2008 Ouachita Challenge 80 Mile Race Course Information
The Race Course will be marked with YELLOW arrows.
1. You must read and sign a waiver and check-in before you start your ride. Each rider will be given a plate number and a goodie bag.
2. If you do not have a plate number you will not be allowed on the course.
3. All participants must wear a helmet at all times during this event.
4. Be helpful to your fellow riders, if you see someone having trouble offer any assistance you can .
5. 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. 
6. 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.
Cut-off Times are as follows:
80 Mile Race
Feed Station #1 the YELLOW TRAIL CLOSES at 10:00 am
Feed Station #2 the TRAIL CLOSES at 12:30 pm
Feed Station #3 the TRAIL CLOSES at 2:30 pm
Feed Station #4 the TRAIL CLOSES at 3:30 pm

7. 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.
8. Do not ask any of our volunteers to take items to check points.  If you have a support person to supply special food or necessary equipment please have them meet you at one of the Feed/Aid stations.
9. The OC Staff reserves the right to alter the tour course due to inclement weather or for other safety reasons.
10. Proceed across highways with caution. Marshals will be posted at these areas but will not be stopping vehicle traffic.
11. Each participant will be given two meal tickets, one for the Saturday evening dinner and one for the Sunday morning breakfast. Upon request two meal tickets are available for other family members, children eat free
Rider Support:
Please be aware that some areas may NOT be accessible to rider support vehicles.
Recommended rider support areas:
1. Big Brushy
2. Hwy. 88 & Blowout Mtn. Road intersection
3. 298 Parking lot (close to the intersection of Hwy. 270 & 298)
Prohibited areas:
1. Blowout Mtn. Road/Fiddler Creek Area
2. No parking will be allowed on Gaston Mtn. (where Womble Trail crosses Forest Service Road #92)

2008 Ouachita Challenge 80 Mile Race Course Directions
The Race Course will be marked with YELLOW arrows.
Please be aware that most roads have multiple names. For example, most roads have a county number and forest service number. We have noted at least one of these names, but please be aware that they may be different.
Pre-event meeting at 7:35 am
Race starts at 7:45 am sharp

From Oden School, turn left onto Hwy 88 for about 200 yards to the Post Office. Turn right (south) onto Hwy 379 for about 2.4 miles.  Turn right (south) onto FSR 92 (Gaston Mountain Road). Go 2.5 miles to the junction of FSR 68. Turn right (west) go 2.2 miles to the junction of FSR 68 and the Womble Trail. Turn left (south) on the Womble Trail, go 1/2 mile to FSR W74. Turn right (north) on FSR W74, go 1/2 mile to FSR 68. Turn right (east) go 1/2 mile to the junction of FSR 68 and the Womble Trail. Turn left (east) onto the Womble Trail and continue east crossing Hwy. 270.  After crossing Hwy. 270, you will reach Hwy. 298 and Feed Station #1. Please be careful crossing Hwy. 270, Hwy. 298 and in the area of the Feed Station.  Lots of bikes, people and cars.

From the Hwy. 298 Feed Station #1 continue east on the Womble Trail for 11.5 miles until you reach Hwy. 27. Turn left (north) onto Hwy 27 go about 1/2 mile to the junction of Hwy 27 and the Womble Trail. Turn left onto the Womble Trail. Go 4.4 miles to the Hwy. 88 trailhead parking lot and Feed Station #2.
From Feed Station #2 cross Hwy 88 to FSR 231. Go about 1/2 mile to the junction of FSR 887. Turn left onto FSR 887. Go about 1/2 mile to the junction of FSR 887 and the Womble Trail. Turn right onto the Womble Trail. Go 3.5 miles to the junction of the Womble Trail and the Roundtop Trail. Turn left (west) onto the Roundtop Trail. Go about 1/2 mile to the junction of the Ouachita Trail. Turn left (west) onto the Ouachita Trail. Go 9 miles to the junction of FSR 149. Turn left (south) on FSR 149. Go 1/2 mile and turn right (west) back onto the Ouachita Trail. (This area is easy to access by vehicle and is good place for rider support personal to meet riders.) Continue on the Ouachita Trail for 3.5 miles to the Junction of FSR 274, the Ouachita Trail and Feed Station #3. Turn right (north) on FSR 274. Go 1 mile to the junction of FSR 17. Turn left (west) onto FSR 17. In 2.5 miles FSR 17 merges with FSR 33. Stay to the left and go 1 mile to the junction of FSR 33 and FSR 612. Turn right on FSR 612. Go 1.5 miles to the junction of FSR 125. Turn right (south) on FSR 125. Go about 100 yds. to the junction of FSR 125 and Hwy. 270. Turn left (east) on Hwy. 270. Go about 1/2 mile to FSR 6 and the entrance to Big Brushy Campground and Feed Station #4

From the Big Brushy Campground and Feed Station #4 continue South on FSR 6. Go about 1/2 mile to the junction of FSR 6 and the Ouachita Trail. Turn right (west) onto the Ouachita Trail. Go 6 miles to the junction of FSR 48. Turn left on FSR 48. Go 6.5 miles to the junction of FSR 48 and Hwy. 88. Turn left (west) on Hwy. 88. Go about 2 miles to the Oden School and the FINISH.  Be sure to CHECK IN when you return even if you don’t complete the entire route.  We need to account for all of the riders.

Bail Outs are marked with BLACK arrows.

Times may be adjusted depending on weather.

Riders will not be allowed to continue on the regular route after the cut-off time but will be directed to the shortest route back to Oden.


PLEASE PRINT OFF A MAP, NONE WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE EVENT.

Click the map to see a bigger map!

Payouts and Awards
Cash Payouts
Men
1st = $ 200.00
2nd = $ 150.00
3rd = $ 100.00
4th = $ 50.00
5th = $ 50.00
Women & Single Speeds
1st = $ 200.00
2nd = $ 150.00
3rd = $ 100.00

Awards

Men = 50 deep
Women = 3 deep
Single Speeds = 3 deep

Questions about the course? E-mail Scott: scottmtbr AT yahoo.com