Bike Arkansas

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Leah Thorvilson’s journey from runner to pro cyclist.

PREVIEW OF BUFFALO HEADWATERS BARB MARIANI SHARES HER KIT

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ISSUE NO. 12 | 2019 #EXPERIENCEARKANSAS BIKEARKANSASMEDIA.COM

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IN THIS ISSUE 8

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Leah Thorvilson on the need for more parity in professional cycling.

After a decorated running career, Leah Thorvilson has taken her cycling career international.

By Syd Hayman

With Clif Bar’s Gary Erickson.

FROM THE GUEST EDITOR

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BRAKING NEWS

Allied to relocate to Rogers and new races coming to Northwest Arkansas.

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MY KIT

Barb Mariani likes to color coordinate when she’s gravel grinding on her custom Salsa Warbird.

MY TRAIL, MY RIDE

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ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE

The 15th annual Buffalo Headwaters is coming in January. It’s one of the country’s most unique mountain bike weekends.

By Bob Robinson

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BREAKAWAY CYCLING

Tiffany Dixon has become one of Northwest Arkansas’s key cycling backers.

By Lindsay Southwick 4 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 12

Q&A

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BACK CALF

Pro rider Caro Poole likes to mix in cyclocross to her training to keep things interesting.

EVERY ISSUE

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Events Bike Shops

ON THE COVER

Leah Thorvilson Photography by Kai Caddy

WELCOME TO THE

RELAX AFTER A LONG RIDE.

Our newly renovated rooms are just minutes from Bentonville’s singletrack trails, paved pathways, and on-road routes—some of the best in the country.

Take advantage of our on-site bike lockers!

2204 SE Walton Boulevard, Bentonville, Arkansas (479) 464-7300 www.bentonville.hgi.com BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 12 | 5

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Contributors

DISCOVER THE TRAILS of

THE DIAMOND LAKES REGION

The Diamond Lakes region is the only place in the state where you can access three of the state’s five IMBA EPIC trails, plus other great trails.

CEDAR GLADES PARK TRAILS

KAI CADDY is a photographer, graphic designer and videographer based in Conway. He is an avid cyclist who bike commutes daily and spends summers finishing near the back of crit races.

Novice to Beginner 10 Miles Trailhead: 461 Wildcat Road Near: Connection to Northwoods Trails

HOT SPRINGS NORTHWOODS TRAILS Beginner to Advanced 16 Miles Trailhead: 300 Pineland Drive Near: Downtown Hot Springs

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LAKE OUACHITA VISTA TRAIL (LOVIT) Intermediate 38 Miles Trailheads: Shangri La • Blakely Dam Near: Mount Ida • Crystal Springs

OUACHITA NATIONAL RECREATION TRAIL

SYD HAYMAN is a Little Rock-based

journalist and editor who was excited to chat with Leah Thorvilson for her My Trail, My Town feature.

Intermediate to Advanced 108 Miles Near: Hot Springs Village Added Bonus: Camping Shelters every 10 miles

WOMBLE TRAIL

Intermediate 33 Miles Trailhead: Story Near: Mount Ida • Story

HIDDEN

BOB ROBINSON enjoys all things

outdoors and is the author of three bicycle guidebooks, all of which can be purchased at spiritscreek.com.

Visit HotSprings.org to request a free Hot Springs/ Diamond Lakes Vacation Guide.

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BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 12 | 7

FROM THE GUEST EDITOR Looking for parity

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know that I am speaking to an audience that is not solely composed of cyclists who would categorize themselves as competitive, but I’m going to talk about it anyway, because it’s an interesting time for competitive cycling. Gravel seems to be the latest trend, with more and more events popping up on the calendar each year, while some very well known road races are deciding to shut down (most recently the Tour of California and the Tucson Bicycle Classic). There is also a huge move for parity in the sport.

Races are prioritizing equal payouts for women and going to lengths to recruit women to their events.

Tour of Colorado made the loudest statement in 2019, being the first pro circuit race to shut down its men’s event completely in favor of becoming a women’s-only race. The parity movement isn’t unique to America; it is something that has been fought for very hard at the level of professional women’s cycling, where the discrepancies in salaries and prize money are astonishing.

Take for example the Giro d’Italia, one of the most well known races on the World Tour. The men’s award for winning the overall standings of the Giro is roughly €150,000, compared to the women’s Giro Rosa, where the overall winner is paid less than €3,000. Until 2020, there will have been no minimum salary for a professional female cyclist, at any level. I’ve known of a first-year World Tour male rider to be signed for a six-figure contract, while women racing for the same level are lucky if they make $18,000 a year.

Fortunately, efforts to change this have been at least marginally successful, and in 2020 the top-level women’s teams will be required to pay a minimum, but it still will be a fraction of what is paid to the men.

Those questions of parity have my wheels turning about opportunities for women cyclists in the U.S. and particularly here in Arkansas. Having spent the majority of my “cycling life” thus far overseas, I’m acutely aware of the fact that despite concentrated efforts from local organizations, we just don’t have the kind of turnout for women’s races here. How do we create more opportunities for nonprofessional competitive female cyclists?

Why is it that random small town races in Belgium, in the middle of the week, will attract upward of 85 women, but we can create an event here in Arkansas, on a weekend, and we would be lucky to have 10 women show up? I understand that some of this is a cultural thing. Kids in Belgium seem like they probably learned to ride a bike before learning to walk. But that started somewhere, some time. How do we appeal to more women to come out and race?

It’s a strange dichotomy, because the women I know who are on competitive teams are constantly looking for more opportunities to race, yet at the same time the smaller races I know of are always trying to find more women.

How do we bridge this gap? Is the problem simply that the U.S. is so big, it’s cost prohibitive for women to travel to events? Or is it something else?

I certainly don’t have the answer, but maybe this will at least get more people talking about it. With the momentum going on a global level to equalize women in cycling, it seems as good a time as any to rally for the cause, right? So let me know, women of Arkansas, what would it take to get you and your best cycling friends to come out to a race here in Arkansas? What about joining a team and traveling with those same friends a short distance to race on a regional level?

I hope to see all of you out on the roads, the gravel, the trails and in some races very soon.

