Arkansas 200K Ride Report

Arkansas 200K Ride Report
June 9, 2007
By John Shelso

The campground on top of Mt. Magazine was still dark when my cell phone alarm sounded at 5 am. Although it was Arkansas-humid, it was almost too cool for just a bike jersey while at rest, a good temp for a climb. There would be no time for breakfast before dressing for the ride. Except for a Camel Back with some water, the bare minimum tools to change a flat/tube, and some Hammer Gel, I stashed everything else I intended to take on the ride at a spot in the bushes near the visitor center at the top of the mountain climb.

After the short drive down to Havana, I spied another bike-laden vehicle searching for the Baptist church start location. Clay had over-nighted with relatives in Little Rock, but is from Dallas. We met David, who had been on the road from Cabot Arkansas since ~ 3 am. Dana, and his wife Grace, pulled up without time to spare to get the paperwork finished before the eventual 6:34 am start.

Dana was using a "loaner" bike. I was the only one with a triple crank. There were only a couple miles to warm up, and down some gel, before beginning the first climb of the day. How is one to describe any mountain climb? I might call this one a "Goldie Locks"; just right. I only recall 3 main turns, and no exceptionally steep sections....mostly steady grade. It was probably because of getting the most sleep, the triple crank, and the light load that I was able be the first to the top. As I fetched my stashed water bottles and rack bag, I briefly interrupted Grace's nap and munched half an energy bar. That was probably when Clay passed by without our notice. I waited for the company of another rider for at least 10 minutes, but didn't want to get too chilled after the sweat of the climb. I was grateful for my windbreaker/rain-jacket on the descent. Instead of concentrating on the effort of climbing, I rode the brakes most of the way down to catch glimpses of the scenery. The thickness of the trees along the road hid most of the somewhat foggy vistas. There was no traffic to speak of. It felt like a "private" wilderness trek.

As the descent slowed, the temperature also warmed; and I stowed my jacket. Without the overcast cover, it would have quickly become uncomfortable. I briefly caught up with Grace's minivan (she was leapfrogging the riders at control points) at a road construction flagman stop. Until after the control in Paris, I didn't realize this northwestern leg had been favored by a tailwind. I must have missed Grace while she was shopping in the Paris Wal-Mart. I had the clerk sign my brevet card as I picked up a breakfast of powdered sugar donuts and chocolate milk. The Phillips 66 gas station clerk filled my water bottles before I headed straight east on highway 22. By this time the clouds thinned out and a mild-moderate quartering/headwind picked up. The few rollers did little to break the drudgery of the rough surfaced and bumpy asphalt. The following day I would meet a local who explained that this highway takes the "oversized" traffic that isn't able to use the interstate. Because of the headwind, and the attention needed for the road surface, I can't recall much distinctive scenery before getting near Russellville.

Outside of Dardanelle, looking across the Arkansas River, there is an impressive view of the nuclear power plant. As I passed several relaxed fishermen, I was briefly jealous of their satisfaction in such a relaxed endeavor, compared to my biking "adventures". Liberty Rd (CR 51) was the connector to Highway 155 for the ride to the base of Mt. Nebo (also a nuclear evacuation route). At about this point, my legs felt a steady "burn". I was doing me best to stay ahead on fluids, but knew it wasn't a good sign I didn't need to pee. I took a couple Ibuprofen and Tums at that point. I think the Tums delayed the absorption of the Ibuprofen; so I don't intend to use that combo again.

At the base of Mt. Nebo, just off the highway, I stashed all my equipment except a partially full water bottle. I had 2 hrs to get to the control at the top. In short order, I found myself wishing for even lower gears. I'm not too proud to share that I walked up more than half the climb. I have only been randonneuring for ~15 months. This was unquestionably the steepest sustained climb I have ever attempted. It seemed like near three fourths of the climb I briefly ran across Clay while he was on his way down. He greeted me with "welcome to mount Ne-Blow"! After getting my brevet card signed by the visitor center staff, I ran across Grace. She was speaking on her cell phone to Dana and David, who had just reached the base of the mountain. Dana was calling for a ride. As I began my descent, I noticed a traffic warning sign stating the road was an 18% grade! At that point I lost all shame in my previous walking. I also understood and sympathized with Dana's call for a ride. I crossed David on his way up, as I made my descent. Not too far past Grace's van, I recovered my stashed equipment and headed into Dardanelle for lunch.

The McDonald's grilled chicken sandwich and Hi-C orange drink left me feeling a little bloated. The sky would intermittently clear, and then get overcast for the rest of the ride. The humidity stayed. Most of this southward leg was flat to rollers. Fatigued legs struggled with the aprox 800 ft lib before getting to Lake Nimrod at Fouche Junction. By the way, Fouche Juction is just a place on the map, no real town, or even the ubiquitous convenience stores that occasionally dot the rest of the route.

The ride along Lake Nimrod was quite soothing. The good road, without significant grades, followed the contour of the northern shore. I think I read that this is the oldest lake in Arkansas that was built by the Army Corps of Engineers. By this time, I guessed I was the last of the persistent (crazy) riders of the day. I briefly stopped at one of the campgrounds along the lake to ask for water for my Camel Back. The campground host & hostess appeared to be a retired couple. After several hours of solo riding, I tarried with their conversation in the shade for about 10 minutes before pushing on to the Lake Nimrod Bait and Tackle, a couple miles before Plainview. Grace, Dana, and David were waiting in the air-conditioned minivan as I pulled in. At that point, I heard Clay was about 25 minutes ahead. So fully loaded with fluids, and about 2 hrs ahead of control closing time pace I faced the last stretch.

Why is it the last climb of the day has to come when it is the most uncomfortably hot? Even though this was the smallest climb, I took a rest about half way. All through the afternoon, I had noted the packs of motorcyclists who were enjoying these Ouachita routes. At this point, even the motorcyclists seemed to be finding relief from the heat, with fewer riders passing by.

The last 16 mile stretch was mostly flat, and with a tailwind. Clay was the first to honk at me from his SUV, as he was about 10 miles out of Havana. David passed me about 2 miles out. I was satisfied with my effort when I passed my brevet card to Dana about 10 hrs 49 min from start time. My first words to him were, " remind me to never attempt this ride again unless I have been though previous EXTENSVE TRAINING"! Clay had shared with me he had logged ~ 5000 miles this year in is PBP preparation. I had logged ~2500 miles (including a 400K with 20,000 feet of climbing in Georgia, and a 600K with 26,000 feet of climbing in east Tennessee and North Carolina). Final advice: If you are looking for fun, don't plan climbing Mt. Nebo in the heat.

After sincerely thanking Dana and Grace, I mounted my bike on my car and drove back up the mountain to my campground. A quick shower felt great before I made the 1/4 mile drive to the new Lodge facilities' restaurant. An excellent meal, and two Budweisers were more potent than any anesthetic as I lay on my sleeping bag that evening.

Dana should be praised for crafting such a scenic and challenging route (estimated over 6,000 ft of total climbing). If this ride's character becomes better known, the combination of two of the nation's top road bike mountain climbs in a 200K brevet could easily become a "destination" brevet. Given the availability of the top notch, resort-level, state park accommodations on top of Mt. Magazine, I sincerely hope this could become a classic.

John Shelso
Memphis