The Big Dam Bridge and the Arkansas River Trail

A couple of months ago I heard about flooding along the Arkansas River in Little Rock so I was a bit concerned that my planned ride on the Arkansas River Trail on both sides of the waterway might prove a bit problematic.  While there were a few places where some residual mud could be seen along the edge of the trail, it was a problem free, 25 mile ride, and one full of some pleasant surprises.

Beginning in North Little Rock the trail wound through the area along the river as it headed west.  At one point some flooding of an island in the river was visible in the form of a string of trees seeming to rise from the water. 

 

The trail was fairly well marked, but at one point where I thought I should turn, there was no sign.  So I continued ahead for about a mile until I stopped a cyclist coming the other way.  He led me (slowly) back onto the trail heading toward the “Big Dam Bridge”!  The bridge, which is for pedestrians and cyclists only crosses the Arkansas River above a dam.  When it was completed in2006 it was the biggest bicycle/pedestrian bridge project in the world (at least according to the plaque at the base of the bridge).  I certainly saw nothing to dissuade me from believeing that.  

The Heading north from the bridge, the trail continues on the south side of the river, but then crosses over to Two Rivers Park which is on an island that is surrounded by the Arkansas River on one side and the Memphis River on the other.  Very quiet as the trail winds through the trees to a park area which marked the turnaround point for me.  I had not originally planned to go this far, but I'm glad I listened to the other rider's suggestion.

 

Heading back east toward Little Rock, the trail goes back under the Big Dam Bridge and continues along the south bank of the river as it heads toward Little Rock.  At several places the trail uses local roads for short sections, and the route just isn’t all that well marked so I “explored” a little bit.  But the loss of time was minimal and soon I was in downtown Little Rock along the river, eventually ending up at the President Clinton Library.  From there, a former Rock Island Railroad bridge now carries bikes and pedestrians back across into North Little Rock.

A block away from the hotel stood Dickey-Stephens Park, the home of the Arkansas Travelers of the Texas League.  I couldn’t resist riding over to size up the park.  Like many new minor league ballparks the stadium is built primarily of brick, and the lighted sign out front indicated that it will be home to first round games of the Texas League playoffs right after Labor Day.

All in all a very enjoyable ride, despite a very humid morning.  And now the count stands at 39 states. I’ll soon be off to Illinois where tomorrow a ride down the Illinois side of the Mississippi and up the Missouri side along the St. Louis riverfront, will bring the count to 41.  

If you want to see the data from this morning’s ride, check below.  I hope you’re enjoying following my quest to ride in all 50 states.

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/3992320839