— Leah Thorvilson

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Member FDIC BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 12 | 9

BRAKING NEWS

BRIAN CHILSON

ARKANSAS HIGH COUNTRY RACE TO FAYETTEVILLE

The second annual Arkansas High Country Race, following part of a new 1,200-mile Adventure cycling route, will take place June 6, 2020, beginning at the Experience Fayetteville Visitors Center.

Experience Fayetteville, the city’s visitors bureau, is co-sponsor of the event, which will return to Fayetteville in 2021. Details, including a schedule and registration, are available at rivervalley. ozarkoffroadcyclists.org/race-tours/arkansaw-high-country-race.

Scotti and Ernie Lechuga, who run Leborne Coaching in Little Rock, hold the Arkansas High Country record time of 5 days, 18 hours and 24 minutes. The Lechugas, who Bike Arkansas profiled in April, won the pairs division of the 10-day Silk Road Mountain Race in Kyrgyzstan. That race is billed as the hardest in the world.

Allied Cycle Works will move the bike factory it opened in 2016 in the Riverdale area of Little Rock to Rogers, CEO Brendan Quirk confirmed. He expects the factory to go online March 1. It will continue to operate in Little Rock into February.

The factory was among the first in the U.S. to produce carbon-fiber bikes stateside, rather than in Asia. Allied became the first bike manufacturing business in Arkansas since Roadmaster, which operated in the state for 10 years before moving in 1962.

Quirk, who has been CEO since September, said the employees in Little Rock were informed mid-October of the decision to move the plant, and that he expected a half-dozen to move to Rogers to continue working for Allied. The plant in Rogers will employ 25, he said. Allied, whose owners include bike enthusiasts and billionaire brothers Steuart and Tom Walton, has already moved its sales and marketing office to Bentonville.

Allied had 45 employees in its first year of production, but director of engineering Sam Pickman, who took over from founder Tony Karklin after Karklin’s dismissal in 2018, had to lay off 15 employees in June because of slower than expected sales. “2020 will be the year we move things in the right direction,” Quirk said. Pickman remains the director of engineering for Allied. Karklin is now in litigation with Allied relating to his dismissal.

Quirk said Craig Zedicker, with whom Quirk founded (and later sold) Competitive Cycling, will join Allied as chief operating officer.

Allied manufactures four models: Alfa Able and Alfa Allroad gravel bikes and the Alfa Disc and Alfa road bikes.

Quirk said gravel bikes are the fastest-growing market in the bike industry, especially popular in the middle of the country because of the region’s high number of gravel roads.

The men’s and women’s pro winners in the Dirty Kanza in Emporia, Kan., a race Quirk likened to the Tour de France of gravel, both road the Alfa Able, he said.

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RETT PEEK

ALLIED TO RELOCATE

ARKANSAS HIGH COUNTRY RECORD HOLDERS: Scotti and Ernie Lechuga.

MAJOR GRAVEL RACE COMING TO BENTONVILLE

The inaugural Big Sugar-NWA Gravel solo, self-supported race has been scheduled for Oct. 24, 2020, in Bentonville to coincide with the Outerbike festival. The gravel course follows roads through Northwest Arkansas and southern Missouri with 100and 50-mile routes. The field, which organizers say is targeted at experience riders, is limited to 750. The longer course includes 9,000 feet of climbing. The race is presented by Life Time Inc., which owns the Kansas-based Dirty Kanza gravel race and the Leadville 100 mountain bike race in Colorado. Bentonville’s Gabbi Adams and Mountain Bike Hall of Famer Nat Ross are race directors. Adams designed the course. Velonews.com’s Dan Cavallari rode the course in October and wrote, “If you finish the Big Sugar, you will have tested your limits to do so.” The price for the 100-mile race is $140 and the 50-mile race is $85.

Registration, at bigsugargravel.com, opened Nov. 15.

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BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 12 | 11

MY KIT PHOTOGRAPHY: KAI CADDY

NAME: Barb Mariani FROM: Little Rock AGE: 50 JOB: Senior deputy Pulaski County prosecutor VOLUNTEER JOB: Treasurer of CARVE I GOT INTO CYCLING AFTER RUNNING DIDN’T WORK OUT: I was a huge runner. I ran for the

University of Arkansas. I was an 800-meter runner and did cross-country. But I started getting chronic injuries. So I started getting into triathlons to try to do something a little different.

Then I got into mountain biking and then road biking. Then I got into cyclocross and now gravel.

Last year was probably my last road race in crits.

I got burned out with road. I love gravel. It’s basically in between mountain and road. It’s got a little bit of both of those disciplines. So much gravel in Arkansas. There’s a lot of climbing, too.

The hillier the better for me.

BIKE: It’s a Salsa Warbird custom frame. I bought the frame, and put everything on it.

“I LOVE GRAVEL. IT’S BASICALLY IN BETWEEN MOUNTAIN AND ROAD. IT’S GOT A LITTLE BIT OF BOTH OF THOSE DISCIPLINES.”

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HANDLEBARS: Salsa Cowchipper.

They’ve got flare drops to make it more stable for gravel, and they’re made of carbon.

BAR TAPE, HEAD CAP, GLOVES: Supacaz.

I like everything to color coordinate.

I’ve got Supcaz oil slick bar tape on my handlebars. It matches my bottle cages, headcap and gloves.

VALVE STEMS: Salsa. I got them in purple to match the oil slick color scheme. That’s just a blingy detail.

WHEELS: Industry Nine Ultralights.

They’re super light, but very durable.

For gravel, it’s great to have light, but if they can’t stand up to the gravel they’re no good.

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CHAINRING: AbsoluteBLACK

Oval Chainring. Chainrings are usually completely round.

They make electrical chainrings, which is supposed to make pedaling more efficient. When I’m out, a lot of cyclists will say, “What’s the deal with your chain ring?” For long, grueling gravel, it makes my pedaling more efficient.

POWER METER: power2max power meter.

SHOES: Giro Empire Lace-ups.

They’re great for gravel and cyclocross, and they match my kit colors.

