2014 Tenere Rally Route Ideas

[Karson]

I thought it might be a good idea to get some momentum on what people are finding for routes. I'm not making it up when I emphasize how awesome nearly all of that part of the state will be that time of year. And with that, you'll get 10/10 views from any of the paved twisty routes and the variety of scenic overlooks.

However, I am planning on riding off pavement the majority of the time, and I've been doing a lot of research based off the help from Bug Dr. and wfopete, along with a tremendous amount of google-fu'ing.

One of the first I'm going to try and hit is the Frog Bayou near Bidville. There were some washouts, one in particular, during a big flash flood through that area a couple years ago, but by this time folks are saying the WTF!@#$ areas have been sorted out.

Proof that big piggies made it through even back then

Escape from Frog Bayou

Tough to say under the 250KB limit for attachments on the board, so here's the link to my dropbox folder where I'll be putting my routes

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ih05ub370om1quf/AAAQBhWmOI3UHrvsbF5FFwera?dl=0

 

[Karson]

I'm still on the Frog Bayou kick, so figured I'd point to a thread dedicated solely to it. Since I'm not local, and the last scouting ride I took was back in November, 100% of these rides will be an adventure seeing what they're like after Winter/Spring/Summer. No guarantees, but that's why we ride the bike we ride!

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=792609

I'm currently researching more routes, and hope to have them up shortly along with accompanying information. I'm trying to avoid just throwing random stuff up, since having a bit of info/backstory to go with it is always nice.

 

[patrickg450]

I have a fair amount of AR tracks if needed.

 

[Karson]

I have a fair amount of AR tracks if needed.

Sure! Feel more than free to post 'em up, or PM me if you want, too.

 

[Bug Dr.]

I'm working on a route from the Hub - Falling Water Falls - Pilot Knob - Oark - Boston - Hawksbill Crag - Low Gap - Hub that is mostly gravel roads. This will be for the folks that like to ride through the woods, which should be changing colors here by then, but not log hopping. I wouldn't mind leading some of the more sane riders around that loop one day.

I've ridden some sections of it before. I will ride more of it this Sunday. Just got my K60s on the bike. Still waiting for crash bars so I will be taking it easy this weekend.
Mike

 

[Karson]

Congrats on getting some K60's, Mike! In your area, I can't think of a better tire that I've personally ridden. Crashbars are cheap insurance if you do decide to do a little log hopping ;D ::008:: Anyway, if you map out a route, toss it up here.

The screenshot below is what will likely be occupying any open days I have from the Frog Bayou and Warloop/Pannel/Natural Dam (route yet to be posted). I cannot vouch for its ease, but part of owning this bike for me is the adventure that ensues from taking the path less traveled ::001::

https://www.dropbox.com/s/n4g39xelsg4ueh3/Clarksville%20area%20tracks-modified.gpx?dl=0

 

[Bug Dr.]

Karson, if you ride that route I'm sure you will find the road less traveled. Looks like some of the route I had in mind overlaps parts of that.......not much though.
Mike

 

[88millimeter]

Put me down for the offroad ride, ill try to keep up. Look for me at the rally, you can 't miss me ill be the only Mexican there, lol .

 

[~TABASCO~]

Great job guys ! Woooo Hooooo. Is it October yet?

 

[Karson]

Put me down for the offroad ride, ill try to keep up. Look for me at the rally, you can 't miss me ill be the only Mexican there, lol .

Looking forward to it...I speak halfway decent spanglish being from Iowa and all, so we'll get along good. lol

All I can tell between switching between City Navigator 2014 map and the Topo map in Basecamp is most of these are "roads", perhaps in the loosest of definitions. I also see lots of close contour lines and jagged turns, which makes mi pantalones bulge.

::26::

 

[wfopete]

I too will be offering a guided route for those willing. ABS is optional but I recommend the TC set to #2 as this ride will be non-tarmac focused with the first half catering to a more sedate and scenic (yet thoroughly enjoyable) dirt ride that any 'ol Super Tenere should be able to handle. The second half of the route we will up the ante and technical ability of the machines and riders. I would highly recommend those participating to have a good skid plate and additional appropriate bike protection. The exact route will be dependent on the water levels so it will be flexible and I will offer many bail out points if it proves a bit too lengthy/challenging for some. This will be an "all day" ride. My goal is to allow enough time for those who wish to have dinner at the Lo Gap Cafe' or scoot back to the Hub for grub. Weather dependent, which means if it is raining like hell the day of, it probably won't happen that day and I'll schedule a make up date later in the week. I need to get feedback on a date from those interested.

