A friend and I went to Arkansas last weekend, we had heard too many good things about the roads and places to see. Friday we got up early and headed west on I-40 to Webbers Falls, then up a few small highways east to Arkansas and highway 23, called "The Pig Trail". It runs up Highway 23 north from I-40, about 20 miles of corkscrew turns and hairpins, everything you could imagine, one right after another. Finally!! A chance to really get rid of the chicken strips. It was a dream come true for a couple of flatlanders from Oklahoma. We can't get roads like this at home, if you can then you are blessed. My friend Steve is on an '87 Goldwing Aspencade, and believe me a good rider on a Goldwing can do some pretty amazing things...like keep up with a KZ650!!!
We cruised north on 23 and spent the night in Eureka Springs, which is very biker friendly and one funky little town. Shops, weird houses built into stone cliff walls, narrow streets, springs, etc. Definitely a place your wife would like to stroll around in, but we are here for the riding!
Saturday morning we got an early start. After a good breakfast we rode east on Highway 62 to Harrison, then south on Highway 7. This is a road different than 23. Where 23 is tight and slow, 7 is fast sweepers. We could do 70 and lean w-a-a-y-y-y over. I found it more fun than the Pig Trail. 7 takes you through the Ozark National Forest and it was a bit early for fall foliage, but the day was warm, the bikes were flat out flying and we didn't have a care in the world. We stayed on 7 south and had lunch in Russelville, a college town. Then south again to Ola, a small town where we picked up highway 28 west. This was another great road, fast sweepers again. Small towns come and go, they all look the same to us. Steve said we are spending the night in Mena, AR. He's been there before, and it just happens to be at the end of the Talihina Drive. We get a couple rooms, eat Chinese, watch OU beat Missouri in football,
then hit the sack.
The Drive is another kick ass road that twists and turns, climbs 2000 ft in a mile then back down again, over and over.... It runs along the mountain top ridges and down the sides, and has numerous turn offs for scenic viewing. We stop and take a load of pictures then off we go. Soon enough we are back in Oklahoma, heading west on 270 for half the state. 270 is a nice road too, a bit straighter of course, but enough scenery, turns and warm sun to get us back
home early in the afternoon.
I can't get over the amazing scenery, and mostly the fact that western Arkansas has embraced bikers and welcomes them with open arms.
So many motels and restaurants say "Biker Friendly" outside on signs. They have finally realized we have money to spend, and they want it.
Total mileage was 960, and I got away within my budget of $250 too. I can't wait to head back in the spring, find some different roads and do it all over again. I highly recommend a visit to Arkansas, you won't be disappointed.
December 24, 2009, 12:59:22 PM
