Beaver Lake Loop

Yesterday the Tyson Foods Cycling Team hooked up for our monthly team ride. Major kudos to Ben C for dreaming up this awesome route. It did not disappoint. I think everyone on the team got to ride new roads. The terrain is rolling to say the least. While the climbs are not very long or steep there are just a lot of them. Check out the STRAVA profile below and you will see the “jagged teeth” elevation gain/loss. About 6000 gain in 75 miles. The scenery and road quality made the suffer moments worth it. What a day on the saddle. I mean 65 in January…

Highlights: Descending to the dam at Beaver Lake. The tarmac is buttery smooth, scenery is exceptional and the winding twisty road is like a roller coaster. Nothing but hoots and hollers at the bottom! Also the descent to the base of the climb that brings you into Eureka Springs. Just awesome. Lowlights: The relentless rollers coming out of Eureka Springs on 23. It didn’t help that our team went full gas on this section. It was a suffer fest but my legs needed a good kick in the teeth.

All this to say folks never stop dreaming up new routes. Never stop exploring your surroundings. Outside is free. Love our roads here in the Ozarks. I will do a turn by turn write up with details and potential hazards to avoid and add this to our Routes page where you can download the information to your GPS device very soon.

Grand depart ONYX Coffee Lab Bentonville square. [Photo Ben C]

Met the rest of the team at Avoca. 

Tons of much needed sunshine for the first two hours. 

HWY 62 is a very busy section. Your only on it for a few miles but I recommend you do this route with a small well working group. There is safety in numbers. [Photo Ben C]

Beginning of the awesome descent to the Beaver Lake Dam. 

Pretty much incredible scenery the whole route. 

Looking forward to racing with this bunch in 2017. See ya’ll at Crosswinds Classic! [Photo Ben C]

What goes down must eventually go up here in the Ozarks. 

Much needed pit stop. Orange is the new black?

The descent down to Lake Leatherwood just before you climb up to Eureka Springs was awesome.

Not much sightseeing for us in “Little Switzerland.” [Photo Ben C]

Before you know it your on the HWY 12 bridge headed back to Rogers. Another busy section. Again, I recommend you do this with a small well working group and not solo. Safety in numbers on these busy sections. 

BOOM! Let’s Eat!