DORBA's 32nd Clearfork Mountain Bike Festival 2019

Important please read before registering:

• Select a Cabin or Tent spot per registration.  If Cabin, select the Cabin Spot option again per attendee.  Don't forget this step or your Cabin Spot is not guaranteed!
• If you need both Cabin and Tent spots, register and pay separately.
• If you selected a Cabin, please enter group preferences if you would like to stay with friends.
  
• Select a T-Shirt size for each paid attendee.  T-shirt's no longer guaranteed as of May 6th.  Some extra's were ordered with random sizing.
  
• Include any dietary restrictions so that we can accommodate your needs.
  
• Double check your selections before completing your registration!!!!
• Contact us with any questions ASAP: Clearfork@dorba.org
  

An active DORBA membership and login by a primary member is required to register and even have visibility to the Register Now button.  Read the FAQ below for the guest policy.

Event Agenda (subject to change)

Weather changes rapidly in Arkansas. One minute it’s a beautiful sunny day, then 20 minutes later it's a downpour.  The good news is that the trails don’t seem to be to affected by the rain, so if you can take it, so can the trails!

We strongly recommend using the ‘buddy system’ when riding any trail. If going solo, please let someone know where you are riding.

Friday:

• 3pm check-in starts.  You must sign waivers in the dining hall and get your cabin details if applicable. 
• The gate may be locked before 3pm.  Always shut the gate when entering and leaving.
• 6pm - Bottle share begins.  Bring your best beer, liquor, or wine that you want to contribute.  Anything set on the table is open to share.  More details will be on the FB event page.
• 7pm - Outdoor welcome BBQ dinner, dutch oven cobbler, and ice cream.  You may want to leave work/school early.
• If you miss dinner, please plan to eat en route to the camp.
• 10pm - Quiet time!
  

Saturday:

• 7am to 8am - Hot breakfast is served!
• 9am - We will have two organized group Womble rides (no-drop).  Please have your cars pulled up front and ready to leave by 9.  Make sure to bring enough water and snacks to ride for a few hours.  The faster group goes out to a beautiful lookout.  The slower group will turn around somewhere before the lookout.  Ice and water will be available in the dining hall.
  
• Lunch is on your own but we suggest the Diaryette in Mt. Ida.   A charcoal grill is available behind the dining hall (BYO Charcoal). You are also welcome to use the kitchen as long as you clean up after yourself.
• Afternoon - If you had a long first ride and have eaten lunch, then this is a perfect time to jump into the swimming hole at Charlton.  If not, then maybe get some more dirt or head back to Clearfork for some horseshoes, fishing, or rest and relaxation.
• 2:30 to 4pm - Kids activities!  Supervised rock hunt and painting.
• 5 to 6pm(ish) - Let the games begin! Try your hand at one of the many activities like the Bike Toss, Log Pull, Chainless Race, or other events we might have in store.  This is open to all kids and adults so please participate!   If you just want to watch, then pull up a lawn chair and bring a beverage. 
• 6pm(ish) - Pick up your one-of-a-kind Clearfork T-Shirt and put it on for our group picture!  
• 6:45pm(ish) - Dinner is served when the bell rings! Please let families/children move to the front of the line. 
  
• Help is always appreciated in prep and cleaning up!  Hanging out with the kitchen crew is fun!
• Dusk - Hang out at the campfire with friends and family, telling stories and planning your activities for the next day.  
• 8pm(ish) - Make Smores at the campfire!  Please watch your children around the campfire.
• 10pm - Quiet time! Get your rest for tomorrow.  Don't forget to check for ticks!

Sunday:

• 7am to 8am Breakfast is served. Let me guess—you’re starved!
• 9am - We will have two rides heading out at 9am.  Organized family ride will go to Cedar Glades and kids like to enjoy the playground afterwards (bring drinks).  The other ride will head out to the new Northwoods trail next to Cedar Glades.  Northwoods is not a group ride, rather a bunch of loops to .  Feel free to ride where you want.  
• Lunch is on your own - Check out the local fare or use the charcoal grill behind the dining hall. You are welcome to use the kitchen, but you must clean up after yourself.
• 2:30 to 4pm - Swimming at the Charlton across the street.  Don't pay, write "Clearfork" on the payment stub.  Non-supervised.
• 5 to 6:30pm - We never finish all the games in one afternoon, so here’s where we test you again.
• 6:30pm(ish) - Dinner is served when the bell rings.  Please let children and veterans in the front of the line.
• Help is always appreciated in prep and cleaning up!  Hanging out with the kitchen crew is fun!
• Dusk - Hang out at the campfire with friends and family, telling stories and stories and stories!
• 8pm(ish) - Make Smores at the campfire!  Please let families/children move to the front of the line. 
• 10pm - Quiet time! Get your rest for tomorrow...or not.  Don't forget to check for ticks!

