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FEBRUARY 2022 ISSUE NO. 21 BIKEARKANSASMEDIA.COM

Wowing The World TIPS TO PREP FOR SPRING MONUMENTAL DEVIL’S DEN TRAILS

BEST WEEKEND GETAWAY, BEST RESORT

More than just fish.

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FOLLOW US ON

central arkansas cyclists. we need your help!

We are steps closer to the construction of the Southwest Trail. Join us in our efforts to make the Southwest Trail a prime destination in Central Arkansas. We need a group of supporters to help promote the trail’s use and preservation.

To get involved, call 501-340-8305 and mention the Southwest Trail.

For more information visit, swtrail.transportationplanroom.com BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 21 | 3

IN THIS ISSUE

PAGE 14

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EVERY ISSUE

Walmart sponsors Joe Martin, NLR opens a pump track, an endurance specialist tackles a new route, a Little Rock group buys Detroit Bikes and Allied signs a big name.

Taking proper steps in training in the dreary months of winter will make your spring cycling adventures more enjoyable.

By Lindsay Southwick

34 EVENTS 38 SHOPS

BRAKING NEWS

PREPARE FOR SPRING

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26

Little Rock’s Tanner Ward shares his indoor training setup.

The Monument Trails at Devil’s Den are another treasure of Arkansas mountain biking.

By Bob Robinson

MY KIT

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PARTYING WITH THE WORLD

Fayetteville hosted the world this winter for the biggest race on the cyclocross calendar. By Kai Caddy 4 | BIKE ARKANSAS February 2022

MORE MOUNTAIN BIKE SPOILS

ON THE COVER Tom Pidcock of Great Britain blew past the field for a dominant victory at the UCI Cyclocross World Championships held in Fayetteville on Jan. 28-30.

Photo by Kai Caddy

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M A G A Z I N E

Come for cycling.

Discover Arkansas history.

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BIKEARKANSASMEDIA.COM FOLLOW US FOR MORE BIKE

BROOKE WALLACE Publisher

brookewallace@arktimes.com KAI CADDY Editor

kaicaddy@gmail.com MANDY KEENER Creative Director

mandy@arktimes.com MIKE SPAIN Art Director LESA THOMAS Senior Account Executive LEE MAJOR Account Executive WELDON WILSON Production Manager/Controller ROLAND R. GLADDEN Advertising Traffic Manager KATIE HASSELL Graphic Design/Social Media ROBERT CURFMAN IT Director CHARLOTTE KEY Billing/Collections JACKSON GLADDEN 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 © 2022 Bike Arkansas Magazine 6 | BIKE ARKANSAS February 2022

Contributors

LINDSAY SOUTHWICK is a freelance

writer who loves anything that gets her outside and is even known to occasionally summit tall peaks. She lives in Bentonville with her husband and four children who graciously supply her with legions of content to write about.

RIDE ANGRY

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SEASONED PRO WITH MORE THAN TWENTY FIVE YEARS OF WRENCHING, BUILDING AND RACING EXPERIENCE. BOB ROBINSON enjoys all things

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DO YOU HAVE BIKE NEWS? WANT TO ADVERTISE? INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES? KAI CADDY is a photographer, graphic

designer and occasional mid-pack Cat 4 crit racer based in Conway.

CONTACT BROOKE WALLACE AT: BROOKE@ARKTIMES.COM @BIKEARMAG BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 21 | 7

BRAKING NEWS

NLR PUMP TRACK OPEN

The first phase of the Big Rock Quarry Bike Park in North Little Rock has officially opened to the public. City leaders and eager cyclists gathered on Jan. 13 for the grand opening of an asphalt pump track.

The pump track, paid for with about $400,000 of American Recovery Act funds, was built by industry leaders American Ramp Company and Velosolutions. North Little Rock Mayor Terry Hartwick was inspired by similar parks in Northwest Arkansas like Runway Bike Park in Springdale.

“This is something we can all be very proud of,” Hartwick said. “This is not one person, this is a group of people making this happen.”

Among the group of people making it happen is Dave Larson, owner of Angry Dave’s Bike Shop in North Little Rock.

