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Thread Archive => Past STAR discussions => STAR 2015 => Topic started by: roginoz on May 24, 2015, 02:24:03 PM

Title: Partial Closure - AR 23 - The Pig Trail
Post by: roginoz on May 24, 2015, 02:24:03 PM
Due to a landslide, part of AR 23 has been closed about five miles north of Cass.  It appears that it will still be closed during STAR.  A good deal is still open, though, and there are plenty of good routes around the damaged section.  Here's a map:

https://localtvkfsm.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/ahtd-state-highway-23-detour-map.pdf
Title: Re: Partial Closure - AR 23 - The Pig Trail
Post by: Neirbog on May 24, 2015, 10:57:46 PM
We picked up another couple of inches of rain today.
They had to repair the Pig Trail before for slides.  At one point they had one lane open during repairs.
They have not said what the time frame will be or if they will open one lane.
There is a dual sport route that comes in from 21 to Oark.
The 90 extra miles to Oark is worth it for the Peanut Butter pie.
We will post any news we hear.
Title: Re: Partial Closure - AR 23 - The Pig Trail
Post by: HawkGTRider on May 25, 2015, 06:57:22 AM
With just a few weeks remaining before leaving, I'm looking forward to seeing the GPS files for your suggested routes. Anticipation and all of that, you know.
Title: Re: Partial Closure - AR 23 - The Pig Trail
Post by: DirtFlier on May 25, 2015, 10:21:40 AM
Thanks for the heads-up on AR 23 being closed near Cass.  We'll be coming from south of Springdale and 23 was part of a possible route.  ;)
Title: Re: Partial Closure - AR 23 - The Pig Trail
Post by: NinjaBob on June 01, 2015, 10:28:30 AM
AR 23 is on my route to and from Springdale. I'll work up an alternate but I hope it will get fixed in time.
Title: Re: Partial Closure - AR 23 - The Pig Trail
Post by: billo on June 02, 2015, 08:16:39 AM
It is unlikely that the pig trail will be repaired before STAR, so better plan on an alternate route.
Use 21 to Fallsville to 16 to Fayetteville.
Be sure to gas up in Clarksville.


A great loop would be 103 - 215 and down the pig trail on 23. Because there won't be traffic on the pig trail now.
Then around and up an alternate route.

Bill
 
Title: Re: Partial Closure - AR 23 - The Pig Trail
Post by: fz1grl on June 02, 2015, 09:29:13 AM
Yes Bill Wing has talked to the Arkansas Hwy Dept and 23 is not going to be fixed in the foreseeable future  :(
Apparently the place that it has slide off is still totally unstable and until it stabilizes they can't even begin to repair it.
Also we need to be aware that until it drys out a bit there may be other roads that will have issues.

I agree if you have the time to take the 23/215/103 loop with a lunch stop in Oark as it's well worth the time.


Scenic/old 71 from Alma to Fayetteville isn't a bad ride if you need to make it quickly to Springdale.  Use that and then at Fayetteville hop on I-49 to get around Fayetteville and into Springdale.  There is a brand new (not on GPS) exit at mile marker 70 for those coming in from the south.


But yes the best alternate is to take 21 and 16.  Fayetteville and Springdale are not fun towns to traverse thru but we hopefully have backroads to get past the worst of it and I-49 is your best bet if not familiar with those yet. 



Title: Re: Partial Closure - AR 23 - The Pig Trail
Post by: SION1771 on June 03, 2015, 12:42:43 PM
Star Rally was recommended by Fred Rau/Contact Patch/Motorcycle Consumer News, so I'm contemplating making the trek from Chicago with my better half (her first motorcycle rally and by far the farthest she's ridden).

Unfortunately, we have no idea what to expect. We both independently scoured the MSTA websites and forums, and neither could find an overview. Is the rally that laissez-faire or are details all forthcoming? I would love to read about what went down a prior year, but couldn't find anything from the past. Am I missing something? Can anyone help us know what to expect.
Title: Re: Partial Closure - AR 23 - The Pig Trail
Post by: dpippin on June 03, 2015, 03:12:30 PM
Star Rally was recommended by Fred Rau/Contact Patch/Motorcycle Consumer News, so I'm contemplating making the trek from Chicago with my better half (her first motorcycle rally and by far the farthest she's ridden).

