North Arkansas

[Wilbur]

A buddy of mine and I are going to AR next week to ride. The current plan is to meet in Pine Bluff on Friday night, do two days of riding heading generally north, then go our separate ways Monday. We were originally planning on riding up Hwy 7 toward Russellville on day 1 but I read somewhere here that Hwy 7 has too much traffic. True? If so maybe we'll take 270-->27-->390 to Ozark. Any thoughts on that route? I like the idea of riding over Mt Magazine but it's not a requirement. Once we get to Ozark it doesn't look like we could pick a bad road if we tried.

Also, any recommendations of good BBQ around Ouachita or Ozark NF?

[bmwone]

You don't want to be anywhere NEAR Pine Bluff, esp at night. Meet in Hot Springs, eat some of Bill Clinton's favorite BBQ at McClard's - on Albert Pike.

[Flyover Country Joe]

x 1000 on the not being around Pine Bluff after dark. Hwy 7 south of I-40, I can't tell you anything about that, but north of I-40 Hwy 7 is very well patrolled. Watch out for a speed trap in Dover Ar.  I rode with 3 guys from Texas last Friday, they all received performance rewards on Hwy. 7 near Jasper, before we met up.  Google "arkansas sport bike roads" for a pretty good guide of a lot of the better roads.

[Wilbur]

Ok, scratch Pine Bluff. How about Star City or Dumas?

[bmwone]

Ok, scratch Pine Bluff. How about Star City or Dumas?

I say again - Hot Springs. Star City and Dumas are ok places to meet up and continue riding, but they are both little bitty towns with nothing special. Hot Springs is a neat place, bike friendly, lots of great places to stay/eat. All of the good roads are easily accessable from here. Trust me - I live here.

[Wilbur]

I believe you but that's too far. We're pushing it getting as far as Star City, Hot Springs is almost another 100 miles. We actually plan to go to Hot Springs the next day but we just aren't going to make it the first day.

[J-Mac]

Hard to find bad roads in Arkansas.
123 North from Mt Magazine is epic!

[MadOzodi]

Any of the roads in and around the Ozark National Forest North of I-40 are gems.  I'm especially fond of Hwy 123 North of Sand Gap through Mt Judea.

[Flyover Country Joe]

Yep, that pretty much sums it up

[bmwone]

I believe you but that's too far. We're pushing it getting as far as Star City, Hot Springs is almost another 100 miles. We actually plan to go to Hot Springs the next day but we just aren't going to make it the first day.

OK, gotcha ... try Monticello. It's a college town, decent place.

[Wilbur]

Well that was a bust. I made it all the way to Star City Saturday. My buddy dropped his bike in the parking lot at the hotel Saturday night and tore up his knee. Sunday morning I drove back to Alabama in the rain. Months of planning down the drain.

[Flyover Country Joe]

  Wilbur,
 I really hate to hear that kind of story!

[J-Mac]

 
Bummer Dude...

[Tyrroneous]

Oh man, hate to hear it ended up that way.  I guess, if you look on the bright side, the next time you head out there probably won't be nearly as bad!  

[MadOzodi]

Well that was a bust. I made it all the way to Star City Saturday. My buddy dropped his bike in the parking lot at the hotel Saturday night and tore up his knee. Sunday morning I drove back to Alabama in the rain. Months of planning down the drain.

That's a serious kick in the pants.  Sorry it didn't work out for you this go around, Wilbur.