(EUREKA SPRINGS, ARKANSAS) -- Thousands of bikers flock to Arkansas in the fall for color and colorful events. Not only does Mother Nature put on a show, but so do several Arkansas communities like Fayetteville with their "Bikes, Blues & BBQ", Harrison's "Rev. Troll's Rock-N-Roll Revival" and Hot Springs' "Hot Springs (HOG) Rally". One common element to all Arkansas rallies seems to be a sidetrip to Eureka Springs.
"If we have seen one market for our community that is on a steady growth curve, it is motorcycles," said Jack Moyer, past chairman of the Eureka Springs Tourism Coop. "Bikers of today love the Rallies but are also choosing fun destinations with breathtaking scenery that offer them two or three or more days of great rides from one hub. Rides which are not only scenic but a thrill to challenge. Rides with evening rest stops that include a comfortable bed, a cool beverage, and a great meal."
Realizing that Eureka Springs has become one of those popular hubs, a motorcycle web site, eurekaspringsmotorcycleroutes.com was created to be "Eureka Springs' motorcycle authority". This site has established five rides meeting those aforementioned criteria that offer "867 thrilling miles" with "one great starting point". These routes are being debuted on their web site and in a colorful free brochure that can be found throughout Arkansas and adjacent areas.
Web site designer, Rachael Prevatte of Historica, Inc., says, "Our routes give bikers an array of challenging Ozark highways with a variety of sights and stops along each route that make putting the kickstand down a treat in itself."
The carefully chosen routes allow for day-long, partial-day and quick rides. Length of rides vary from 280 miles / six hours, to a "sunset ride" that's only 26 miles and can be accomplished in 44 minutes. Suggested scenic sights and fun stops include Lost Valley, a grazing area for herds of elk; Mystic Caverns; Arkansas' "Grand Canyon"; the "Little Golden Gate" Beaver Bridge; Beaver Lake; Roaring River State Park; and Dogwood Canyon.
"Our research showed us that, where riders overnight is equally important," added Prevatte. "That's why we have partnered with the 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa and the 1905 Basin Park Hotel."
The 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa is a proud member of "Historic Hotels of America". At the very top of the hotel is Dr. Baker's Bistro and Sky Bar, the highest point in the county. The Sky Bar, open nightly, offers outside seating with a breathtaking panorama of the surrounding Ozarks dotted by the Christ of The Ozarks. In the Garden Level of this five-story limestone structure is the New Moon Spa and Salon.
The downtown "sister" of the Crescent is the 1905 Basin Park Hotel, known as "The Most Fun", located in the center of historic Eureka Springs downtown entertainment district. The Balcony's new Copper Biker Bar gives an elbow-to-elbow way to sip a beverage while overlooking all the activity of adjacent Basin Spring Park. The hotel's Serenity Spa provides a complete menu of spa services, and their Lucky 7 Rooftop Billiards Bar stocks an assortment of pool tables.
"Many trips may be planned around rallies, but no ride in Arkansas is complete without a journey up the Pig Trail and a rest stop in Eureka Springs," concluded Moyer.