“SO MUCH GRAVEL IN ARKANSAS. THERE’S A LOT OF CLIMBING, TOO. THE HILLIER THE BETTER FOR ME.” BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 12 | 15

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MY TRAIL, MY TOWN Distance runner turned

professional cyclist Leah Thorvilson learns from competing abroad.

By Syd Hayman Photography by kai caddy

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s a longtime distance runner, Leah Thorvilson was an accomplished athlete. But when it came to entering the competitive cycling scene a few years ago, she was a bit of an underdog.

Thorvilson made her way to Arkansas from Robbinsdale, Minn., after accepting a track and cross-country scholarship from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. After finishing college, she worked at local running stores, embedded herself in the local running community and eventually made the capital city home. She won the Little Rock Marathon five times — from 2009 to 2012 and again in 2014 — and ran in the Olympic marathon trials in 2012.

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“You can’t be riding thinking of protecting yourself.

You just got to let go and just ride and learn how to read a race.”

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ut a series of running-related injuries required a step back. Thorvilson’s injuries — a torn hamstring, torn meniscus and worn femur — led to four surgeries in three years and required a break from high-impact activity. She had to give up the sport she loved most. The injuries were “telling my entire identity, ‘You can forget running,’ ” she said.

Itching for another sport involving the outdoors that wouldn’t be harsh on her knees, she saw cycling as a great fit. Up until then, her cycling resume included time on a 10-speed bike she owned as a kid and flipping over a retaining wall while on a ride with her cross-country coach. But Thorvilson was driven to keep up her endurance and athleticism.

Throughout 2015, she strengthened her skills on an indoor training platform, and in 2016 entered the Zwift Academy competition, the first global talent-identification contest held by the online cycling training program.

Her strong performance led to a professional contract with European women’s cycling team Canyon-SRAM and two years racing in countries such as Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain.

Thorvilson found similarities between running and cycling when it came to endurance, but that’s where the comparison stopped.

With running, Thorvilson could largely rely on her physical fitness. With cycling, her strength needed to be coupled with strategy and a new sense of awareness.

“You can’t be riding thinking of protecting yourself. You just got to let go and just ride and learn how to read a race,” she said. “I think that held me back a bit just because it’s hard for me to not, especially having had these injuries that put me out for years at a time. I don’t want to be hurt again.”

While others had been training since their

TAKING A BREAK: Thorvilson (left) with her friend and fellow pro rider Caro Poole on a ride near Pinnacle Mountain.

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RIDING OUT WEST: Thorvilson likes riding through Two Rivers Park (above) and stopping at the Bramble Market in Ferndale (right). preteen or teenage years, Thorvilson pedaled into the industry later than average, at age 38. She was the oldest of her teammates and the least experienced, she said. There were times in the early days of her contract when she felt she wasn’t cut out for the competition. Then she reminded herself of how much she wanted to succeed and how far she had come.

Looking back, her proudest cycling accomplishment is surviving and growing during her two years with Canyon-SRAM. Winning the Zwift Academy competition with just a year’s cycling under her belt “was a very unconventional way to go pro,” she said. “And while I would trade that for nothing, it makes it very clear why there’s a process for going through [racing categories], why there’s a rank to move up to. If you’ve been on a bike less than a year, you really don’t belong in the world tour peloton. You just don’t.”

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ince her contract with SRAM ended in 2018, Thorvilson has spent much of 2019 guest riding in various races.

Though she hasn’t done much racing in Arkansas, Thorvilson still maintains local involvement. She serves on the Big Dam Bridge Foundation and has ridden with Little Rock Roadrunners and Central Arkansas Velo (CARVE). “I love having a home base here. I love having a place where I can come and not be living out of a bag, and just take a deep breath and everything is familiar,” she said.

In Europe, Thorvilson often enjoyed long rides through picturesque towns that featured a stop in a middle-of-nowhere cafe for a bite to eat. In Little Rock, she has her own take on getting that experience. Her favorite local rides include making her way down Rebsamen Park Road and up to Kavanaugh Boulevard, with a coffee break at The Meteor Cafe. In West

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AT THE METEOR: Thorvilson appreciates Central Arkansas’s tight-knit cycling community.

“From a racing perspective, I wish there were more women involved and interested and supported. Locally, I think the passion for it is there.”

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Little Rock, she’ll ride through the Pinnacle Valley area and make a stop at The Bramble Market for a kombucha and a snack.

Central Arkansas is doing some things right when it comes to cycling, Thorvilson said: The cycling community continues to grow, and it’s tight-knit and supportive. But the scene could benefit from more inclusivity, she explained.

“From a racing perspective, I wish there were more women involved and interested and supported. Locally, I think the passion for it is there,” she said.

Competing with Canyon-SRAM gave Thorvilson more confidence when it came to

BOB ROBINSON

adventuring and taught her that her identity didn’t have to be closely aligned with one sport only. “I’m definitely mentally and physically stronger than I thought that I was,” she said.

For 2020, Thorvilson has signed on to Femme Équipe, a domestic elite women’s team that she’s ridden with as a guest. Thorvilson is also gearing up for next year’s CrossWinds Classic in North Little Rock and the Joe Martin Stage Race in Fayetteville.

“The people I got to meet, the experience I got to have and the places that I got to go, how many countries I’ve been to now riding my bike, I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” she said.

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By Matt Crafton, PE President & CEO Crafton Tull

INTERSECTION SAFETY

FOR CYCLISTS The rise in popularity of cycling for recreation and transportation brings with it the need for safer street intersections. If a location is busy enough, it warrants the installation of a traffic signal. What about the locations where cycling and pedestrian crossing volumes are not high enough to justify a dedicated traffic signal but are high enough that safety needs are not being met? These inbetween intersections can be perfect candidates for pedestrian hybrid beacons, such as HAWK

or High-Intensity Activated crossWalK signals or Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB). Both HAWK signals and RRFB’s facilitate pedestrian and bike crossings without a fully signalized intersection. The location of the crossing, volume o f c a r s o n t h e r o a d w a y, a n d t h e w i d t h o f t h e roadway are important factors when considering the design of pedestrian/bicycle crossings of roadways.

