Bike Arkansas by Arkansas Times

SEPTEMBER 2022 ISSUE NO. BIKEARKANSASMEDIA.COM23A R K A N S A S MAGAZINE LET’S GET DIRTY! TANNER WARD'S RISE TO CYCLING ELITE ARIANA KHU PREPS FOR OUACHITA TRIPLE CROWN CENTRAL ARKANSAS PREPS FOR GREENWAYS International Cyclocross Returns to Arkansas

Have you visited Two Rivers Park in Pulaski County? The new trailhead’s large size provides enough space for all visitors from bikers to hikers to safely use the Location:park!6900 Two Rivers Road, Little Rock AR 72223 This park is 1,000 acres and has miles of walking, biking, and equestrian trails. Check out one of its newest additions: an updated trailhead featuring a bike pump, picnic tables, and designated pedestrian and bike trails.

Photo by Kai Caddy ISSUE

ON34THE WAY UP Tanner Ward's climb to the elite level of American bike racing. By Bryce Ward

MY10KIT Ariana Khu shows off her setup for the inaugural Arkansas High Country Race Ouachita Triple Crown. CROSS14 IS COMING BACK Fayetteville preps for a weekend of elite and amatuer cyclocross in October. By Brannon Pack

By Dwain Hebda

BRAKING8 NEWS Parker claims a pair of national championships, construction underway on a mountain bike trail through UA campus and Allied introduces a mountain bike.

UNITING27

EVERY

CENTRAL ARKANSAS

Greenways project seeks to link up several cities in Central Arkansas.

ON THE COVER Lance Haidet is all smiles after the 2021 UCI Cyclocross World Cup in Fayetteville. The festival expands to three days of elite and amatuer racing this year, Oct. 14-16.

40 EVENTS 46 SHOPS

4 | BIKE ARKANSAS September 2022 IN THIS ISSUE PAGE 10

Visit DiamondLakes.org to request a FREE Hot Springs/ TRAILSNORTHWOODS Hot Springs north and west of Park Avenue Including Cedar Glades 31 + Miles northwoodstrails.org LAKE OUACHITA VISTA TRAIL (LOViT) Southern shore of Lake Ouachita 40 Miles trailforks.com IRON TRAILMOUNTAIN S DeGray Lake/ Caddo Valley 32 Miles trailforks.com TRAILRECRENOUACHITAATIONALATION North of Hot Springs through north of Mena 108 Miles trailforks.com WOMBLE TRAIL Near Mount Ida, west of Hot Springs 35 Miles trailforks.com This ad is paid for with a combination of state funds and private regional association funds. @HotSprings_DiamondLakesDiamondLakes.org OF WORLD-CLASS RIDES 246+ MILES

6 | BIKE ARKANSAS September 2022 A R K A N S A S MAGAZINE FOLLOWBIKEARKANSASMEDIA.COMUSFORMOREBIKE BROOKE AllLITTLEArkansasProductionbrookewallace@arktimes.comPublisherWALLACEKAICADDYEditorkaicaddy@gmail.comMANDYKEENERCreativeDirectormandy@arktimes.comMIKESPAINArtDirectorLESATHOMASSeniorAccountExecutiveLEEMAJORAccountExecutiveWELDONWILSONManager/ControllerROLANDR.GLADDENAdvertisingTrafficManagerSARAHHOLDERFIELDGraphicDesign/SocialMediaROBERTCURFMANITDirectorCHARLOTTEKEYBilling/CollectionsJACKSONGLADDENCirculationDirectorALANLEVERITTPresidentalan@arktimes.comTimesLimitedPartnership201E.MARKHAMST.,SUITE150ROCK,AR72201501-375-2985Contents©2022BikeArkansasMagazine Discover Arkansas history. Come for cycling.

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WRENCHING, BUILDING AND RACING EXPERIENCE. YELL AT US TODAY! 501-753-4990 • AngryDavesBicycles.com NEW LOCATION WITH 6 SERVICE BAYS • 3217 JFK BLVD, NORTH LITTLE ROCK RIDE ANGRY GET YOURSELF OUT THERE SEASONED PRO WITH MORE THAN TWENTY FIVE YEARS OF WRENCHING, BUILDING AND RACING EXPERIENCE. YELL AT US TODAY! 501-753-4990 • AngryDavesBicycles.com NEW LOCATION WITH 6 SERVICE BAYS • 3217 JFK BLVD, NORTH LITTLE ROCK RIDE ANGRY GET YOURSELF OUT THERE SEASONED PRO WITH MORE THAN TWENTY FIVE YEARS OF WRENCHING, BUILDING AND RACING EXPERIENCE. YELL AT US TODAY! 501-753-4990 • AngryDavesBicycles.com NEW LOCATION WITH 6 SERVICE BAYS • 3217 JFK BLVD, NORTH LITTLE ROCK RIDE ANGRY GET YOURSELF OUT THERE SEASONED PRO WITH MORE THAN WRENCHING, BUILDING AND YELL AT US 501-753-4990 • AngryDavesBicycles.com NEW LOCATION WITH 6 SERVICE RIDEBAYSANGRY GET YOURSELF

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RIDE ANGRY OUT THERE MORE THAN TWENTY FIVE YEARS OF BUILDING RACING BAYS BLVD, NORTH LITTLE OUT THERE THAN TWENTY FIVE YEARS OF THAN TWENTY FIVE YEARS BAYS JFK BLVD, NORTH LITTLE MORE THAN TWENTY FIVE YEARS OF BUILDING BAYS BLVD, LITTLE OUT THERE WITH MORE THAN TWENTY FIVE YEARS OF WRENCHING, BUILDING AND RACING EXPERIENCE. AT US TODAY! WITH 6 SERVICE BAYS 3217 JFK BLVD, NORTH LITTLE ROCK YOURSELF OUT THERE PRO WITH MORE THAN TWENTY FIVE WRENCHING, BUILDING AND RACING EXPERIENCE. AT US TODAY! LOCATION WITH 6 SERVICE BAYS 3217 BLVD, MORE THAN TWENTY FIVE YEARS OF BAYS BLVD, MORE THAN TWENTY FIVE YEARS OF

BRYCE WARD is a copywriter and competitive road cyclist based out of Fayetteville.

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BRANNON PACK is the director of cycling tourism for Experience Fayetteville. When he’s not bikepacking across the state, he works with rights holders of cycling events and members of the community to elevate cycling experiences in Fayetteville and Northwest Arkansas.

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DWAIN HEBDA is an award-winning journalist, editor and president of his own editorial services company, Ya!Mule Wordsmiths in Little Rock. His work appears in more than 30 publications in Arkansas and other states. He and his wife, Darlene, spend much of their time spoiling their three dogs, Hootie, Tango and Cash. MORE THAN TWENTY FIVE YEARSMORE THAN TWENTY FIVE YEARS BUILDING WITH 6 SERVICE BAYS 3217 JFK BLVD, NORTH LITTLE ROCK

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BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 23 | 7

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Contributors

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8 | BIKE ARKANSAS September 2022 BRAKINGNEWS

NEW TRAIL CONSTRUCTIONUNDERAT

To follow progress and announcements for the Traverse, visit portation/bikes/bike-trails.php.sustainability.uark.edu/trans

ROBINSONBOB

CADDYKAI

The Traverse will travel through the oak ridge hillside on campus. It’s designed as a begin ner-level mountain bike trail, with the section through campus being the easiest and most premium section so that users of all abilities will get to enjoy it. Construction on campus is expected to be completed by the beginning of the fall semester. The Traverse is a gift to UA and Fayetteville from Tom and Steuart Walton.

Cayden Parker of Hot Springs snagged a pair of mountain bike championships in July at Winter Park, Colo. Parker, who races for the Bear National Team, won the Junior 17-18 cross country title 2 minutes and 15 seconds ahead of his teammate Jack Spranger. He followed that with a 12-second victory in the Junior 17-18 short-track cross country race two days later. These titles are the third and fourth national championships for Parker. He will join Spranger and Daniel English to represent the United States in Les Gets, France, for the world championships in late August. As of July 25, Parker was the ninth-ranked junior rider in the UCI World Rankings. He won three races at this spring’s U.S. Pro Cup in Fayetteville and took the podium in two other UCI races before nationals this season.

