{"id":11069,"date":"2021-06-28T13:51:41","date_gmt":"2021-06-28T17:51:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/v2.mappyhour.org\/blog\/?p=11069"},"modified":"2024-03-13T17:48:06","modified_gmt":"2024-03-13T21:48:06","slug":"biking-camping-and-climbing-in-the-ozark-high-country","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mappyhour.org\/blog\/2021\/06\/biking-camping-and-climbing-in-the-ozark-high-country\/","title":{"rendered":"Biking, Camping and Climbing in the Ozark High-Country"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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I\u2019ve raced my bike for years. From local road races to regional criterium series and, most recently, in an epic challenge of stamina, fortitude, and stupidity called the Rule of 3<\/a>.  But like many of us, during the Covid19 pandemic I found myself dabbling in new hobbies; commence my new love for combining biking and camping!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Bike<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Bikepacking in Northwest Arkansas has recently gained some national recognition after the state created the \u2018Arkansas High-Country Route\u2019 and put on an event covering over 1,000 miles of rugged terrain.  I don\u2019t think I\u2019m crazy enough to attempt the full route, but several people have completed it: the most famous person being Ted King (an ex-European professional) who set the record time in 2020. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With all of the hype around overnight bike trips in Bentonville and in the surrounding suburbs of Northwest Arkansas, I desired to try it out for myself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Ozark Biking Route<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With little to no experience bikepacking or bike touring, I decided to design a route that I felt was achievable for my legs and that gave me the ability to have some friends support me\u2014or at least rendezvous along the way and have a few beers with me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I set out Saturday mid-morning for the first section of the route.  My goal was to ride eastward towards the famous Buffalo National River.<\/p>\n\n\n\n