Arkansas 500 April 13-15, 2012

[rufus]

Will there be GPS downloads available?

I like GPS tracks. They require no thinking or planning. I think and plan at work all week.

I will gladly pay for someone else to do the thinking and planning......then i can just ride.

[tcourdin]

Originally Posted by scotty69

We will stick to the back roads. No trails. So, how big a bike you have?

He's on an 1150 GS. This ride sounds like fun, I will have to try and make it. Kudos to you for putting it on!

[mouthfulloflake]

1100GS

I can put a knobby on if needed, but generally the dirt roads around here have not posed a problem for me.

Originally Posted by scotty69

We will stick to the back roads. No trails. So, how big a bike you have?

[scotty69]

Fantastic! Join the fun. We do stay on gravel roads, no trails, so with your experience in the area you will be fine.

[scotty69]

I'll make the gps routes available by March. I'm planning now and want to ride the first leg soon.

[SilverBullet]

Originally Posted by scotty69

Fantastic! Join the fun. We do stay on gravel roads, no trails, so with your experience in the area you will be fine.

So the ride route has changed alot from 2011 then? The ride report from last year showed plenty of mud, water and some trails. That is what really attracted me to this, as a serious DS ride.

_

[scotty69]

My plans are to change the route and camping areas every year. Fosters variety? It will be a lot of the same riding type, just different route.

[Helipilot]

I plan to trailer up from Little Rock, so do you think it will be safe to leave my truck and trailer at the starting point which, as I understand it, is Turpentine Creek??? Kudo's to you for getting this organized, it should be a fun three days.

[wfopete]

Originally Posted by SilverBullet

So the ride route has changed alot from 2011 then? The ride report from last year showed plenty of mud, water and some trails. That is what really attracted me to this, as a serious DS ride. _

Even if we stay to back roads things can get interesting after rains. You should be prepared for low water xings, ruts and other water related issues. Surprisingly, last year, rider attrition was minimal given some of the challenges encountered. I had fun on my KLR650 but I think a few were a bit overwhelmed by the ride. Let's just say they got their money's worth. Now that I think about it, are there any designated riders carrying a 1st aid bag with accompanying basic buddy aid techniques?

[Bug Dr.]

Dang, I need to get a DS again. I don't think my ST 1300 will do the trick. I REALLY like the concept of this ride. Arkansas lends itself to some pretty interesting concept rides (Twistybutt 500 - pavement) like this. I'd guess you could find new road and route combinations for years to come without repeating too much each year.

Arkansas has great roads (paved or gravel) to ride for sure.....I love my home state!

Good luck on your ride, it looks like great fun.
Mike

[scotty69]

Yes, you can be assured your vehicle is fine parked here for the duration of the ride. This is always important to me since I've had my truck broke into while parked in the National Forest many years ago. This will not happen here. I look forward to riding with you. Watch the website www.arkansas500.com for routes and rider info. Its not up to date yet and I will post when it is.
Scott

[scotty69]

WFOPete,
You are right on the money. Rain can make a ride challenging and last year we experienced just that on the first day for sure. I would not be caught dead on a bike over 650 on the ride, but I have never ridden a kick butt bike like those so I really don't know the ins and outs. I highly recommend a DS bike for sure. Oh, I did have first aid kit and will this year again. However, I am not a first responder nor have any formal medical training. The riders will do all they can to help with any injuries but ultimately we rely on the SPOT.

[ghostrider1964]

HMMMM...Maybe SlowOldGuy and I need to come do this on our big uglies Not seen a dirt road my GSA could not handle except Bosque CR 3137, every now and then...anytime a R1200GSA can land in a hole and not be seen by a passing rider lends itself to be a bit of a nasty ride I will be watching

[slowoldguy]

Originally Posted by ghostrider1964

HMMMM...Maybe SlowOldGuy and I need to come do this on our big uglies Not seen a dirt road my GSA could not handle except Bosque CR 3137, every now and then...anytime a R1200GSA can land in a hole and not be seen by a passing rider lends itself to be a bit of a nasty ride I will be watching

Oh, Hell no!! What my "edumacated" friend was trying to say was.......we will be watching this thread to see if our limited abilities and un-limited enthusiasm were suited to this fine ride on our over-weight pigbikes. None of you homers need to be coming up with a "special flatlander" route just for us. Been there done that.

Edit: As an example.

Me: Hey, can we make it over that there dirt road Colorado mountain pass during the snow melt with our fully-loaded pigbikes?
Helpful local : Sure ya can. Couple did it last week on a Goldwing.
Me: Thank ya kindly! (Varoom......uh-oh. )

[scotty69]

I've learned, finally, that a guy talkin' himself up surely can back it up! C'mon, join in the fun.