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Ozark Mountain DareDevils Ride I'm excited to announce the high level plan for our 3rd annual ride. Based on discussions we had during last year's Badlands ride we wanted to find a location that was a day's ride from Chicago and that had ample blacktop for the type of touring we've enjoyed in the past. We also wanted to keep the early June timeframe as it was easier for everyone to plan around. And we discussed shortening the trip so as to make it easier for others to join. Given those parameters I think we have a great ride location planned. The Ozarks! More and more bikers are discovering the exhilarating routes, scenic overlooks, quaint stopovers and gorgeous natural vistas Arkansas offers. The state is extremely biker-friendly. The terrain of Arkansas is as varied as the bikes that crisscross it. We can open 'er up in the flatlands of the Arkansas Delta, twist the throttle through the twisties of the Ozark or Ouachita Mountains, ride the undulating hills of Central Arkansas and the River Valley or coast through the sun-dappled back roads of the Timberlands. Wherever we roam, we'll discover friendly people, plenty of attractions and good food and drink. I'm looking at base camp options in the Mountain Home area because it's a day's ride from Chicago (approx. 550 miles) and it's fairly developed. I've already identified a few options, some of which are on some form of water which will provide even more fun. And I'm looking to keep the rate a less than $100 a night. That said, our options for base camps that can accommodate our size group are very limited, so we'll need to act fast to reserve a cabin/house (which translates to locking in your commitment ASAP). As for the itinerary my initial thoughts are that we keep the ride to 5 days. Departing Chicago on Saturday, June 4th. We'd then have 3 full days of riding in the Ozarks before we depart for Chicago on Wednesday, June 8th. As an option for any riders (including me) who want to make this ride a whole week I have some thoughts on how we could extend our ride that we can flush out in the coming weeks. As always, I'm open to any and all suggestions (dates, location, duration, etc). Ultimately, I just want a ride that everyone will enjoy.
This is a representative sample of the type of cabin/home we would look to rent while in the Ozarks. The goal is to keep the cost close to $80 a night per person for a cabin that is centrally located and provides a bed room for everyone or at least a bedroom for most and a bed/sleeper couch for a couple (we've drawn straws for the bedrooms in the past). # Name Approx. Location BDRMs Sleeps Baths Cost / Nite 1 Mountain Home 8 20 3 $395 5,000 SQ. FT. Malibu style home with over 400 feet of White River frontage. It's great for reunions, corporate fishing trips, retreats, or romantic getaway. 100 FT. of covered porches. Separate fully equipped apartment. Glass enclosed master bath & bedroom. This very unique home features a huge open floor plan making it easy to entertain. Granite countertops, stained concrete floors, 54 inch flat screen TV's, 12 person movie theatre with 102 inch screen & game room. 2 Locust Grove 15 40 2 $1200 Upscale private retreat on beautiful White River in the scenic Ozarks. Developed especially for large families, the property is unbeatable for the perfect family reunion or corporate retreat. Located on a dead-end country road, you will enjoy complete privacy with all the amenities. A beautiful pool, world-class fishing, nature trails, recreation field, horseshoes and other nearby attractions will make your function complete. 3 large log homes can accommodate up to 50. All are beautifully furnished, central air, fireplaces and great riverfront views. 3 Ozark Mountain 8 19 2.5 $400 This luxurious 5,000 sq. ft. lodge in the mountains features a 40'-24' great room, two gas fireplaces (one 20-feet high, constructed from Ozark Mountain stone), a 50-foot glassed in porch presenting a panoramic view of the Ozarks, full kitchen facilities, dining area, eight bedrooms with 2 1/2 baths, laundry facilities, satellite TV, DVD, and outdoor grills. For overnight or weekend getaways, retreats, conferences, weddings, or family gatherings, the Lodge can accommodate up to 19 guests. 4 Mountain Home 3* 10 3 $300 This getaway is on the banks of White River about 5 miles north of Cotter, Arkansas and about 11 miles river miles below Bull Shoals dam. About 1 acre of property, you can relax on the bank of the river to fish and or enjoy the natural surroundings. Next to the property is a public access to launch your boat if you wish. Rental boats are close by. If you wish, fishing guides can also be recommended to help you enjoy your stay. You'll have everything you need to be comfortable sleeping, eating, and relaxing at a low price at our getaway. If you want to wade the river, just walk out the door, across the yard, and you're there. The largest shoals on White River is Wildcat Shoals about a 5 minute walk away. * Finished walk-out has additional beds 5 Lake of the Ozarks, MO 9 20 11 $1285 Located on the 24 MM of the lake, you are close to all activities by water, and just a short drive by land to restaurants, shopping and entertainment. In this lovely cove setting, enjoy all 1,700 sq feet of outdoor decking and upper balcony. Outside ceiling fans, lighting and soft music will enhance your enjoyment and relaxation during your outdoor stay, not to mention the lakeside fire pit and hot tub feeling relaxed yet? The main house boasts 7 master suites, (9 baths total). 