A major gap in the 18-mile natural-surface Fayetteville Traverse loop trail is being filled. A new section on the University of Arkansas campus that will be just over two miles is being constructed by Progressive Trail Design. Between classes, students will be able to rec reate with repeats on the fun earthen and rock features of this new trail. They can also continue their ride on the Traverse and connect with the trails at Kessler Mountain, Tsa La Gi Bike Park and Centennial Park.

PARKER WINS PAIR OF NATIONAL TITLES

WORKSCYCLEALLIEDCOURTESY

ALLIED INTRODUCES MOUNTAIN BIKE

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 23 | 9 WORKSCYCLEALLIEDCOURTESY

Rogers-based carbon bicycle manufacturer Allied Cycle Works has released its first mountain bike, the BC40. A full-suspension cross country bike, the BC40 is the result of two years of research, design and testing — all done in Northwest Arkansas. The bike is named for the Back 40 trail system in Bella“I’mVista.incredibly proud of this team,” Allied CEO Drew Medlock said. “We have been able to double our in-house manufacturing capacity over these last two years while simultaneously de veloping the BC40. Given the hurdles we have faced every single day with the entire supply chain faltering and fighting to keep our operations running smoothly through the pandemic, it’s a huge accomplishment. We can’t wait to see this bike pushed to the limit by our athletes Lea Davison and Payson McElveen at the upcoming Leadville 100, Marathon Nationals and more.” The bike is set up and designed for 120mm of front and rear travel, but options for 100mm and 110mm are available. Five complete bike builds are available starting at $7,625 or the frameset alone for $5,590.

MY KIT PHOTOGRAPHY:KAICADDY

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 23 | 11

JOB: Sales Associate at Trek Bicycle Little Rock Khu is gearing up to take part in the inaugural Arkansas High Country Ouachita Triple Crown Race in October. The Triple Crown is a new addition to the Arkansas High Country race options, which also include the original 1,000-plus-mile journey through the Ouachitas and Ozarks and the 487-mile High Country South Loop. The Triple Crown links three IMBA Epic trail systems — the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (LOViT), the Ouachita National Recreation Trail and the Womble. The route is 183 miles with 18,000 feet of elevation gain and will start and finish on Bathhouse Row in Hot Springs, as will the other two High Country race options.

ON PREPPING FOR THE TRIPLE CROWN RACE: I am so incredibly excited. I feel like that’s all I’ve been talking about. It’s a really easy topic to approach since I work at a bike shop. So, it comes up a lot. My background is in endurance sports and long-distance triathlon. I took what I thought was going to be a small break from that in 2019 and started mountain biking. And it turns out, I like mountain biking a lot more. I’ve been doing some cross-country races, like the Arkansas Mountain Bike Championship Series races as a Cat 2. My goal this season was to win in the Cat 2 category overall. I did that at the Ugly Gnome race near Conway at Wooly Hollow and that was really exciting. But I know that my potential kind of lies more in the endurance side of things. But my idea of endurance has been more like 10 to 12 hours, whereas this event’s a lot longer. So, it’ll be a lot of new territory for me. I’ve never done an overnight race before. So that’s going to be really, really brand Inew.did the Ouachita Challenge back in the spring and that connects the entire Womble with parts of the OT, and I absolutely love that course. So I was just looking for something that would be a little bit more than that. The 60 miles was great, but I was like, “I think I can go longer.”

NAME: Ariana Khu

FROM: Little Rock

12 | BIKE ARKANSAS September 2022

THE BIKE: It’s a Trek Supercaliber 9.8 GX with some upgrades.

THE BAGS: I’ve got a couple. The first is a Swift Industry Catalyst. It’s six liters. I picked it out pretty deliberately. I wanted something that was top-loading and within five to eight liters. Most of the handlebar bags are a roll style, and this is one of the only ones I could find with top loading and that hit my volume criteria. Plus, it’s one of my favorite colors, so that’s a bonus. The Wolf Tooth mini handlebar bag has been really handy. I’m probably going to use it to put snacks in, my phone, small, super-easily accessible things that I would want to get to while riding. I’ve also got the biggest Topeak top tube bag that I could borrow from Eric Since[Grimmett].I’mrunning a dropper post, I couldn’t run a really big saddlebag. There was a lot of debate internally if I wanted to run a really flexy rigid post or keep the dropper on there. And I decided to go with the dropper. So I have a Bontrager micro saddlebag with some flat kit materials in there.

THE FORK MOUNTS: I have Tailfin fork mounts paired with Salsa Anything cages for extra food and water.

THE BRAKES: They’re Shimano XT with levers from Flo Motorsports, which was a happy accident. I crashed out the initial brake levers and used it as an excuse to upgrade. And I really like them, and they’re in my favorite oil slick colorway.

THE SUSPENSION: The bike has 100 millimeters of suspension up front with the Fox 32 fork and 60 millimeters of suspension in the back with the Trek IsoStrut. To maximize that and stop it from feeling unpredictable weighted down, we put the maximum number of volume spacers in each and dialed in the air pressure and the suspension settings. I have remote lockout on the suspension for climbing efficiency and the little bit of the road that’s on the route.

THE PEDALS: Are Look Track X. I really like the Look pedals. They’re very similar to Shimano, but they’ve got a little bit narrower stance width. And I’ve bashed them into rocks and roots and just about everything else and they’ve held up super well.

THE GROUPSET: I have the SRAM GX mechanical setup on there. It’s a 1x12 groupset with a GX shifter and derailleur and GX carbon cranks that are 170 millimeters in length. The bike came stock with 175, but I put 170 on there because I think that just suits my riding style a little bit better and it’s been more comfortable. I also swapped out the stock 32 chainring for a 28 chainring. I did that last year. In Colorado, I was racing in Telluride and I wanted the easiest gearning I could possibly have, and it was somehow still incredibly difficult. And I’ve just kept it on there ever since. You can still spin on the road and not spin out until 22 miles an hour or somewhere in that window. There are very few times on the trail where I’m going 20 miles an hour and still pedaling. I have a 10-52 cassette on the back, so no shortage of climbing gears at all.

THE WHEELS AND TIRES: I have the Bontrager XXX Kovee wheels with Bontrager XR2 tires and Vittoria airliner inserts for a little bit of flat protection. “I know that my potential kind of lies more in the endurance side of things. But my idea of endurance has been more like 10 to 12 hours, whereas this event’s a lot longer. So, it’ll be a lot of new territory for me. I’ve never done an overnight race before. So that’s going to be really, really brand new.”

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 23 | 13

he sometimes wild, sometimes intense and always fun sport of cyclocross is returning to Fayetteville Oct. 14-16. Announced this summer, the OZCX and UCI Cyclocross World Cup Fayetteville is a three-day celebration of all things cyclocross featuring a packed schedule of professional, amateur and community events — with proceeds benefiting Arkansas Chil dren’s Northwest, the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.

racingcyclocrossInternationalreturns to Arkansas this fall.

thesetspectacleforhill

By Brannon

ByPHOTOGRAPHYPackKaiCaddy

DIRT DON'T HURT: Last season's UCI World Cup in Fayetteville was a mudfest.

Building on a legacy This past January, Fayetteville and Northwest Arkansas welcomed the world as hosts to the 2022 Walmart UCI Cyclocross World Champi onships. Donning colorful kits representative of their home countries, professional men, women and junior cyclists competed for their

16 | BIKE ARKANSAS September 2022

STARS AND STRIPES: US national champion Clara Honsinger has raced every elite cross event at Centennial Park.

The OZCX and UCI Cyclocross World Cup weekend in Fayetteville is being built around a welcoming family-friendly atmosphere with a charitable purpose — raising awareness and fundraising for Arkansas Children’s Northwest.

Cyclocross with a cause

As part of the only hospital system in the state solely dedicated to caring for children, Arkansas Children’s Northwest provides critical and comprehensive care to the kids who call Northwest Arkansas home. Throughout the weekend, event organizers have identified several opportunities to give — with a goal of raising $100,000. While the event is ticketed, in lieu of a traditional ticket purchase event promoters are encouraging donations to Arkansas Children’s Northwest.

Additional ways to support Arkansas Children’s Northwest include signing up for any of the many volunteer opportunities. Hundreds of volunteers are needed to make the event and its fundraiser a success. If you are a cyclocross fan, it’s a chance to get even closer to the competition on course all while supporting a meaningful cause.

