Routes Now Available for the ByWay Boogie!
The routes are ready, the planning can get real, and November is closer than it feels. The GPX files for the ByWay Boogie MSTA Rally are now available, giving riders a chance to load the routes, study the day’s flow, and start picturing the ride before the first mile rolls under the tires.
If you have already signed up, this is your cue to download the files and begin checking your navigation setup. If you have not signed up yet, it is not too late. There is still time to join the rally, get your bike ready, and be part of the ride this November.
RT1: The original BWB route. Just a simple out and back from HSV to Jasper. Hwy 7 is full of great curves, the further you travel up 7 the more interesting it gets. If you are in need of a scenic lunch stop, look for the Cliff house Restaurant a few miles before you get to Jasper. Otherwise, there are multiple choices in town, including the Ozark Cafe or a little north of town at the Low Gap Cafe. The Low Gap might be less crowded, but the food is outstanding regardless.
RT2: Mt. Magazine Loop will take you to the highest point in the state. The route will bypass Ola on the way and put you on a real sweet section of road on the way to Danville. You can stop at the lodge to eat if you want a large meal or go on to Cove Creek Gas Station for a sandwich. Either way you should ride the park loop that takes you by the lodge for the view. If you stay on it, take the Cameron Bluff Overlook Drive, it will take you back to the Visitors Center where you can continue North. I personally like the road better on the north side of the Mtn. When you get to Paris, you either just turn back and retrace your steps or follow the route back to Hwy 7 to return to HSV.
RT3: 3ParksLoop: This is more of a scenic route through 3 parks. The first stop is to Hot Springs National Park. The route up the Mtn. Is pretty gnarly. Park 2 is Petit Jean, one of the most popular camping state parks. For a quick view (or lunch) at Mathers Lodge, walk out on the Breezeway or take the Red Bluff Drive, before you head out. Park3 will land you at the highest mountain point in the state. Take the Cameron Bluff Overlook Drive just past the Lodge, it will return you to the visitor center. The route will get you down the Mtn and back to Hwy 7 to head back to HSV.
RT4: If you want to do just a lunch ride or just a short trip, this Petit Jean Route is about 134 miles. There are some nice roads to ride on the trip there as well as the return trip.
RT5: This route will take you to the Oark General Store. Known by many as the go-to hamburger joint in the state. It is very popular with motorcycles, ATV's, and car groups. It worth the trip to just see what might show up while you are there. There is now a decent gas pump at the Store, but it's in the remote parking lot across the street. This route will take you up Mt. Magazine, jog over to Pig Trail then break off at Cass to get to Oark. Pig trail is a very popular road. You might enjoy it better if you take this route during the week instead of the weekend.
Rt6: Talimena Parkway and return through Glenwood. If you arrived to the BWB from the North or East, you may have missed these roads. The parkway is mostly a mountain ridge road that runs East/West with alot of interesting curves and scenic view points. It will briefly take you into Oklahoma but will head back to the East on Ar. Hwy246. This lesser travel road through the Caney Creek Wildlife Refuge has limited crossroads for about 30 miles makes for a fun ride to Glenwood.
See you all in November!
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