwest Arkansas in the spring.

Wish I could join you. Sounds like a great time in a great state. I lived in Mountain View for three years and fell in love with Arkansas.

Sounds like a plan to me. I've found SW Ark to be good riding and camping. Little or no chip seal, nice scenery, light traffic, convenient service points.

Where ya'll gonna start? Is this exclusive for club members or an open invitation?

I know it may not be set in stone, but have any idea as to how many miles you will average daily or approximate total miles? Will you loop back to your starting point?
Thanks

Hmmm, interesting! Watching for answers to the questions.

I'm watching for answers, too... especially would like to know if the ride loops back to the starting point.

The ride does loop back to the starting point. I am trying to make the final plans for the parking area in Arkadelphia.

This ride is open, but we would like for you to join the Arkansas Bicycle Club (a whole $15.00).

We will average 40 something miles per day. One day will be longer, a couple shorter.
Normally we spread out during the ride, but gather up to make sure everyone is OK.

Each year we have a an exact route. We have not stayed with the route the entire way, but it is good to have a plan A. Sometimes we just talk with the locals and find a better route. Always open to a change.

Normally it is a good mix of male and female riders. Most of the riders are in their 50s to 70s, but good riders. One lady that rides with us is in her late 60s. She has crossed the US a couple times. She and I will ride from Little Rock to Arkadelphia on the Sunday before the ride starts on Monday and ride back on the following Sunday after the ride ends on Saturday. A little extra kick to the tour.

We break camp and try to start the day around 8:00 or so. Our plan is to stay in state and federal parks each night so that we have bathrooms etc. Each rider is responsible for their fee at the park. Usually around $5.00 per night. Normally we find electrical outlets to recharge phones, etc. Sometimes I charge mine during lunch at
a cafe.

The ride starts Monday morning, April 11, 2011.

Thought I would add this. The BRAA (Bike Ride Around Arkansas) is just that. There are no professional guides, there is NO SAG, there are no ride charges or fees. It is just a group of us from the Arkansas Bicycle Club that decided we wanted a "somewhat" organized self supported ride in our state.

I have found self supported tour riders to be some of the toughest cyclist out there, so I know you understand this is just a bunch of people out to have an adventure and some fun.

The only RULE is to wear a helmet. Carry what you want. Camp the way you want. Ride the pace you want. Have some fun and an adventure.

We have decided on the route for the six day self supported ride around Arkansas. Anyone that has an interest in joining us on this tour ride and wants to see our route can send me a private message.

Some member can't send a private message but would like to know the route.