![\"IMG_1857\"](\"http:\/\/www.brickhouseracing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/IMG_1857.jpg\")
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I got a bunk at the local hostel. If you’ve never stayed in a hostel, I highly recommend it. Bring an open mind, though, because a lot of the people you meet will be “weird” in some of the most fascinating and awesome ways. It’s an interesting mix of hikers, bikers (this particular time, a guy riding the continental divide trail and a woman road riding down the pacific coast before heading east), and all sorts of travelers from all over the place. Usually a cute dog or two, also.<\/p>\n
After I unpacked, I went out for a quick ride around the Arkansas Hills trails. Included were plenty of scenery, as well as the first of likely many hike-a-bikes of my trip (first photo).<\/p>\n Soon after I arrived back from riding, I went to dinner with a group from the hostel. WTF moment of the day occurred when a sketchy van pulled up with four fat bikes on the back and four middle-aged women inside. Whoa.<\/p>\n Back at the hostel, a group of three guys showed up to stay the night and ride the Monarch Crest trail in the morning. I’d researched the Monarch Crest trail before I left Memphis, and had made tentative plans to ride it on Sunday.<\/p>\n Side note- the Monarch Trail starts just off the road that goes up & over the Monarch Pass. You can ride to the start, but there’s also a park & ride shuttle that will take you up there. The ride up is pretty hairy with truck\/RV\/car traffic, etc.<\/p>\n I figured it’d be more fun to ride with the smaller group, so I went with the new plan. The trail is absolutely gorgeous. I don’t think I could ever get tired of the view from on top of a 12k foot mountain pass.<\/p>\n<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a> <\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n\u00a0\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n