Eureka Springs to Oark

[DrLewall]

Being a "local", and knowing the area very well, I thought that maybe some of you folks would like a route to Oark from Eureka Springs.
I divided this route up into 4 GPX files and they are as follows:

ES_HSV..This is from Eureka to Huntsville, HSV being your LAST chance for gas until Oark.

412_Safety--ALERT on this one..if you decide NOT to gas up in HSV, the intersection on Madison Co Road 1335 and Hwy 412 is DANGEROUS!! You can be KILLED here so follow this route as it may very well save your life!! I can not stress enough that you should NOT try to cross hwy 412 here. Ride across the OLD bridge parrallel to hwy 412, enter 412 then proceed east to Madison Co Road 2340 to continue south to hwy 74.



HSV_hwy74--Very simple, follow to hwy 74

Hwy74_Oark--Very Simple, follow to Oark

NOTE: Apparently I can not upload the GPX files here so if you want the files, PM me your email and I will send them to you.

[DrLewall]

Ok..updating this thread with GPX uploads..there are 4 gpx files for the trek to Oark from ES...pay particular attention to the 412 SAFETY gpx

This is a track from ES to Huntsville..this is where you want to look real good at the next trak, the 412 SAFETY crossing.

ES to HSV

[DrLewall]

This is a very dangerous crossing IF you do not heed my advice

here is a pic to help explain it better..or refer back to post #1

[DrLewall]

Here you are very close to Huntsville..you can eat, get gas etc before continuing on to Oark..there are no services between HSV and Oark on this route, so heads up.

[DrLewall]

This will pick up at hwy 74 just out of HSV and take you all the way to Oark..

[DrLewall]

After a fine meal at Oark, for those who do not want to track back to ES, there is an easy out here. It is hwy all the way back to ES.

West on hwy 215 back to hwy 23. North on 23, through Huntsville, all the way to ES.

This is a ROUTE (not a track)

Mapsource 2011.1

[BigDogAdventures.com]

I rode Dr. Lewalls route late last year after riding the Arkansas TART ride.
It was awesome----better than awesome.
Thank you Dr. Lewall.

Here's a few pictures of my ride on this route.

Most of it was doable with a big BMW GS---but there was a bit of it
I'm not sure you would have made it thru---especially the very steep and very long climb
with nothing but planted baby head rocks (no picture). It's best to error on the side of small and light.

[DrLewall]

Tnx Mark!

Looks like you were here when it was rainin!

I do recognize the places in your pix..and tnx for posting them!

[BigDogAdventures.com]

Originally Posted by DrLewall

Tnx Mark!

Looks like you were here when it was rainin!

I do recognize the places in your pix..and tnx for posting them!

Well it wasn't raining---but it had all night---and that rocky climb which was 4" deep in wet leaves was pretty
treacherous. I couldn't see those big planted rocks under the wet leaves and was lucky to have picked a good line
up that hill without falling.

BigDog

[ThumperDRZ]

Originally Posted by BigDogAdventures.com

Well it wasn't raining---but it had all night---and that rocky climb which was 4" deep in wet leaves was pretty
treacherous. I couldn't see those big planted rocks under the wet leaves and was lucky to have picked a good line
up that hill without falling.

BigDog

I know that hill. Comparing the tracks, it was part of the old Fall Color Tour. You know I've had leg cramps that literally locked up my legs with pain exactly twice in my life. Once on a mountain bike riding the Ozark Trail all day.....nothing I could do but fall over and wait for them suckers to go away.

The other time was riding all day on the Fall Color Tour.....then standing up to come down that hill.....steepest, gnarliest, rockiest hill I've ever rode down....or should say attempted.....midway down my legs locked up with pain and all I could do was lay the DRZ over. I haven't been back to that hill since but one day I will.....it's a son-of-a-gun that's for sure.

[tbirdsp]

Hey Mark and Gary

Gary - I think the hill you are talking about is further west, where this track goes down to 215.

[ThumperDRZ]

Originally Posted by tbirdsp

Hey Mark and Gary

Gary - I think the hill you are talking about is further west, where this track goes down to 215.

Howdy Mike -

Coming from the guy that took the picture - I believe you....

[tbirdsp]

I can't find it - so I guess it never happened

[ThumperDRZ]

Originally Posted by tbirdsp

I can't find it - so I guess it never happened

Originally Posted by tbirdsp

This is the last big downhill on the Saturday route. Three times as steep as the pic makes it seem. If you look closely you can see ThumperDRZ's bike taking a nap

From 2007 - and I was napping right next to it....

Attached Images

[DRZ Charlie]

We have some pretty interesting riding here for sure. Lewall is a human GPS too, he amazes me every time we ride together. Memory like a steel trap (except when he owes ya lunch).