You might research on this site.   They would route on the same type of roads at the TAT.

https://www.advrider.com/

https://www.advrider.com/f/threads/denver-to-telluride.249051/

Map are available now...

https://www.adventurecycling.org/cyclosource-store/sp/arkansas-high-country-route-section-1-south/?nocache=1


https://www.adventurecycling.org/cyclosource-store/sp/arkansas-high-country-route-section-2-north/?nocache=1

Adventure Cycling is mapping a dirt route around Arkansas.  Not a lot of details so far, but they are planning a race June 8th


https://www.gravelcyclist.com/event/arkansas-high-country-race-little-rock-arkansas/

Shelter update....   They are planning to build a new shelter at MM 57.8 on Black Fork Mountain first week of November.   I'm planning on going down to help out with the build.

Kev

Honez1414,

Sorry, didn't see your post.   Friends of the OT are the ones doing the shelters...

http://friendsot.org/about_the_trail/trail-shelter-project/

Thx
Kev

Not sure if you know about the huts on the OT trail.  Here is a list of all the huts on the sections open to bike.  You can use this map to help find the locations (http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsm9_039448.pdf)  I don't know where to find the lat/long for each hut.

Shelter Name           Mile Marker

Rock Garden            9.4 (Not listed on map)
Holson Valley Vista        16.8 (Not listed on map)
Winding Stairs Shelter    25 (Not listed on map)
Foran Gap Shelter          68.9 (Not listed on map)
Fiddler Creek Shelter      100.9 (Not listed on map)
John Archer Shelter        122.6
Bill Potter Shelter             127.5
Big Branch Shelter          134
Blue Mountain Shelter     143.2
Big Bear Shelter             150.8
Moonshine Shelter          158.4

Thx
Kev

What is the dimensions of the bladder you want to make?   I wonder if the vacuum food saver bags could be pieced together to make the size you need.  I would assume they would be water tight, but don’t know how durable.

Kev

ArkTrekRider,

Powder coating bikes???  Where are you planning your 1st trip?

Kev

Yea, I like the price point for what you get. The frame is a little heavy, but I'm clyde so that isn't a show stopper for me.

They also said they are planning to sell just the frames this spring....

Kev

I'm looking at the El Mariachi too...I would like to be able to get the Ti version, but will probaly have to get the steel.  I thought the Enabler Fork (http://salsacycles.com/components/enabler_fork) would be interesting if you are going rigid.  You could run a 135mm front for a backup wheel.

Also, I might go with the Civilian Luddite (http://www.ridecvln.com/bikes/luddite)

I have only bikepacked on the OT.  There aren't any trails here that would work for bikepacking.  One option is to use the Trans-American Trail (http://www.transamtrail.com/) to connect a dirt road bikepacking trip.  I have the maps, but haven't done a ride yet....still working on doing all of the OT that is rideable.

Kev

hmaddox,

I haven't done a solo bikepack trip yet, but I wouldn't worry to much about bears in AR.  Most reports of bear sighting are at places like Redding on the Mulberry or any other campgrounds with alot of garbage cans.

What kind of trip are you thinking about?

Kev

Ouachita Trail this Oct...

Cool, I will be in Flagstaff in late July...   I won't be able to go bike packing, but I want to do part of the Cocnino trail...

Have fun.

Cool bag...  Just have to ask...  What is up with the chicken water on the fat tire bike??

http://www.flickr.com/photos/barkingbearbagworks/7155331658/#in/photostream

Cool, Which guide are you using?

FS pdf (http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsm9_039448.pdf )

Tim Ernst's book (http://www.amazon.com/Ouachita-Trail-Guide-Tim-Ernst/dp/1882906438/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1337868225&sr=1-6)

Kip,

That might be a bad time to hit the OT...  Might be a bit overgrown and water may be hard to come by with out water drops.  You might post on MTBR.com (http://forums.mtbr.com/midsouth-la-ms-ar/) to get a local's take...

Kev

Here are some pics from our trip

Small world... Looking foward to your writeup.

Original Plan.

Day 1 - HWY 27 TH to Big Branch Shelter (12 miles)
Day 2 - Go to Big Bear Shelter (17 mile)
Day 3 - Ride back to HWY 298 TH and dump to the road back to HWY 27 TH (12 miles trail 15 miles road)


Reality.

The trail from HWY 27 to Iron Creek was great.  Some hike-a-bike but nice flow with great downhills.  Ten inches of rain in the area earlier that week had the trail wet in places but no issues for riding.  The Irons Creek crossing was blown out due to the rain, so we had to decide to either head back west to a hut uphill or try to bypass the creek via dirt/paved roads.  We went for heading east to Big Branch Shelter via the bypass route.  This took a lot longer than I expected and it was night by the time we got to the hut...  The hut was already occupied by 2 hikers and they said we couldn't stay at the hut. Nice!!!   So, after looking at the options we headed back east on the trail downhill to find water and a good spot to camp and ended the day at about 27 miles.

The next day we decided to dump out to HWY 298 and head back to the truck and go to other trails.  Spent the rest of the weekend at Lake Ouachita camp ground and hit the trails there.

Here is the map we used to plan the trip.
http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsm9_039448.pdf

I will post pics later...

Kev