BIKE FALL 2026 ISSUU by Arkansas Times

M A G A Z I N E

FALL 2026 ISSUE NO. 39 BIKEARMAG.COM

WHEELIE

NEW TRAILS SEARCY GETS IT IN GEAR

PLUS

FALL EVENTS MOJO THRIVES FINISH LINE ROCKS

DRIVE OR FLY IN TODAY! Year-round fishing, lodging and food. One of the most productive trout fisheries in the world!

Oakridge Mountain Bike Trails 2-mile ride from Gaston’s.

870-431-5202 1777 river road | lakeview, ar | lat 36 20’ 55” n | long 92 33’ 25” w GASTONS.COM 2 | BIKE ARKANSAS FALL 2026

BIKE ARKANSAS FALL 2026 | 3

M A G A Z I N E

BRAKING NEWS National titles, NICA set for 11th season, Grit Fest and new trails.

CAPITAL CITY SHINES Joshua Gordon highlights riding in the Rock.

THINGS STIRRING IN SEARCY Greenway and soft surface trails are coming to Searcy. By Trey Reely

KEEPING IT SMOOTH Fayetteville-base Triboflux brings a revolutionary chain lubricant to market. By Kai Caddy

EVERY ISSUE

18 TOP GEAR 34 STARTING LINE 35 EVENTS 38 BELL LAP

MOJO ON THE RISE Holly Anzalone builds on shop’s legacy.

ON THE COVER Searcy’s first phase of trail construction features 19.2 miles of soft-surface trails and 8.2 miles of paved surface. Photo courtesy City of Searcy

4 | BIKE ARKANSAS FALL 2026

ALL BIKES WELCOME

Big Dam Bridge

YOUR LEGS will be PUMPED TO VISIT. Whether you’re cruising over the Big Dam Bridge or exploring epic mountain trails, this just might be the most fun you can have on two wheels. Spend a little time pedaling around Little Rock and you may just start to love you some Little Rock.

BIKE ARKANSAS FALL 2026 | 5

M A G A Z I N E

BIKEARMAG.COM FOLLOW US FOR MORE BIKE

BROOKE WALLACE Publisher brookewallace@arktimes.com KAI CADDY Editor kaicaddy@gmail.com MANDY KEENER Creative Director/Production Manager mandy@arktimes.com MIKE SPAIN Art Director

Cycling YOUR HOME FOR

LESA THOMAS

LUIS GARCIAROSSI KAITLYN LOONEY WENDY HICKINGBOTHAM Senior Account Executives BROCK HYLAND Director of Development LYNDSEY HUDDLESTON Digital Marketing Director ROLAND R. GLADDEN Advertising Traffic Manager

BUILT FOR RIDING ON TWO WHEELS.

KATIE HASSELL Art Director/Digital Content Manager

Whether you’re looking for road biking, mountain biking, or a paved trail, Conway has what you need. Discover why Conway is the most bike friendly city in central Arkansas.

ROBERT CURFMAN IT Director

VISITCONWAY.ORG

CHARLOTTE KEY Accounting ANITRA HICKMAN Circulation Director

ALAN LEVERITT President alan@arktimes.com Arkansas Times Limited Partnership 201 E. MARKHAM ST., SUITE 150 LITTLE ROCK, AR 72201 501-375-2985 All Contents © 2026 Bike Arkansas Magazine 6 | BIKE ARKANSAS FALL 2026

Contributors

Welcome to the Mountain BikING Capital of the World TREY REELY is a writer, triathlete, and marathoner who does all three very slowly. He plans to compete in the Ironman California next October. A retired public school band director, he is the co-director of the White County Community Band.

70+ miles of expert-designed singletrack contained within the award-winning 550+ mile Oz Trails network. Home to 400+ miles of gravel routes and the famous Masterpiece. Ride your way through a city built by mountain bikers for mountain bikers.

JOSHUA GORDON is a long-time cyclist and outdoor enthusiast. He lives in Little Rock and enjoys playing throughout Arkansas. You can follow his adventures on the socials @potversuskettle.

visitbentonville.com

MIKE SPAIN is a graphic designer and an art director with Arkansas Times. He’s also been an avid cyclist since 2004. “I don’t get dropped, I attack off the back.”

DO YOU HAVE BIKE NEWS? WANT TO ADVERTISE? INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES? CONTACT BROOKE WALLACE:

BROOKE@ARKTIMES.COM

BIKE ARKANSAS FALL 2026 | 7

›MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR

THE BEST SEASON T

here’s really no bad time to ride in Arkansas. I probably say that so much that I’m sounding like a broken record at this point. But what I think is truly the best time is upon us. Fall in Arkansas is a magical time no matter your pursuit, but man, is it a perfect time to adventure around on a bicycle. There are lots of long ride options and festivals — don’t miss our events calendar to start planning. There’s not much better than a cool night by a fire with buddies after a long day in the saddle rolling right through the fall foliage others just drive past. In this issue we polled a crew of avid bikepackers to come up with a gear guide to ensure you’ve got what you need to spend a long weekend in the woods. Also, Big Dam Bridge Foundation board member Joshua Gordon waxes poetic on riding around the capital city. Speaking of wax, we also spoke with the CEO and founder of Triboflux, a Fayetteville-based company making a wax-based chain lubricant that’s testing better than the leading lubes on the market. Better yet Triboflux has simplified the application process Kai Caddy and continues to use a research-first method in improving and developing its products. Exciting cycling-focused science coming from The Natural State. We also feature Holly Anzalone and Mojo Cycling in Bentonville. Anzalone and family bought the long-standing shop in December. Despite no background in business, she impressed me with her knowledge and willingness to do whatever necessary to make Mojo the best shop in the area. In our effort to cover as much of the state as possible, we learn about a new greenway and soft-surface trail effort that’s ongoing in Searcy. It’s exciting to see more and more cities in our state step up bike infrastructure. When you’re done reading, we hope you’ll be inspired to go make the most of that infrastructure in your area. Enjoy the fall!