ADVERTISEMENT 24 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 12

HOW THEY WORK User activated RRFB signals alert drivers that they are approaching a crosswalk and need to stop if there are cyclists or pedestrians crossing at that time. RRFB’s are coupled with pedestrian crossing signs at the trail crossing and are typically placed at the edge of the roadway where the pedestrian crossing is located. The small size of RRFBs makes them a sound solution at crossings with less vehicular traffic and lower speed limit.

A HAWK signal is a group of three lights, two above and one beneath. When a pedestrian or cyclist pushes the button, it activates the system and the single yellow light begins to flash, prior to turning a steady yellow to alert motorists. The higher the posted roadway speed the longer the recommended yellow cycle. Next, the two red beacons light up to signal cars to stop and pedestrians are given the okay to cross. When the countdown for crossing pedestrians has ended, the red lights flash alternately to notify cars that the signal cycle is almost complete. Traffic is free to proceed during the red flashing lights after stopping to ensure that pedestrians have cleared the intersection. The beacon then goes dark and remains that way until activated again by another pedestrian.

SAFETY FOR VEHICLE DRIVERS, PEDESTRIANS, AND CYCLISTS Both HAWK signals and RRFB’s have been shown by the Federal Highway Administration to drastically reduce crash rates. A 2011 Federal Highway Administration study on the safety effectiveness of HAWK crossings using Tucson, Arizona data noted a 69 percent reduction in vehicle/pedestrian crashes in 21 HAWK signalized intersections there.

Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB)

Because they are typically installed on mast arms over the roadway, HAWK signals are highly visible to drivers. Trail crossings of busy roads can benefit from a HAWK signal. The National Association of City Transportation Officials recommends them for bicycle boulevards, mid-block crossings, or trail crossings of higher volume roadways.

Justification for pedestrian traffic signals is spelled o u t i n t h e M a n u a l o n U n i f o r m Tr a f f i c C o n t r o l Devices (MUTCD) based on speed, number of pedestrians and cyclists crossing the street, and the number of vehicles approaching the crossing.

If the crossing is part of a major pedestrian thoroughfare, trail, or bike crossing of a major roadway, a HAWK signal may be a solution. If the roadway has lower car volumes and lower speed, an RRFB maybe an effective solution to improving safety.

Each city or town should start the process by evaluating each potential location’s needs. If a pedestrian crossing has moderate traffic with a need for improved safety, it may be time to consider a HAWK or RRFB.

High-Intensity Activated crossWalK (HAWK) signal

Questions about this topic?

Reach out to us at craftontull.com ADVERTISEMENT BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 12 | 25

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Put the Buffalo Headwaters Challenge on your calendar.

By Bob Robinson

n January, when mountain bikers in states like Colorado and Utah have their bikes hanging in their garages with deflated tires, cyclists in The Natural State will be shredding rad single-track at the 15th annual Buffalo Headwaters Challenge.

The Ozark Off-Road Cyclists will once again host over 500 like-minded individuals as they converge on Red Star Headwaters School in Madison County to take part in one of the most original mountain-biking gatherings in the country.

Set in the beautiful Ozark Mountains, this rowdy three-day weekend celebration includes good food, scenic settings, adult beverages, live music and excellent mountain biking.

OZARK MOUNTAIN DAREDEVIL: The downhill runs on the Buffalo Headwaters Trail are worthy of GoPro footage. Also, be ready for water.

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LET THE FUN BEGIN

The Buffalo Headwaters Challenge, Jan. 24-26, kicks off with a “Hoot ’n’ Holler” enduro-inspired mountain-bike experience.

The adventure takes place on a screaming 3-mile descent on one of the trail system’s more raucous single-tracks, Firetower Trail. Riders will be able to repeat the experience again and again and again, until their fun meter is maxed out, with the “trail cherub’s” Hillbilly Gondola shuttling them back to the top.

Participants will also use Friday as a time to set up camp for the following two nights, in either tents or RVs, and check in at the registration tables.

Come evening, everyone will enjoy the first of four home-cooked meals prepared by the Headwaters School Volunteers. Dinner will be topped off with music, adult beverages and a communal bonfire to enjoy while mingling with new friends.

Saturday morning, after a carb-loading breakfast prepared by volunteers, the challenge begins.

The routes at this year’s event were still being decided at press time, but with 40-plus miles of IMBA Epic trail to choose from on the Upper Buffalo Headwaters Trail, the routes are sure to be spectacular.

In the tradition of the previous Buffalo Headwaters Challenge, the ride will begin on school grounds, and riders will immediately be challenged as they are introduced to “the wall,” a 1 1/2-mile climb up an eroded boulder-strewn logging road with a steep 600-foot elevation gain.

Shortly after the climb tops out, riders will duck into dense woods to drop down the mountainside on a long single-track roller coaster of a ride.

No matter which trails are selected, the challenge is sure to consist of a series of undulating circuits of thigh-burning ascents and exhilarating fun-filled descents.

As riders dip into the numerous deep hollows, they’ll experience creek crossings.

THE CHASE: Down Firetower Trail.

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No matter where you’ve biked in Little Rock, you’re never far from one our signature local breweries. There you can pair a pint with in-house barbeque, a slice of pizza or any of the other treats you’ll find along the way. That is, after all, why you ride, right?

Because beer tastes better on the trail.

Get a taste of

LittleRock.com

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 12 | 29

THE WALL CLAIMS ANOTHER VICTIM: Climbing isn’t for everyone.

Depending on weather conditions, some of these may be wet. Past years have included thigh-high water levels. If temps are low, there could be ice involved. If it were easy, it wouldn’t be much of a challenge.

Following the “Challenge,” everyone will be treated to another tasty meal, live music, adult beverages and riders warming around another bonfire and swapping tales of adventure.

On Sunday, the event will include a “Recovery” 40ish-mile gravel grinder through the beautiful forest of North Arkansas. There are also murmurs floating around about Buffalo Outdoor Center running shuttles for its new BOC Ponca Downhill Mountain Bike Trail, as in “no climbing” required.

COME PREPARED

While there will be mid-ride aid stations to keep riders fueled, fed and pedaling, all participants should carry the minimal necessities to keep themselves moving. Tubes, plugs, patches, a 30 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 12

pump or CO2, multi-tool, dry socks, snacks and hydration are recommended.