Monday:

Only coffee is guaranteed on Monday, but we typically have other items to fill your tummy for your morning ride or drive home.  Don't wait too long or any extra food may be gone since we have to pack and clean the kitchen.  If you have never ridden Iron Mountain, it is definitely worth your time if headed back to DFW.

Camp Clearfork Check-Out Procedure:

We are not allowed to leave Clearfork until the place has been cleaned up and returned to the condition in which we found it.  Our goal is to leave it in cleaner that when we arrived!

Everyone to assist with this cleaning process so that the core staff can also leave by 10am!  

• Cabins - All cabins must be swept clean. All beds and mattresses back in original positions. All trash removed and put in containers in front of dining hall. All shutters closed
  
• Bathrooms - All showers cleaned and mopped. All toilets and urinals cleaned. Sinks and counters cleaned. All floors swept and mopped. All shutters closed
• Dining Hall & Kitchen - All surfaces cleaned. All tables and chairs folded and set against the walls. All utensils containers, tools, etc. cleaned and put away. Oven, stove griddle, refrigerators, and freezers cleaned. All trash removed and put in containers in front of dining hall. Floor swept and mopped. All shutters closed

Camp Clearfork Grounds

• Inspect the property and collect any trash, bottle tops, or other items that need to be gathered.
  
• All trash containers emptied and bags taken to the dumpster along the entrance road.
• Tables and  bleacher should be placed back in original places.
• All equipment from the boat house should be returned.  That typically means canoes, paddles, and life jackets.
  
• The boat house should be closed and locked.
  

If you are riding on Monday, please be sure to have everything out of the camp by 10am.
The gates will be locked and you will not be able to re-enter.

Frequently Asked Questions: (FAQ)

Q: What is Camp Clearfork?

A: Camp Clearfork is a group-use recreational facility in the Ouachita National Forest, just west of the city of Hot Springs, Arkansas.  The facility is located near many fantastic trail systems like the LOViT, Womble, Cedar Glades, Little Blakey, and Northwoods.  During Memorial weekend, DORBA rents out the facility for 3 days and nights to celebrate with other cycling families and their guests.  While many of us are here to ride, there are plenty of other activities such as hiking, fishing, swimming, canoeing, shopping, or just relaxing with a good book!
 
Q: What's included with my registration?

A: Three night stay at Camp Clearfork. Your meals (Breakfast and Dinner) are provided from Friday evening through Sunday night.  We will have family fun games for you to participate or watch on Saturday and Sunday before dinner, weather dependent.  A custom designed Clearfork t-shirt is provided and worn for a group picture typically taken on Saturday evening before dinner.

Q: Who organizes Camp Clearfork?

A: Camp Clearfork has been organized by DORBA for over 30 years. This is a volunteer hosted event that needs eveyones assistance to help make it a successful weekend.

Q: Is this a family friendly event?

A: Definitely!  Many DORBA kids have grown up attending Camp Clearfork. There is a lake with canoes available, fishing (bring your own gear), a small hiking trail, and plenty of space to 'be a kid'. We have games on Saturday and Sunday evening, a nightly campfire, and typically smores at least once. Children must be supervised at all times!   Do not leave them alone while you are away from the camp.

Q: I have a DORBA individual membership.  Can I register other family members or guests?

A: At least one person in your family must have an active DORBA membership to complete the registration process.  If you are a single member and bringing a single guest, that is completely understandable.  If you have multiple guests attending, please ask them to become a member and register themselves.   We offer Camp Clearfork as a benefit to DORBA members, therefore, this event should help grow the active membership.  Please consider a DORBA family memberships if others in your family like to ride the DORBA trails.

Q: Can I request to be in a cabin with my friends?

A: We will do our best to accommodate all requests.  Please indicate your group preference during the registration process as early as possible.

Q: Can I take ice from the kitchen to fill my cooler(s)?

A: Unfortunately not as we need all available ice for the meals.  Please make sure to bring back ice during your day trips.  We will have ice and water in the morning for your bottles and camelbacks.

Q: Do you allow participants to bring RV's or Travel Trailer's?

