LBC Mena Trip

October 13-15, 2006

(10/17/06) Dennis Suiter -This was my first trip to Mena, Arkansas, to ride bicycles let alone anything else.  The trip, attended by Steve and Nancy Johnston, Mark Lane and myself was eventful and memorable.

This trip we decided to take along our mountain bikes in addition to our road bikes.  My only thought was I hope I survive the mountain biking to accomplish my main goal of riding my road bike in the mountains.

Our departure from Longview was a little delayed.  But after stopping at the Bike Shop for some extra tubes and CO2 cartridges, we were on our way. 

Mark has a knack for finding out of the way places and this trip would be no exception.  Our first stop was in DeKalb, Texas for lunch at a quaint café on Hwy 82.  According to Mark and Steve, the Angus burger was one of the tastiest burgers they have ever had.

We were back on the road in no time and soon found ourselves checking into the Sun Country Inn in Mena.  This relatively new hotel was clean, comfortable and affordable.  If you ever find yourself in Mena and needing a place to stay, I highly recommend it.

Immediately after checking in, we donned our bicycling attire and headed up the road (and by up, I mean straight up) to Earthquake Ridge mountain bike trail.  This was only the third time I had been on a mountain bike.  The inner loop became comfortable after a couple of passes.  Then the fun (by fun, I mean terror) began.

When I purchased my mountain bike, there was a disconnect that one had to ride on a mountain with it.  I should have opted for the open-pasture bike with the flower laced basket on the front.

Not only did we go up the mountain on the mountain bikes, we eventually had to come down the mountain on them.  Coming down the trail that appeared no wider than a tire track, was one of the most terrifying rides in my life.  When the ride concluded, I made a commitment to learn how to mountain bike.  Learning by the kamikaze method is not my idea of fun.  Sunday afternoons this fall will be spent at Tyler State park.

That evening was an educational one.  Over dinner, our waitress, Kelly informed us that Mena was home to the 3^rd ranked beauty school in the nation.  We also learned that students from the school compete in the beauty Olympics.  (I wonder if the medals awarded are blonde, brunette and red.)

The next morning, we ate a home-style breakfast at the Skyline Café, located in beautiful downtown Mena.  With fuel in our bellies and somewhat recovered legs from the mountain biking, we drove about 20 miles or so (20 miles or an hour soon became the motto for any destination we drove to.) to the U.S. Forest office to start our 51 mile tour around the Talihina Scenic By-Way.

As seen in a previous report by Mark Lane, the topo profile was intimidating.  However, the ride started out smooth with a gradual incline.  I began thinking to myself, this is not so bad.  But we were only a few miles into the ride.  I would soon learn of the daunting task that lay ahead of us.

About 20 miles into the ride we stopped at another U.S. Forest Service rest stop.  We took a break to replenish our fuel stores.  I asked which way we are heading from here.  Mark replied with something similar to, “straight up that way.”

Getting back on our bikes, the gravity of the situation soon became apparent. (pun intended)  I did not realize one could go so slow on a bike and yet remain upright and moving forward.  The first monster hill was more than anything I had ever ridden in east Texas combined.  As we neared the top, I was relieved to have a semi-flat spot to recover.  Then we rounded the next bend and much to my surprise was another asphalt wall.

As we neared the top of the climb, I remember Mark telling me something about reaching the fastest mph he had ever achieved on a bicycle at this point on the ride.  Just like a roller coaster after the click-click-click of going uphill came the rushing wind and dizzying speeds of going downhill.  I reached my fastest speed ever on a bicycle of 46 mph on this first of many descents of the day.

Over the course of the next 20 miles or so, we would slowly make our way to the top of each hill and then rocket to the bottom only to be met by another 5 mph climb.  The slow speeds gave us time to enjoy the beautiful surroundings of endless forests and mountain vistas.

Prior to the last major descent, we stopped to take a photograph in order that we may be remembered for how we use to look should we not make it down the steep downhill with switchbacks and sharp turns.  To everyone’s pleasure, we made it safely downhill.  Of course, my saddle needed to be pried from me due a relatively high pucker factor.

The day of challenging hill climbing and blazing fast descents was culminated by a stop at the now infamous No, No, No, No Bar (aka, Stateline Tavern).  Nancy didn’t want to stop as she feared for our lycra wearing lives amongst the leather wearing bikers.  Prior to our trip Mark prepared a short quiz in order to prepare us for entry into the legendary establishment.

Feeling brave or it could have been due to oxygen deprivation, I ordered something fruity with a straw.  The bartender replied, “I can help with the fruity, but no so sure about the straw.”  He then proceeded to a cooler behind the bar and began calling out different types of fruity drinks.  That was one of the best strawberry daiquiri I have ever had.

We had planned to ride up to the Queen Wilhelmina Lodge the next day.  But rain from the night before scuttled our plans.  We checked out of the Sun Country Inn and stopped in at the Rich Mountain Country Store for another delicious homemade breakfast.  Steve, the owner of the store entertained us with various puzzles and mind teasers such as separating two bent nails, rope tricks and the ever popular Arkansas whooeee stick. 

The ride home was filled with a sense of accomplishment and awe over the fact we rode such a challenging ride.  It was a great weekend to get away to ride new roads and take in the local culture.

I am already excited about the next adventure as long as the mountain descents are on pavement and not terrifyingly narrow trails marked by craggily, jagged rocks.