Not much going on around Memphis right now, and I’m still trying my best to prepare for the Fool’s Gold 50 in a couple of weeks. There’s a short track MTB race in Little Rock next Saturday, which, by itself, isn’t very much like a 50 mile endurance race, but is a good draw to venture to Arkansas for other riding…
Pink: Mt Ida- closest town to the Womble Trail
Purple: Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (LOViT) Trailhead
Blue: Little Blakely (mixed reviews from what I’ve seen
Green: the old stand-by, Lake Sylvia, and miles of forest/4×4 roads with some long, occasionally steep climbs
A visit to those would be a great addition to my dwindling weeks of summer vacation, and would give me an opportunity to try out my Element as a camping vehicle.
Another good place to train for Fool’s Gold is the Clear Creek Trail near Oxford. It has 1100 feet of elevation change per lap. I used it to practice for the Syllamo’s Revenge race which was a 50 miler in Mountain view, Arkansas. It took me 6 hours to get 50 miles (first time to do 50) and I have to say it was much harder than Syllamo.
Wow! That sounds like a tough one. I’ll check it out sometime soon for sure!
I forgot to add that you should bring some “Off” if you go out there. I suppose that holds for
anyplace in the woods around here.
I’ve got a few contacts (with property) on the Ouachita Trail and home about 40 minutes away… If you’d like I can get you in touch with them (Todd ran the OC 80 and knows every square inch of the trails) & his wife Suzie is a strong rider also…