The Buffalo Headwaters Challenge is definitely a challenge, set in the middle of winter, completely off the grid and featuring mostly intermediate mountain bike trails with thousands of feet of climbing.

But don’t let this intimidate you. On both Saturday and Sunday routes, riders have the flexibility to customize a route to create their own challenge using designated bailout points or turnarounds.

Attend this year’s event and you are sure to join the ranks of mountain bikers who include the date for the annual challenge on their calendars each year.

You can find more useful information and also a link to register online at the 15th annual Buffalo Headwaters Challenge Facebook page.

Sign up soon to take advantage of early-bird discounts. New this year: OORC membership is not required, and nonriders may purchase meals for $5 each.

MONUMENTAL ADVENTURE The Monument Trails are a collection of world-class mountain biking destinations that are in Arkansas State Parks. Rising 1,350 feet out of the Arkansas River Valley, Mount Nebo towers over Lake Dardanelle with sweeping vistas that stretch for hundreds of miles. This state park is home to one of Arkansas’s Monument Trails, a seven-mile loop that has two different experiences depending on which direction you ride it. We suggest both for a monumental 14-mile adventure.

MONUMENTTRAILS.COM

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BRAKE HERE You can stop, stay, and savor all in one place.

21c Bentonville is on the road less traveled.

#thisis21c 21cBentonville.com OPEN AND FREE 24/7/365 Zak OvĂŠ, Inheritance, 2011-12. Mixed media.

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 12 | 31

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BREAKING AWAY FROM THE STATUS QUO

Tiffany Dixon’s Northwest Arkansas cycling teams focus on more than racing.

By Lindsay Southwick PHOTOS BY JAKE SCHNEIDEWIND

T

iffany Dixon didn’t grow up with the dream of running her own cycling team. Biking only came into her life when it became her son’s passion. Austin, who at age 11 was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, was always being told the things he would never be able to do. After reading a book about a professional road cyclist with the same condition, he became mildly obsessed with the sport. It opened his mind and, with it, his possibilities. Dixon purchased him a bike, found him a coach, and at age 13, Austin entered the world of competitive cycling.

“Biking saved my son’s life,” Dixon said. “It taught him that he could accomplish something he wanted as long as he was willing to work for it.”

Instead of seeing his condition as a limitation, he used it as fuel. With newfound purpose and a set of goals, he was able to own his disease in a way he hadn’t before. Dixon saw that Austin wasn’t just learning how to ride better and faster. He was learning about hard work, dedication and a great deal about himself.

In the ensuing years, Dixon followed Austin, who is now 21, to competitions around the country, learning the ins and outs of competitive cycling. It didn’t take her long to realize that the culture of junior cycling was cutthroat and aggressive. Rather than seeing teams work together, it was everyone racing for himself. As a result, a number of junior cyclists were getting overlooked, left in the dust, frustrated or plain old burned out. “As a mom and a human I couldn’t just stand by and watch it,” Dixon said.

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 12 | 33

THE POWER OF CYCLING: Tiffany Dixon credits biking for saving her son Austin’s life after a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis.

She became a sideline advocate for these supposed “underdogs.” Whether it was something technical they needed help with or just encouragement, Dixon sought out those who were at risk of being left behind, not being given the chance to reach their full potential.

In 2016 when a fellow cyclist and local business owner offered Dixon a chance to start a junior team, she didn’t hesitate. Combining her passion for the sport of cycling with what she had observed in her years on the sidelines, she saw this as an opportunity to do more than just start a junior cycling team. It was an opportunity to change the culture of junior cycling.

Taking to heart that kids are the future, Dixon knew if she changed the culture at the junior level, then with it came the potential to change the future of the sport. Dixon set out to create a team that focused just as much technical skills like cadence, drafting and speed work as it did on compassion, work ethic and how to be a team player. She wanted to grow the cycling community and serve the demographics that most often get overlooked — namely youth and women. Essential to her success was taking on

“Breakaway has taught me beyond the athletic aspect of cycling.

Character, good sportsmanship and growth are important to me. Winning is just a bonus.”

34 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 12

and eliminating barriers that could potentially keep someone from biking. If someone needed a ride to practice, they got one. If someone needed a bike, they would find one. And while creating an athletic team not focused on winning races may seem unconventional, she firmly believed if she gave the underserved a chance to thrive, they would — they would win, even when they didn’t.

The unique concept of Breakaway Cycling gives kids like Marie Brown, a 17-year-old student, a fair shot.

Brown was a junior racer eager to get involved, but lacked both experience and guidance. Before Breakaway entered the scene, she was a perfect candidate to have gotten chewed up and spit out by the cycling world. Instead she’s thriving on and off the racecourse.

“Breakaway has taught me beyond the athletic aspect of cycling,” Marie said. “Character, good sportsmanship and growth are important to me.

Winning is just a bonus.”

But she does win. In a recent Avoca Road Training Race, she raced with the CAT 5 women and took first place. Marie gave much of the credit to her “strong and encouraging team” and, inspired to pay it forward, said she often befriends new cyclists to encourage them to become their best.

“A little kindness to someone new in the community goes a long way,” she said.

While Breakaway’s mission goes beyond coaching technique and winning, coaching is obviously an imperative part of any team. Dixon’s first coaching recruit was an easy one. Brad Schrag proved himself

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 12 | 35

to be someone who shared Dixon’s vision when he agreed to coach Austin. Austin’s condition made most teams and coaches reluctant. But Schrag gave him a chance when others wouldn’t. Along with Jake Schneidewind, this gang of certified coaches strives to teach both cycling and life skills. They see it as an opportunity to illustrate to their team, who are as young as 13, how much teamwork can impact results and success.

“Much of what we try to impress on the kids is that we all have different strengths and weaknesses,” Schrag said. “During a race if we focus on those strengths to the benefit of one individual, then they can be successful as a team.”

There’s a saying that there is no such thing as losing. “You only win or you learn.” But Breakaway proves that there are lessons to learn in the winning, too.

This past summer, the team participated in the 11-day Tour of America’s Dairyland (TOAD) race in Wisconsin. Despite the junior boys missing the first two days, they collectively raced well enough to get one of their racers, Grant Lampson, within range of getting a spot on the podium. At a crucial point on the final lap, Lampson wasn’t in an ideal spot.

