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2012 Ouachita Challenge Race and Tour Course Directions
Course will be marked with BLUE/RED arrows.
- You must read and sign a waiver and check-in before you start your ride.
Every rider will be given a plate number and a goodie bag.
- If you do not have a plate number you will not be allowed on the course.
- All participants must wear a helmet at all times during this event.
- Be helpful to your fellow riders, if you see someone having trouble offer assistance.
- There will be several “token” stations on the course where riders will be required to stop and take on a “token”. Each rider is required to check in at each “token” station. At the Finish you must have the allotted number of tokens to show you have completed the entire course. Riders are responsible for collecting the “tokens” and getting them to the Finish Line. No tokens, no awards.
- There will also be cut-off points on the course which will eliminate riders proceeding at a rate too slow to complete the entire course in the allotted time. If you reach one of these points after the trail has been closed, the Course Marshal will direct you to the shortest route back to Oden. These "cut-off" times are for rider/volunteer safety so obey the Course Marshals, ride hard and have fun.
Cut-off Times for the 60 mile Race and Tour:
- Big Brushy - 11:00 a.m.
- Sims - 1:00 p.m.
- 92 and Womble Trail - 3:00 p.m.
When you have finished your ride, whether you have completed the course or if you have had to take one of the short cuts, PLEASE report to the officials at the Finish Line. We need to know that you are back safely.
Do not ask any of our volunteers to take items to check points. We discourage individual rider support to supply special food or necessary equipment please have them meet you at one of the suggested areas.
Suggested “rider support” areas are: Big Brushy Campground and Sims. At Sims do not block the Fire Station or private drives. Obey officials’ directions.
If auto traffic is congested riders are endangered.
RESTRICTED AREAS ARE:
- Blowout Mtn. road/Fiddler Creek area
- Forest road 92 and the Womble Trail area (Gaston Mtn.)
- HIGHWAY 298 PARKING LOT - This area is for riders and official use only!
The OC Staff reserves the right to alter the tour course due to inclement weather or for any other safety reason.
Proceed across highways with caution. Marshals will be posted at these areas but WILL NOT be stopping vehicle traffic.
Pre-event Rider Meeting at 7:45 am.
The Tour starts at 8:00 am Saturday
The Race starts at 8:00 am Sunday.
The Course will be marked with BLUE/RED arrows. Please be aware that most roads have multiple names. For example, most roads have a county name and a forest service number. We have noted at least one of these names.
From the Oden school:
Alternative start #1
- Head East on Highway 88 for 100 yards
- Turn left (North) on to road 536-next to the store
- continue on 536(Brushy Road) passing Brushy Church and crossing Brushy Creek
- Turn left on FR(JO) 6 and continue(SOUTH) to FR 48
- turn right (West) on 48
- follow FR 48 to the Ouachita Trail
- Turn right onto the Ouachita Trail
Alternative start #2
- Head west on Highway 88.
- Turn right onto Forest Road (FR) 48 just past the Oden Ranger Station.
- Follow FR 48 staying left at the junction with J-06 (FS 6).
- Continue on FR 48 to the Ouachita Trail (OT) junction and turn right.
Then:
- Follow OT to FR6 and turn left
- Follow FR6 to the OT about 60 yards past Brushy Creek Bridge and turn right.
- Follow OT to Hwy 270 and turn right.
- Follow Hwy 270 for 200 yards and turn left onto the OT at the end of the guard rails.
- Follow OT and veer right across FR 33 to continue on OT.
On Saturday the Tour riders will go around Blowout Mt. by taking F.S. 33 north, F.S. 17 east and connecting to F.S. 274 (Fiddler Creek Rd.) where they will rejoin the Ouachita Trail
- Follow the OT to FR 274 and turn left.
- Follow FR 274 and turn right onto the OT.
- Follow the OT to FR 149 and turn right.
- Follow FR 149 to Rainey Creek Rd
- Follow Rainey Creek road (do not take the right turn FR562) to Sims Loop rd and turn right (Road 2262).
- Follow the paved road through Sims and the Sims Fire Station
- Turn left on Highway 88, go South to the intersection of 88 and 298
- Stay right on Highway 298 crossing the Ouachita River
- Continue on 298 to the 298 Parking lot area
- (this will be a very congested area on the days of the events so be alert and follow the directions of the race officials)
- Riders will be directed across Highway 298 onto Road 568 toward Fulton Branch Campground
- Continue on 568 to FS 2291 stay right
- Turn right on to the Womble Trail
- Follow the Womble Trail West back to the Highway 298 Parking lot (AID STATION)
- Race officials will direct you across Highway 298 and continue West on the Womble trail
- Follow Womble trail crossing Highway 270, FR 922 , FR92 over Gaston Mtn to FR 68
- Turn right on FR 68 then left on FR 74 toward North Fork Lake
- At North Fork lake take the Womble trail North back to FR 68
- Turn right (East) on FR68 continue to the junction with FR92
- Turn left (North) on FR 92 continue North crossing the Womble trail and continue on FR92 and County Road 379 to Highway 88 and Oden School
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