8 | BIKE ARKANSAS FALL 2026

Reach New Heights

in North Little Rock

In the vibrant destination of North Little Rock that blends connection and adventure - paddle the Arkansas River, bike the North Shore Trail, or enjoy arts and entertainment in the Argenta Arts District. Explore why North Little Rock is the ultimate place to stay.

BIKE ARKANSAS FALL 2026 | 9

›BRAKING NEWS ›RACE NEWS

BENJAMIN ROBLES

WIMBERLEY WINS THREE NATIONAL TITLES The nation’s elite mountain bikers congregated in Roanoke, Va., in mid-July for USA Cycling’s Endurance Mountain Bike National Championships. It was a 16-year-old from Gravette who stole the show. Greyson Wimberley, who races for OZ Racing, swept the championships in all three disciplines: marathon, short track and cross country in the Men’s 15-16 category. “I’m super excited to wear the stars and stripes,” he said. “I’m so thankful to my family and my team for supporting me. Becoming a national champion is an absolute dream come true. “I have the best support in the world,” Wimberley said. “I’m so grateful to them and my parents who sacrifice everything to come watch me race. I’m also thankful for the community support in Northwest Arkansas and the amazing OZ Trails, where I did the majority of my training.” Bentonville’s Crystal Anthony finished third in the Elite Women’s short track title. Anthony also finished third in the cross country race and fourth in the marathon race. Other standout performances for Arkansans included Bella Vista’s Jessica Rockson finishing first in the Master Women’s 55-59 marathon and cross country races; Bella Vista’s Ashley Green was first in the Masters Women 40-44 marathon race and second in the cross country race; Siloam Springs’ Juniper Allen was fourth in the Junior Women’s 15-16 marathon race; and Bella Vista’s Landrie Mclain, sixth in the U23 Women’s cross country race.

›RACE NEWS

The 11th Arkansas NICA season kicks off Aug. 22-23 in Conway with the annual race clinic and time trial weekend. The time trials help set the start order for the league’s first races in September. NICA is the National Interscholastic Cycling Association. It sponsors middle and high school mountain biking across the country, with the goal of getting more kids on bikes in a supportive and inclusive community. Arkansas’s league is split up into two regions: the Plateau Region, which encompasses the Northwest portion of the state; and the Plains Region, which covers Central, Southern and Northeast Arkansas. The first race weekend will be Sept. 5-6 at John Brown University in Siloam Springs (Plateau Region) and the Camp Robinson Air National Guard Base in North Little Rock (Plains Region). Conway will host the entire league at the Mid-Season Classic on Sept. 19-20 at its Meadows Tech Park. Race 3 will be in Jonesboro (Plains) and Bentonville (Plateau) on Oct. 3-4. The annual Champions Weekend will take place for the whole league at Centennial Park in Fayetteville on Oct. 31-Nov. 1. For the second year, Arkansas will also host the NICA Central Regional Championship at Centennial Park the following week. That race brings riders in from 11 surrounding states. 10 | BIKE ARKANSAS FALL 2026

KAI CADDY

NICA SEASON KICKS OFF

›FESTIVAL NEWS

GRIT FEST SET FOR OCT. 2-4 EMILY SIERRA PHOTOGRAPHY

All Bikes Welcome is hosting Grit Fest on Oct. 2-4 at Lake Leatherwood in Eureka Springs. As the name of the organization suggests, everyone is invited. The vibe is a queer summer camp. The festival kicks off with beginner and intermediate group rides Friday and a variety show. On-bike clinics for riders of all levels will be offered Saturday along with bikepacking talks, nature walks, arts and crafts, a used bike buyers guide, first aid essentials and more. Other activities on Saturday include a community dinner, raffle, a group trail run and food trucks. A pair of no-drop group rides, a 15- and 30- mile option, will wrap things up on Sunday. Participants are asked to pay $85 if they can muster, $135 to pay it forward, but a pay-what-you-can model is in place for those who need it. A carpooling form is also available. Visit allbikeswelcome.org/grit-2026 or call 1-810-GRIT-NOW for more information and to register. Information about volunteering, hosting a workshop and more is also available online. All Bikes Welcome’s goal this year is to develop a bikepacking gear library in conjunction with the Fayetteville Public Library. The group is accepting gear donations: tents, bikepacking bags, sleeping bags, camp cookware, first aid kits and more. All Bikes Welcome is a Northwest Arkansas nonprofit working to expand equity and belonging in cycling and the outdoors.

›TRAIL NEWS

Southlake Trails Officially Open in October

The Southlake Trail System west of Pinnacle Mountain State Park is set for a grand opening in October. Trails are open to ride now so that natural rider traffic can help bed in the trails. At press time, permanent signage hadn’t yet been put in place. The system ties together the Monument Trails at Pinnacle, Rattlesnake Ridge and the Blue Mountain Trails. Together they’ll make up more than 50 miles of continuous singletrack.

›RACE NEWS

USA CYCLING ANNOUNCES WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS TEAM Racing Team) has been one of the most consistent riders in the world, collecting four World Cup podiums while regularly racing at the front of the field. All three riders also captured Elite national titles at the USA Cycling Endurance Mountain Bike National Championships. In the Under-23 ranks, Makena Kellerman (Escondido, California.) has emerged as one of the top talents, earning her first career Short Track World Cup victory before immediately following it up with a second consecutive win. USA Cycling’s participation in the World Championships is made possible through the support of dedicated donors and partners. Visit Bentonville and the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism are key partners of our Mountain Bike program, both sharing our mission to elevate the sport of cycling. PIPER ALBRECHT

The 2026 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships return to Val di Sole, Italy, from August 26-30, where the world’s best mountain bikers will compete for rainbow jerseys across five disciplines: Cross-Country Olympic (XCO), Cross-Country Team Relay (XCR), Cross-Country Short Track (XCC), Downhill (DHI), and E-MTB. USA Cycling will field teams across the Junior, Under-23, and Elite categories, with 24 cross-country athletes and 25 downhill racers competing throughout the week. The team arrives in Italy following one of the strongest World Cup seasons in recent history for the American program. On the cross-country side, Christopher Blevins (Durango, Colorado; Specialized Factory Racing) made an impressive return after breaking his collarbone in the opening round of the season, earning a World Cup podium in just his second race weekend back. Bjorn Riley (Boulder, Colorado; SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing) had a breakout campaign, claiming his first career World Cup podium before adding two more podium finishes and his first Elite World Cup victory. Savilia Blunk (Inverness, California; Decathlon Ford

