Too much rain and more days needed to dry trails out at Bentonville so I moved on into Kansas with a short piece thru Missouri. I researched ride ideas in both MO and OK but came up with same story: too wet. So a big push across the state. Next destination is Wilson SP with Switchgrass trail system. I made it as far as Hutchinson spending the night at Sand Hill SP well after dark. Windy night. I entered Switchgrass driving directions and learned I was less than 2 hours away but I was done driving for the day. And to fix something to eat which became a toasted cheese sandwich and an omelet.

Today I finished the drive to Wilson State park. Park office was closed. Paid daily $5 fee then drove to TH parking lot. One other bike car. I geared up then took my turn on the trail system following the IMBA Epic loop. First part of the trail got after the challenging tech moves, did some walking. Forecast called for wind which blew the anemometer to 30 mph steady with gusts to 38. Rode 19.4 miles leaving the easy loop on the table. 2 hrs 49 mins climbing 1683′. Go to MTBProject to lookup the trail to see the density and config of the system. Amazing that my 19 miles fit in 186 acres per backcountry navigator. Like never far away but couldn’t get there.

Creative use of terrain. However, almost all the trail was not bench cut and many places below grade. Prolly amazing that the system exists as this place is in the middle of Kansas with no mountain bikers. Seat dropper enhanced my enjoyment, would not want to ride here without it. That’s because I have and use my dropper and not just because I have it on my bike. 46T cassette helped.

No play toy racks on cars since Brevard. Grocery store in Ellsworth offers poor nutrition choices, I believe that grocery stores don’t stock nutritious foods. Harps in Bentonville had a produce section not much bigger than my van, broccoli was limp. Looking forward to healthful food choices where heart propelled activities are predominant.

I sipped a shot of 5 year old Rum at Scotch and Soda in B-ville. Enjoyable. Connected with Heather whom I met there 2 years ago just after she completed her AT thru hike. Caught up with her adventurers.

Nice to be out in the open again and out of the rain. I did ride thru several mud pits on Switchgrass. Eastward water was standing in the fields. Beans are  waiting to be harvested. Just wet.

Moving on to Denver to visit a cousin.

The drive after the ride on I-70 was twitchy from the cross winds. Kept the van between the lines but used much of it. Wiggle and waggle correcting wind push.

Rolled into B-ville last night driving in rain which fell all last night quiting ,or abating, moments ago.  Stick season is almost here as the leaves have turned and just hanging on for the right combination of wind and rain to set them free. Been pretty. Stick season is when the trees no longer have leaves attached.

On Tuesday I rode Lake Leatherwood trails which are part of the Eureka Springs city park system. New downhill trails have been carved in. Short runs with a shuttle service. Crazy: Miners Rock loop is a multi-use trail with huge berms.

Excellent trail system: built, maintained, and signed.

I spent a second night at the park instead of in town Bentonville. Only camper. More twisty windy steep state highway drive to downtown. Turning the steering wheel activates my rotator cuff stressing it which is what I believe is causing me shoulder pain. And I’m sticking to that reason, certainly not riding.

Rolled into Phat Tire to new faces. Later was Pedaler’s Pub for beer and dinner. I sat at the bar which was underneath a roof leak. Loren whom I met on last visit and let me sleep in his compound joined me later. I am sleeping in his driveway.

Temp dropped enough to reorder my clothes for pants and long sleeves on the top of the stack. Running the furnace.

Yesterday I picked up my forwarded mail at B-ville PO. Sat in the parking lot and filled out my election ballot then dropped it into the pick up slot. I did my civic duty.

Today was laundry. Later I drove out to where Loren does his metal and wood work. Slobbered over some of his work with native edge lumber.

Forecast portends clearing tomorrow afternoon for a ride on the Back 40.

I forwarded my license tab to here meaning I am captive to the USPS to deliver.

I have been researching rides in OK and MO before heading into Kansas to ride often recommended Switchgrass trails then on to Denver to visit with a cousin then Moab. Horns of a dilemma, sort of, to getting into the dry but leaving these hardwoods colors. I sure would like to dry out and see the sun.

October was jammed with  different states, I rode in MI, OH, PA, WVA, VA, TN, NC,SC, GA, and AR. 9 states in a month. Fall colors and occasional rain, lots of wet.