This morning we tackled a Arkansas classic the Winslow Death March. About 65 miles with 3,500 gain. The route is challenging and has a great mix of terrain. A couple hard climbs, rollers and flats. A ton of spectacular views and one really awesome descent into Devil’s Den State Park. This route should be on your Arkansas bucket list for sure.

For a turn by turn description or to download this route to your GPS device via STRAVA click here.

Locally based and locally made JunkBrands makes great headbands. On a humid morning like today it helps to keep the sweat off my shades. #junkbrands #gladicleanedmyears #adidasevileyehalfrimpro #girosynthe

Energy for 3.5 hours of saddle love. #clifbar

Headed out 265. 

I thought we might stay dry this morning. 

Ozarkia.

Super stiff headwind. 

First decent climb (unnamed) of the day. About 1 mile 260 gain. 

Kind of a grinder. 

And then Strickler Hill pretty soon after. Only .6 miles 167 gain. 

No so bad. 

Then you hang a right on 170. 

In and out of the rain. 

Devil’s Den State Park. 

Dropping in. 

The visitor center is a perfect location for a rest stop. At about mile 31 with bathrooms a water fountain and some vending machines. 

There is no other way out of the Den, the road tilts…

up…

and up.

It is one of the cooler climbs in NWA.

Because of the eight switchback turns.

What is it about switchbacks that makes a climb much more interesting?

I think it’s when you round the corner and see the next ramp.

True.

The sixth switchback leads to the hardest section.

2.3 miles, 630 gain.

This is where I think the Death March gets its name. After climbing out of Devil’s Den you hit this 9 mile section to Winslow. It is a rolling up hill. The rollers come wave after wave and usually you are greeted by a cross/headwind. Today was no exception. Brutal. So from the bottom of Devil’s Den to the peak of the rolling section you gain around 1,000 feet. Once in Winslow hang a left on 71 and this takes you back to Fayetteville. Another great ride this morning here in the Ozarks. The young guns were putting the hurt on the old dudes…good times.

I headed over to The Bike Route to check out the Pinarello K8-S.

Super interesting concept. Aero race machine with a little bit of comfort (see the suspension built into the seat stays). Aero frames tend to have a harsher ride quality. For folks that ride a ton of miles this concept makes sense.

Enough bikes already. Let’s Eat! Pizza and Ozark Beer Co.’s Belgian Style Golden Ale. #ozarkbeer