“This is a big deal for the city of North Little Rock and cycling in Central Arkansas,” Larson said. “Hopefully further than Central Arkansas. Hopefully this will be what we need to attract a lot of people into the city. I’ve got to thank the mayor, [parks director] Steve Shields and everybody that’s been involved in this project. They have made it a lot easier to get things to happen in the city and it is amazing.”

The pump track is just the first piece of a plan for an expansive bike park. Plans call for downhill mountain bike trails, cross country mountain bike skills trails, asphalt flow

8 | BIKE ARKANSAS February 2022

trails and a bicycle playground. A rendering of the plan also includes a large amphitheater for concerts and events.

“This is phase one,” Larson said. “Phase two is coming.

Give us a minute because we’re on page one of that, but there is more in store and we will make lots of noise when it’s time.”

STEPANIK CONQUERS DOOM

Brett Stepanik of Madison, Wisconsin, began 2022 in grand fashion. Stepanik, 36, became the first known person to complete the Ozark Gravel DOOM route created by Andrew Onermaa, a founder of Ozark Gravel Cyclists.

Stepanik completed the 376-mile route in three days, 12 hours and nine minutes.

The route begins at the Oark General Store and features 41,375 feet of elevation gain in an extremely remote section of the Ozark National Forest. The route averages 110 feet of elevation gain or loss per mile. Riders are either climbing or descending; there aren’t many chances for recovery.

As if the route weren’t daunting enough, Stepanik completed it during a particularly chilly week. Temperatures dipped into the low teens at night and barely topped freezing during the day.

Oh, and he did this all on a single speed.

Stepanik owns the endurance bikepacking single speed triple crown, clocking fastest known times on the Arizona Trail, Tour Divide and Colorado Trail. He also set the FKT for single speed at the Arkansaw High Country Race in October.

MCELVEEN JOINS ALLIED

ALEX ROSZKO

Payson McElveen, a two-time National Marathon Mountain Bike Champion and two-time winner of The Mid-South, has signed a multiyear contract with Bentonville-based bike manufacturer Allied Cycle Works.

McElveen, 28, also hosts a popular podcast, “The Adventure Stache,” and in 2021 created the Bentonville Trail Challenge in which he rode all 140-plus miles of singletrack in Bentonville in one day.

“I am thrilled to begin this next chapter of my career with Allied Cycle Works,” McElveen said. “It became clear to me that Allied designs and makes the absolute best bikes, then focuses on marketing them. That’s unusual in an industry where brands often craft their product development around marketing constraints.”

McElveen has been selected to race in the Life Time Grand Prix, a six-race off-road series that includes three mountain bike races and three gravel races. The series finale will be the 100-mile Big Sugar Gravel race in Bentonville.

Allied doesn’t currently manufacture a mountain bike frame.

McElveen will also receive support from The Meteor, a bike shop and cafe with locations in Bentonville and Austin, Texas.

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 21 | 9

BRAKING NEWS

WALMART BECOMES TITLE SPONSOR OF JOE MARTIN STAGE RACE The longest-running stage race in the U.S. will roll into Fayetteville this spring with a new title sponsor.

Walmart is making a “meaningful” investment in the race, according to Dan Bartlett, the company’s executive vice president for corporate affairs.

“The Joe Martin Stage Race has a deep, rich heritage here in the region,” Bartlett said. “Many young children across America’s first experience with cycling comes with buying a bike from Walmart. And for us, to be on the other side of the spectrum of promoting and helping support some of the greatest athletes our country has in a sport that is growing like it is — it just seemed like an opportunity we couldn’t pass up.”

Bartlett wouldn’t disclose the dollar amount of the sponsorship. The partnership was facilitated by Ozark Outdoor Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to creating healthy and enriching outdoor experiences in Arkansas.

Walmart’s sponsorship will enable the race organization to livestream the final stage and provide enhanced video coverage and live tracking of the racers in the other stages. It will also bring equity to the women’s race.

“Livestreaming the race and remaining on the UCI calendar are really important for our women’s teams,” race director Bruce Dunn said.

“We are able to offer a greater purse for both men and women. And so that’s something that we’re very excited about. Interesting enough, on the international level, the purses are not equalized. They will be at the Walmart Joe Martin Stage Race. When you’re doing two races, two rolling enclosures on the same day, you want to make sure you have equal assets and support. And now that’s going to be a possibility.”

