RECOMMENDED RIDES
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a warning sign that reads , “ Impassible hairpins ahead .” This will be a great place to pull over and take a picture . There will be a test at the end . No need to fret yet ; you ’ re good with the warm-up until you get past Mt Judea .
In about 1.5 miles , you will be greeted with signs reading 10 mph curves ahead . This is where you want to gear down and be ready to use your clutch as you bend your bike around corners . You will notice damaged guardrails and torn-up grass where people did not heed the warning sign and tried to bring trailers through anyway , don ’ t be that person . If you are , please take pictures when you get stuck or rub against the guardrail . Once on top , the road opens up , and you can get out of low gear and flow through the curves ahead . You will come to a place where the guardrail is all that ’ s between you and the cliff , don ’ t worry , they are strong . The road is narrow and tight , so watch for vehicles coming the other way that may be in your lane trying to avoid the rock wall they are against . During this trip , there were two RVs in this section that held half of my lane , and I felt the wind from one of the mirrors .
Now you ’ re on the way to the intersection of AR-7 , where you ’ ll head south for a ways until you
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turn west to continue on AR-123 . This section of road starts to open up some as you head into a more populated area . AR-123 tees into AR-164 , where you will head west toward Clarksville . You have an option you can stay on AR-164 until it hits AR-21 and head south , or you can turn off on AR-123 to finish it out , then head to Clarksville on US- 64 . Either way , you end up at the same place . You didn ’ t really think I would take you through this ride without a place to stop and eat , did you ? You are looking for La Michoacana . It ’ s a Mexican ice cream shop , and you ’ ll need it after all this riding . Tacos and ice cream will hit the spot , and don ’ t forget to snap a photo .
Now that you are rested up , it ’ s time to hit the highest peak in Arkansas , Mt Magazine . Continue out of town on US-64 until you see the turnoff for AR-109 . Stay on AR- 109 until it tees onto AR-22 and go west until you get to Pairs , then look for the Magazine State Park sign , AR-309 . ( If you go one block past the AR-309 turn off , you can visit the Eiffel Tower Park ). Turn south and follow the signs to the state park . If you have time , check
out the park and stretch your legs , it ’ s a nice place . Continue on AR- 309 until you get to Havana , and hang a left at the tee on AR-10 . So
far , you ’ ve been to Paris , and through Havana . Now you can say you ’ re an international traveler .
The fun ’ s not over yet ; you still have another nice set of curves ahead , once you get past Danville . AR-10 flows into AR-27 , and you will stay on AR-27 for about 38 miles until you see AR-88 W . AR-88 twists and turns , so just follow the signs until it dumps you onto US-71 S , just at the edge of Mena . As you roll south through Mena , you have a decision to make . You can run on into Iron Mountain , or veer off and head up to Queen Wilhelmina State Park . We have a ride called peak to peak , which includes the two highest peaks in Arkansas . Once you top Queen Wilhelmina , you have tagged the two highest peaks .
Now for that test , we said you would have . Get the pictures we asked you for in this article , including one of historical markers that is pictured in this article . Then show them to the folks at the registration booth , and get your “ Mountains to Mena ” decal . This is one of my favorite rides , I hope you enjoy it on the way to the June National Rally . The decal is just my way of saying thanks for trying out the ride . You will be one of the few and will have a story to go with the decal . CMA
John Jr and Holly Ogden oversee the South Central Region as National Evangelist .
21⎪JUNE 2022⎪www . cmausa . org