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Action within reach Like rally car racing but for cycling fans, cyclocross is designed to place spectators an arm’s length from the action. Centennial Park’s short, circuit-style course allows spectators to make their way around the venue while the competition on the track carries on. Cyclocross pits dozens of cyclists against one another on a feature-filled course designed to challenge the bike-handling skills of even the top ath letes. From mountains of stairs to thrilling descents, Centennial Park is packed with iconic features built for the fans’ enjoyment.

18 | BIKE ARKANSAS September 2022 respective championships over a weekend of races that would go down as instant classics to the delight of thousands of hollering fans.

Building on the legacy of the World Cham pionships, Fayetteville’s Centennial Park has been selected to hold a UCI cyclocross World Cup event as part of the OZCX weekend, one of 14 stops on an international calendar of elite races. If the 2022 Walmart UCI Cyclo cross World Championships were the Super Bowl of the sport, think of a World Cup as a decisive Monday Night Football game. The competition will be fierce. With its purpose-built cyclocross and moun

tain bike cross-country racecourses, Centennial Park has quickly made a name for itself as a one-of-a-kind venue capable of hosting some of cycling’s biggest events. The OZCX festival weekend looks to add to that legacy.

For OZCX, there are a number of chances for fans to see past and present national champions, world champions and Olympians — beginning Friday, Oct. 14 with elite races sanctioned by the Union Cycliste Internatio nale (UCI). With OZCX as an opening stop on the professional cyclocross calendar, some of the sport’s biggest names are expected to be in attendance.

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 23 | 19 OCTOBER 8, 2022 • 7am–2pm BENTONVILLE 2 FAYETTEVILLE PRESENTED BY Register Adultgoplayfay.com/square2squareatplaybentonville.comOFFICIALRIDEOFTHERider $35 | Youth Rider $20 Shuttles $10 OCTOBER 8, 2022 • 7am–2pm BENTONVILLE 2 FAYETTEVILLE PRESENTED BY Register Adultgoplayfay.com/square2squareatplaybentonville.comOFFICIALRIDEOFTHERider $35 | Youth Rider $20 Shuttles $10 OCTOBER 8, 2022 • 7am–2pm BENTONVILLE 2 FAYETTEVILLE PRESENTED BY Register Adultgoplayfay.com/square2squareatplaybentonville.comOFFICIALRIDEOFTHERider $35 | Youth Rider $20 Shuttles $10 OCTOBER 8, 2022 • 7am–2pm BENTONVILLE 2 FAYETTEVILLE PRESENTED BY Register Adultgoplayfay.com/square2squareatplaybentonville.comOFFICIALRIDEOFTHERider $35 | Youth Rider $20 Shuttles $10 OCTOBER 8, 2022 • 7am–2pm BENTONVILLE 2 FAYETTEVILLE PRESENTED BY Register Adultgoplayfay.com/square2squareatplaybentonville.comOFFICIALRIDEOFTHERider $35 | Youth Rider $20 Shuttles $10 OCTOBER 8, 2022 • 7am–2pm BENTONVILLE 2 FAYETTEVILLE PRESENTED BY Register Adultgoplayfay.com/square2squareatplaybentonville.comOFFICIALRIDEOFTHERider $35 | Youth Rider $20 Shuttles $10 OCTOBER 8, 2022 • 7am–2pm BENTONVILLE 2 FAYETTEVILLE PRESENTED BY Register Adultgoplayfay.com/square2squareatplaybentonville.comOFFICIALRIDEOFTHERider $35 | Youth Rider $20 Shuttles $10 OCTOBER 8, 2022 • 7am–2pm BENTONVILLE 2 FAYETTEVILLE PRESENTED BY Register Adultgoplayfay.com/square2squareatplaybentonville.comOFFICIALRIDEOFTHERider $35 | Youth Rider $20 Shuttles $10 OCTOBER 8, 2022 • 7am–2pm BENTONVILLE 2 FAYETTEVILLE PRESENTED BY Register Adultgoplayfay.com/square2squareatplaybentonville.comOFFICIALRIDEOFTHERider $35 | Youth Rider $20 CELEBRATING TEN YEARS! Register Today at wheelamena.com SATURDAY OCT 8, 2022 @8AM JANSSEN PARK IN MENA, ARKANSAS Sponsored by Rotary Club of Polk County/Mena DO YOU HAVE BIKE @BIKEARMAGBROOKE@ARKTIMES.COMBROOKECONTACTOPPORTUNITIES?SPONSORSHIPINTERESTEDWANTNEWS?TOADVERTISE?INWALLACEAT:TAKE THE STAIRS: One of Centennial Park's signature features.

20 | BIKE ARKANSAS September 2022

Chasing greatness While watching World Cup racing is a worthwhile way to spend the day, OZCX includes opportunities for cyclists of all ages and skill levels to experience cyclocross racing for themselves. Saturday, Oct. 15 features a full day of amateur races for the novice to the pro.

INTERNATIONAL FLAVOR: European riders like current world champ Marianne Vos are expected in Fayetteville. Cyclocross is well known for its zany arethebecomewhereculturefanspartofspectacleandsometimestherealracevictorsdeterminedbythemostcreativecostume.

From Marianne Vos’s epic sprint for gold to Tom Pidcock’s Superman winning effort, OZCX is the chance to chase greatness and compete on the same course that crowned last season’s world champions. While competition will be spirited, the amateur events will group together competitors of the same age and skill level in a family-friendly atmosphere where the wacky is celebrated and costumes areParentswelcomed.canregister children aged 2-11 for the entertaining OZCX Kids Cross event and a fun morning of kid-friendly racing on a shortened course. With categories for balance and pedal bikes, it’s a great way to introduce cyclocross to the next generation as kids as young as two tackle appropriately sized course features — and it’s just as fun for spectators.

The weekend culminates Sunday afternoon with the UCI Cyclocross World Cup elite women’s and elite men’s races. The races draw so much attention that they’re interna tionally broadcast to more than 50 million viewers around the world, and thousands are expected to attend. As the event is held rain or shine, muck boots could be considered official footwear for cyclocross fans.

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22 | BIKE ARKANSAS September 2022 TOP-NOTCH CREW: Josh Fohner had plenty of support on his 900-mile journey from Buena Vista, Colo. to Springdale.

On Saturday evening, the spotlight shifts to team competition for the Walmart Corporate Relay and Community Relay events. These contests feature teams of three competing over a series of laps, and, while the fastest teams will be crowned the winners, the crowd-decided team costume contest might be where the glory lies.

Cross is coming! For the die-hard race fans to the cyclocross-cu rious, the OZCX and UCI Cyclocross World Cup weekend will be a welcoming opportunity for the entire community. First-time com petitors to Centennial Park will be left awed by the investment that’s been made in the racecourse and event venue. Race fans will be captivated by the return of international elite-level competition featuring some of cycling’s biggest stars. From cyclocross-inspired kids’ races to Halloween-themed activities, the OZCX weekend is sure to pique even the youngest kids’ curiosity. For the community, OZCX encourages the peculiar (just keep it fam ily-friendly) with multiple opportunities to celebrate the cyclocross culture through participatory events and crowd-pleasing competition.Tosecuretickets, register to participate or sign up to volunteer, visit cyclocrossfayette villear.com. Cross is coming.

The wild side of CX Cyclocross is well known for its zany culture where fans become part of the spectacle and sometimes the real race victors are determined by the most creative costume. From elaborate outfits to groups of enthusiasts dressed in themed attire — everything from toga parties to superhero suits are an accepted addition at any cyclocross event. With OZCX just a few weeks ahead of Halloween, expect some spooky opportunities for the whole family. Furthering the wild side of cyclocross, OZCX includes a schedule of communi ty-focused events throughout the weekend starting with Friday evening’s OZCX Street Sprints. Inspired by the exhilarating sprint finishes from the World Championships, it’s a costume-encouraged bicycle race where

participants “run what they brung” — com peting on a bicycle of their choosing in short, sprint-style races along the paved finish line stretch of the racecourse.

SOGGY CELEBRATION: Large crowds braved the rain to see Lucinda Brand win last year's UCI World Cup race.