Defending women’s champion Skylar Schneider of L39GION of Los Angeles has raced Joe Martin since 2016, the first year she was eligible to race in a UCI event.

“It was my first podium in a UCI race and I believe that opened a lot of doors for me in my career,” she said. “After that, I spent three years on the No. 1 ranked team in the world. And last year, I came back to the U.S. to join the most important team in the world and that was L39ION. And in August, we were able to participate in Joe Martin and that was my first UCI overall win. So this race has had a big impact in my career, as well as many other cyclists. And it’s really

inspiring to hear the emphasis it’s going to have on women in the sport in particular. Since August, I’ve had the opportunity to visit Bentonville a number of times, and it definitely has a piece of my heart. And it’s inspiring to see the women’s community there. And any part I can play in inspiring more women to get on bikes, either recreationally or to race — that gives me a lot of fulfillment.”

Eric Hill, founder of the Project Echelon race team, said Fayetteville has become a second home to the team.

“We’re really excited for this new platform in this growth that Walmart is bringing to be able to share our mission of educating, equipping and empowering veterans through physical activity at another level, and to be able to showcase the talents of our athletes on our team through this platform,” he said.

Dunn said the sponsorship will open up possibilities for future growth beyond Fayetteville, maybe even into different parts of the state beyond Northwest Arkansas.

“The ultimate goal is not only to make the Walmart Joe Martin Stage Race the largest competitive road cycling race in North America,” he said, “but it’s my dream and hope to elevate professional cycling in the United States to the same level as many of the other professional races and sports in our country.”

LITTLE ROCK GROUP BUYS DETROIT BIKES Cardinal Cycling Group, a Little Rock-based firm run by cycling industry veteran Tony Karklins and business partner Martial Trigeaud, has acquired Detroit Bikes.

10 | BIKE ARKANSAS February 2022

Detroit Bikes produces a range of commuter and cruiser bicycles built from American steel in a Detroit factory. Detroit Bikes founder Zak Pashak will remain with the company as

it looks to expand its urban e-bike offerings.

In February 2021, Cardinal acquired the French carbon bicycle manufacturer Time.

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MY KIT PHOTOGRAPHY: JENNY HIGGS

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NAME: Tanner Ward FROM: Little Rock JOB: Part-time bike racer for Best Buddies Racing, part-time field tech for Steep Hill Labs.

THE TRAINER: It’s the Wahoo Kickr Core. It’s

pretty entry level when it comes to directdrive smart trainers. But it gets the job done just fine. The max watts are fine. And the gradient that simulates is fine. If people can afford to spend a little bit more, I’d say the regular Kickrs are a little bit more stable. But yeah, what I’ve got works for me.

THE FAN: It’s called the Vornado. It’s a good

desk fan. I think I got it on Amazon. But air circulation is definitely key. Anywhere I’ve had an indoor trainer setup for an extended period of time, I always like to put it near a window. To be able to reach and open it is nice. That way you can stay on the bike. You can leave it shut when you start and then once you get rolling, you can crack it open.

THE BIKE COMPUTER: The Wahoo Bolt. I just

switched over to Wahoo, thanks to Kelly at Trek. He converted me. I lost my Garmin at the state road race. I probably set it on my roof or something and then drove off. I do that all the time. The Bolt works pretty nice with a trainer. Whenever I’m doing long endurance rides, I like to just set it a certain wattage, which is nice with a Wahoo. You can connect it to the trainer, and pretty quickly you can set the wattage you want to ride.

THE INDOOR TRAINING APP: I’ve used Zwift for a long time. I started to use it back whenever it was the beta version. I use it a lot. I like it more for structured training. Like, if I

have intervals to do, I like the interface they use for that. For endurance training, it just doesn’t give me the entertainment that I like for sitting on the trainer for three, four or five hours. So sometimes I’ll run in the background and set it to control the trainer and I’ll just keep the power going. That way I can ride at whatever power I want to ride without the elevation kicking in to the trainer constantly and I can pull up a Netflix movie or whatever running on the main laptop screen.

THE IMPORTED WORKOUTS: Everything I do

is through Training Peaks. So yeah, my coach plans all my workouts through there. And if it’s a structured workout, where it’s built through with intervals, I have it synced up with Zwift to where that shows up as a custom workout. So it’ll show up for that day. And I’ll just click it and it’ll send me through all the intervals.

