2021 Southern Transcon Day 18: Caddo Valley AR

 

Acorn Vista

Sunrise at Queen Wilhelmina Lodge

It was a busy morning! First take the bike to the trailer to fill bottles and check tires before breakfast. Hmm, the rear tire was low. I wonder if air leaked when I put on the pump. Pump it up and get some breakfast.

The crew busy making omelettes!

Custom omelettes? Yes please! A nice addition to my normal oatmeal loaded with brown sugar, raisins, and fruit. Washed down with coffee, it really hit the spot. Check the tire again. D'oh! Its low.

I was thinking it was about time to replace the rear tire anyway, so I got a new tire and tube out of my stash case and ran back to my room to get dressed and bring down my luggage. Throw the bag in the  trailer, change the tire and tube and we are finally ready to go. 

We are last out of the parking lot, and head down the scenic drive. Still a few rollers to deal with, but we start out at an easy recovery pace. Jeff and I carry the lantern rouge to the first SAG in Big Fork (we arrived last).

SAG was at the Big Fork Mall!

We rolled in and there were quite a few riders milling about in the parking lot of the Big Fork Mall. The owner was happy to see us and hear all about our ride! Only 3 SAGs today; 32, 51, and lunch at 78 miles. With only 99.7 miles, and easy rollers, we only needed three stops.

In no rush, we rolled out a few minutes later at the back of the pack.

Beautiful rolling fields

Farmhouse in Big Fork

Caddo River

The route took us through the Caddo River valley all the way to Norman and the second SAG of the day.

The gang's all here!

We arrived in Norman and crossed the Huddleston River and pulled into a beautiful, and shady, city park. The group was all here, although a few pulled out as we arrived. Same drill; we reloaded supplies, enjoyed some snacks and rolled out after everyone was out!

Own this business!

Glenwood was a busy town with more traffic and some tricky turns to stay on Route 8. This business opportunity is just steps away from the Caddo river and some canoe and rafting outfitters. Of course the other side is the street is a huge grocery and hardware store!

Traffic circle in Amity

We continued through Amity to Alpine for the final SAG and lunch spot. The crew was cooking up grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches and they were so delicious I forgot to take a picture!

Tunnel of trees

Ready to put this one in the books, we pushed out of the SAG before a bunch or riders and missed the first turn! Only a few hundred yards off course, we turned around and got back on track. The route took back roads instead of Route 8 and was a welcome change from the building traffic. The shade was great especially in the recurring tunnels of trees.

Some clear cutting sections on great roads

DeGray Lake

We hopped on another Skyline Drive that took us to DeGray lake. We rode over the dam that formed the lake and continued to Route 7 that took us to Caddo Valley and our hotel for the night.

Same routine with the bike-body-laundry, but with a twist.

Brad took us to dinner in Hot Springs

Brad Davis, a fellow construction CFO, cyclist, and farmer, sent me a note and said he would like to meet for dinner while in Arkansas. He drove over from his farm in SW Arkansas and took Jeff and I to dinner at a great lakeside Mexican place in Hot Springs. We haven't seen each other since my last meeting at the CFO Round table before I retired, and it was great to catch up! Thanks again Brad!!!

It was also helpful to learn the correct pronunciations of Caddo Valley and Monticello, no one will think we are from out-of-town!

Click here for GPS data for today's ride