BIKE ARKANSAS FALL 2026 | 11

›MY TOWN, MY RIDE

LOTS TO LOVE JOSHUA GORDON ENJOYS RIDING IN LITTLE ROCK. BY JOSHUA GORDON PHOTOGRAPHY BY KAI CADDY

12 | BIKE ARKANSAS FALL 2026

moved to Little Rock in 2008 with my family from Mississippi. A big reason behind that move was the Arkansas River Trail and the Big Dam Bridge. I stayed with a friend the weekend I came up to interview, and he took me on a mountain bike ride leaving right from his driveway. We spent the morning exploring Burns Park and the River Trail, which then was bounded on the eastern side by the Junction Bridge and on the western side by the Big Dam Bridge. Boulevard Bread Company had a location in the Little Rock River Market, and we enjoyed a coffee and a pastry before making the turn back upriver. We rode 50 miles that day between road and pavement, explored all there was to explore at that time, and, crossing the Big Dam Bridge on the way back, I knew I was hooked — Little Rock was where I wanted to be. It is almost 18 years to the day that I have been in Little Rock, and the River Trail, and destinations along it, have only improved. These days, we cross the river in the east at the Clinton Library Bridge, and extend past the Big Dam Bridge in the west through Two Rivers Park to explore Pulaski County roads out to Pinnacle Mountain and beyond. The River Trail and its nearby stops are frequented by Little Rock cyclists.

“It is almost 18 years to the day that I have been in Little Rock, and the River Trail, and destinations along it, have only improved.”

BIKE ARKANSAS FALL 2026 | 13

The Big Dam Bridge anchors many Little Rock cycling routes.

While there are still opportunities to improve, like “closing the loop” between Arch Street and Riverfront Drive, riding in Little Rock has only improved. New riding destinations include stops like Flyway Brewing, just off the River Trail in North Little Rock, Fidel & Co. coffee shops (with locations in Riverdale and East Village) and Moody Brews in Pettaway, serviced by bike lanes on Main Street through SOMA. I could go on and on. A weekly highlight for many of these destinations and others is Pedal Party LR,

a community ride started by three brave souls who simply wanted a way to enjoy their town with their friends. They meet each Monday from April to October at a different starting location and meander around downtown Little Rock, exposing those who join them to parts of the city I am grateful to know exist. I was a late convert to their shenanigans, joining almost three years into their growing tenure. However, I have found fast friends (and more!) in their community. Young, old and

“Little Rock’s position as a crossroads to the Arkansas Delta, the Arkansas River Valley, and the Ouachita Mountains makes it an ideal riding destination.” 14 | BIKE ARKANSAS FALL 2026

every age in between, Pedal Party gathers everyone to meander the streets of Little Rock, Critical Mass-style, pulling in anyone who encounters their friendly, infectious orbit. Central Arkansas also rewards gravel riding. One of my favorite rides launches from Lake Sylvia and follows Trail 86 through the Ouachita National Forest and Flatside Wilderness to the Hollis Country Store. In business for nearly 100 years, it once served CCC/WPA laborers and others in its rural community; now it caters to car and motorcycle enthusiasts enjoying the twists, hills and turns of rural Arkansas Highway 7. Donnie and Gena, the owners, always delight, in welcoming those of us who wander in dusty, hot, hungry and thirsty. They serve the best fried bologna sandwiches, old-fashioned soft drinks and homemade pie. While it may be all you can do to roll out of there with full bellies, rest assured you are fully fueled for the ride back through the mountains. Little Rock’s position as a crossroads to the Arkansas Delta, the Arkansas River Valley and the Ouachita Mountains makes it an ideal riding destination. Want flat and fast? Ride east. Crave hills and forests? Ride west. All other directions are wonderful rolling vistas. All of it anchored by a river and a big dam bridge.

E N G I N E E R I N G. S U RVEYI N G. D E S I G N.

A Stay Worth Talking About.

On the Razorback Greenway & next to Meteor Café & Bike shop! HOTELS

FAYETTEVILLE

PLUS THESE HOTELS ACROSS THE STATE

FAYETTEVILLE

JONESBORO

FAYETTEVILLE

EL DORADO

ARKADELPHIA

BENTONVILLE

BeechwoodHospitality.com | BWHsales@lrar.com A comfortable night’s stay is always within reach with Beechwood Hospitality’s properties across the state. Our welcoming rooms and suites provide the perfect retreat after a day of exploration. BIKE ARKANSAS FALL 2026 | 15

›SHOP TALK

SHE’S GOT THE MOJO HOLLY ANZALONE TAKES OVER A LONG-STANDING BENTONVILLE SHOP. STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY KAI CADDY

(Clockwise from left) Holly Anzalone and son, Isaac, at Mojo’s Rental Center. You’re greeted with a cozy spot upon entering the main store. A customer’s classic bike on display. HOW DID YOU END UP BUYING MOJO? We’ve been here for 17 years with Walmart. I’m originally from Minnesota. I was a stay-at-home mom for the past 20 years. And with my daughter, who’s 16, with her starting to drive, it was time to find something to do. I didn’t want to go into, like, a conventional job. I heard about the shop coming up for sale. We’ve been giving every single bike shop in town so much money throughout the years with my son’s cycling. He started with NICA, and then the OZ Development Team and then moved up to Gravity Academy, which is one of the bigger national teams, and now he rides in college. So we’ve been living in this world for 10-some years. My husband was a NICA coach at Lincoln. And I just didn’t want to say in five years, ‘Man, we should have taken that chance,’ so we bought a bike shop. I have a graduate degree in public policy from Purdue and I went to undergrad at Wisconsin. When I was in 16 | BIKE ARKANSAS FALL 2026

the workforce, I did nonprofit research. So it’s totally not anything I ever saw on the horizon. It’s funny, because my neighbor was laughing at me, and he’s like, “What do you know about running a bike shop?” I’m like, “more than I did six months ago.” There’s nothing in my background that says I would have owned a bike shop. At all. Every part of this has been a positive experience. And, you know, retaining all of the staff, I think, is a testament to everybody being bought-in and aligned to the vision that we have. A lot of it is just empowering them to do their job. I joke that my answer’s always gonna be yes. “What do you need to do your job better?“ And I’ll stay out of their way. We’re having a good time. Honestly, I think it’s the best thing I’ve ever done. The best thing I could have done for myself. We’re a good shop. Bring your dog, bring your family.

