Ozark Adventure Tour (OZAT) (MO/AR)

Discussion in 'GPS Tracks - Central, Texas & Gulf States' started by Cannonshot, May 2, 2017.

  1. Cannonshot, May 2, 2017
    #1
    Cannonshot

    Cannonshot Having a Nice Time Administrator Super Moderator

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    This is a 2,000 mile adventure bike ride through the Ozark and Quachita Mountains in Missouri and Arkansas. It involves rugged forest roads, water crossings, and twisty and rolling highway miles.

    A short version of the route (1,200) can be ridden by choosing the tracks between Pochontas and Parks, AR.

    Ride report that cover the ride is here: http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/c ... r.1218181/

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    There is a lot of interesting off-pavement riding on this path that includes local roads and forest roads. It also includes some great highway riding.
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    The scenery is wonderful all along the path.
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    Everyone knows that the rolling and twisting road riding in Arkansas and Missouri is fantastic. One of the reasons for making this a big bike ride was to take in some of those opportunities.
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    There are a lot of water crossings on this path. Some you can make, some you can't - it depends on current conditions.
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    I had a blast riding my big bike. There are a couple of spots that I need to warn people with big bikes off of though. I'll cover those in the report.
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    Some nice wildlife viewing along the way.
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    Some interesting stops along the way.
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    Some CannonView history and stories to tell as well.
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    I'll visit some familiar places I've enjoyed in the past and discover some new ones along the way.
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    I really recommend this ride. It is scenic and entertaining and offers more technical challenges that you might realize at first.
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    My overall path is about 2,000 miles. My trip about 3,000 miles. As part of the path, I included some dual sport routes that are described in an Arkansas motorcycling brochure. Some of those were familiar rides, and some were new and exciting. Many thanks to the people responsible for those rides. Off the top of my head I think I garnered about 600 miles of the 2,000 miles of this route from the DS routes in the guide.
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    For those that want a shorter route, or perhaps a route for smaller bikes that concentrates on the more off pavement segments, I'll share a shorter version that knocks down the core to about 1,250 miles.
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    As always I'll publish comprehensive GPS files for both routes with a ton of waypoints to make it easier for others to plan and execute a ride of their own. I'll also share a lot of detailed information about road surfaces, hazards, and other useful information that answers questions people might have.

    A little video clip. Of course, steepness doesn't show.


    Downloaded 221 times from a previous personal site.

    Attached Files:

    #1
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  2. justlookin, May 3, 2017
    #2
    justlookin

    justlookin Been here awhile Supporter

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    Thanks again Cannonshot, rode the TAT in 2010 and the Ozarks were such a memorable part of the trip. Got to get back down there to explore more.
    #2
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  3. cateyetech, Jan 14, 2018
    #3
    cateyetech

    cateyetech Honky Cat

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    We're gonna try this in a few months on our Ural :-)

    Thanks Cannonshot :beer
    #3
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  4. Keith1212, Mar 7, 2018
    #4
    Keith1212

    Keith1212 OffRoader

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    Now this looks fun!
    #4
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  5. Nata Harli, May 12, 2018
    #5
    Nata Harli

    Nata Harli Accidental Tourista Supporter

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    Perfect timing! I'm taking my new (to me) 1989 NX250 to Devils Den State Park on Monday to do a little riding with a friend. Your tracks around DDSP are perfect for our mini-adventure. Thanks!!!!!!
    #5
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  6. johngault, Sep 26, 2018
    #6
    johngault

    johngault Leaning into it

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    Looks awesome. I hope to try this soon. Thanks so much for sharing
    #6
  7. Ozark08, Oct 18, 2018
    #7
    Ozark08

    Ozark08 Been here awhile

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    Anyone who is gonna ride this, I'm very centrally located if you need anything. Including a place to stay in central AR.
    #7
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  8. CHRIS HAYNIE, Dec 13, 2018
    #8
    CHRIS HAYNIE

    CHRIS HAYNIE n00b

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    I'm new to the ADV scene, so please excuse my ignorance. Just downloaded the OZAT file top google earth, and am wondering what the different colors are on the routes? I'm seeing blue, pink, and a little bit of red...
    #8
  9. KawiRider651, Apr 24, 2019
    #9
    KawiRider651

    KawiRider651 n00b

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    I might try the route on my KLR650. Thanks for sharing. Great report.
    #9
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  10. sawin44, May 5, 2019
    #10
    sawin44

    sawin44 Always looking for new roads!

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    Thanks! I love to ride in the Ozarks!
    #10
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  11. stlskybob, Aug 30, 2019
    #11
    stlskybob

    stlskybob Adventurer

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    Thank You so very much! You mentioned a shorter small bike route of 1250 miles, I'm having trouble finding that gpx file.
    #11
  12. Cannonshot, Aug 30, 2019
    #12
    Cannonshot

    Cannonshot Having a Nice Time Administrator Super Moderator

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    Tracks 03 through 14 (blue colored) make up the shorter version of the route.
    #12
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  13. stlskybob, Aug 30, 2019
    #13
    stlskybob

    stlskybob Adventurer

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    Okay, thanks! If I have this right it starts in Pocahontas, and ends in Parks?
    #13
  14. Cannonshot, Aug 30, 2019
    #14
    Cannonshot

    Cannonshot Having a Nice Time Administrator Super Moderator

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    Correct.
    #14
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  15. blrfjr, Jun 23, 2020
    #15
    blrfjr

    blrfjr Been here awhile

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    This looks amazing! Im thinking late September when its cooler would be nice.
    #15
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  16. Themastermike, Oct 23, 2020
    #16
    Themastermike

    Themastermike Think you caught me in a coma Supporter

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    October worked.

    Good ride, little long stretches of pavement at times but some gorgeous gravel riding to be had.

    Couple reroutes needed but done on the fly.
    #16
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  17. Cav47, Jan 16, 2021
    #17
    Cav47

    Cav47 Look, Lean, and Pray!

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    @blrfjr did you wind up riding this?
    #17
  18. Oh2RideMore, Jun 29, 2021
    #18
    Oh2RideMore

    Oh2RideMore Long timer

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    Looks like we will be riding this instead of TAT east as the weather gonna make that muddy and no fun. Looks great, been looking at this one for a while. Starting Sunday from Eureka springs. gonna head south and pick up the loop.
    ...EDIT
    Rode south from eureka springs sunday following 16 huntsville to eureka springs backwoods. Rode full length to Huntsville, and stayed 5 miles up 23 at withrow springs, a walk in site. Neighbors took pity on me and gave me firewood. Fourth of july was spent listening to music and enjoying fire. Next day rode south on 15 parks to huntsville, then took 08 cass to natural dam over to Devils den park for another night of camping. Got up and rode rest of 8, picked up a barbed wire nail on gravel right after start. Fixed flat and continued on 09 south to paris, lunch there at bbq joint. Somewhere along white mountain ride there is a closed road, went around closure and road is fine for bikes, but eroded/washed out except a 3 ft width section. camped at waveland park, great site under trees with a view. Rode 10 and 11 down to 7, then hit hotsprings and brady mountain campground. Next day rode 7 north to buffalo river area and stayed at kyles landing. Rode this morning home, but not before hitting a bit of ride north of the peel ferry. Brian, thanks for the great tracks. will have to finish them out later, but it was a fun week. Fellow inmate with me really enjoyed them. Lots of gas and restaurant stops are now closed, but that is to be expected with pandemic. Great job!
    #18
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