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 23 | 23 Enjoy the natural beauty of Little Rock, North Little Rock, Pulaski and Perry Counties Full service aid stations, controlledtraffic-course Enjoy food, drink and music at the finish line in Riverfront Park, North Little Rock For more information, visit www.bigdambridge100.com BIG BRIDGEDAM100 ARKANSAS’ PREMIER CYCLING EVENT RIDES FROM 15 105 MILES This ad is paid for with a combination of state funds and regional Heart of Arkansas funds. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24TH

— Arkansas’s NICA league director, Conway Bike and Pedestrian coordinator and owner of Cyclelogical coaching — said many athletes are chronically dehydrated and don’t know it.

For more information, visit www.bigdambridge100.com

BIG BRIDGEDAM100 ARKANSAS’ PREMIER CYCLING EVENT

How

24 | BIKE ARKANSAS September 2022

“If you struggle to eat and drink enough, make a plan ahead of time to sip water every 15 minutes or every few miles,” Thorvilson said. “Don’t try anything new, nutritionally. You should do at least a few training rides with whatever sort of fuel you plan to carry on board on the day of the ride; that way you know what you like, what works for you, and can avoid any unpleasant surprises.”

RIDES FROM 15 105 MILES

For more information, visit www.bigdambridge100.com

“Drink plenty of fluids the week leading up to the event,” Coddington said. “I encourage my athletes on race day/ event day to get up and eat a healthy breakfast about three hours before the event. If you’re eating closer to the event, pick foods that are higher in the glycemic index and easy to Formerdigest.”

“While riding along on a flat road, practice reaching down and just touching your bottle without taking your eyes off the road or stopping pedaling,” he said. “Then work up to pulling the bottle partially out of the cage and putting it back in. Eventually work up to pulling your water bottle out and taking a drink and placing it back in the cage

This ad is paid for with a combination of state funds and regional Heart of Arkansas funds.

If you’re not comfortable eating and drinking on the bike or in a group, Coddington suggested practicing eating and drinking on training rides leading up to the event.

Top tips for BDB success to enjoy a long day out • BY KAI CADDY

HE BIG DAM BRIDGE 100, Arkansas’s largest cycling tour, is set for Sept. 24. With five course options ranging from 15 to 105 miles, there’s an option for just about everyone. And whether it’s your first time tackling one of the routes or you’ve participated every year since 2006 (or something in between), there’s always a chance to pick up some new tips and tricks. Below we’ve compiled some of those for you as you prepare for the big day.

Perhaps the most important thing, especially after the hot summer we’ve had in Arkansas, is to begin the ride wellhydrated.TerryCoddington

BIG BRIDGEDAM100 ARKANSAS’ PREMIER CYCLING EVENT

RIDES FROM 15 105 MILES

HYDRATION & NUTRITION

This ad is paid for with a combination of state funds and regional Heart of Arkansas funds.

The average endurance athlete sweats about a liter and a half per hour. Highly acclimated athletes can sweat as much as three liters per hour.

World Tour pro Leah Thorvilson suggested heading into the event with a plan for your nutritional needs.

For more information, visit www.bigdambridge100.comThis ad is paid for with a combination of state funds and regional Heart of Arkansas funds.

Going too hard too early is an easy mistake to make, espe cially when caught up in the excitement of a big event like the BDB 100.

“Energy gels are the easiest thing to eat while riding,” Mooney said. “But, I love an easy-to-eat granola bar and have been known to occasionally pull a Pop-Tart out of my jersey. That will help fight off the dreaded ‘bonk.’ On a longer, hotter ride, I’ll put an extra bottle in my middle jersey pocket, and I always pack extra snacks. There’s nothing wrong with having a little bit of leftovers, but it’s not very fun to run out toward the end of your ride.”

And, of course, there’s a pretty good reward at the finish line Finale Fest. “Have fun!” Thorvilson said. “Make plans to stay for the after party – you earned it!”

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 23 | 25

“Have a plan. Maybe it’s your own plan and maybe it’s to ride with a group, but do your very best to stick to it and don’t expend too much energy too early,” Thorvilson said. “It’s easy to get caught up in the moment early in a big ride and go a bit too hard, but you will almost always wish you hadn’t. Besides, this isn’t a race.”

For more information, visit www.bigdambridge100.comThis ad is paid for with a combination of state funds and regional Heart of Arkansas funds.

Also key for comfort: taking care of your chamois.

Coddington advised that the 105-mile course is actually tougher as it goes along.

ENJOY THE DAY Remember – cycling is fun. “Take time to enjoy the scenery; cycling is a beautiful sport,” Coddington said. “I am always upset with myself if I get to the end of a long ride or event and all I did is stare at a rear wheel or the road in front of me. I am much happier when I take a moment to look around and enjoy the sights.”

NORTH LITTLE ROCK MAYOR'S OFFICE without stopping pedaling or taking your eyes off the road ahead of you.”

“Change hand positions on the bars throughout the day so you don’t get stiff, look left and look right a few times to keep the neck loose,” he said. “Briefly stand on the pedals while climbing or cresting a hill to unweight yourself from the saddle. This should all help make the ride and post-ride food/drink that much more enjoyable.”

“Chamois cream: don’t forget that,” Thorvilson said. “If this is a longer ride than you are used to, maybe carry a trial size of backup chamois cream to reapply if needed.”

PACE YOURSELF

COMFORT Tanner Ward, who races for domestic elite team Best Buddies Racing, said you should do all you can to keep aches and pains away while in the saddle.

P ADVERTISEMENT

Little Rock racer and coach John Mooney said having extra food and water is never a bad idea.

“The BDB 100 gets harder after the halfway point, so you need to save those matches,” he said. “You only have so many to burn.”

5:30 AM Staging for all distance rides opens. Remember to go to your designated corral.

PREMIER CYCLING EVENT

Little Rock | Nor th Little Rock Rides from 15 105 miles For more information, visit www.bigdambridge100.comThis ad is paid for with a combination of state funds and regional Heart of Arkansas funds.

SCHEDULE

6:55 AM Rider groups start. Riverfront Drive at Willow in North Little Rock • Tandems/Charter - 6:50 am • Blue Corral - 6:55 am • Yellow Corral - 6:55 am • Green Coral - 6:55 am This will be a continuous start. All corrals will be started at 6:55 am. No late starts are allowed. 9:00 AM BDB 100 Finale Fest area opens - Inside North Little Rock Riverfront Park. At the south end of Willow Street in North Little Rock.

ARKANSAS’

EVENT 2022 Expo & Packet Pick-up - Statehouse Convention Center 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM All riders are required to pick up their own packets.

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Gears and Beers Athlete Reception. Appetizers, beverages and music will be available. This is not a meal... Free to all athletes. Music, drink, fellowship and more!

3:30 PM Two Rivers Park, Aid Station #9, (mile 95) closes. All riders must depart this station by 3:30 pm or they will be provided a trolley ride back to the finish. 4:00 PM Burns Park, Aid Station #10, (mile 100) closes. All riders must depart this station by 4:00 pm or they will be provided a trolley ride back to the finish.

4:30 PM Finish Line Closes 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM Finish line festivities. Food, drink and fellowship.

Saturday 09.24 Friday 09.23

RIDES FROM 15 105 MILES

LINKING UP: The Central Arkansas Greenways project will connect the Arkansas River Trail with several others.

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 23 | 27

Central Arkansas Greenways Project seeks to create an extensive network of trails.

By Dwain Hebda photos and graphic courtesy Crafton Tull Compared to its sister region in Arkansas’s northwest corner, Central Arkansas’s various trails get relatively little airplay, in part because many assets in this network operate as solo attractions, serving only one community or, in some cases, just one segment of a Thecommunity.CentralArkansas Greenways Project seeks to change that scenario, connecting existing trails across four counties into a more cohesive unit. Envisioned to stretch from Conway and Cabot to the north, Lonoke to the east and Bryant to the south, criss-crossing metro Little Rock and North Little Rock in the process, the project provides a bold new vision for the future of regional transportation, recreation, commerce and quality of place.

“Central Arkansas doesn’t work as much as a cohesive region as, certainly, Northwest Arkansas and other places in the country,” said Daniel Holland, transportation plan ner project manager at Metroplan, which is spearheading the project. “That has to do with longstanding dynamics that have existed between our primary city in Little Rock and the surrounding areas.

