About the Ride:
Bentonville to Tahlequah along the amazing Illinois River. We will have quick stops for baked goods, find some swimming holes, and end in Tahlequah for Beer and Pizza.
Huge thanks to Randy Jackson for all the work on the route! Huge thanks to Thomas Ufer for coming and picking our asses up in Tahlequah!
The Route:
Important Details:
** Emergency Contact Info Need - Please use the Button to access the form **
SAG Support
There will be very limited SAG support on the ride. Currently, the van won’t leave NW Arkansas until approx. 1:00 pm and will most likely just meet us in Tahlequah to bring us back.
If you find yourself in a position to need someone to pick you up, you may be waiting for a while until the van is able to come get you.
Drop Bag
If you want fresh clothes or a change of shoes once you get to Tahlequah, bring a drop bag to Mike’s.
The van will bring your drop bag to Tahlequah for you.
Bikes
You must ensure your bike is in working order before Saturday morning. We will not have time to mess with it Saturday morning.
You must make sure your bike tires have sealant in them (if you’re tubeless).
You must carry two spare tubes.
You must have at least two water bottles that are full before leaving.
This is a no-drop ride unless you have a major mechanical (b/c the mechanic is not staying with you).
In that case, you can call someone or wait for the Van to get you (which may be a while).
Ride Agenda, Stops, & Points of Interest:
7:00 am - Staging
7:30 am - Wheels Up
Pastry at Honeywheat Bakery - Gentry (mile 24)
Coffee & Pastry at Pour John's Coffee - Siloam (mile 33)
Cool-off at Carnes Ford Access (mile 49 ) optional
Food/Water at Peyton's (mile 71) optional
Cool-off at Bathtub Rocks (mile 77) optional
4:30 pm (ish) End Ride in downtown Tahlequah (mile 90)
Post Ride:
Clean-up at Tahlequah Splash Pad (van will have your drop bag)
Dinner at Kroner and Baer (Wood-Fired Pizza and Brewskis)
Dessert at Rollie Pollie for Ice Cream
Return to Bentonville via Van (van has a trailer for all the bikes & gear)
Cost:
$50 per person to cover van & trailer rental, gas, trip back, etc. (Venmo @mikerusch). If we have $s left over, we’ll kick that towards dinner cost.
Dinner, food at convenience stores/stops, etc. is on you.
Final Check
Did you fill out your Emergency Contact info?
Is your bike & gear ready?
Have a smile on your face because all you have to do today is ride a bike?