Recognizing this, his teammates rallied together, combined their individual strengths, and were ultimately able to get Lampson in a position to win the sprint.

“This win served as a testimony that they are starting to take some of these lessons of teamwork to heart,” Schrag said. “There was only going to be one of them on the podium but they all took pride and joy in the success of their teammate.”

Side note: Lampson won the race on a bike loaned to him

by Breakaway.

As a true community team, Breakaway is always assessing and implementing different programs. Ever devoted to getting more kids on bikes, they host kids camps that expose potential shredders as young as 8 to all the different cycling disciplines. To make sure riders keep riding, they offer clinics that allow them to sharpen their techniques.

The community that guides Breakaway’s mission is also the community they rely on. They are fully funded through sponsorships, fundraisers and collaborations with other groups. And with hashtags like #morekidsonbikes, #community, #giveback #supportwomen and #bikesarefun all over their social media posts, it’s easy to get behind their mission.

“My dreams are always changing because my dream is to be whatever the community tells me it needs,” Dixon said. “The one constant is that we want to put more positivity out in the world. What we want is to produce better humans on and off the bike.”

“There was only going to be one of them on the podium but they all took pride and joy in the success of their teammate.”

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COACHING THEM UP: Dixon is passionate about getting kids on bikes.

MARIE BROWN: Says Breakaway has helped her grow; winning has just been a happy byproduct.

SKILLS CLINICS: Breakaway works with riders as young as 8.

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 12 | 37

EVENTS R.A.P.T.O.R. GRAVEL GRINDER NOV. 23 Mount Sequoyah Retreat Center, 150 N. Skyline Drive, Fayetteville $50 A race on a mixture of pavement, gravel and some single-track dirt with three distances from which to choose: 2535 miles, 45-55 miles or 65-75 miles.

The course map will be published at 8 a.m. Contact Bruce Dunn, bruce@ allsportsproductionsinc.com, for details.

THE RIDE SERIES MTB SKILLS CLINIC NWA NOV. 23 304 Cross Lane, Bentonville Pivot Factory rider Rich Drew leads a skills clinic. Find more info and register at bikereg.com/the-ride-series-basic-mtbskills-clinic-nov-23.

PETIT JEAN OVERNIGHTER DEC. 5-6 Conway Airport A ride for Arkansas Bicycle Club members that begins at the Conway Airport and goes to Petit Jean Mountain State Park. A shuttle will transport luggage. Find more info and register at arkansasbicycleclub. org.

R.A.P.T.O.R. GRAVEL GRINDER NOV. 23

Mount Sequoyah Retreat Center, 150 N. Skyline Drive, Fayetteville $50 A race on a mixture of pavement, gravel and some single-track dirt with three distances from which to choose: 25-35 miles, 45-55 miles or 65-75 miles.

The course map will be published at 8 a.m. Contact Bruce Dunn, bruce@ allsportsproductionsinc.com, for details.

COURTESY OF ARKANSAS BICYCLE CLUB

SANTA’S PUMP TRACK CLASSIC DEC. 7 Springdale Santa’s Pump Track Classic is a kids pump track race for ages 3-12. If you are interested in volunteering at this event, please contact Meredith Joseph, mjoseph@ jonesnet.org, 479-756-8090 ext. 2168. Visit www.thejonescenter.net/santa-pumptrack- for more information.

ARKAN-CROSS ARKANSAS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP DEC. 7-8 31000 Price Coffee Road, Bentonville Register and find more info at bikereg. com/arkan-cross OUACHITA GRAVEL GRIND JAN. 11 38 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 12

BICYCLE RIDE AROUND ARKANSAS MARCH 22-28

Camden Details TBA. Visit arkansasbicycleclub.org for more information.

CELEBRATING 24 YEARS! Sales & Service

Trail Maps and Rentals Available TUESDAY–FRIDAY 11 A.M.–6 P.M. • SATURDAY 10 A.M.–4 P.M.

719 WHITTINGTON AVE. • HOT SPRINGS, AR

501.623.6188 • ParksideCycle.com • parkside_cycle@hotmail.com

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 12 | 39

A Pristine Historic Restoration - 1933 Best Tourist Court!

Jessieville With 31- and 62-mile options. Presented by SHAM Events. Find more info at facebook. com/shameventsllc.

EL DORADO SQUARE OVERNIGHT RIDE JAN. 25-26 Camden and El Dorado Arkansas Bicycle Club ride from Camden to the El Dorado square. More info at arkansasbicycleclub.org.

HIGH SPEED FIBER-OPTIC WIFI PRIVATE GARAGES

CROSSWINDS CLASSIC 2020 ROAD RACE FEB. 23 Little Rock Powered by CARVE. Visit team-carve.com

638 Ouachita Ave Hot Springs National Park, AR (501) 701-1111 bestcourthotsprings.com

LAKE GREESON 3-DAY TOUR

Best Breakfast in Arkansas!

FEB. 21-23 Glenwood Country Club 100-mile Arkansas Bicycle Club ride departs from Glenwood Country Club and loops around Lake Greeson, passing through Kirby, Daisy State Park and Murfeesboro. Contact John Linck at 502-231-9350 for more info or visit arkansasbicycleclub.org.

M A G A Z I N E

Open Every Day 7:30am - 2pm, Closed Tuesdays

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Feb. 2020: THE EVENTS ISSUE

Features: Massive roundups of trails and development in progress and biggest races, rides, and events for the year.

April 2020: THE LIFESTYLE ISSUE

Features: E-bikes, commuter cycling as economic development, beer and bike pub crawls and bike camping

Aug. 2020: THE MAKERS ISSUE

Features: Profiles of volunteer and pro=trail builders and engineers, what’s new with HIA Velo, MEECH Custom Bikes out of Jonesboro, conservation emphasis

Nov. 2020: THE EXTREME ISSUE

Features: Profiles of Enduro, BMX, Cyclocross, Gravel Grinder, or genuine bad-ass amateurs or multi-talented cyclists; Also, review and features on newest 2020 products, gadgets, and apps.

