We had a Glorious Day outside yesterday ! Hopefully your on a bicycle somewhere's at Camp or on the road. Wanted to pimp the central Arkansas road scene a-bit in the name of getting into shape. Check these open club/racing rides out. These rides will do wonders for your Mt Biking Fitness: Arkansas Bicycling Club Arkansas Cycling and Fitness Open Rides - Heard it's Tuesday night but, Ugh...website has no info. Someone e-mail me the info...plz Carve Open Road Rides DoubleBee's/Bike Seller Open Rides J&P Bike - Ugh, What year are we in? Site hasn't been updated.....Wuzz up with the BMX? The Ride - Conway What's this? Shaft Driven Bikes Gary P.S. Thanks Bill for the Photo! Bill Rawks like Ronnie Montrose. Here's some cool interplanetary net muzak to give you that floating feeling while your cruising the single track and road.....you'll probably need Winamp to check this.

Announcing the 2005 Ozark Extreme Adventure Sprint Race Series. The Series will consist of six races throughout the state of Arkansas. Each will encompass running, mountain biking, paddling, and special problem solving skills. Teams entered in the advanced coed divisions will compete for a cash prize of $1000 dollars. To learn more check out www.adventuresprints.com.

The 2005 Official's Clinic conducted by Steve Shepherd will be hosted in Russellville, Arkansas (exact location forthcoming) on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2005. The event will run from 9:00 AM till 5:00 PM and will cover the rules and details of race officiating. You know you've always wanted to be one of the judges!....or maybe just have a better understanding of the rules and procedures involved around racing bicycles. Curriculum will include:

MT Bike Racing

Road Racing

Track Racing

...and more

The course is free and taught by Steve Shepherd - himself a veteran racer, and USCF Official. The actual official's license must be purchased upon certification. You will be certified upon completion of the course. If your interested, you can e-mail Steve at: steve.shepherd@acxiom.com or call him at 501-258-6077 for details.

NEXT BACA MEETING FEBRUARY 10

Our next BACA meeting, to be held jointly with the Arkansas Bicycle Club, is February 10th at 7:00 p.m. at the Oyster Bar, 3003 W. Markham, Little Rock, Arkansas. County Judge Buddy Villines has requested that he and Corps of Engineers Project Manager Jim Pfeifer speak to us about progress on the Lock and Dam Bridge as well as other recent developments (including the possibility of a bridge connecting the River Trail and Two Rivers Park over the Little Maumelle River). Please plan on attending to show your support for all the work Judge Villines has done to improve recreational opportunities in Central Arkansas. We will also begin planning for National Bike to Work Day.

Ken has an update on various projects over at the BACA site...check out here.

Hope to see you there.
Ken Gould

Camp is having another controlled burn in our area tommorrow, Wed. the 19th, and will be closed. I just got this message today, don't bother driving out there - you won't be allowed to enter. We should be allowed to resume riding on Thurs.
Thanks,

Gary

Some pimpage is in order for this Spring's Ouachita Challenge. See it all here: http://www.ouachitachallenge.com Course description here: http://www.ouachitachallenge.com/course.htm

Looks like a sweet event!

Rumor has it BACA is having a Feb Meeting - Thursday, February 10 - This should be an especially exciting BACA meeting. County Judge Buddy Villines & Project Manager Jim Pfeifer will report on the status & progress of the Lock & Dam Bridge project. Usual time & place - 7 p.m. - Oyster Bar. Have not seen this on the BACA site however.....from ABC

Javelin Sales and Marketing News, North Little Rock over at Bicycle Retailer.

Remember, when your CARP Membership expires - if you provided a legitimate e-mail, you will recieve an e-mail notice 30 days before your CARP membership expires allowing you to renew online or stop in a local bike shop and renew making your membership maintainence seemless!

Cold weather got you down? Check out Mt Biking down at St. Lucia. Check out our friend Tinker's new trail! See St Lucia's 5 day forcast here! Aw YEAH!

Since news is a bit slow for now.....went and checked out the Arkansas Trails Council Newsletter...if your interested in participating....the quarterly meeting is Jan 8th - directions below.

"We have several things going on for the upcoming meeting on January 8th. Number one on the agenda is election of a new Vice-Chair for 2005. Ed Hawkins, current Chairperson, will move on to a more comfortable non-officer position with the council and Bryan Gossett, current Vice-Chairperson, will ascend to the lofty Chairperson position. That leaves the Vice-Chair to be filled. The position requires a two year committment to the council as the person elected will become Chairperson the following year. If you would like to volunteer yourself or someone else for the job, come to the January 8th meeting at Pinnacle Mountain State Park and raise your hand. We had a great turn out for the IMBA trails workshop in October. More than 40 people came out on two rainy days to learn and apply some trail building techniques. We had such a good time that we might just do it again in 2005 but without the rain. I have also applied to have a "Leave No Trace" training team come to the next one. I will keep you apprised. Cindy Snow, District Ranger for the Syllamore District, was a great help and if you haven't had the opportunity to meet her, do so the next time you are in Mountain View. The staff at Ozark Folk Center State Park also did a great job......and more - see it all here at Arkansas Trails Council Web

From Interstate 430 take the Cantrell Road (Highway 10) west exit. Follow Highway 10 for 7 miles to Highway 300 and turn right. Follow Highway 300 about 3 miles and turn right on Pinnacle Valley Road. Follow that road to the Pinnacle Mountain State Park Visitor Center. Watch for the sign on your right as you approach the center.

From the Arkansas Bike Club - Friday 1/7/2005 6:30 AM - Join in the monthly Ride to Work Day with Ken Gould (225-5343). Meet at the lot at the bottom of River Mtn. Road, just up river from under I-430 on the LR side of the River and ride to the River Market, 8 miles each way. Some go to work and others return after coffee and snacks.

Wed nights - "Mt Bikes on the road" ride at 6:00 PM, Meet behind Cajun's Warf.

No BACA meeting in Jan