Our first day back on the road after a very enjoyable rest day finds our riders facing a short trip in terms of mileage, but another ride that proves the need for sound, well functioning equipment. It is assumed that all riders will take advantage of the rest day to make sure their machines are in good working order.

STAGE 8- From Hot Springs, AR to Fort Smith, AR

Saturday, September 18

The Cannonball riders will cover a scant 143 miles for this stage, but we will once again be dealing with rigorous roads as we enter the Ozark Mountains. Morning follows an Arkansas Scenic Byway that has gentle curves and hills. After lunch, we will cross 26 miles of Mount Magazine, the tallest of the peaks in the Ozarks Range at 2,753 feet. Our day’s journey will include an 8-mile ascent of the mountain as well as an 18-mile descent and good brakes are a necessity here.

The wonderfully hospitable folks from the city of Danville will host lunch. John met several of the city’s supervisors, including the Police Chief, and reports that the midday meal will be indoors under air conditioning.

Dinner will be in our overnight town of Fort Smith. The local Harley-Davidson dealership, Old Fort H-D, will be our hosts for dinner where, in honor of the state critter (the Razorback), they will be roasting a pig for the Cannonball riders.

Fort Smith’s weather is still warm in the fall, with an expected temperature in the mid-80s. It rains throughout the year in this city, and an average 3-4 inches falls during September, so precipitation would not be unexpected. We will have covered a total of 1,539 miles and will have another 8 days on the road.