HOW ARE THINGS GOING? We’re just in such a great position here. The rental center can function by itself, the service center can function by itself. We just hired a new general manager. We set it up so it’s just a really well-run house. It’s going really, really well. We’re beating last year already, six months in. We have a guy that comes in two days a week just to build bikes. We’re just really trying to become very, very efficient. Our initial investment was service, holding a lot more inventory than the shop previously held, more mechanics to try to have a 24- to 48-hour turnaround.

Mojo has a full range of bikes in store.

The rental center has everything you need to hit the trail.

TALK ABOUT YOUR ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY. Our location is amazing. Being right here on the trails, we get so many people who leave the rental center and just ride right to the park. And that’s really fabulous. I mean, we’ve been part of this community for so long. We volorunte wantCUTLINE to expandOpta our NICA offerings because soluptatios deniment that was such a profound organization for quiassim our family. Weeaquisi want toquuntum partner more with sendae events porporibust dolupcommunity and just get the Mojo tas mint alis.And we’re just starting to name out there. explore working with different nonprofits in town.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR GOALS FOR MOJO? I want to have Mojo just get more community involvement. I want to expand offerings for women and grow our kids’ business. We just want to be a really solid family bike shop. We want people not to be intimidated to come into a bike shop. We don’t want people to be intimidated to come in here and say, “I know nothing, but I want this.” We got you. There was a young woman that was in the shop a couple of weeks ago, and she had just relocated here. And she’s like, “OK, I’m meeting people, and they’re telling me I need a bike, and I went and rented one. And I want this.” She left with the biggest smile and her new bike. We’re going to be the friendliest. We’re going to win on customer service. We’re going to win on creating those interpersonal relationships with every single person who comes to the party. I would say, based on the feedback and the Google reviews we’re getting, we’re doing a really good job.

The service center’s goal is to have your bike back to you in 24-48 hours. BIKE ARKANSAS FALL 2026 | 17

›TOP GEAR

TIME TO EXPLORE The fall is a great time to get out and spend a long weekend in the wilderness via bike. We’ve gathered some reader bikepacking favorites to jump-start your adventure.

RESTRAP SADDLE BAG This saddle bag is available in 8-, 14-, and 18-liter sizes, giving you ample room to pack your goodies and keeping you from having to wear a backpack. It doesn’t require a rack, it mounts directly to your seatpost. It’s secured with a magnetic buckle. Available at restrap.com.

18 | BIKE ARKANSAS FALL 2026

COROS DURA BIKE COMPUTER The Dura gives riders 120 hours of ride time on a single charge with full GPS support. And, if that’s not enough, it can give you an extra two hours of ride time for every hour of solar charging it receives. It’s got a 2.7-inch color screen and features turnby-turn directions and smart re-routing powered by Google Maps. The ultimate tool for getting lost in the woods. Available at coros.com and most local bike shops.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE VENDORS

ZPACKS PLEX SOLO CLASSIC TENT This tent weighs in at only 14.5 ounces and packs down to be just slightly larger than a big burrito. It provides full coverage and is lighter than most popular bivvy setups. Find it at zpacks.com.

CHAPSTICK SPF 15 Keep your lips moist and protected from the wind and sun on long days on the bike with this classic lip balm that includes some sun protection. It’s lightweight, cheap and available just about anywhere.

GODLOL PISTON PRESS TOOL Long descents with a loaded bike can mean you run through brake pads quicker than normal while bikepacking. This piston press is a lightweight tool to take along with you to ensure you can press your pistons back into the brake caliper safely and easily, allowing you to change pads safely and quickly even while in the wilderness. Available at Amazon.

LEVE ALPHA 90 HOODY This hoodie weighs just 3-4.5 ounces depending on your size and is a perfect lightweight midlayer. It’s great for chilly days as an outer layer and packs extra warmth when layered with outerwear. Available at leveoutdoorco.com.

KATADYN BEFREE AC WATER FILTER This ultra-slim water filter fits easily into pockets or packs and features two-stage filtration to give you clean water no matter where your journey takes you. Available on Amazon and at REI.

BIKE ARKANSAS FALL 2026 | 19

ARKANSAS’ PR EM

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BIGDAMBRIDGE100.COM 20 | BIKE ARKANSAS FALL 2026

MI E R CYCL IN G E V E N T

ST YEAR! DATE

TIME

SCHEDULE

9/25

11am 9pm

Big Dam Bridge 100 Expo - On-site Registration and Packet Pick-up at the Statehouse Convention Center, Hall 4, in Little Rock. 9pm – Registration Closes

9/25

6pm 8pm

Gears and Beers Athlete Reception Presented by Forvis Mazars Location - Dickey Stephens Park, across Willow Street from the Wyndham Hotel 400 West Broadway, North Little Rock Appetizers, beverages, drinks, music and fellowship. Free to athletes!

9/26

5:30am

Staging for all distance rides opens. Remember to go to your designated corral.

9/26

7:00am

Rider corral start order Location - Riverfront Drive • Orange - 6:55am (Charter/Tandems) Access from Riverfront Drive and Willow • Blue - 7:00am Access from Riverfront Drive and Riverfront Place • Yellow - 7:00am Access from Poplar and Riverfront Drive • Green - 7:00am (ALL 50 mile riders) Access from Willow, Poplar or Riverfront Drive • Red - 7:00am (ALL 15 & 26 mile riders) Access from Riverfront Drive west to Olive Street. This will be a continuous start. All corrals except Orange will be started at 7:00am.

9/26

8:30am

Finale Fest area opens - Inside the sea wall of North Little Riverfront Park at the south end of Willow Street in North Little Rock. Food, Drink and Fellowship

9/26

4:30pm

Final Finisher & See You Next Year!