Unfortunately, we have no idea what to expect. We both independently scoured the MSTA websites and forums, and neither could find an overview. Is the rally that laissez-faire or are details all forthcoming? I would love to read about what went down a prior year, but couldn't find anything from the past. Am I missing something? Can anyone help us know what to expect.

PM message sent

Doug
Title: Re: Partial Closure - AR 23 - The Pig Trail
Post by: RIDEMYST on June 03, 2015, 03:25:11 PM
Also PM message sent.......great minds, huh Doug?  8)  -JEP-
Also, here is the 2015 STAR homepage link: [size=78%]http://ridemsta.com/srblog/star/ (http://ridemsta.com/srblog/star/)[/size]
Title: Re: Partial Closure - AR 23 - The Pig Trail
Post by: JohnboyNC on June 03, 2015, 06:31:06 PM
Agreed. I'm a new member and this will be my first MSTA event. There are details about where the event is (a Holiday Inn in Springdale, AR) but little else. No schedule, no 'registration is open these times', nothing as to what to expect. As a newbie looking in, there are very few details.


Not complaining, just pointing out that to newbies, we have no idea what is going on during this event. If your not 'in the know', we have no idea. But, a current member said it is fun and recommended it, so I'm in. I'm happy to show up and ride and go with the flow...    :)
Title: Re: Partial Closure - AR 23 - The Pig Trail
Post by: DirtFlier on June 03, 2015, 07:24:39 PM
The official event days are June 21-24 but a lot of people, perhaps over 40%, show up at least a day early.  Registration usually doesn't open until Sunday, June 21 but they might be open late-Saturday?  The hours that Registration will be open are posted at the event and really no need to have them on-line.

There are various ride routes and maps will be available and perhaps downloads into your Garmin GPS.  If you have anything other than a Garmin you're probably out of luck.  You can take any ride on any day.  The lunch ride is always on Tuesday and that night is the Member's Meeting. Wednesday night is the banquet where most of the big awards are given out, such as the raffle bike.  Most members head home on Thursday morning. 

We don't have many vendors at STAR because we're not a club that hangs around the hotel all day to polish chrome and buy stuff, so the parking lot is usually empty until around 4-5 PM each day. After that time there are always lots of tire kickers in the parking lot trading stories (usually lies) and ogling farkles on different bikes.   

You have to remember that this is an all-volunteer club so having everything provided up front as if you're on a paid tour is not going to happen.  You'll just have to show-up and have fun!

Tosh
Title: Re: Partial Closure - AR 23 - The Pig Trail
Post by: Brick on June 03, 2015, 07:43:27 PM
This will be the first STAR that I will miss since 1992.
Basically MSTA events are riding events. Don't be bashful. Find meet and make friends to ride with while there and perhaps life long new friends. The STAR event is MSTA's national event and as such it is the event where the Executive Committee (EC) reports to the members the state of the club. The number of and amount of seminars and functions vary from year to year depending on the "local" volunteers. As said before the suggested routes to ride are self guided rides. The closing event aka Banquet is where some awards are given door prizes are given a meal is enjoyed and the annual bike raffle winner is drawn. Usually the location for next years STAR is also announced.
Some years there is a keynote speaker. Fred Rau has been our keynote speaker more than once and is my favorite. Don't tell the other speakers that I said that.
BTW: I'll be waiting for the phone call telling me I'm the bike winner.



I must be out riding my Super Teneré'!
Title: Re: Partial Closure - AR 23 - The Pig Trail
Post by: JohnboyNC on June 03, 2015, 08:05:24 PM
Excellent info - thanks!!    8)
Title: Re: Partial Closure - AR 23 - The Pig Trail
Post by: lifeisgood on June 04, 2015, 12:25:24 PM
A few updates regarding STAR.  Members on the forum probably already have these details, but I have posted here so that non-members and guest can see this information since a non-member actually started this series of questions:

The 2015 STAR Event Schedule is now online!  (as of this morning, June 4th)

STAR Registration opens at noon on Saturday.

Members meeting is Monday night at 7:00.  STAR 2016 location will be announced at this meeting.

