Climber's Paradise

The basic Trip 9A is for energetic beginner cyclers with less challenging climbs than Trip 9B. Trip 9B covers the same route as 9A but also has optional mileage with more challenging climbs. These trips are ideal for partners with mixed abilities. We finish both Trip 9A & 9B about 11:00 am on Saturday morning. 9A & 9B have identical routes on the last day. The optional Trip 9B has a total climb of over 8000 ft. on the last day & a half. Whereas the basic Trip 9A climbs less than 3000 feet the same days. Some of the grades on the optional section of this 8000 ft. total climbing portion are between 13% and 18%.

Talimena Parkway is a road on which we bike days 4 & 5. It was built only for the scenic views it offers. This road was not built for commerce or to shorten the mileage between two cities. Therefore this road is one of the most scenic in the Eastern United States.

On this trip we, bicycle in both Arkansas and Oklahoma. Some of the most scenic and remote areas of the Central United States are located here. The Ouachita's are the highest mountains between the Appalachians of the East and the Rockies in the West. The Ouachita mountains are higher than their more famous neighbors to the northeast, the Ozarks. The two highest mountains in Arkansas are both in the Ouachita mountain range. In addition to being higher than the Ozarks, many people consider them more pristine and scenic. Since these mountains are in a less renowned area, traffic is also greatly reduced.

One of the landmarks which we will visit is the Wilhelmina Lodge located on the crest of Rich Mountain, the second highest mountain in Arkansas. Wilhelmina Lodge has a very unique history. It was originally built in an attempt to entice Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands to come to Western Arkansas. It later burned and was rebuilt. Being located on a mountain crest, this lodge has wonderful panoramic views which we are unaccustomed to seeing in the Central United States.

In Oklahoma, we will bike through the Winding Stair Mountains, Talimena State Park, and two skyline drives. We will also bike through Heavener Runestone State Park. In this park you may take a short hike (1/2 mile round trip) to the bottom of a canyon and see large rocks with Runestone writings. These rocks are still in the same area in which they were carved and were not moved from another area. The carvings were made by the Vikings between 1000 & 1100 A.D.

We will be staying at Robber's Cave State Park where we may see eagle and osprey from the back decks of our rooms.

As we bike the rooftop ridges, the views of the valleys below, along both sides of the road, are a magnificent blend of green pastures, timber, cultivated farm lands, and sparkling lakes. Perhaps even more memorable than these magnificent panoramas is the twisting and turning road ahead as it ascends and descends wending its way through the Ouachita National Forest. Some of the wildlife present in the area are black bear, deer, coyote, bobcat, eagle and armadillo.

Remember, if you don't want to fly to your next vacation destination, most Midwestern cities are just a days drive to our Arkansas trips.