BIKE ARKANSAS FALL 2026 | 21

22 | BIKE ARKANSAS SUMMER FALL 20262026

CONNECTING A

COMMUNITY SEARCY HAS BIG PLANS FOR THE LITTLE RED GREENWAY. BY TREY REELY PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY CITY OF SEARCY

he city of Searcy is blazing new trails for cyclists in Central Arkansas. Searcy Mayor Mat Faulkner says that the Searcy community clearly wants more opportunities to get outdoors. Connections between parks and destinations with accompanying recreational amenities were just the ticket to accomplish this, and both the subsequent Parks Master Plan and Active Transportation Plan laid the foundation for the development of the Little Red Greenway.

New trails are in the works in Searcy.

BIKE BIKE BIKE ARKANSAS ARKANSAS ARKANSAS SUMMER FALL FALL 2026 2026 | 23| 23

GO WEST, YOUNG MAN As part of the planning, it was only logical that Searcy turn to Northwest Arkansas and its burgeoning bike community for ideas. Richard Stafford, Searcy’s director of Planning and Development, says that the Razorback Greenway in Northwest Arkansas, which he and his team visited, is one of the best examples of a paved greenway trail system where hard-surfaced, multi-use paths connect parks, neighborhoods, schools, shopping areas and other destinations. The 40-mile Razorback Greenway connects three major hospitals, 23 schools, the University of Arkansas and businesses like Walmart, J.B. Hunt and Tyson Foods. It also connects the downtown areas of Fayetteville, Johnson, Springdale, Lowell, Rogers, Bentonville and Bella Vista. For mountain biking trails, Stafford and his team scouted the Coler Mountain Bike Preserve and Slaughter Pen in Bentonville. (Fortunately, Slaughter Pen derives its name from its history as a stockyard, not from the difficulty of its trail system.) They also visited Mount Fitzgerald Mountain Bike Trails in Springdale, and Centennial Park and Mount Kessler in Fayetteville. In Central Arkansas, they looked at Pinnacle Mountain State Park (west of Little Rock) Woolly Hollow State Park (north of Conway), Rattlesnake Ridge (northwest of Little Rock), and Two Rivers Park (West Little Rock). And, if that wasn’t enough, they even gleaned ideas from bike parks in Rogers, Benton and Bella Vista. A big takeaway from these visits was that a trail system should be progressive in difficulty so that cyclists of all levels can have an optimal experience. It’s important that beginners can feel safe on certain parts of the trail while more technically savvy cyclists can, for instance, descend over a series of designed jumps in succession on other sections. They also discovered it was important to have a trail system that appeals to riders of all styles, whether it be recreational, road or mountain biking. It also became evident from their observations that trail systems should connect with paved greenway where residents and visitors can access a paved trail system and easily reach parks and key places around town. By the end of 2027, Searcy will have 19.2 miles of soft-surface trails.

24 | BIKE ARKANSAS FALL 2026

MOU N TA I N H A R B O R RESORT & SPA ON LAKE OUACHITA

A SHORT RIDE FROM THE RIDE

MOUNTAIN HARBOR RESORT & SPA Tri-Pennant Family of Resorts

Spend the day biking legendary trails of the Ouachitas, then head to Mountain Harbor Resort to unwind on the shores of Lake Ouachita. It’s the perfect place to relax, recharge and get ready for tomorrow’s ride.

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Luxury Cabins BIKE ARKANSAS FALL 2026 | 25

Two bike parks are in the works in Searcy.

SAFETY FIRST With any trail system, safety is of premium concern. In this regard, a variety of options are being considered. A HAWK (high-intensity activated crosswalk) is used on busier, high-speed roads and stops traffic only when someone needs to cross. The RRFB (rectangular rapid flashing beacon) uses flashing yellow lights where drivers should yield to people in the crosswalk. Grade-separated crossings like overpasses and underpasses are important as well. At this point, Searcy is planning to construct three tunnels and two bridges. Bike lanes in the downtown area will help cyclists connect to the Little Red Greenway. 26 | BIKE ARKANSAS FALL 2026

FOLLOW THE MONEY

UPHILL CHALLENGES

The phases of the plan are, to a great degree, tied to the money available. The majority of the initial funding for Phase 1 came from a bond initiative passed by Searcy voters in 2024. Searcy also received a federal RAISE (Rebuilding American Infrastructure and Sustainability and Equity) grant to the tune of about $4.2 million. The first phase should be completed by the end of 2027. That will give Searcy 8.2 miles of paved surface (the Little Red Greenway) and 19.2 miles of soft-surface trail with two bike parks and three trails. Design for the remaining 20 miles of the Little Red Greenway is underway and other additional soft-surface trail areas have been identified but still lack the funding to construct. Searcy will continue to pursue federal and state grants and other funding sources to construct these trails. The flagship park for the soft-surface trails will be Little Red Riverpark (formerly Riverside Park). It will have two cross country trail loops for hiking and biking and six one-way, bike-only downhill trails. There will be green, blue and black trails for riders of all skill levels.

Like with any big project, there are big challenges as well. Coordination between multiple entities and property owners is critical because trail systems cross many different properties. And working with many state and federal agencies like the Arkansas Department of Transportation, the Army Corps of Engineers and Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality to secure necessary easements and permits can be challenging.

RAMPING IT UP Faulkner sees the ongoing projects as not just a trail system but as a way of improving connections, quality of life and making Searcy a place where people want to live, work and raise a family. The ongoing Little Red Greenway will be, in many ways, the glue that holds all the city’s plans together. The new community center, currently under construction, will be called RAMP (Recreation Arts Music Park). The Little Red Greenway literally ramps up the outside of the building, through the second floor of the building, and down the other side.

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The community center will connect to the Little Red Greenway.

FROM NEAR AND FAR As for the economic impact, the Little Red Riverpark trails alone will attract outside visitors who wish to ride or hike a trail that runs along the scenic bluffs of the Little Red River. To make the area even more attractive to outsiders, one of the cross country trail loops at Little Red Riverpark is being designed with the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) specifically in mind. Stafford and his team have worked with state NICA representatives on the design to make sure the layout meets their guidelines.