“Part of the reason why we wanted to launch this project was because we felt like it would be a great way to make it a cohesive region. I think we are seeing that [officials are] willing to work together on something that they know benefits each of their respective communities.”Hollandsaid the project is significant be yond the obvious potential health benefits of wider access to trails for walking, running or

CONNECTING THE DOTS

28 | BIKE ARKANSAS September 2022 cycling. Worker attraction and retention, for which quality of life amenities have become increasingly important, are also expected to improve, opening up more tourism oppor tunities and reducing the region’s overall carbon footprint.

INPUT: The public was invited to look at plans and discuss the greenways this spring and summer (above and below).

Julie Luther Kelso, vice president of planning for Crafton Tull, which coor dinated the project’s master plan, said this level of investment speaks volumes about the significance of the project and signals a big step forward for collaborative projects among the various communities’ stakeholders.

“If you look at the way we move in Central Arkansas, it is dominated by the car,” he said.

“Most people drive alone whenever they’re commuting and, quite honestly, that’s un sustainable. We really have to diversify how we are able to move in the region. So, it is important in that aspect.

“We also know that it is an economic competitiveness issue. We know that other cities are doing this and they’re finding a lot of success. When you develop a trail system that is robust and connected, you start see ing the benefits. You can look in Northwest Arkansas; you can look in Greenville, South Carolina, and bigger cities that have connect ed networks, and it’s an economic boon for these cities. It activates neighborhoods that might not have had anything going for them before. It’s really a priority in all facets of Metroplan,planning.” the federally designated metropolitan planning organization for Faulkner, Lonoke, Pulaski and Saline counties, is committed to the Greenway development to the tune of $55 million over 10 fiscal years. The funds represent about half of the Surface Transportation Block Grant funding the organization will receive over that time frame.

CHECKING THINGS OUT: A group takes a first-hand look at the trails.

The current plan divides the region into five trail corridors: The Northwest Corridor includes connections between North Little Rock, Maumelle, Mayflower, Conway and Greenbrier/Wooster, while the East Corridor connects North Little Rock to Lonoke. The Northeast Corridor connects North Little Rock to Sherwood, Jacksonville, Cabot, Austin and Ward. The Central Beltway/Little Rock West corridor focuses on connecting central and west Little Rock, while the Southwest Corridor connects the capital city with several com munities to the south, including Alexander, Benton, Bryant and Bauxite. Major existing trails that lie within these corridors, in whole or in part, include Ouachita Foothills Trail, Arkansas River Valley Trail, Bayou Trails, Delta Flats Trail, Southeast Trail, Southwest Trail, Tri-Creek Greenway

30 | BIKE ARKANSAS September 2022

“Metroplan has put their money where their mouth is and said we are going to dedicate the funding to this to make this happen as a region. It’s something they are very committed to and it’s something the member communities of Metroplan thereby are also very committed to.”

“This project has been brought to the fore front by Metroplan, a regional transportation planning authority,” she said. “I think that came out of a recognition of the importance of acting regionally as opposed to acting as independent“Metroplancommunities.hasputtheirmoney where their mouth is and said we are going to dedicate the funding to this to make this happen as a region. It’s something they are very com mitted to and it’s something the member communities of Metroplan thereby are also very committed to.”

Kelso said the Greenway also seeks to dovetail into existing pedestrian and cycling amenities being developed by individual municipalities to create improved access and boost usage.

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 23 | 31 and Arkansas River Trail. Each of these, to one degree or another, will play a role in the forthcoming network.

“It’s very important that we are establishing very cohesive regional routes,” Kelso said. “We will have a menu of different types of trail construction that are sensitive to their context, whether you’re in an urban area versus a rural area or a very rocky, steep area versus an area that’s more wet and has drainage issues.”

“Little Rock is completing their bicycle and pedestrian plan right now, for example,” she said. “So, the City of Little Rock will have additional routes that are not part of the re gional system, but they’ll tie into and work seamlessly within that system.

“It’s likewise with the Southwest Trail; the Southwest Trail was already under develop ment before this project started. This project said, ‘OK, we’re going to embrace that as one of these five corridors, but also look at how we can do more of an intercity tie-in between Benton and Bryant.’ We have this main re gional spine that is tied in locally to nearby communities, and it’s like that throughout theInsystem.”July,the project wound down the input phase, consisting of public meetings and ACCESS FOR EVERYONE: A young rider enjoys a trail in Conway.

“And, it’s absolutely critical that we are connecting the places where people live with the places they want to go. A big piece of this is going to be once we have a regional route, how the local communities, over time, address getting people from their front door to that regional route. It’s all about connectivity and getting people to desired places efficiently.”

To learn more, please visit centralarkgre enways.com.

“A big piece of this is going to be once we have a regional route, how the local communities, over time, address getting people from their front door to that regional route. It’s all about connectivity and getting people to desired places efficiently.”

online feedback, and is now moving into implementation strategies. One segment of the Northeast Corridor, connecting Cabot and Ward, is already in the engineering phase, and most physical work is expected to commence over the next couple of years.

“We are seriously considering the experi ence of the routes,” Kelso said. “We want to put in a route that is a good experience, and there are a lot of things that go into providing something that’s comfortable and that reduces the stress of integrating with traffic, and that is safe. Those are all things we’re trying to balance while trying to be as direct as possible.

32 | BIKE ARKANSAS September 2022 PROPOSED REGIONAL ROUTES Faulkner, Lonoke, Pulaski, and Saline Counties

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 23 | 33 RIDE N E B O | S U N S E T P O I N T R U S S E L L V I L L E C H A M B E R C O M T H I S A D W A S P A I D I N P A R T B Y R E G I O N A L T O U R I S M A N D S T A T E F U N D S

Focused INSIDE FOOT UP: Tanner Ward takes the corner.

FocusedontheClimb AscentWard'sTanner Elite.America'sTo By Bryce ByPHOTOGRAPHYWardKaiCaddy

A Meanwhile, Tanner’s uncle was well along the path of cap tivation: a full-grown, spandex-wearing adult who races against others who share the same odd passion, a person who rides a bicycle for the experiences it brings, not merely the destination it brings you to. After a few cycling-related

At first, Tanner viewed it as a practical and relatively fun means of transportation. But over time, his perception of that bicycle, and of cycling at large, began to shift.

ANIMATING THE RACE: Ward's attacks on Saturday at Tulsa Tough paved the way for victory for Best Buddies.

36 | BIKE ARKANSAS September 2022

It was a bright yellow Felt, a simple aluminum road bike that his father lent him for commuting across campus.

Maybe it was the joy that comes from the simple act of riding a bicycle, or perhaps the nostalgia of simpler times when he would explore his neighborhood aboard a Mongoose bike, testing the limits of peg tricks and competing with his brother to create the longest tire skid mark on the family’s driveway — whatever the reason, he slowly noticed himself captivated by the simple, twowheeled machine.

THE YEAR IS 2014. Within the quiet walls of an office building, Tanner Ward slumps in his chair and attempts to focus on work while he battles a pounding headache, fatigue and remnants of regret from the previous night — or, as some people call it, a hangover. This hangover, however, is worse than the many others that pre ceded it, as if every long and sleepless night culminated into this one intolerable moment. In his third year at the University of Arkansas — where inebriation is a virtue — Tanner has accumulated many such nights. At first, they were an exciting chapter of the college experience, something you simply “did” while in college, but as time rolled by, the grandeur of these nights began to dissolve. In this moment — slouched in his office chair, displeased with his trajectory — Tanner decides to change.

HEAD OF THE RACE: Ward leads the peloton up Cry Baby Hill in Tulsa.

A Bright red banners fill the room. Eager college students wander from table to table, holding flyers and awkwardly conversing. It’s the university’s annual Club Sports Fair, and Tanner is scanning the room in search of two particular words: TriathlonDespiteClub.theintrigue of his uncle’s cycling lifestyle, a few minutes of browsing pictures of pro cyclists on the internet gave Tanner sufficient reason to choose triathlon as his next sport instead: “I could never be that skinny,” he thought to himself. After chatting with the Triathlon Club for a few minutes, he begins to leave. But on his way out, he stops by the Cycling Club’s table out of courtesy and walks away with their flyer in-hand.

Tanner had competed in sports his entire life — they were part of his upbringing — and, as anyone who is involved in sports from a young age knows, they become much more than a productive way of biding time; as we grow into adulthood, sports inevitably become a language for understanding the world, a map for navigating life. But when Tanner began college, he left sports behind. Two years after that decision, he realized it was time to return to competition.

