Good on Arkansas.
Not from AR but visit periodically. My understanding is that the real power In the state is in the NW region - where coincidentally, they have good terrain for mtb (and presumably road) riding. Major employer(s) in the area are using outdoor/recreational lifestyle to draw employees. Salaries are less than East&West Coast companies, so the lower cost of living + lifestyle is a draw. If NW Arkansas talks, Little Rock listens well. but that's only my 3rd hand opinion.
Where I visit, south of LR, road riding is mostly flat, rural 'highways', two lane with no shoulders, 45-50mph speed limit, but low traffic except at certain times. Not always a safe feeling, given big pickups and a few logging trucks or 16 wheelers. I learned to accept it, without really trusting, as it's only a few weeks a year. A good many little towns to stop at.
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Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.