Downhill lines are being designed in a way to host enduro events. The establishment of a trail system also has the potential of an economic domino effect with businesses and services attracted to outdoor lifestyles making their way to Searcy: bike shops, bike rental shops, specialty shops, retailers carrying outdoor brands, casual dining restaurants and lodging — just to name a few.

BUT THAT’S NOT ALL The trails and dreams do not end at the borders of Searcy. While still in the dream phase, Stafford

says there is the hope of someday connecting with the Central Arkansas Regional Greenway — a plan now in the works that aims to connect Faulkner, Lonoke, Pulaski and Saline counties and will end in Ward.

COME ONE, COME ALL Adopted into law in 1995, the nickname “The Natural State” was chosen to highlight Arkansas’s natural scenic beauty. Searcy’s plans align with the state’s vision of becoming a premier destination for outdoor recreation. Searcy is going places and welcomes anyone who wants to come along for the ride.

WHILE STILL IN THE DREAM PHASE, STAFFORD SAYS THERE IS THE HOPE OF SOMEDAY CONNECTING WITH THE CENTRAL ARKANSAS REGIONAL GREENWAY. 28 | BIKE ARKANSAS FALL 2026

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FIGHTING

Triboflux founder and CEO Samuel Beckford (above). Triboflux is available in two sizes (right). Microfiber towels and brushes are also available.

30 | BIKE ARKANSAS FALL 2026

FRICTION

FAYETTEVILLE-BASED TRIBOFLUX AIMS TO KEEP YOUR DRIVETRAIN RUNNING SMOOTH FOR MILES AND MILES. BY KAI CADDY

PHOTOS BY KAI CADDY

icycle maintenance is a necessary evil. To keep your miles as stress-free as possible, some work has to be done to keep your bike running smoothly. A Fayetteville-based company is looking to ease your maintenance woes and make your ride smoother and more efficient for 300-plus miles at a time. Triboflux, run by founder and CEO Samuel Beckford, manufactures a hydrophobic wax-emulsion chain lubricant that promises to extend the life of your drivetrain and keep things running smoothly in the worst of conditions. And there’s no need to dip your chain in a pot of hot melted wax — this lubricant goes on just as easily, if not easier, than traditional oil-based lubes. Beckford and Triboflux’s parent company SurfTec began conducting research in the world of surface engineering in 2016. Triboflux officially launched this year, but it’s been in the works since 2020. “We published a lot of articles on the use of nanoparticles to prevent wear on surfaces and to extend the life of some lubricants,” Beckford said. “And somehow, and I don’t know how, some of the founders of Allied Cycleworks read one of our articles that was published in a research magazine related to tribology. They came to us and they let us know they had seen our research, and they wanted us to possibly work with them, to develop a product, for gravel riding specifically.” A research lab first, the crew went to work testing 20 to 30 of the leading lubes on the market. They came up with 200-250 formulations of their lube and in 2021, brought it to market with Allied as Grax. That test run was vital for the future of Triboflux. After leaving Allied, the product was brought back in-house and continued to be developed into what’s now known as Triboflux. “I think one of the most interesting parts about developing Triboflux was being able to iterate,” Beckford said. “Change the formulation a little, see how it reduced friction, maybe it BIKE ARKANSAS FALL 2026 | 31

PHOTOS COURTESY TRIBOFLUX

One of Triboflux’s benefits is its easy application (left). Fluxclean is Triboflux’s powerful degreaser that works wonders (right).

wasn’t as water -repellent or allowed for grit to accumulate more, so we had to play around with some things and change the formulation. We were able to repeat that multiple times and use the equipment that we have in the lab, the tribometers, to develop the product.” Research on the new formulation was completed last year, and that’s when Beckford decided to try and commercialize it. Triboflux was selected to be a part of the University of Arkansas’s Greenhouse Outdoor

performance. We want to make it the official lube of Arkansas. We want to get the name out here and then branch out.” The product is uniquely Arkansan. Its initial development for gravel riding meant it had to stand up to some of the harshest environments a bike chain would have to endure. And the team tested it as so. In one lab test, Triboflux tested its formula against an OEM-greased chain and chains lubed with four of the leading traditional and

sas that was high in quartz content because we wanted the soil to be very abrasive. We created a slurry from the soil and applied it to the surface of the chain as we were running our tests. We would measure the watts, expand it and see at what point the watts started to rise.” Triboflux’s average steady-state drivetrain power loss in clean conditions was 23.5 watts, 27 watts during the muddy test. The other lubes averaged between 24-26 watts loss dry and 28-31 watts muddy. The OEM grease fared the worst, losing 28.4 watts dry and 34.8 watts in the muddy test. “Especially when we applied the mud slurry, with a lot of lubes, the required power to drive the system shot up almost instantly. But for wax in general and for Triboflux that’s where we saw really good performance and that’s where we derived the 300 miles from before even testing real-world conditions. But now we have tested in real-world conditions to verify.” But this lubricant isn’t just for those putting in monster miles on gnarly gravel. “Testing it for gravel was essential because we wanted to put it into the most demanding conditions — long distance, exposure to dust, mud and rain,” Beckford said. “But we also tested the product in high-torque applications — e-bikes and even for motorbike applications, which is something that we’re looking at going into the future. And it performs really well.