If anyone has any questions that have not been answered here, feel free to email me at diannelpark@yahoo.com.  Be sure to put either MSTA or STAR in the subject line so that I don't mistakenly delete the email!  If your question is involved or you are new member or first time STAR Attendee - I would like to speak with you - if we have not already spoken on the telephone - so please provide your telephone number in your email.  There are several new procedures this year to help those attending STAR for the first time. 
Title: Re: Partial Closure - AR 23 - The Pig Trail
Post by: stevegrab on June 04, 2015, 04:41:01 PM
I'll add this since I don't see some of this mentioned. The MSTA events like STAR require you to be a member of the MSTA, pay dues and be current on those. You can join at the event, and some events (I think including STAR) offer a 1 year membership when you register for the event as a new member (so no extra cost to you).

The events are somewhat loosely organized, there are no big club rides with 100 bikes or more. If you come by yourself and want to ride or socialize with others, try to be outgoing and talk with other members. New members are usually identified on their name badges or wrist bands, so you'll be easy to recognize and people will reach out to you. But like any group of people, most tend to hang out with those they know. Meals and tire kicking are a great opportunity to introduce yourself (wear your name badge).

Most detailed information about our club activities past and upcoming are conveyed via our national newsletter/magazine, STAReview. Some of that may also be here on the web site, but access to some of that is limited to members only.

If you like to ride, whether a sporting or casual pace, ride responsibly and wear protective gear, you'll probably have a great time. If you're looking for guided tours or the next big biker gathering (Sturgis, Daytona, etc) you won't find that at our events.

I hope all considering attending STAR (or any MSTA event) will. In my view after about 15 years in the club it is the best way to get to know what we are really about. The website, magazine, attending a local meeting or breakfast doesn't quite give you the same exposure as a rally, especially our national one (STAR) where you can interact with many people from all over the country. (Maybe even some of our members from outside the US.)

Diane,
Thanks to you and the other volunteers working to make STAR a better time for new and first time attendees. I was lucky like many members to be brought along by existing members when I attended my first rally. I knew what to expect, and had my group to ride and socialize with.

PS  This is the first I'll miss since 2008, hopefully I'll be able to make the next one. I had heard good things about the riding there, so sorry I cannot make it. Will have to make do with a 6 day trip the week before with my brother Richard from Michigan, riding all over OH/WV/VA.
Title: Re: Partial Closure - AR 23 - The Pig Trail
Post by: Neirbog on June 13, 2015, 07:55:27 AM
They have reopened one lane, southbound, of the pigtrail.
They have installed temporary traffic lights.


CASS  (KFSM) -One lane of Arkansas 23 was reopened this week after a hill slide in May forced a section of the road north of Cass to be closed to traffic.

The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department closed 3.2 miles of Arkansas 23, known as the Pig Trail, when both lanes cracked on May 20 after the ground underneath them slid out following days of heavy rain.

Since then state crews have stabilized the southbound lane, opening it to traffic on Thursday (June 11), according to a highway department news release.
Title: Re: Partial Closure - AR 23 - The Pig Trail
Post by: Neirbog on June 16, 2015, 09:32:02 PM

The Pig Trail is closed again due to more heavy rains !!

A portion of Arkansas 23 in Franklin County was closed Tuesday after a landslide made the lanes impassable, according to a news release from the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department.A slope supporting the roadbed on the east side of the highway, located north of Interstate 40, continues to slide and has caused large cracks to form in the travel lanes, rendering both lanes impassable, according to the release.That section of Arkansas 23 will remain closed until repairs can be made, which may take several weeks. A more definitive time frame will be announced once the highway department’s engineers have had an opportunity to further evaluate the slide, the release states.The slide location is the same that closed this section of the highway in May. It was just Friday that the Highway Department announced that a single lane on the scenic road known as the “Pig Trail” was reopened.The affected area is about 19 miles north of Interstate 40 and 5½ miles north of Cass. While only 700 linear feet of roadway is impacted, the closure includes 3.2 miles of Arkansas 23 between the south end of the Mulberry Mountain Lodge and the north end of Fly Gap Road, according to the release.A detour route has been established and electronic message boards have been placed to warn motorists of the closure at various points along the highway and on Arkansas 215, which intersects Arkansas 23 at Cass, the release states. - See more at: http://arkansasnews.com/news/arkansas/pig-trail-closed-again-landslide#sthash.SGRNHrGM.dpuf
Title: Re: Partial Closure - AR 23 - The Pig Trail
Post by: RIDEMYST on June 16, 2015, 10:33:03 PM
 We tried to get through today but it was completely closed.
The slide was just south of 16 so we had to take the LONG way to Eureka Springs. :(


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