Global Warming my ass.... this winter has been brutal for us.
So finally last week, the weather looked like it was going to warm up in AR, so I packed up, cancelled my responsibilities, and started heading South ignoring the snow in the forecast for Illinois. I need to get out in some mountains and ride!
For some reason I can't imbed this interactive map of my GPS track, so you can view it here:
http://maps.innersource.com/external/if ... oject/4802
It was a little chilly, I didn't leave nearly as early as I wanted, coming up with extensive excuses takes time! ( the clock was wrong in this pic ) actually 11am
As the Weather Gods has promised it started snowing, and for about 4 hours there were isolated snow showers.
I made it through the snow, thankfully it was quite windy, not really allowing the snow to accumulate on the highway. As you can see here the sun was out by this time.
I had planned on only camping like usual for me, but after riding all day in below freezing temps, I happened by this no-tel motel while getting fuel, planning on riding a few more hours South in MO. $22 for a warm bed was to good to pass up considering camping in a state park after buying firewood could cost the same....
There was a good BBQ joint next door, and I spent some time studying the Arkansas Altlas, dreaming of the roads to come.... I was much better prepared this time to explore the fire roads and trails having better suited tires and quite a bit more dirt riding experience than I had last year when I was here. I was going to get dirty...
In the morning I finally jumped off the slab.
Yep.
It was still around freezing, but slowly getting warmer.
* At this point I'm going to let the pictures of the roads do most of the talking*
Mammoth Springs
As you can see, there was still plenty of snow. I was wondering what the fire roads were going to be like... For the time being I enjoyed the twisty roads, not pushing hard at all, the roads were covered with salt, and were deciving.
OK, time to get dirty. At this point I changed the setting on my GPS to avoid all roads but minor or unpaved one's. Generally for this type of ride I will study the Atlas, find an area I want to explore and point the GPS towards that spot, letting it choose the route with my preferences. After it calculated the route I'll go in and review it and make any waypoints needed to take me around this area I'm looking to explore. This method has worked well for me, with the GPS taking me places that I wouldn't have found, or down "roads" that aren't even in the Atlas...
It was quite challenging and fun. The roads were muddy, and very loose in places.
It was 50º and sunny, what a great day!
This sign says it all.... With some new found confidence from my tires, I was now taking a different stance when riding on the loose stuff - stand up, elbows out, and when in trouble just gas it! Instead of going around obstacles I was just going a little faster right through it. I figured the snow would help cushion me if/when I went down...
Yep, it happens.
This was one of those moments that was I little scary. The rut's turned to ice, was carrying too much speed, when I knew it was inevitable I gassed it while going into the ditch, keeping the bike from flipping, but throwing me over the handlebars when I hit bottom and sunk into the mud. It was a soft landing, and was pleased that I didn't land in to stream. I was also amazed to see the bike sitting just like this when I looked up.
At this point I was glad I was OK, and so was the bike. Now I just need to get myself out of this ditch.... I scouted ahead and found a possible way out. Getting there would prove to be tough with my rear wheel needing more traction. Bouncing up and down on the seat would eventually get me there one foot at a time.
I found a nice place to camp next to a river, with an hour and half of sunlight left I did a little fishing with no luck. I hadn't seen another soul for hours, and it was just me and the sounds of the roaring river. Perfect.
I gathered some wood to burn, opened a bottle of Jack and settled it. The temps dropped fairly quickly once the sun went down. By 8 pm it was about 30ºF. I had brought a down jacket, so I was nice and warm next to the fire.
Some tunes completed the whole experience
Since I hadn't caught any fish I resorted to some freeze dried mexican rice with beef dinner, I had bought a handful of Mountain House meals that were on clearance at REi last year. Since this whole trip was going to be on a tight budget I used what I had, anything can taste good with enough Tobasco and a little whiskey....
Will conintue....
I sense when you are done thrashing The R, a GS might just be down the road for you yet. 