A cramped automobile filled with college students and bike equipment flies along the interstate. Tanner is embarking on the long voyage to his first collegiate road race. After a few laborious laps in the campus pool and an unsuccessful reunion with running, he quickly narrowed his focus back to road Kevincycling.Murphy, the veteran of the group who had raced bikes since childhood, imparts bike racing wisdom to the inexperienced cyclists. During conversations like these, Tanner learns about the artfulness of bike racing that is not immediately apparent: the habit of raising your inside foot during a corner, the importance of drafting, the timing of breakaways and all the other intricacies characteristic of the strange European sport.

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 23 | 37 conversations with his uncle, it didn’t take long for Tanner to connect the dots.

38 | BIKE ARKANSAS September 2022

While on a cycling team based out of Oklahoma City, he received an opportunity to race abroad in Belgium for the summer. After winning two kermesses during this trip and attracting the attention of local team directors, he found himself racing full-time in Belgium a year later. If you’re an American cyclist who wants to take the next step in your racing career, you go to OverEurope.thecourse of a year, Tanner places well in several races, but not as well as he would have liked. When the season comes to an end, he has a choice: Race another year in Europe and hope for better results that may or may not land him a professional contract or return to the United States and continue his racing career at home.

On the second floor of a Belgian frites shop, Tanner eats rice in silence and recovers from months of intense racing across Europe…Aftergraduating from college, he continued his climb through the ranks of competitive cycling. He worked parttime and dedicated most of his remaining time to training and racing. After years of commitment, he became one of the fastest bike racers in the south-central region.

TANNER WARD races for Domestic Elite Team Best Buddies Racing. He finished second at the second day of the Armed Forces Classic in June 2022 and was 10th overall at the Joe Martin Stage Race. He was instru mental in team victories at the Sunny King Crit and Tulsa Tough. At press time, Best Buddies led the team classification of the American Criterium Cup series.

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 23 | 39

The pack flies around a corner, inside legs up, and descends onto Dickson Street — the same party street Tanner stumbled along seven years prior. As they roll across the harsh brick crosswalks, Tanner’s chain falls from the teeth of his chainring. A gap opens as he struggles to get his chain back on. After what feels like an eternity, the chain realigns and he chases back onto the back of the peloton. During his absence, two riders have attacked off the front. With the lap count dwindling — and knowing that a breakaway is his best chance at a win — Tanner launches his own attack. Two riders join him as they flee from the chasing peloton. But lap by lap, his breakmates fall off until only Tanner remains, stuck in no-man’s land, chasing and being chased. A Tanner steps onto a podium and raises his arm high in the air: third place. He wanted first, of course, but he is happy nonetheless.

Race by race, he finds himself further entranced by cycling, and losing — fre quently at first — only motivates him to train harder. He doesn’t know how far he wants to go, or how fast he can become, but he knows he is headed in the right direction, and that is all that matters to him.

SUCCESS: Ward helped Best Buddies reach the top of the American Criterium Cup team standings.

The thing is, first rarely comes in bike racing, and even when it does, there is always a more meaningful and elusive podium that lies just out of reach. Cycling, like life, is a sport of continual striving, a never-ending pursuit of an unreachable pinnacle: ultimately, we are not defined by our achievements but by our pursuit of achievement. When you focus on the climb, instead of the peak, you can look back and appreciate the distance you have traveled, with hunger for what still lies ahead.

Aug. 29, 2021: a peloton speeds around the streets of Fayetteville during the UCI Pro Men’s criterium at the Joe Martin Stage Race, one of the most prestigious road races in the United States.

AUG. 31

40 | BIKE ARKANSAS September 2022

RACECOUNTRYHIGHARKANSAS

EVENTS

CADDYKAI

BECAUSE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. CHECK ONLINE BEFORE MAKING PLANS. Have an event you’d like to include in a future Bike Arkansas? Email editor Kai Caddy at kaicaddy@gmail.com.

OCT. 8 Hot$100Springs Self-supported endurance bikepacking race that traverses the 1,000-mile-plus Arkansas High Country Route. There is also a Short Circuit option, which will race just the southern loop of the route, which is approximately 500 miles. And new for 2022 is the Ouachita Triple Crown, linking three IMBA Epic trail systems. Register bikereg.com/arkansas-high-country-raceat.

CYCLE OF INFLUENCE SUMMIT SEPT. 6-8 Bentonville$750 A bike industry summit featuring speakers from all aspects of the business — mar keting, economics and the environment. Visit cycleofinfluence.com for more information.

TOUR DE TACOS SEPT. 10 $35-$45 Northwest Arkansas Ride benefiting Kendrick Fincher Hydra tion for Life featuring taco stops along the route. More information and registration can be found at tourdetacos/905app.regwiz.io/register/

AHot$15-$60Springsfamily-friendly, multi-bike ride benefit ing the Salvation Army’s Pathway of Hope program. Route options for road bikes only, mountain bikes only or both. Learn more about the event at facebook.com/ tourdesalvation

NATURAL STATE CRITERIUM SERIES

TOUR DE BLUFF SEPT. 10 Pine$50 Bluff A road ride featuring six routes, including the Mayor’s Mile, events for kids and a best-looking bike contest. The event also features virtual challenges and a scavenger hunt. More information can be found at tourdebluff.com

Springdale$15-$25 Criterium series in downtown Springdale. Each race will feature a “first chance” cat egory where new racers will be guided by experienced coaches through the course. Visit um-series-springdalebikereg.com/natural-state-criteritoregister.

WOMEN OF OZ SUNSET SUMMIT SEPT. 16-17 Bentonville This mountain bike conference will bring together 300 women from across the coun try to learn, ride and be inspired through mountain biking and lifestyle related activ ities. Attendees will hear from nationally recognized coaches and influencers from around the country and learn technical

TOUR DE SALVATION SEPT. 4

Monument Trails are a collection of world-class mountain biking destinations in Arkansas State Parks. These multi-use trails are open at Devil’s Den State Park, Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area, Mount Nebo State Park and Pinnacle Mountain State Park, offering outdoor experiences to trail riders of all skill levels.

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 23 | 41

Visit MonumentTrails.com for more information. PINNACLESTATEMOUNTAINPARK DEVIL’S DEN STATE PARK THE RIDETHE RIDE OF A LIFETIMEOF A LIFETIME REPLENISH RECOVER REFUEL BioTechPharmacal.com

enduring

An annual event celebrating the Big Dam Bridge. The BDB 100 offers several routes ranging between 15 and 105 miles, with beautiful mountain and river scenery, as well as a few challenging hills on the longer routes. Visit thebigdambridge100.com for more information.

Look for more etiquette and safety tips

Cyclists always wear their helmets! When preparing to pass others, speak an audible warning in advance. Always pass on the left side, while leaving two feet of clearance. Cyclists and skaters should travel at safe and appropriate speeds. Keep an eye on your children at all times. Keep pets on a short leash and under control at all times. Always clean up after your pets. Pay attention to all trail markings, signs and other alerts or warnings. Do not smoke while on the trails. Motorized vehicles are not allowed (with the exception of motorized wheelchairs, certain classes of e-bikes, and emergency vehicles). Keep to the right side of the pathways, except when passing others. Pedestrians always have the right of Groups should travel single-file to insure that cyclists are able to pass. When stopping, move off of the pavement so as not to impede passersby on the Arkansas trails. few tips to us all safe whileRiverArkansasenjoyingTrail!

42 | BIKE ARKANSAS September 2022 skills on the bike, as well as how mountain biking can be the community connector for your home town. For more information, visit woznwa.com

WHEEL A’ MENA OCT. 8 Mena$50 Bike tour with distance options of 30, 50 and 70 miles through the Ouachita Mountains and along the Talimena Scenic Drive. Visit wheelamena.com for more information.

YOUNG LIFE RIVER CLASSIC SEPT. 17 Little$40 Rock

A few tips to keep us all safe while enjoying theRiverArkansasTrail!

