Big Dam Ride
From: Mountain View To: Mountain View
Driving Distance: 140.3 miles Time: 3 hours, 26 minutes


In the next three or four hours you will see a variety of Ozark topography.  Leaving Mountain View East for Batesville you will cross creeks, run parallel to mountain ridges, see small family farms, and ride through serene pastures.  Batesville, one of the oldest towns in Arkansas has Victorian homes on and around Main Street, bike shops if you need leather or parts, and one of the States local heroes.  Off the map and about four miles South on Hwy 167 is the home of Mark Martin Ford and his NASCAR museum.  When you leave Batesville, go North on hwy 69 you will see rolling hills and vistas through Melbourne, Newburg, and Pineville. After crossing the Baxter County line you will enjoy more curves, slower suggested speeds, and various views of Norfork Lake.  Camping is available for a fee around the lake on a first come basis.  Be sure to have a camera at the dam site; the scenery is beautiful.  Below the dam is a trout hatchery, a free walking tour, and a State run catch and release trout stream for children.  At Salesville you will turn LEFT, South on AR 5 and then cross the North Fork of the White River.  See if you can fine one of the oldest homes in Arkansas just past the bridge in Norfork.  From Norfork to Calico Rock and then Allison you will see bluffs, creeks, and mountains similar to the famous Buffalo National River country.  Up the hill headed back to Mountain View be sure to glance back toward the river. 
 
ATTENTION:  There are pull offs on all roads in the Ozarks, however most are gravel.  Heavy rains also "wash" gravel onto highways.  Be careful on the curves.  Lots of folks let their dogs run free here in the hills and occasionally a cow or a horse.  Watch for the unexpected, especially our native White Tail deer.  They can't run on blacktop but they sure can jump.  Depending on the time of year you ride; you may see RV's, big trucks, road construction, hunters in orange, or someone sitting in the middle of the road taking a picture.  Share the road and don't be surprised if everyone you meet waves or "takes the middle out of your lane".  We joke about paying taxes on both sides of the road.  Every town has a good place to eat or as we call it "coffee".  Be sure to check for the pie in season and "today's special".  Enjoy your place in the Mountains.

Time Distance Instruction
9:00 AM 0.0  1   Depart Mountain View on SR-66 [W Main St] (East) for 0.2 mi
9:00 AM 0.2 Bear RIGHT (East) onto SR-9 [E Main St] for 0.6 mi
9:01 AM 0.8 Keep STRAIGHT onto SR-14 [SR-5] for 28.3 mi
9:46 AM 29.1 Turn LEFT (East) onto SR-25 for 43 yds
9:46 AM 29.1 Road name changes to SR-14 [SR-25] for 6.9 mi
9:58 AM 36.0 Keep LEFT onto SR-25 for 87 yds
9:58 AM 36.1 Bear LEFT (North-East) onto US-167 [SR-25] for 2.4 mi
10:01 AM 38.5 Turn LEFT (West) onto SR-106 [Harrison St] for 0.5 mi
10:02 AM 39.0  2   At Batesville, stay on SR-106 [Harrison St] (West) for 43 yds
10:02 AM 39.1 Turn LEFT (South-West) onto SR-106 [E Boswell St] for 0.2 mi
10:03 AM 39.2 Turn RIGHT (North-West) onto SR-106 [SR-69 Bus] for 0.7 mi
10:04 AM 39.9 Keep STRAIGHT onto SR-69 Bus [N Central Ave] for 0.9 mi
10:06 AM 40.8 Bear LEFT (North-West) onto SR-69 for 21.0 mi
10:33 AM 61.8 Bear LEFT (West) onto SR-58 [SR-69] for 0.8 mi
10:34 AM 62.6 Keep STRAIGHT onto SR-69 for 0.6 mi
10:34 AM 63.2 Road name changes to SR-69 B for 2.3 mi
10:37 AM 65.5 Road name changes to SR-69 for 4.0 mi
10:42 AM 69.5 Turn RIGHT (North) onto SR-9 [Dixon St] for 6.4 mi
10:50 AM 75.9 Turn LEFT (West) onto SR-56 for 65 yds
10:50 AM 75.9  3   At Brockwell, stay on SR-56 (West) for 11.4 mi
11:04 AM 87.3 Turn RIGHT (North) onto SR-223 for 0.3 mi
11:05 AM 87.6 Keep STRAIGHT onto SR-223 [North] for 0.8 mi
11:07 AM 88.4 Turn LEFT (North-West) onto SR-177 for 153 yds
11:07 AM 88.5  4   At Pineville, stay on SR-177 (North-West) for 13.2 mi
11:28 AM 101.7 Turn RIGHT (North) onto SR-341 [SR-5] for 0.1 mi
11:29 AM 101.8  5   At Salesville, return East on SR-341 [SR-5] for 0.1 mi
11:29 AM 101.9 Turn RIGHT (South-West) onto SR-177 [SR-341] for 3.1 mi
11:33 AM 105.0  6   At Norfork, stay on SR-177 [SR-5] (East) for 1.9 mi
11:36 AM 106.8 Bear LEFT (South-East) onto SR-5 for 0.7 mi
11:37 AM 107.6 Turn RIGHT to stay on SR-5 for 26.6 mi
12:16 PM 134.1 Keep STRAIGHT onto SR-14 [SR-5] for 5.4 mi
12:25 PM 139.6 Turn RIGHT (West) onto SR-9 [E Main St] for 0.6 mi
12:26 PM 140.2 Bear LEFT (West) onto SR-66 [W Main St] for 0.2 mi
12:26 PM 140.3  7   Arrive Mountain View
   


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