Thanksgiving morning was just like a regular day. I fixed bfast and did the clean up, Next up was dressing comfortably for 50ish temps in the fog. Oh and hunting season I wore my orange vest. I would soon learn of damage to my bike from hitting the tree. I pulled the bike off and gave it a stress test, everything passed. The struck tree left a bit of bark at point of contact. Amazing in that all bike parts were not touched. I did shear off a bolt holding the jobox onto the carrier and moved the box away from the van. I will find a car body shop and asked them to pull the carrier straight.

Today’s ride is to be the end of the LOViT at Crystal Springs. I looked at the elevatgion profile on MTBP which showed a big change. It appears that the ride was ridden from the down up to where I am. Means a grunt uphill finish. I picked hte trail up which started dropping almost immediately. There were enough steep sections that I would have a bitch of a time pushing my bike uphill. Maybe there is an option. I dropped down a creek drainage till the grade lessened and slight uphills were mixed in while negotiating the turns thru the trees. I hit the trail end  then turned around. As I pedaled up the stuff I coasted down I was amazed at what I was able to climb. I studied MTBP to see if I could ride a road uphill. One was shown. The info I had was it climbed to the top of Hickorynut Ridge and back to the van. The road climbed, perhaps a Subaru could have climbed it. I stuck at it. I continue to be amazed at the pedal power I have with the flats and the Absolute Black oval chain ring. What a hump. The ride was 14.07 miles climbing 2316′

back at the van and changed into dry street clothes. I drove into Hot Springs planning on doing my wash at the laundromat I had previously used. Closed. A shower at anytime. Next up was driving to the western end of the Ouachita National rec trail for a ride tomorrow. Drive went thru Hot Springs  which is part of the National park. Tight driving on crowded streets. Once out of town the road climbed. I passed the TH for tomorrow’s ride and turned right on the first gravel road. I was seeking a pull off for the night. About 2 miles in I finally found a just off the shoulder of the lane and half all weather gravel road. Several I suspect hunter rigs made noise passing. Chilly night.

The Rec trail is the longest hike in the state, bikes are allowed on a piece starting from hwy 7 TH. I pedaled away and up. The tread is a hiking trail that rode well. Up around, down, around up, around down, then I turned around. The ride was planned to be an out and back.

I encountered an older than me solo male backpacker. We talked about the election result.

Back at the van. I watched a large RV trailer being pulled by a pickup in full effort climbing. Within a few minutes it drove back downhill and into the parking lot. Guy gets out and greets me as his hero. We have never met. He read about me and wants to do my gig. Friendly conversation. I have an invite for future local ride.

I discovered that I broke the headband in my Giro helmet. I google bike shops. There is only 1 in the area and it is in Hot Springs. Today is Friday. I drive back thru Hot Springs to the bike shop. WTF? it’s closed.

A shower at anytime then a fast drive heading south to Arkadelphia and the Iron Mtn trails. I picked a state park on the north side of the lake for the night. I arrived after dinner time. Place was packed, I found the second to the last open spot. I ran my fridge on shore power. The fridge cycles sometimes by warming up. Usually the electric stays cold. Not last night. The blueberries are soft.

I followed MTBP directions to the TH. The road crosses the dam that creates the lake. A sign before the dam said that entering this facility you accept being searched: Patriot Act rule. I passed w/o seeing who would search me. What we have been taken away from for fear.

I used the MTBP to keep me on the loop as submitted. I focus on the riding, pedal the trail keeping an eye on my icon on the smart phone screen. Just a lot of joyful pedaling in a small area. 17.26 miles climbing 1663. I chatted with a rider who was wearing the same shoes as mine.

Today is the big rivalry football game between Ohio State and Michigan. I had hoped to find a place to watch it. Instead I caught the second half on XM while driving. My concentration was definitely divided. The Bucks won in second OT.

Last night the Zags played. Not on XM. I “watched” the game on the ESPN gamecast while under the covers. They won a squeaker. They play on Sunday in the tournament final.

I stopped at a coffee shop in downtown Arkadelphia to buy local roast beans. Locale is not into craft coffee.

I drove back to MT Ida and out of town to park at a Womble TH for tomorrow’s ride. weather forecast calls for precip on Monday and just clouds tomorrow. I’ll ride north as an out and back unless riders show up and offer a shuttle. I figure that I will spend Monday night at an army corps of engineers campground for a shower.