REFORMATION RIDE OCT. 8 London$25 A friendly-pace 34-mile ride through the hills of Augsburg promising a cool t-shirt

preparing to pass others, audible warning in advance. pass on the left side, while two feet of clearance. skaters should travel at appropriate speeds. eye on your children at all times. on a short leash and under control at all times. clean up after your pets. attention to all trail markings, other alerts or warnings. smoke while on the trails. vehicles are not allowed exception of motorized certain classes of e-bikes, emergency vehicles). right side of the pathways, when passing others. Pedestrians always have the right of should travel single-file

to OZ CX & CYCLOCROSS WORLD CUP OCT. 14-16 Centennial$15-$500 Park, Fayetteville A three-day cyclocross festival featuring UCI racing on Friday, USA Cy cling-sanctioned amateur racing Saturday and a UCI World Cup race on Sunday. Visit cyclocrossfayettevillear.com for more information. CADDYKAI

BIG DAM BRIDGE 100 SEPT. 24 Little$45-$150Rock

All funds raised in this event go toward Young Life’s ministry efforts with teenagers in underserved communities south of I-630. The ride offers routes of 20, 40, 55 and 64 miles. Visit theriverclassic.com for more information.

CONWAY FALL CLASSIC SEPT. 17 Conway$35 Ride benefiting a local charity and the nonprofit Conway Advocates for Bicycling featuring route choices of 23, 40 and 62 miles. All routes start and end at Antioch Baptist Church, 150 Amity Road. For more information and to register, visit cyclecon way.com.

The finale of the Arkansas Enduro Series. Friday features a Flavor of Enduro event for beginners. Saturday and Sunday will be the enduro, with up to seven stages and around 20 miles of riding each day. For more in formation, visit arkansasenduroseries.com/ bentonville.

TOUR DA DELTA OCT. 8 Helena$20-$60 A ride along the Delta with several distance and surface options: paved routes of 6, 35, 40 and 55 miles and gravel routes of 12, 22 and 35 miles. Registration includes a oneday pass to the King Biscuit Blues Festival and $20 of Blues Bucks. Visit tourdadelta. net for more information.

arkansasrivertrail.orgat

BENTONVILLE ENDURO SEPT. 30-OCT. 2 Bentonville$15-$140

21cBentonville.com | TheHiveBentonville.com Follow us @21cBentonville and @TheHiveBentonville ADVERTISEMENT

Ozarks dirt road adventure in Fayetteville Oct. 23

Gravel riders rejoice! Registration is now open for the 2022 Chinkapin Hollow Gravel Grinder, a popular gravel-racing experience not to be Chinkapinmissed.Hollow Gravel Grinder, NWA’s best gravel event, returns to Fayetteville. The event will be held Sunday, Oct. 23, with a festive morning mass start at Lake Wedington Recreation area west of Fayetteville.

Route options for the Chinkapin Hollow Gravel Grinder include 42, 63 and 109-mile courses, all of which feature rolling, canopy covered gravel roads and wind through hardwood timber in the Ozark National Forest.

Courses also feature long stretches of rolling and canopy covered gravel roads that descend through historic Ozark communities and hamlets, some of which were settled in the 1800s. With different course lengths for different comfort levels, everyone will have a full day of gravel racing.

OFF-ROAD ADVENTURE, ON THE BEATEN PATH Right off the trails in the heart of downtown Bentonville, 21c Museum Hotel merges art and nature for a cycling getaway that is anything but ordinary. Enjoy complimentary bike valet and storage.

For more information, including race schedule, course details and how to register, visit experiencefayetteville.com and look for the Chinkapin Hollow Gravel Grinder under the events listing.

GRAVELCHINKAPINOPENREGISTRATIONFOR2022HOLLOWGRINDER

Route options include 42, 63 and 109mile courses, all of which wind through hardwood timber forests in the Ozark National Forest. The two longer routes cross over into Oklahoma for a two-state dirt road adventure.

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 23 | 43

The second edition of a three-day social/ gathering event filled with clinics, ride tours and volunteering with the Deaf com munity. Deaf participants get priority in registration for the event. Registration in cludes camping and bike rental. Non-Deaf people are welcome to mingle, but will not need to register. Visit bikereg.com/benton ville-bikeboom for more information.

JOE WEBER ARKY 100 OCT. 9

A ride to benefit Ouachita Children, Youth, & Family Services. Events include a family-fun ride and the 50-mile fondo. A $25 ticket can be purchased just to attend the post-ride party and $300 charter memberships are also available. More information can be found at ouachitagranfondoforfamilies.com.

The 51st edition of this tour through Dallas and Grant counties. Distance options are 25, 50, 62 and 100 miles. New for 2022 is a mixed-surface adventure ride through scenic forests and farms. More information can be found at arkansasbicycleclub.org.

OUTERBIKE OCT. 21-23 Bentonville$75-$250 Mountain bike expo featuring the oppor tunity to test ride the latest and greatest mountain bikes and gear on local trails. Visit outerbike.com/bentonville-2022 to register and for more information.

44 | BIKE ARKANSAS September 2022 CADDYKAI and a bratwurst lunch. Register at bikereg. com/augsburg-reformation-ride.

MTBNORTHWOODSGÜDRUNFESTIVAL NOV. 11-13 Hot$35-$70Springs

OCT. 29 Hot$25-$300Springs

KESSLER MOUNTAIN JAM OCT. 9 Fayetteville$20-$40

Sheridan$35

PEDESTAL ROCK AND LICK FORK BICYCLE RIDE Oct. 15 Witt$45-$50Springs

TOUR DE QUEEN NOV. 5 De$40Queen With six routes of different lengths, including a new 38-mile gravel and paved combination, riders of all levels will enjoy a scenic trek through the countryside or up by the lake. Routes include a 15-mile, 25-mile, 36-mile, 38-mile and 47-mile ride, and a new 100-mile option. Registration opens Sept. 1 at bikereg.com/tourdequeen

P/BCHAMPIONSHIPSTATECYCLOCROSSSHAM

OCT. 29 War Memorial Park, Little Rock SHAM Events hosts the state cyclocross championship at the old War Memorial Golf Course. More details can be found at facebook.com/shameventsllc.

OUACHITA GRAN FONDO FOR FAMILIES

BIKEBOOM OCT. 13-16 Bentonville$50

Arkansas Mountain Bike Championship Se ries cross-country mountain bike ride held at Kessler Mountain Regional Park. Register at bikereg.com/iron-mountain-xc-2022

Road ride options of 20, 40, 50 and 62 miles and gravel routes of 15, 30, 50 and 62 miles benefiting work being done by Community Voices, a 501(c)(3) orga nization, to showcase the beauty of the Authentic Ozarks and strengthen the lives of rural Arkansawyers living in the Boston Mountains of southwest Searcy County. Visit wittssprings.org/prlf-welcome-page for more information.

Annual mountain bike festival featuring a slow roll, full and mini enduros, a time trial, a jump jam, dual slalom races and the finale of the Arkansas Champi onship Mountain Bike series, the Attila the Hun XC race. Visit northwoodstrails.org/events/gudrun/ for more information.

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 23 | 45 OZCX Weekend will be a fantastically fun party for all. It all happens at the World Championship venue, Fayetteville’s Centennial Park, October 14-16 The party will include multiple races and events: from one of only 14 UCI World Cup races this season to OZkidsCX – A family friendly event for kids as young as two. Other events throughout the three days will include: Elite/Professional Racing OZCX Community Street Sprints USA Cycling Amateur CX Races Walmart Corporate Team Relays Ticket sales and registration fees support Arkansas Children’s Northwest, the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. JOIN US TO WATCH, RACE, EAT, DRINK, SHOP AND EXPERIENCE. ALL WHILE SUPPORTING A GREAT CAUSE. THE CYCLO-CROSS WORLD RETURNS TO ARKANSAS cyclocrossfayettevillear.com FAYETTEVILLE-ARKANSAS | USA WORLD CUP CYCLO-CROSS

BENTON HOLY ROLLER UNITED 108 N. East 501-672-4110St.

SPRINGDALE

TREK BICYCLE OF LITTLE ROCK 10300 Rodney Parham Road trekbikes.com501-224-7651

CONWAY THE RIDE 2100 Meadowlake Road, No. 2 therideonline.net501-764-4500

RUSSELLVILLE JACKALOPE CYCLING 103

NORTH LITTLE ROCK ANGRY DAVE’S BICYCLES 3217 John F. Kennedy Blvd. angrydavesbicycles.com501-753-4990

JONESBORO GEARHEAD CYCLE HOUSE 231

RECYCLE BIKES FOR KIDS 717 E. 10th recyclebikesforkids.org501-563-8264St.