 

[~TABASCO~]

Wfopete,

Thanks for your help. Can you PM me your contact info. Thanks.

 

[echo_four_romeo]

Wfopete,

I'd be interested in that ride. I am open to dates, nothing else has been planned yet...that I know of.

 

[Bug Dr.]

Did some DS riding to the Hub today. A friend and I rode from Hector, AR north on North Fork Rd to Falling Water Rd. Both of these are very easy and scenic. We went through the community of Bass and went up Hwy 123 to Boat Mountain Rd at Yardelle, AR. This eventually leads to the parking lot of the Hub from the east side. It was a nice ride the whole way to the Hub. I got a little lost as I was trying to remember the route with faulty equipment ) I used my six year old, unupdated Zumo 550 to search nearby cities and found Dogpatch, AR which worked like a charm.

We were going to eat at the Hub but they stopped serving at 11:00. We went to the place just north of the Hub on hwy 7 that advertises the smoked meats and had a good meal. From there we went south on 7 just past the Hub turnoff to Erbie Rd. This road will take you west to Compton, AR on hwy 43 north of Boxley Valley. This road crosses Cove Creek, which was barely flowing at the low water bridge. Luckily, the road was starting to become dry or it wouldn't be possible to claw your way out of the valley. Long stretches with deep ruts that would be a chore if wet. Just past the rutted section (going west) you start to climb out of the valley. This was rocky and steep in some places but the S10 chugged like a champ and pulled us both out of the ravine.

I'd say do all of these roads if you are looking for adventure and it is DRY.

Some roads that would be doable on street oriented tires:
Old hwy 27
Adams Mtn road
Victor RD
North Fork Rd
Falling Water Rd

More aggressive tires:
Erbie - and only then if dry

Can't wait to meet everyone. As I go out riding I will post more of what I find.

I still need to go from Oark to Boston and Boston past Hawksbill Crag and then on to Low Gap. So many roads so little time ::008::
Mike

 

[fjrmgm]

If you take Erbie campground road over to hw 43 at Compton go south on 43 for about two miles and take Possum Trot road west to Deer Rd and the north on Terrapin Rd to 412 west of Harrison

 

[88millimeter]

Hmmm, If we do this route on the first day and I get hurt I'll miss the rest of the event. If we do the route on the last day and I get hurt I'll have less time to get repaired and get home. How about we do it on Wednesday. ;D

By the way, I'm not planning on getting hurt but I just don't trust myself. >

I too will be offering a guided route for those willing. ABS is optional but I recommend the TC set to #2 as this ride will be non-tarmac focused with the first half catering to a more sedate and scenic (yet thoroughly enjoyable) dirt ride that any 'ol Super Tenere should be able to handle. The second half of the route we will up the ante and technical ability of the machines and riders. I would highly recommend those participating to have a good skid plate and additional appropriate bike protection. The exact route will be dependent on the water levels so it will be flexible and I will offer many bail out points if it proves a bit too lengthy/challenging for some. This will be an "all day" ride. My goal is to allow enough time for those who wish to have dinner at the Lo Gap Cafe' or scoot back to the Hub for grub. Weather dependent, which means if it is raining like hell the day of, it probably won't happen that day and I'll schedule a make up date later in the week. I need to get feedback on a date from those interested.

 

[True Grip]

Count me in Pete. Doesn't matter to me what day I'll be there all week.

 

[fjrmgm]

Be aware the Low Gap cafe is closed on Mon-Tues and only open until 7 pm on Wed-Thur

 

[~TABASCO~]

Thanks ! For folks that don't know.... https://plus.google.com/109289928806235713917/about?gl=us&hl=en

 

[gunner]

Here is the Trip Advisor page on the Low Gap Cafe:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g31696-d3294191-Reviews-Low_Gap_Cafe-Jasper_Arkansas.html

Here is a pretty good website that had some good maps and descriptions of the motorcycle roads in Arkansas:

http://www.cruisetheozarks.com/index.shtml

Don't let the "cruise" fool you, this website has all of the best twisties.

Steve