Exploring Two Rivers Park

Very early Sunday morning we were treated some thunderstorms rolling though the Little Rock area. It was a cool damp day for most of the day. Sun started out peaking out about 3pm.

Looking at Google Maps and Google Earth, there were some "bicycle" trails in/near the Two Rivers County Park. The trails made a unusual geometry pattern. My friends there did not know was there. Exploration Time!

Drove out to the parking lot at River Mountain Park and Two Rivers Park. This was where I had turned back on my ride Saturday (13 miles from the house). Unloaded the bike and beaded across the Two Rivers Park Bridge (today's photo)/

Lots of folks out for a walk/ride. Brought the trail bike since I did know know what trail surface conditions I would encounter. Temp was in the mid 60s. Sky was partly cloudy. Glad I I dressed in my long sleeve jersey. Cool and the shade, comfortable in the sun.

Once you cross the bridge, you are on the Two Rivers Park Trail. A paved, multi-use trail. Sections are also used by horses, I rode to the end of County Farm Rd.

Close to my goal - finding what the geometric shape is, At the entrance was a sign proclaiming this was the entrance to Quorum Court Trail. The whole area is a labyrinth of trails. Most are paved, but those in the center of the open area were crushed rock. Loose crushed rock - not conducive to ride riding (even on the trial bike).

Basically, I explored the perimeter of the trail area. After all, not much to see. Most of the was an open field of grass with trails cut into.

Headed back to the car. My legs were getting a bit tired from pedaling the trail bike and the long ride I took Saturday.

Hoping to ride today before I pack up and drive to Branson. Then this afternoon - Echo, here I come!

Little Rock!

Very early Fruday (3:30) I got on the road for my trip to Branson, via Little Rock. While in the area of Branson, I took the opportunity to visit friends and ride bike in Little Rock. Regular readers of this blog know I at usually take a circuitous route to my Army Reunion.

Saturday dawned sunny with a light breeze. By noon, the temp was up into the 70s. Great bicycle riding weather!

Kitted up, aired up the tires on the road bike, and headed out from the house. OH, how I like not having to haul the bike to the trailhead!

First destination was the new Clinton Presidential Park Bridge. Today's photo is of the Clinton Presidentail Library taken from the that bridge.

Across the Arkansas river to N. Little Rock. Rode the River Trail for some 7 miles to the Big Dam Bridge. While it was a climb (I had to stop and walk a little as the heart rate was getting too high) I was not ready to head back. Rode down the BDB (Big Dam Bridge) to the Little Rock side, knowing that I would have to climb back up on the way back to the house.

Continued on West along the river to the new Two Rivers Bridge. Was seeing some beautiful, wooded. paved trail when i got across the bridge. I resisted riding further. It was getting late and I had about 13 miles to ride back!

On the way back I did not stop as much tp take photos. On the other hand, I was riding a bit slower. It was rough climbing back up the BDB (had to walk part way). A second shot block about the time I reached Burns Park. Had already consumed my G2 and over half of my water. I didn't want to bonk.

Finally back to the Clinton Bridge and onto Little Rock city streets to the house. A great (yet exhausting) 25.5 mile ride. Guzzled my 32 oz PowerAde, and headed out for dinner.

I had a hankering for Mexican food. My friends selected Brownings Mexican Grill. Great food and I washed it down with a good local IPA.

Crashed to bed about 8pm! Awesome day.

This Is A Bike Rack???

During my preparations for attending the American Trails Symposium,I contacted the group to inquire about a secure bicycle rack during the symposium. I am visiting friends in Little Rock and planned to bike the 2 miles from their home to the convention center.

The first response was: "No one has ever asked for that - we'll get back with you". A week or so later they told me they will have bike racks.

Today, a day before registration starts, I rode over to the State House Convention Center to check out the bike rack. What they showed me was not a bike rack, but crowd control fence sections - see photo. The person with the Convention and Visitor's Bureau told me that's their bike racks (or what the use as bike racks).

Now, I can understand the real bike rack may not important for many conventions like the VFW, or garden show, or an auto show but this is the American Trail Symposium. There are bicycle rides during the function.

Black Hills Fat Tire Festival

Yesterday I attend the Rapid City Walk & Bike for Life Summit. The day started with a presentation by IMBA about Ride Centers. Heard a lot of information that says we could create a Ride Center that encompasses THOR trails. How neat that would be.

Very interested in what more is being done for the Arkansas River Trail. Maybe I will attend the National Trails Symposium in Little Rock - Nov 08.

Today was the first day for the Mickelson Trail Ride. Weather was cold, damp, some drizzle. Trail surface was soft but ride able without damage. Eight of us on the ride. I only rode 10 miles - Dumont to Rochford. Others started riding from Deadwood - too many miles up steep hills. The photo here was taken in one of the tunnels on the Mickelson.

Welcome social tonight. More riding on the Mickelson tomorrow.

Big Dam Bridge

Cool day today, and a little windy. But today is my last day to ride in Little Rock, so I headed out for a ride. I had the wind in my face heading out.

Was not sure how far I would make. Ended riding to the Big Dam Bridge. Stopped for a rest. Started riding up the bridge (thinking maybe I would ride to the middle). I turned back - was not sure I had the legs to ride up the bridge and still ride back to the house. Decided to fore go riding the bridge and headed back. After all, I still have to climb the Main St. Bridge.

Flew back on the trail. Sure was nice having the wind to my back.

Weather was perfect on the way back. Sure was happy I made the ride.

Boyle Park, Little Rock

Turned out to be a really nice day - mid 60s and sunny. Decided on a singletrack ride.

Headed to the easier section of the Boyle Park singletrack. After making a first short loop, noticed another trail branching off the loop. Found a much longer loop. This section has some real climbs.

Rode most of the paved trails as a cool-down. It was really nice to ride singletrack in shorts!

Weather forecast is rain tonight and windy tomorrow.

Little Rock

Hey, I am still around. Not much to blog about the last 3 weeks. Cold, nasty weather. So, I decided on a rode trip to Little Rock.

Made a quick ride in town to check equipment, then headed to the N. Little Rock River Trail. Rode to Burns Park. Coming back was in the wind. Riding over the Main St. bridge almost did me in, heart rate way up, riding at 5mph. Fast recovery.

Damn, it felt good to be back on the bike!

Epic Ride Day

After 2 days out of the saddle, I needed a ride. The place to ride (on pavement) is the River Trail. Anyway, I had to see and ride over the "Big Dam Bridge". Climbing the approach got my heart rate going.

After that, it was a relaxing ride on the N. Little Rock trails.






Stopped at some bike shops - finally found on that could tell me about mountain bike rides. Luckily, there was a C.A.R.P. ride on the Camp Robinson trails. The ride was lightly attended (It was a funeral to one of their riders). The trails area not well marked, and I was left to ride by myself. Otherwise, I had a good ride. The trails are rocky - I was able to adapt and build some rock riding ability and lots of climbing. Think I rode very well under the circumstances. After I get home there will be some helmet cam clips on my web site.


Today gonna scope out some other riding places.