SPRINGS HOT

BEAVER LAKE

SOUTHWEST BIKE SHOP 7121 Baseline Road 501-562-1866

THE COMMUNITY BICYCLIST 7509 Cantrell Road, Suite 118 thecommunitybicyclist.com501-663-7300

TOURING COMPANY 436 Broadway St. touringcompanyfacebook.com/hotspringsbicycle501-276-2175 PARKSIDE CYCLE 719 Whittington Ave. parksidecycle.com501-623-6188 SPA CITY CYCLING 873 Park spacitycycling.com501-463-9364Ave. SEARCY THE BIKE LANE 2116

HOT SPRINGS BICYCLE W. screekoutfitters.com501-691-0138 23rd lyon.edu/bikes870-307-7529St. S. Main facebook.com/gearheadcycling870-336-2453St. N. Ave. 101 S. Broadway St. phattirebikeshop.com479-373-1458 West Van Buren St. 479-253-0900 TIRE BIKE SHOP NW Wishing Springs Drive phattirebikeshop.com479-268-3800 TIRE BIKE SHOP 3775 N. Mall phattirebikeshop.com479-966-4308Ave.

THE HIGHROLLER CYCLERY 322 W. Spring St. highrollercyclery.com479-442-9311 LEWIS & CLARK OUTFITTERS 4915 S. Thompson St. gooutandplay.com479-756-1344

SHERWOOD ARKANSAS CYCLING & FITNESS 3010 E. Kiehl arkansascycling.com501-834-5787Ave.

ROCK TOWN RIVER OUTFITTERS (RENTAL) Little Maumelle River Boat rocktownriveroutfitters.com501-831-0548Launch SHIFT MODERN CYCLERY 1101 W. Markham St. shiftmoderncyclery.com501-683-8400

BATESVILLE LYON COLLEGE BIKE SHOP 301

3803

Commerce

J&P BIKE SHOP 7910 Hwy. jandpbikeshop.com501-835-4814107

facebook.com/jackalopecycling479-890-4950 FORT SMITH CHAMPION CYCLING & FITNESS 5500 Massard Road championcycling.com479-484-7500 PHAT TIRE BIKE SHOP 1700 Rogers phattirebikeshop.com479-222-6796Ave. ROLL ON BMX AND SKATE 1907 Cavanaugh Road Rollonbmx.business.site479-974-1235 THE WOODSMAN COMPANY 5609 Rogers Ave, Suite D thewoodsmancompany.com479-452-3-559 SILOAM SPRINGS DOGWOOD JUNCTION 4650 Hwy 412 East dogwoodjunction.biz479-524-6605 PHAT TIRE BIKE SHOP

Beebe-Capps Expressway thebikelane.cc501-305-3915 HEBER SPRINGS SULPHUR CREEK OUTFITTERS 1520 Highway 25B

OUTDOOR CENTER (RENTALS) 14434 E. State Hwy. 12 beaverlakeoutdoorcenter.com479-877-4984 LEWIS & CLARK OUTFITTERS 2530 Pinnacle Hills Parkway lewisandclarkoutfitters.com479-845-1344 PHAT TIRE BIKE SHOP 321 S. Arkansas St. phattirebikeshop.com479-899-6188 THE HIGHROLLER CYCLERY 402 S. Metro highrollercyclery.com479-254-9800Parkway BENTONVILLE BENTONVILLE BICYCLE CO. 813 W. Central Ave. bentonvillebicyclecompany.com479-268-3870 BIKE SHOP JOE’S 1206 SE Moberly Lane, Suite 6 bikeshopjoes.com479-709-2242 BUDDY PEGS FAMILY BICYCLE HQ 3605 NW Wishing Springs Road buggypegs.com479-268-4030 CUSTOM CRUZERS PREMIUM E-BIKES 10636 Hwy. 72 W., Suite 102 facebook.com/customcruzersnwa479-367-4694 THE HUB BIKE LOUNGE 410 SW A St., Suite 2 thehubbikelounge.com479-364-0394 THE METEOR 401 SE D meteorbikes.com479-268-4747St. MOOSEJAW 111 South Main St. moosejaw.com479-265-9245 MOJO CYCLING 1100 N. Walton Blvd. mojocycling.com479-271-7201 PHAT TIRE BIKE SHOP 125 W. Central Ave. phattirebikeshop.com479-715-6170 PLUG POWER BICYCLES 3905 NW Wishing Spring Road facebook.com/plugpowerbikes479-273-9229 STRIDER BIKES 109 N. Main tonvillefacebook.com/StriderStoreBen479-367-2335Street BICYCLE REPAIR & SERVICE ONLY OZARK BICYCLE SERVICE W. Deane St., ozarkbicycleservice.business.site479-715-1496Fayetteville REVOLUTION MOBILE BIKE REPAIR revrepair.com512-968-7600 GUIDES/SHUTTLE SERVICES OZARK BIKE GUIDES, LLC ozarkbikeguides.com479-644-8893 CUSTOM JERSEYS FLO BIKEWEAR 901-896-5979

FAYETTEVILLE PHAT

THE BIKE ROUTE 3660 N. Front St., Suite 2 facebook.com/thebikeroute479-966-4050

ARKANSAS CYCLING & FITNESS 315 N. Bowman, Suites 6-9 501-221-BIKE arkansascycling.com(2453)

46 | BIKE ARKANSAS September 2022 Bike Shops

PEDEGO ELECTRIC BIKES 2017 Kavanaugh Blvd. pedegoelectricbikes.com501-747-1633

LITTLE ROCK

EUREKA SPRINGS ADVENTURE MOUNTAIN OUTFITTERS 152

BELLA VISTA PHAT

PHAT TIRE BIKE SHOP 101 W. Johnson Ave., Suite B. Phattirebikeshop.com479-717-2073

ROGERS

SPOKES GIANT LITTLE ROCK 11525 Cantrell Road, Suite 607 spokesgiant.com501-508-5566

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 23 | 47 www.edwardsfoodgiant.com There are many brands of beef, but only one Angus brand exceeds expectations. The Certified Angus Beef brand is a cut above USDA Prime, Choice and Select. Ten quality standards set the brand apart. It's abundantly flavorful, incredibly tender, naturally juicy. ACHOICEREADERSARDS FINALIST 2022 BEST BUTCHER SAVE TIME. ORDER ONLINE. DELIVERED TO YOUR CAR. BEST GROCERY STORE LITTLE ROCK: 10320 STAGECOACH RD 501-455-3475 • 7507 CANTRELL RD 501-614-3477 7525 BASELINE RD 501-562-6629 • 20383 ARCH ST 501-888-8274 BRINKLEY: 1413 PINECREST ST 870-589-2369 • BRYANT: 2203 N REYNOLDS RD 501-847-9777 HARRISBURG: 605 N ILLINOIS ST 870-578-2434 • MARIANNA: 460 S ALABAMA ST 870-295-9311 FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1959! BEST WINE SELECTION BEST BEER SELECTION

Plan Your Visit > @exploreNLRNorthLittleRock.org

THREE HOT SPOTS FOR CYCLING IN NORTH LITTLE ROCK

1. For thrill-seekers: Big Rock Quarry Bike Park is the newest addition to North Little Rock’s cycling scene, with its first phase opening in 2021 with a pump track. The bike park will eventually include downhill mountain bike trails, cross-country mountain bike skills trails, asphalt flow trails and a bicycle playground. The bike park has a convenient free parking lot and is within a short distance of the Arkansas River Trail.

2. For long distance cyclists: The scenic 15-mile Arkansas River Trail flows between the cities of North Little Rock and Little Rock, crossing pedestrian bridges like the iconic Big Dam Bridge and the Clinton Presidential Bridge. The trail is mostly paved and relatively flat with several access points. Free parking is available at the Big Dam Bridge and North Little Rock’s Riverfront Park.

3. For the mountain bikers: Burns Park has several unpaved trails as well as Emerald Park, where you can get breathtaking views from the bluffs. Camp Robinson, home to the Army National Guard, is known as the crown jewel of the region for containing some of the best and most varied rides in central Arkansas. Because it is a military base, photo ID and purchase of a visitors pass are necessary but well worth it for access to 30 miles of beginner to advanced trails.

We’re up to something totally rad in North Little Rock, Arkansas!