Backroad Adventure Tracks

Turner Bend Steel Truss Bridge is a unique, 4-span steel truss bridge over the Mulberry River in Northeastern Arkansas. Stop somewhere near this bridge and snap a pic, to get your first OZ BAT Challenge Checkpoint!

The Little Golden Gate Bridge, or Beaver Bridge as it’s officially labeled, is a wonderfully preserved Mid-20th century suspension bridge! Supported by cables, and with a wooden deck, we need to appreciate the local historians who have fought to keep this bridge maintained and operational! Snap a pic with the bridge to get your 2nd Checkpoint Challenge of the OZ BAT.

The Hodgson Water Mill in South-Central Missouri is a historic grist mill, built in 1897. It is a very nicely restored example of a water mill from the 1800’s, and a great place to stop and see. Snap a pic of your bike or yourself with the mill, to complete this checkpoint.

Holding about 22 Million gallons of water, 100 feet deep and 100 feet below the land surface sits Devil’s Well, a large underground lake. You can walk down several flights of stairs and view this cool natural feature through a small opening in the ground. Take a pic anywhere in the area of Devil’s well, with yourself or your bike to prove you arrived at this checkpoint.

Step back in time in the Bixby Country Store. It’s an old timey general store, with an inoperational train track running around the ceiling, and interesting momentos of history all over. Grab a sandwich here, sit down, and hear a good story from one of the locals. Check the back of the drink coolers for all the Adventure Stickers from rides that have come through. Get your bike’s picture, or better yet – get a picture of the 2025 Missouri BAT Sticker on the back of the drink coolers, to mark this checkpoint off your challenge.

Big Spring is exactly what it sounds like.. One big ol’ Spring! Averaging a flow of 293 Million Gallons of water daily, it would fill an olympic size swimming pool every 3.25 minutes! It’s some serious water flow, just coming up out of the ground.. The blue tint of the limestone enriched water is mesmerizing, and this is just an all-around cool natural wonder to witness.

Southern Missouri has many many natural springs, and another huge one is Mammoth Spring. Confusingly Mammoth Spring at an average of 9 Million gallons per hour, flows slightly smaller than Big Spring. But make no mistake – it’s still an incredible source of water flow! There is a great platform above the spring to snap a pic from for this checkpoint.

Construction began in 1941 on this 216 ft high, 2,624 ft long concrete dam. The dam crosses the North Fork River, and incorporates 2 hydroelectric generators providing 40 Megawatts each. It’s an awesome landmark to ride by! Stop and get a shot for Checkpoint #8.

Sylamore Swinging Bridge was originally built in the 1910’s, but rebuilt in 1945 still using the original cables. It boasts a newly refreshed wooden deck, and has been wonderfully restored. Get a pic on this great old bridge for this Checkpoint!

The OZ BAT begins and ends at the Oark General Store. This store dates back to the 1890’s and has been in continuous operation since opening. Go in, grab some food, and find a souvenier you like. You’ll be supporting local owners and the local economy.