Ultra Distance Cycling in Arkansas

Little Rock Area - Mar. 10, 2007

Thanks to Dana Johnson for putting together a fantastic ride on Saturday and for ordering up the perfect weather!

About a dozen of us, including LSR member Michelle from Mississippi, rolled out of the Murray Park start and over the Big Dam Bridge across the Arkansas River - unfortunately it was so foggy you couldn't see the river! We rode for the first three hours or so in a milk bottle, but as we climbed Wye Mountain we climbed out of the clouds and left them behind for the rest of the day. I was fortunate to have paired up with local triathlete David Wonn who set a very strong and steady pace and was a non-stop source of entertaining cycling stories! David sure made the time go by fast and I was glad he was doing all the talking so that I could hang on! The sag was awesome and it was nice to see Dana's fiance at each control and made for fast stops.

I grew up in the area and started my riding on many of the roads that were on the course, but I had forgotten how scenic it really is and my legs had forgotten what 5,000 or 6,000 feet of climbing felt like - but the descents made up for it! The afternoon was absolutely beautiful and, just to make a Texas rider feel at home, included a little head wind on the return loop. To top it off - the last two miles of the route include 1.2 miles of steady 5%+ grade. Now that maybe doesn't sound like much, but after 125 miles it gets your attention!

Dana is putting on another brevet in June that will traverse Mt Magazine, one of the highest mountains between the Appalachians and the Rockies. Given his diabolical penchant for tough climbs, this should be a epic that I highly recommend to my friends in Lone Star Randoneurs and the Houston Randoneuring Club. You've got to stay in shape for PBP! Check it out at http://ultra.greengoblin.com/

Clay Wilson