A: There are no RV hookups at Camp Clearfork and very little space to accommodate them.  You can always register for a "Tent Spot" in order to participate in this event, yet stay at another local campground if so desired.  Please contact us if you have any questions .

Q: What do a I need to bring?

A: Here's a short list to help:

• Sleeping bag and pillow
  
• Twin sheets for the beds
• Sheet to enable privacy between sections in the cabin rooms.
  
• Clothes for the weekend, swimsuit
  
• Towel and toiletries
• Flashlights
• Fan(s) (outlets in the cabins)
• Extension cord(s)
• Camp chair
  
• Fishing gear, worms
  
• Sun Screen
• Bug Spray
• Bike, pump, helmet, shoes, gloves, water bottles, trail food, etc..
  
• Food and snacks for lunch or other times, but you are welcome to eat at one of the area restaurants
• Cooler, ice, and lots of beverages
  

Q: Are there any campsites with RV hookups nearby if we don't want to primitive camp or stay in a cabin?

A: Yes.  The Charlton Campground is across the street and there are other options nearby.  Make sure you register for a Clearfork Tent Spot per person in order to join us at Clearfork!   Here is a link with more information on Charlton:

http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/ouachita/recarea/?recid=10717

A: Some local maps may be taped to a wall or a table for viewing in the dining hall.  Please download MTB Project on your phone and make sure to update with the Arkansas trails.  The app also allows off-line viewing.

MTB Project links:
Lake Ouachita Area Trails
Lovit Trail - IMBA Epic
The Womble Trail - IMBA Epic
Charlton Trails - Connects to Lovit
Cedar Glades Park Trail
Northwoods Trails
Iron Mountain trails (Great to do en route to camp or on the way home)

Downloads:
Camp Clearfork Facility Map
Camp Clearfork Area Trail Maps
LOViT Trail Map
Hot Springs Northwoods Trail Map
DORBA Event Waiver

Arrival and Check-In

• Checkin and cabin assignment will be in the dining hall after 3:00pm on Friday.  
• Make sure to stop here first, check in with the Clearfork hosts, sign your waivers, and get your cabin assignments/camping instructions.
  
• If you happen to get there early, the gate may be locked.  Always make sure to close the gate when you enter or leave!
• Historically there has been no wireless service at the camp, so there is no way to contact us if the gate is locked.
  
• You can save some time by completing the DORBA waiver in advance.

Cabin or Tent Camping:

Cabins go to the first folks that register and request cabin space. If you want to be sure to get a cabin, register early and choose “Cabin Spot”.

• Most of the cabins are arranged as “bunk houses” much like one would find at a summer camp.
• Many of these structures have been standing since the late 30’s and are still in fantastic shape.
• They have electrical outlets so you can run a fan and charge your electronics.
• Most of the cabins have 3 rooms. In the traditional bunkhouses, those rooms may have up to 4 beds per room.
• You may end up staying with a friend or make some new friends due to the cabin structure!
• Very few of the cabins have bathrooms in them, but their are nice facilities on both ends of the camp.
• Take a look at the photos on this page for a more visual description.
  
• Tent camping is available around the outside of a large meadow.
• We also use this area for most of the games, so be sure to camp on the perimeter, not near the red cones or baseball diamond.
  

Dogs

• Dogs with responsible owners are welcome at Clearfork.
• Owners should have means to confine their dogs when necessary and owners should have a leash on hand if any situations arise.
• This is intended to be a fun, no-stress time for all of us.  If your dog is not congruent with that experience,  then you may want to consider leaving them at home.
• Please do not go off to ride and leave your dog tied up outside at the camp.  This always results in barking and is not enjoyable to the other attendees.
• If your dog is crate trained you may leave them in your cabin while you are gone.
• Don’t be that camper.

Warning:  Ticks & Poison Ivy:

This warning is not so much about the camp as it is about the area.  This Clearfork festival falls in the peak season for both ticks and poison ivy.  You need to come prepared with counter measures and first aid for these common maladies.  Please check yourself and family members for ticks each evening.

100% Volunteer Supported Event:

Home cooked meals for breakfast and dinner are provided by a group of DORBA volunteers who not only ride bikes, but are great in the kitchen too.  Just like you, the dedicated staff volunteers register and pay for their Clearfork spots every year.

We need everyone to volunteer by helping to empty trash, wash dishes, mop, clean tables, etc...

 

What happens at Clearfork... will be remembered forever...