2 kings beds, 4 queens & 2 full mattresses which are bunks, and have 2 twin beds above. Each bedroom has complete privacy, including flat LCD televisions and individual music volume controls. Many rooms have desks with high speed wireless internet, especially for those who have a hard time leaving their precious lap tops behind. The lakeside cottage has 2 master suites of it's own. One bedroom has a queen size bed, while the other has a queen size leather sofa bed. Both bedrooms have TV's and could be a haven for a little peace and quiet. You could even relax while sitting on the private deck. Bella has a fabulous gourmet kitchen with a 9 ft granite center island, great for buffet serving. Custom built cherry cabinets and stainless steel appliances enhance this well thought out grand space. The dining room table accommodates 14 comfortably, and additional seating is available around the kitchen island, so the entire group gets to eat together. Sit and relax on soft leather sofas. There is plenty of seating in the living room to watch the large flat LCD TV with surround-a-sound, or simply cuddle up with a good book in front of the crackling fireplace. Another gathering place for entertainment and fun is the incredible game room, which also has a wood burning fireplace, flat LCD TV, with surround-a-sound and pub/card table. This room is sure to please all ages. In addition, enjoy the large 11 foot sit down bar, a competitive game of pool, ping pong, darts, shuffleboard, Play Station 2, or try your luck at one of the stand up arcade games. Whichever game you choose, many hours of enjoyment are sure to follow. 6 Lake Norfolk 3 12 3 $399 - 780 Set on 12 acres overlooking Lake Norfork, this property as breathtaking lake views from every angle. The house is newly renovated in an eco-luxury style, with the latest stainless steel appliances, luxury bamboo bed linens, silk curtains, wool rugs and limestone bathrooms with rock sinks, rainfall and massage showers. The heated pool is 40ft complete with giant daybeds and cushioned sun loungers. There is also an automatic cover to ensure cleanliness and safety. At night, the pool glows in florescent green, blue, red and yellow. There are plenty of decks around the house with tables and chairs for entertaining and a grand staircase leading down to the lawn. The games room is equipped with pool table, table tennis, baby grand piano, drum kit, dulcimer and Wii games. The living room has a 42-inch flat screen HDTV, Blu-Ray player, DVD library and books to keep everybody entertained. On site is a 9-hole Frisbee golf course, in the shade of the giant oak trees. There is also a beanbag toss and a shuffleboard game. Guests can walk down to the lake to use the swimming dock and dive into the clear, mountain water. Or take a boat out to go tubing, water skiing, wake boarding and knee-boarding. The 550 mile lake is surrounded by rolling hills and trees, as no buildings are allowed on the shores of the lake. This keeps pollution away from the lake, the water is so clear there are even scuba diving centers. Most days, you will be able to zoom around the lake and never even see another boat. 7 Bull Shoals Lake 6+ 16 3 $??? Beautiful, natural, lakeside setting of Trimble Creek Lodge Resort on Bull Shoals Lake. Enjoy the privacy of lakefront homes in a gorgeous secluded location. Fully equipped lake-view quarters adjoin Trimble Creek's airy Lodge, where guests enjoy personalized service, lakeside views, great outdoor activities, and wonderful amenities galore! From this lakeside resort, guests can ski, fish, swim, hike or nature watch. Outdoors enthusiasts enjoy over 72 acres of the great outdoors to explore on the clean, uncrowded waters of Bull Shoals Lake. A separate hot tub room, foosball, fireplaces, books, magazine, games, horseshoes, grills, a treehouse for kids of all ages and a pool table for adults. These are some "traditional" lodging options that we can also consider. Group rates may be available. # Name Approx. Location BDRMs Sleeps Baths Cost / Nite A Harrison 1 1 1 $85-94 Located in the Ozark Mountains near the Buffalo National River, The 1929 Hotel Seville is a Trendy yet Historic Arkansas Hotel in downtown Harrison with easy access to Hiking/Biking paths around Lake Harrison a great restaurant and regular live music. With easy highway 65 and Highway 412 access, Harrison, AR is fortunate to have a full- service FULLY RENOVATED lodging, restaurant facility so close to the Arkansas Motorcycle routes around the Buffalo River National Park Region Access Points of Hemmed in Hollow and Hawks Bill Crag. B Mountain Home 1 1 1 $58 In addition to a full-service spa, Days Inn Mountain Home features a fitness facility and a seasonal outdoor pool. Business amenities at this 2.0-star property consist of a business center, secretarial services, and audio-visual equipment. A complimentary breakfast is served each morning. This spa hotel also offers coffee in the lobby, complimentary newspapers in the lobby, and laundry facilities. Onsite parking is complimentary. C Mountain Home 1 1 1 $80 Ramada Inn Mountain Home offers a restaurant. A complimentary breakfast is served each morning. Event facilities include conference/meeting rooms and banquet facilities. For a surcharge, an airport shuttle is available to guests. This Mountain Home hotel also offers an indoor pool, gift shops/newsstands, and laundry facilities. D Mountain Home 1 1 1 $93 Comfort Inn Mountain Home features a fitness facility and a seasonal outdoor pool. Business-related amenities at this 2.0-star property consist of a business center and small meeting rooms. A complimentary breakfast is served each morning. An airport shuttle is complimentary for guests. This Mountain Home hotel also offers gift shops/newsstands, a picnic area, and coffee in the lobby. Onsite parking is complimentary.