Want to reach a state-wide audience of Bike enthusiasts? Contact our publisher, Brooke Wallace- Brooke@arktimes.com or 501-492-3995.

40 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 12

BICYCLE RIDE AROUND ARKANSAS MARCH 22-28 Camden Details TBA. Visit arkansasbicycleclub.org for more information.

OUACHITA CHALLENGE MARCH 28-29 Oden Schools, Oden With a 65-mile Saturday tour and a 60mile Sunday race with categories for men and women and single-speed riders. For more info and to register, visit bikereg. com/ouachita-challenge

RIDE ANGRY GET YOUR ASS OUT THERE.

TOUR DE HOOT APRIL 25 McGehee Gravel ride with routes up to 100 miles long. Ride supports Boys and Girls Club of McGehee.

JOE MARTIN GRAN FONDO MAY 30 Fayetteville Gravel and road rides with 13-, 25-, 55-, 65- and 85-mile options. Register and more info at joemartingranfondo.com.

TOUR DE ROCK JUNE 6 North Little Rock 140 Riverfront Drive The annual fundraiser for CARTI offers 25-, 50-, 62-, 80- and 100-mile routes with support, rest stops and a big after part.

YELL AT US TODAY 501-753-4990 | 3515 JFK BLVD | NORTH LITTLE ROCK

www.angrydavesbicycles.com

COURTESY OF TOUR DE HOOT

SEASONED PRO WITH OVER TWENTY FIVE YEARS OF WRENCHING, BUILDING, AND RACING EXPERIENCE.

TOUR DE HOOT APRIL 25

McGehee Gravel ride with routes up to 100 miles long. Ride supports Boys and Girls Club of McGehee.

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 12 | 41

Q&A

CLIF CO-FOUNDERS: Gary and Kit Erickson.

Q&A WITH GARY ERICKSON The founder of Clif Bar & Co. on memorable rides, the importance of cycling to the company and more.

By Lindsey Millar You founded Clif Bar when you realized, during a 175-mile bike ride, that you could make a better energy bar than what was on the market.

What are other especially memorable rides you’ve taken?

They were long bike adventures. 1) 1988, a 1,600-mile, 16-day ride from Pamplona, Spain, to the northern Dolomites in Italy with my buddy Jay. 2) Also in Italy, climbing all 10 routes up the Monte Grappa in 10 straight days with my buddy Greg. 3) An 8-day trip with Kit and daughter Lydia, also in the Dolomites.

Tell us about your bicycle collection.

I’ve got a 1975 Schwinn Paramount track bike, a 1994 Ritchey mountain bike (ridden

by World Champion Thomas Frischknecht), a Santa Cruz 5010 mountain bike and an Orbea Orca road bike.

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Any bucket list rides you haven’t checked off yet?

The Circle Route around Iceland and southern Spain to northern Italy, Clif has been a longtime supporter of cycling, sponsoring teams, the National Interscholastic Cycling Association and more. Why is that important to the company?

Cycling has been a lifelong passion and teacher. In the early ’90s, I was near the end of a 175-mile ride and could not choke down another bad tasting energy bar. In that bike seat came “the epiphany”: I could make a better tasting bar with better ingredients. Clif Bar was born on a bike that day, and cycling has continued to be a guiding metaphor for our approach to business. Exploring the world on a bike taught me that the “red roads” on a map are usually the most direct, but often crowded and uninspired. “White roads” tend

to be the smaller, less traveled paths. They may take greater skill or time to navigate, but the payoff is spectacular: beauty and adventure. Clif Bar & Co. is on the white road; we’re all about the ride.

Clif started a commute incentive in 2006. What role have bikes played in the success of that program?

At Clif, we’re not driven by one bottom line.

We have five — sustaining our business, brands, people, community and the planet.

Our Cool Commute program is one of many ways we live those values at the office.

Many Clif people come to work on a bike, and they are rewarded for this cleaner commute: $500 toward the purchase of a commuter bike, and up to $1,500 a year in cash or rewards for eliminating the car from their commutes. This includes walking, biking, using public transit or carpooling.

Want to have more fun on your next mountain bike ride?

ADD A LITTLE TURBO TO YOUR LIFE!

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TINY CABIN – B E L L A V I S TA –

AIRBNB.COM TO RESERVE A STAY: BIT.LY/TINYCABIN

TRAILS LAKES GOLF NATURE

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 12 | 43

Bike Shops

LITTLE ROCK

HOT SPRINGS

Arkansas Cycling & Fitness 315 N. Bowman, Suites 6-9 501-221-BIKE (2453) arkansascycling.com

Parkside Cycle 719 Whittington Ave. 501-623-6188 parksidecycle.com

Chainwheel 10300 Rodney Parham Road 501-224-7651 chainwheel.com

Spa City Cycling 873 Park Ave. 501-463-9364 spacitycycling.com

The Community Bicyclist 7509 Cantrell Road., Suite 118 501-663-7300 thecommunitybicyclist.com Giant Bicycles 11525 Cantrell Road., Suite 607 501-508-5566 giantlittlerock.com The Meteor 1001 Kavanaugh Blvd.

501-664-7765 meteorbikes.com Rock Town River Outfitters (Rental) Little Rock River Market 400 President Clinton Ave. 501-831-0548 rocktownriveroutfitters.com

NORTH LITTLE ROCK Angry Dave’s Bicycles 3515 John F. Kennedy Blvd.

501-753-4990 angrydavesbicycles.com Recycle Bikes for Kids 717 E. 10th St. 501-563-8264 recyclebikesforkids.org

SHERWOOD Arkansas Cycling & Fitness 3010 E. Kiehl Ave. 501-834-5787 arkansascycling.com J&P Bike Shop 7910 John F. Kennedy Blvd.