The product is uniquely Arkansan. Its initial development for gravel riding meant it had to stand up to some of the harshest environments a bike chain would have to endure. Recreation Program, an accelerator for small businesses in the outdoor recreation space. “Especially being located here in Northwest Arkansas, we thought this was a product we wanted to take direct to the consumer,” Beckford said. At SurfTec we make a lot of products for the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy. But this was the first project that we were developing to be direct to the consumer. “We’re really proud of it, really proud of the 32 | BIKE ARKANSAS FALL 2026

wax-based lubricants. The chains were tested in dry and muddy conditions. The chains were run continuously for three hours on a servo-motor-driven drivetrain. Each chain was run at identical tension, speed and runtime. “One of the key things we did, especially with gravel riding in mind, was to create an environment — the nastiest environment — where you had a lot of accumulation of mud and dust on the surface,” Beckford said. “We collected local soil here in Northwest Arkan-

“It’s a great lube for the average rider or commuter. It’s designed to withstand the harshest environments and show the best efficiency for competitive riders. But anybody can use it. If you want to extend the life of the components of your bike, whether you’re going to compete, whether you’re an avid rider or just picking up riding, this is the perfect product for you. It’s easy to apply, it’s easy to clean and it doesn’t have the complications

of applying hot wax or the problems you run into with some lubricants where you apply the lube and it’s hard to remove off the surface and you have a lot of residue that builds up. You don’t see that with our product. So, the ease of use is something we think that makes it attractive for the beginner.” Beckford is encouraged by sales already and the lube is starting to find its way into bike shops in Northwest Arkansas. “We did a soft-launch last year and then our e-commerce site was officially launched this year,” he said. “Things are going well. We’re in four stores in Northwest Arkansas and hoping to grow quickly from there. We’re hoping to be in the majority of stores here in Northwest Arkansas, especially the big franchises. “We’re starting to see sales and e-commerce grow pretty quickly. We have a decent following as well online, which lets us know there’s a big interest for the product.” Beckford and his team aren’t resting on this product. A signature blend lube is in the works, and a drivetrain cleaner will join the

line of products very soon. “Triboflux has the benefit of being a research lab, so we’re already working on what we’re launching next,” Beckford said. “We have a new lubricant that we will be hopefully launching in a year from now. We want to have that as a signature blend for some of our sponsored athletes to start off with and then launch that product. “But we’re always coming up with new things and innovating. We have a cleaner for drivetrains that’s called Fluxclean that works on waxes. Typically, to clean wax or hot wax, you have to take it through a stripping process. It’s very complicated to remove from the surface of your chain. We have a product that easily removes, especially drip waxes, from the chain. “We’re continuously developing products with the rider in mind. Right now we have the lubricant, the cleaner, we have cleaning accessories like brushes and microfiber towels. We want to be the go-to for your drivetrain care: cleaning and lubing.”

BIKE ARKANSAS FALL 2026 | 33

›STARTING LINE

Part of the Pack All across The Natural State, there are clubs, classes and cycling groups more than willing to have new members join and learn. From road warriors to kings and queens of the mountain, opportunities abound to explore the exciting world of cycling, but we’ve listed a few here to make it a little easier.

Everyone

ALL BIKES WELCOME All Bikes Welcome is a nonprofit based in Northwest Arkansas that works to expand equity and belonging in cycling and the outdoors. The group invites people from a variety of backgrounds to participate — from the never-touched-a-mountain bike rider to the advanced cyclist. The goal is to create a fun, supportive and low-stakes place to learn and grow. allbikeswelcome.org

Middle and High School Mountain Bikers

NICA

The Arkansas Interscholastic Cycling League was organized in 2015 to provide a fun, safe and high quality mountain biking program for students in grades 5-12. NICA is youth development on two wheels. Regardless of ability level, the Arkansas League is committed to providing a positive experience for all student-athletes. arkansasmtb.org

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All Bikes Welcome

Femmes

FEMMES GRAVEL This Northwest Arkansas-based group organizes monthly gravel rides to connect femme cyclists and promote camaraderie. Each ride is designed to cater to all skill levels. The group also hosts an annual 100-mile ride in the spring and clinics throughout the year. femmesgravel.com

Capital City Riders

LITTLE ROCK OUTDOOR RECREATION This group, part of Little Rock Parks and Recreation, hosts a Wednesday morning group ride at 6 a.m. and alternating road and mountain bike rides on Thursday nights. Riders of all levels are encouraged to attend. facebook.com/OutdoorsInLR

›UPCOMING EVENTS

RIDE SKILL LEVEL: Beginner

Mark Your Calendar

Mark your calendar and gather your gear because there’s always another ride or race to participate in The Natural State. We’ve listed and organized all of the cycling events throughout Arkansas, and no matter your level of experience, you’re sure to find a ride that fits your skills and preferences.

Aug. 30 $30-$125 Bentonville and Bella Vista ( n n n MTB) The first race of the Arkansas Enduro Series. The race will feature 4-7 stages and 10-20 total miles of rider-designed racing with dedicated pre-race practice times the day before the race, a complimentary post-race meal and cold beverages in a family-friendly festival setting. There are categories to just ride (not race), beginners, intermediate, expert and pro. Visit arkansasenduroseries.com for more information.

NICA RACE 1 PLATEAU REGION Sept. 5-6 $350 (for full season) Siloam Springs ( n n n MTB) The first race of the Arkansas NICA season for the Plateau Region at John Brown University. Visit arkansasmtb.org for more information.

NICA RACE 1 PLAINS REGION Sept. 5-6 $350 (for full season) North Little Rock ( n n n MTB) The first race of the Arkansas NICA season for the Plains Region at Camp Robinson. Visit arkansasmtb.org for more information.

TOUR DE SALVATION Sept. 6 $15-$65 Hot Springs ( n n n Road/MTB) A ride benefitting the Salvation Army’s Pathway of Hope program. Ride options include a family fun ride, two road ride options and two mountain bike options and an option that combines road and mountain bike. Register at bikereg.com/ tour-de-salvation.

NOON2MOON Sept. 11-12 $15-$500 Bentonville ( n n n MTB) A 6-hour endurance race that benefits Coler MTB Preserve. The weekend kicks off with a kids ride camp and races hosted by Pedal Kids USA. There is also a pre-race “hot lap” option, a single lap of the racecourse with podiums for the top three racers for those who may not want to tackle the 6-hour challenge. Visit peelcompton.org/events/noon2moon for more information.

99 MILES OF BAD ROAD Sept. 12 $60-$100 Hardy ( n n Gravel) A challenging 99- or 199-mile gravel route

Advanced

SCAN HERE TO SEE ALL UPCOMING EVENTS.

starting and finishing at Loberg Park in Hardy. The route consists of relentless rolling hills with an occasional punch climb or sketchy descent. Riders can expect everything from mud, dirt, gravel, clay, crushed limestone, creek rocks and broken pavement. Visit 99mobr. weebly.com for more information.

