Overall Route Rating
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4.41 out of 5 Rider Rating 4.41
22 Reviews

The Melbourne Run

Motorcycle Route Author

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By Guest (0 McR Points) on Feb 29, 2004

Rider Reviews

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hijasmin12
9 McR Points
September 10, 2017
The road was fun with lots of twistys but it wasn…
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mchance
813 McR Points
July 27, 2021
This route was the tail end of the Kirkwood, MO H…
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Written Directions

Start the route in the town of Mountain View, AR which sits about 85 miles due north of Little Rock. From there you take State Road 14 north out of Mountain View, AR for about 6 miles and then look for State Road 9 (you will see signs pointing the way to Melbourne, AR). Take a right on State Road 9 and you'll be heading east and cross the White river and you are on your way to Melbourne, AR. For the next 20 or so miles, stay on State Road 9 and take it in to Melbourne (note: State Road 9 is part of the Ozark National forest).

Scenery

Start by crossing the scenic White river then gear down for the climb up the first mountain. At the top of the first peak prepare for tight 180 degree turns. Pass sheer mountain cut outs as you descend slightly then up again and hard turns. Look to your left and you can see a sheer drop-off to the river valley below. It is hard not to stare at the beautiful scenery. Only trouble is if you do (with all the killer turns) this will be a one-time trip.

Drive Enjoyment

It is a good road, well maintained. However be aware that this is a mountain road and with changing weather conditions there will be loose gravel from the mountainside on some turns. One thing to watch out for is large black birds feeding on the road kill. They won't move until the last moment and when they do they could just a well fly at you as away from you. Have had three close calls in the last two years.

Tourism Opportunities

Visit the well-equipped store at the base of the road for gas and drinks. There is nothing from Mountain View to Melbourne except motorcycle adventure. However, running out of gas is not a problem as you could probably coast down most of the 25-mile distance.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

- View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather .
 

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Guest
June 9, 2010
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Other
What an awsome road. Melborne to Batesville is a nice ride too. Everytime I take a rider that has never been, they go back.
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Guest
September 23, 2009
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Other
Highway 9 is an excellent road, and the last time I went that way, they resurfaced the road. The highway department's idea of "resurfacing" on that road was dumping some kind of loose chat stuff all over the road, and then let traffic pack it down over time. Not a good surface for bikes. This was at least a year ago so hopefully the surface has improved.
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Guest
September 15, 2009
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
Drove a gas tanker across this in the early 80s. Only rd ever made me sick (nauseus) and I liked curves. Now I'm on a Yami Raider and Love this rd! Lots more traffic now tho, but not usually bad.
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