A Short Spin Around Washington County
In 1983, I planned to take a week-long ride through the Ozarks, but cut it short because of heavy rain through the region. The route I followed is still a nice three-day ride for people in the Fayetteville area.
April 13, 1983
A new bicycling trip begun. This one will only be a week long at most. I started yesterday from Fayetteville under ominous clouds. Luckily it didn’t rain. I came down to Devil’s Den for the night. With such a short ride, I did a lot of walking around the park yesterday afternoon.
By late afternoon, most of the clouds had broken up, and I began to think I might have good weather. Not so. Early this morning rain started pitter-patting on the tent. Off and on, it rained until about 9:30.
Finally, I got out and packed everything and headed off toward Prairie Grove and Lake Wedington at about 11 a.m. Half-way up the long hill out of Devil’s Den, I came into a drizzle that lasted about an hour. Blech!! By the time I got to Prairie Grove, the rain clouds had moved on past and blue skies came out.
I ate lunch at the Battlefield Park. And then headed off toward Lake Wedington.
I think I may head back to Fayetteville tomorrow. Bicycling is no fun without a friend along. Besides, my front wheel needs to be re-spoked something terrible.
If bicycling does nothing else, it makes you think about life. It makes me think and think and think. That is good, I suppose.
———
My bicycle touring continues with a 1984 tour through Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas.