THE RIVER CLASSIC Sept. 12 $50-$55 Little Rock ( n n n Road) A fully-supported ride with route options of 23.5, 40.6 and 63.6 miles benefiting YoungLife. The ride is also a part of the official Big Dam Bridge 100 training program and serves as a dress rehearsal for the BDB event just two weeks later. Learn more at theriverclassic.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OZARK FOUNDATION

BENTONVILLE-BELLA VISTA ENDURO

Intermediate

OZ KIDS CRIT CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES Sept. 19 $15 Springdale ( n Road) The third race in the OZ Kids Crit Championship series in downtown Springdale. These races are for riders ages 2-10. Races are held on a closed-loop course in a safe, traffic-free environment. To count in the overall series standings, racers must complete three of the four races. Visit ozkids.org for more information.

HAVE AN EVENT YOU’D LIKE TO INCLUDE IN A FUTURE BIKE ARKANSAS? EMAIL EDITOR KAI CADDY AT KAICADDY@GMAIL.COM. BIKE ARKANSAS FALL 2026 | 35

STATE CRITERIUM CHAMPIONSHIPS

EUREKA SPRINGS FAT TIRE FESTIVAL

Sept. 13 Little Rock ( n n n Road) The state criterium championships return to Little Rock. The races will be held at Natural Resources Drive. A USA Cycling license is required, one-day licenses will be available. State Champion jerseys will go to the winners on the Category 1-4 races for men and women.

Sept. 25-27 $10-$125 Eureka Springs ( n n n MTB) A three-day family-friendly mountain bike festival that includes a chill ride around downtown Eureka Springs, a Friday-night short track time trial, downhill racing on Saturday and the second stop of the Arkansas Enduro Series on Sunday. Visit arkansasenduroseries.com for more information.

NWA BIKE-A-PALOOZA Sept. 18-19 $25 Bella Vista ( n n n Road/Gravel/MTB) An annual charity fundraiser organized by Northwest Arkansas cycling clubs. A $25 donation allows you to participate in mountain bike rides, greenway rides, gravel rides and, this year, a cargo bike family ride. More information is available at facebook.com/Bikepalooza.

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS MOUNTAIN BIKE CHAMPIONSHIPS Sept. 19 $20-$45 West Fork ( n n n MTB) Part of the Arkansas Mountain Bike Championship Series. Cross-country racing held at Devil’s Den State Park. Visit ambcs.com for more information.

EUREKA ENDURO Sept. 26-27 TBA Eureka Springs ( n n n MTB) Part of the Arkansas Enduro Series and the Eureka Springs Fat Tire Festival. Visit arkansasenduroseries.com for more information.

GRIT FEST Oct. 2-4 Pay What You Can-$135 Eureka Springs ( n n n MTB) A bike event in a campground with friends. Everyone is invited. The vibe is a queer bike summer camp. An expo, on and off-bike education opportunities, rides, scavenger hunt rides, swimming and a trail run are just some of the opportunities. Visit allbikeswelcome.org/ grit-2026 for more information.

BIG DAM BRIDGE 100 Sept. 26 $35-$160 Little Rock ( n n n Road) The Big Dam Bridge 100 is an annual event in Central Arkansas that celebrates the “Big Dam Bridge” over the Arkansas River. 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. The event provides participants with well-marked courses, fun aid stations with foods and liquids, great volunteer support, event T-shirt, a unique finisher medal, post-ride food and drinks along with a unique finish-line experience. Visit thebigdambridge100.com for more info.

NICA RACE 3 PLATEAU REGION Oct. 3-4 $350 (for full season) Bentonville ( n n n MTB) The third race of the Arkansas NICA season for the Plateau Region. Visit arkansasmtb.org for more information.

NICA RACE 3 PLAINS REGION Oct. 3-4 $350 (for full season) Jonesboro ( n n n MTB) The third race of the Arkansas NICA season for the Plains Region at Craighead Forest Park. Visit arkansasmtb.org for more information.

KAI CADDY

OUACHITA GRAN FONDO FOR FAMILIES

NICA MID-SEASON CLASSIC Sept. 19-20 $350 (for full season) Conway ( n n n MTB) The second of the Arkansas NICA season with the full league coming together at the Meadows Tech Park in Conway. Visit arkansasmtb.org for more information.

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Oct. 3 $35 Hot Springs ( n n n Road) A ride with route options of 20, 36 and 71 miles benefiting Ouachita Children, Youth and Family Services. Visit ouachitagranfondoforfamilies.com for more information.

SCAN FOR MORE BIKE EVENTS

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›BELL LAP

Rule Of Three Ends On Bended Knee WHEN ADVENTURE AND LOVE COLLIDE PHOTOGRAPHY DAN HUGHES

ome places are where you ride. Others become part of your story. For Justin McCarthy, Bentonville became the place where adventure and love collided. Just days before the Rule of Three, he abandoned a carefully crafted proposal months in the making. Carrying an engagement ring while waiting for the “right moment” had become its own kind of suffering. So he called an audible. If there was ever a place built for unforgettable moments, it was Bentonville. With the help of Rule of Three organizers Andy Chasteen and Lauren Pickman — and an incredible community that immediately rallied behind the idea — the plan came together in just days. Rapha surprised the couple with matching kits. Macadoodles supplied the champagne. Sam’s Club donated more than 300 roses. Friends quietly took their places, keeping the secret alive. The race delivered everything it’s known for: punchy climbs, fast gravel, dirt, pavement and the unmistakable energy that fills Bentonville every spring. But the finish line became something more.

Submit your ride photos to kaicaddy@gmail.com. 38 | BIKE ARKANSAS FALL 2026

As Dani Elson rolled toward the arch, race announcer Jonny Sundt let hundreds of riders and spectators in on the surprise. Roses filled the air. Champagne erupted. McCarthy dropped to one knee. She said yes. The trails may have brought them here, but it was the people who made the moment unforgettable. That’s the magic of Bentonville. World-class riding, incredible food, public art around every corner — but above all, a community that doesn’t just cheer from the sidelines. They jump in, help write the story, and make you feel like you belong.

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