(Hwy 107) 501-835-4814 jandpbikeshop.com

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SEARCY The Bike Lane 2116 W. Beebe-Capps Expressway 501-305-3915 thebikelane.cc

HEBER SPRINGS Sulphur Creek Outfitters 625 S. Seventh St. 501-691-0138 screekoutfitters.com

MOUNTAIN HOME Mountain Home Bicycle Company 1310 E. Side Centre Court 870-425-2453 mountainhomebicyclecompany.com

BATESVILLE Lyon College Bike Shop 301 23rd St. 870-307-7529 lyon.edu/bikes

JONESBORO Gearhead Cycle House 231 S. Main St. 870-910-5569 gearheadcyclehouse.com

RUSSELLVILLE Carr’s Chain Reaction 506 N. Arkansas Ave. 479-968-5305 carrsrussellville.com

FORT SMITH Champion Cycling & Fitness 5500 Massard Road 479-484-7500 Phat Tire Bike Shop 1700 Rogers Ave. 479-222-6796 phattirebikeshop.com

SILOAM SPRINGS Dogwood Junction 200 Progress Ave., Suite 5 479-524-6605 dogwoodjunction.biz Phat Tire Bike Shop 101 S. Broadway St. 479-373-1458 phattirebikeshop.com

EUREKA SPRINGS Adventure Mountain Outfitters 151 Spring St. 479-253-0900

FAYETTEVILLE Phat Tire Bike Shop 3775 N. Mall Ave. 479-966-4308 phattirebikeshop.com The Bike Route 3660 N. Front St., Suite 2 479-966-4050 facebook.com/thebikeroute The Highroller Cyclery 322 W. Spring St. 479-442-9311 highrollercyclery.com UREC Outdoors 1 University of Arkansas, HPER 102 479-575-CAMP urec.uark.edu

SPRINGDALE Lewis & Clark Outfitters 4915 S. Thompson St. 479-756-1344 lewisandclarkoutfitters.com

Phat Tire Bike Shop 101 W. Johnson Ave. 479-373-1458 phattirebikeshop.com

ROGERS Beaver Lake Outdoor Center (Rentals) 14434 E. Hwy. 12 479-877-4984 beaverlakeoutdoorcenter.com GPP Cycling 318 S. First St. 479-372-4768 gppcycling.com Lewis & Clark Outfitters 2530 Pinnacle Hills Parkway 479-845-1344 lewisandclarkoutfitters.com Phat Tire Bike Shop 321 S. Arkansas St. 479-877-1313 phattirebikeshop.com The Highroller Cyclery 402 S. Metro Parkway 479-254-9800 highrollercyclery.com

BENTONVILLE Dogwood Junction Trike Shop 907 N. Walton Blvd.

479-268-3021 dogwoodjunction.biz Mojo Cycling 2104 S. Walton Blvd.

479-271-7201 mojocycling.com Phat Tire Bike Shop 125 W. Central Ave. 479-715-6170 phattirebikeshop.com

BICYCLE REPAIR & SERVICE ONLY Ozark Bicycle Service Northwest Arkansas Area 479-715-1496 ozarkbicycleservice.com

Northwoods Trails, Hot Springs

COME FIND YOUR ARKANSAS

arkansas.com/mountainbiking

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 12 | 45

Back Calf

Who: CARO POOLE Where: Little Rock Age: 33 Job: Pro cyclist How long have you been cycling?

My husband and I moved to Little Rock from Montreal, Quebec, three years ago. I started cycling just by commuting around town in Montreal. I kind of started racing and one thing led to another, and once we moved, I realized there was a big opportunity for me to try to take it to the next level and try to race professionally, so I’ve been working on that for the last three years.

We moved to Little Rock after my husband, Olivier Lavigueur, got a job at Allied Cycle Works, and now we’re moving to Bentonville in March when the company relocates its factory there. It’s bittersweet. We love our cycling community here.

I have such amazing friends. I find the community here really inclusive.

But there is a lot of bike stuff and exciting things happening in Bentonville, and it’s a pretty amazing place to train.

I race for a domestic elite team called Specialized Wolfpack presented

by Jakroo. This was my first year racing with them. My first race was in February, and we raced all the way until August. We do all the pro races and follow the USA Crit series. I wasn’t home a lot. I was in Colorado for the entire month of August. I was in Milwaukee for half the month of June. I was in North and South Carolina for half the month of May. I’m incredibly lucky and raced with amazing women and have a really awesome team manager and mechanic. I probably had the best season of my life. The most memorable was my crash at the Tour of Americas Dairyland. It’s an 11-day race, and I managed to take myself out on day 3. I had some road rash and got a few stitches. But we had a pretty great season and some of my teammates got on the podium. That’s what you’re working for as a team.

46 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 12

BRIAN CHILSON

Who do you race for?

What’s your training look like?

Right now I’m in base season. I’m building up strength to prepare for next season. It’s a lot of time and hours on the bike, anywhere between 2-4 hours on the bike a day. I also really love racing cyclocross, and I joined a local team, CARVE. Sometimes when you’re training and riding your bike 2 hours one day and 3 hours the next that gets really mundane.

Cyclocross keeps me focused and motivated.

Has anyone ever commented on your calves?

I do remember back in Canada, one of my bosses, I walked in and she said, “Wow, if this is what cycling does to your calves, then sign me

up.” I think I have normal calves, to be honest.

You don’t have to worry about special pants or anything?

No (laughing). I would say the hardest part is jeans, but for quads, not for calves.

What are you looking forward to next season?

I was accepted to stay at the Homestretch Foundation next year. It’s a foundation that hosts female pro and elite women in Tucson, Ariz., where you get to train and connect with other women. I’ll be there the entire month of January, so I’m pretty excited about it.

TWO RIVERS PARK AND BRIDGE A HIDDEN GEM OF PULASKI COUNTY

AR DEPT OF PARKS & TOURISM

Encompassed by the Arkansas and Little Maumelle Rivers, 1000-acre Two Rivers Park features a bike/walking trail, open play fields, expansive views of the surrounding rivers and hillsides. The Two Rivers Park Garden Center has more than 400 plots where hundreds of local gardeners enjoy their hobby and sense of community.

The proposed county master plan includes adding a pavilion, a water feature at the entrance, a playground for children, additional parking, additional restrooms, a permanent stage, boat dock and outdoor fitness area.

Two Rivers Park has a bright future. Come and play!

YOUR COUNTY. YOUR SERVICES. • PULASKICOUNTY.NET BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 12 | 47

A different

KIND OF BAR from a different KIND OF COMPANY.

AO

C NI S GA N D R MO L

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