Hey all,
  I'm going to be going up to BV this summer with family.  I'd like to do an overnighter up there.  I'm real pressed on time since I'll have a new baby with me and the wife and don't want to leave them for long.  What would be the best route for a full day/night/half day of riding.  I'm thinking something on the lines of about 80ish miles give or take.  Shuttle is not a problem but I'd like to stay close.
Thanks!
Travis

Tried out some new recipies for an upcoming trip.  I was browsing through the grocery store and stumbled upon boxed dinners from Macaroni Grill with everything except the meat in it.  Just add the chicken in a pouch and it's perfect!  It's probably one of the best meals I've ever had.
Just an FYI!

So what pad did you use?

I have a Lezyne (I don't know how to spell it either!).  It doesn't work on a shock.  Sweet pump though.  Best on the market IMHO.

Go to a local Walmart and head to the fabric dept.  They usually have a section of fabric for around a dollar a yard (maybe 1.50).  Buy some nylon fabric (anything that feels good and doesn't stretch).  Buy 3 yards or so.  The following link will walk you through the rest.  It's easy, cheap, and worth a shot. 
http://www.tothewoods.net/HomemadeHammock.html
You don't even have to sew anything, you can just buy some fray blocker and put it on the edges and you're good to go.  I sew mine but the blocker stuff works well. 

Hey Jobes,
   Just an FYI, you can build your own hammock for about 20 bucks.  It's at least worth a try.  I don't think I'll ever go back to ground (unless I make it out to the AZT).

So what are you planning?!

Well, it is remote, and you don't come across any towns (unless you want to), but the Womble is a very popular trail and you see plenty of people.  The Ouachita is another story.  We didn't see a soul out there.  There are plenty of places for some big views with nothing but the hills in sight.

sold.

I have an Ergon BD2 for sale.  I "customized" it by sewing some hip belt pockets on there.  The hipbelt pockets are made out of a jersey material and will fit a couple cliff bars or a camera and some bars.  It is used but not damaged in any way. 

Buyer pays shipping.

I have the same issue, I REALLY want to buy an underquilt but just can't pull the trigger on one.  I want to so bad but others things come first.  Check out a Speer SPE:
http://www.speerhammocks.com/Products/SPE.htm

My friend has one and really likes it.  It should keep you from sliding around and you can use your current set up with only an extra 3 ounces.  The other option is to make a double layer hammock.  That way you can slide your pad between the two layers and  you'll lay on it and it won't slide around.  This is what I use on my extended bicycle tours (road).  For bikepacking my current set-up for my hammock is as follows:  Homemade hammock (very similar to yours), 3/4 Prolite 3, and my 3.0 Wingnut under my legs.  I sleep really well.  I have contact cement on my Prolite that pretty much keeps it still, I've also put velcro on there and that worked for a few nights until the velcro peeled off.  I think I'm actually going to get an SPE though and try it out.  Ultimately, I will buy an underquilt, but not for a while. 

There is without a doubt a learning curve to sleeping in a hammock, but I think the benifits far outweigh the negatives.  No sore shoulders, no sore hips, no worry about bugs crawling on you, no worries about finding a flat spot.  I don't think I'd use it for racing anymore, but anything where time isn't to much of a concern would be perfect. 

I'm not sure on the total mileage.  I didn't feel like carrying my GPS and I don't have an odometer.  The pictures where we were hiking were not rideable no matter who you are.  It was VERY steep.  Calf cramping steep.  All the rest of the climbing was totally doable loaded or unloaded.  I would say that you could easily make a 150 mile loop using mostly singletrack with some forest service roads.  Arkanasas is surprisingly beautiful once you get in to the "mountains".  We'll be going back in the Spring for sure. 

yeah, they get a little excited when a new guy comes to town.  there really are a ton of options.  What type of hammock are you in?  That will help me help you get going. 

You silly people and your pads.  Hang from a tree like a monkey, just like God intended. 

So I hate to link it, I would much rather post it on here, but I am not computer savvy at all.  AT ALL.  Anyway, here it is...
http://web.mac.com/travis_katie/iWeb/Site/Blog/83C58AD3-3FB7-4B7B-9BC8-71098154ECF5.html

The weather turned out great.  I've got lot's of pics I just need to figure out how to post them up in a fancy report like the others do on here.  This is what we did:
Parked at Hwy 27 Fishing Village and road south (I think?) on the Womble until dark and camped.  Got up and kept riding to the begining of the Womble then turned around and headed back to the other end of the Womble.  We made it 3/4 of the way through before it got to dark so we made camp.  Got up the next morning and took a spur trail hike a bike up to the Ouachita trail.  Headed north (or East?) on the Ouachita for a few miles and reconnected with the Womble and made our way back to the Fishing Village.  2 1/2 days of full riding and millions of smiles later we were done.  Totally exhausted from the effort but so happy.  Have fun up there.  I'll be back that's for dang sure.  To much exploration to do up there.

I really like the Borelli brand pasta's.  They are pre-cooked so all you have to do is dump them in some hot water and let them "cook".  Pour in some olive oil, parmasean cheese, maybe some BACON and you've got a meal fit for a king. 

Yep another vote for the Jaand. I have a bigger custom one now but the Jaand works as a lone or for shorter races/rides. Heck I even have it on my road bike right now I think Awesome bag for the money.

Nerd alert!  In your road bike huh Chris?  Good thing you're so fast I don't have to ride next to you! +10 on the Jandd frame pack here.  Perfect size for the stuff you need to get to quick. 

In my opinion, this is the best retail hammock:
http://www.mosquitohammock.com/nonethammock.html because it is a double layer hammock and you can slide your sleeping pad in there.  This bodes well in case you are going to places without trees.  You can use the hammock as a bivy and still have a pad!  Check hammockforums.net for a world of information.  Those people over there are VERY helpful and very supportive.  Feel free to ask them even the most basic of questions. 

I'd shy away from a Hennessy Hammock mainly because of it's small rain fly as well as the way you enter it.  I prefer a "top loading" hammock.  If you have any sewing skills at all you can make your own hammock for around 30 bucks.  Once again, the forums can help you with that. 

I sleep 100 percent better in a hammock.  No back issues and no pressure points.  Let me know if you have any other questions...

I'm leaving Thursday night and will get to the trailhead Friday afternoon (I'm stopping to see a friend Thursday night).  We are parking at the Hwy 27 fishing Village and doing an out and back on the Womble then will continue on the Womble then head over to the Ouachita.  I don't know the exact route because I'm not the one doing the planning.  We'll be riding until Sunday night.  Weather looks perfect.  I'll probably bring my GPS to make a track of it.  At least, I think that's what it is called, I'm not in the least bit GPS savvy.