Arkansas

[Cdub]

I am headed on a week long trip to Buffalo River Lodge, just outside Jasper. Have any of you ridden there?

I will have the road bike with me and am looking for fun 50 or so mile rides. How hilly is it? Everything is hilly to me since I live in Houston, but will I be able to manage with a 12x25?

Thanks for the info,

Cdub

[Chance Legstrong]

a 27 will be a welcome addition.

coming from Houston--- it's very hilly to you.

[Too Tall]

Yep, ridden across the state 3 times. Rural Arkansas is really beautiful and rolling hills...lots of rolling hills. Enjoy. Nice people too.

[znfdl]

For the ultimate challenge you should try the Tallamena Parkway. Once you try it, you will never forget it.... Trust me.

[Brendan Quirk]

One of my fave rides on the planet. From Jasper take 327 South towards Parthenon. Take this road 'til it ends at Hwy 16 . Go right on 16 towards Deer. Then take a right on Hwy 21. In the Boxley Valley (after the big descent) stay straight towards Ponca on Hwy 74/43. Then bear right on 74, crossing the Buffalo River. This takes you back to Jasper.

It's about 55-60 miles with two hellacious climbs. If you're in race shape a 25 will do. If not, a 27 is a good idea. Almost no traffic, and tons of courtesy. It is gorgeous. NB: Stay off Hwy 9 on your bike.

Have a blast, Brendan

[Cdub]

Thanks Brendan.

Are there water stops along the way?

Clark

[Chance Legstrong]

One of my fave rides on the planet. From Jasper take 327 South towards Parthenon. Take this road 'til it ends at Hwy 16 . Go right on 16 towards Deer. Then take a right on Hwy 21. In the Boxley Valley (after the big descent) stay straight towards Ponca on Hwy 74/43. Then bear right on 74, crossing the Buffalo River. This takes you back to Jasper.

It's about 55-60 miles with two hellacious climbs. If you're in race shape a 25 will do. If not, a 27 is a good idea. Almost no traffic, and tons of courtesy. It is gorgeous. NB: Stay off Hwy 9 on your bike.

Have a blast, Brendan

+1 on this route.

[Brendan Quirk]

Yep, in Deer there's a spot. Then in Ponca you can stop. The ride doesn't go into Ponca (you take that final right beforehand), but it's only a 500m detour. Given where it falls in the parcours, it's probably the most logical place to stop. I really do love this ride. We call it the Jasper Disaster. If you need any other AR info, please feel free to PM me. If you're there for a week you can do this ride CW and CCW, and then there's stuff that goes east of Jasper. Try to stay off Hwy 9. It's pretty easy to do.