sentinel

In the very near future I will be visiting Mountain Home, Arkansas. I plan to take my bike and wonder if anyone knows of some scenic areas to ride in the area. Thanks in advance

PainTrain

I grew up in that area, just above Norfork Dam. Went to Norfork High School.

I would be very, very, very, very (repeat, very) careful about riding in the area.

It is quite scenic, yes. But the roads are narrow, rough surface, there are no shoulders, lots of blind spots topping hills, lots of blind curves. The population is mostly retirees and even driving around there is a big risk. Folks are not acquainted with (road) cyclists, and they won't be watching out for you. You also run the risk of being buzzed by local rednecks.

As much a bummer as it sounds, I'd say forget it. Unless you just want to cruise the back streets around Mtn. Home itself.

But if you must, take 201 South out of town toward Norfork. Lots of climbs and nice views. There are a few county roads that cross where traffic will be lighter. Or, check out heading west (by car) over toward Buffalo River. There may be some trails and such over there that I'm not aware of.

Sorry to be such a buzzkill. I will jog in the area when I visit my mom, but I do not bother with a bike.

One more thing. Locals tend to stay out of the woods in summer and it's a good idea. Ticks, chiggers, and snakes galore.

Um, swimming in the lakes is really nice, though

Feel free to PM me if you'd like more detail off-board.

ctyler

I used to live in Mountain View, just south of Mountain Home on HY 5. There are some great mountain bike trails just north of Mountain View off of HY 5. Here's a link to some information: https://www.ozarkgetaways.com/syllamo...ike_trail.html

There was a group in Mountain View who did road riding around there. Here's a link to some info on that ride: https://www.arkansasbicycleclub.org/favorites/fav6.html

Another link to local info:
https://www.wrmccycling.com/

PainTrain

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.

ctyler

The Mountain Bike trail was completed in 2003. There are plans to add more to it. I think they have a race of some kind on those trails as well called the Sylamo Mountain Bike Challenge.

bobo35

Be sure to vist my favorite guitar shoppe while your there...they've got some goodins'

steve

PainTrain

I was looking over the route of the Hilly Hundred. Wow. Might seem tame to the animals from around here who ride the Sierras, but that Hilly course has some beastly climbs.

Thing about the Ozarks is, it's not that the hills are so high, but the valleys are so deep.