RACING WITH BEST BUDDIES: It’s funny,

like with all the supply chain shortages and everything, I haven’t received a whole lot just yet. Our first team race was the Tour of South Florida, the first weekend of February. But, yeah, it’s for a good cause. Best Buddies helps kids with intellectual learning disabilities.

Half the race winnings that we get from any race goes back to the organization. Anytime we’re at a big event, a team race and there’s a local Best Buddies organization, we try to get the best buddies out to the event to watch and spectate and include them with everything.

And if we get on the podium we try to get one of the best buddies up there with us, too.

It’s easy to forget, you know, everyone in the Pro-Cat 1 field has made it, and I remember watching the races just three or four years ago remembering how cool it was watching the P1 field, so it’s easy to forget how some might look up to us.

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 21 | 13

14 | BIKE ARKANSAS February 2022

The World Came To Party Fayetteville puts on a show as host of the UCI Cyclocross World Championships.

STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY By Kai Caddy

LEADING THE CHARGE: Tom Pidcock leads the field over a climb.

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 21 | 15

ON HIS WAY TO THE RAINBOW JERSEY: His challengers hung on for a while, but Pidcock eventually won by 30 seconds.

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rkansans far and wide are well aware that there are few cities in the state that can party like Fayetteville. The cycling world now knows as well. Over the last weekend of January, the cycling world was Fayetteville.

One hundred eighty-eight of the world’s elite cyclocross racers lined up to battle for one of the six available rainbow jerseys at the UCI Cyclocross World Championships at Centennial Park Jan. 29-30.

And more than 10,000 fans joined in.

VIP tents lined the start/finish area. Speakers were bumping and song selection smartly matched key moments of the races. The area around the course’s signature feature: a 39-stair run-up followed by a steep descent resembled a music festival.

“As an American racing this race, there’s a lot of pride,” Curtis White, who finished 12th in the elite men’s race, said. “This is an event that I’ve been looking forward to for several years now.

Having the spectators and the crowds there really made the environment. And we had some really exciting racing, some deserving champions, some awesome battles. And I think a lot of people enjoyed 16 | BIKE ARKANSAS February 2022

themselves and you could definitely hear it with the noise.”

This was only the second time in the 72-year history of the event that it was held in the United States, the first since Louisville hosted in 2013.

Saturday’s elite women’s race featured a battle for the ages. Reigning world champ Lucinda Brand and Marianne Vos, each from the Netherlands, broke away from the field and went back and forth all the way to the finish. Vos nipped Brand in the sprint to take a record eighth cyclocross world title. Vos, widely regarded as the greatest cyclist of all time, also has three road world championships and an Olympic gold medal to her name.

“Every World Championship is very special to race,” Vos said. “I tried to prepare well and then tried to do my best in the race itself. It’s incredible to wear the rainbow jersey. Even though it’s not the first time, it’s still very special.”

Vos, who also won the world title in Louisville back in 2013, was happy to be back in front of American fans.

“It was a great atmosphere,” she said. “Racing in front of these crowds is pretty cool. To have all these people cheering all along the whole route is

1 AND 2: Lucinda Brand and Marriane Vos were locked in a back-and-forth battle for the rainbow jersey.

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BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 21 | 17

WAITING TO MOVE: Vos sat behind Brand on the last lap until the sprint finish.

special. We had some racing in Europe this year with no crowds, so this was a great feeling again.”

Briton Tom Pidcock flew away from the pack on a fourth-lap attack, stayed away and had plenty of time at the finish to Superman across the line. The gap to second-place finisher Lars van der Haar was 30 seconds. The Dutchman had high praise for the Fayetteville crowd as well.

“It’s not like they cheer for one specific rider. They cheer for everyone,” van der Haar said. “That’s something I really enjoy. Everybody is an amazing rider.

They cheer for me, they cheer for Tom, but they also cheer for the last rider.

And that is something that really lives here in America.”

American Clara Honsinger is no stranger to Northwest Arkansas, having raced at FayetteCross in 2019, the initial event at Centennial Park when it was nothing more than an empty field. She’s also raced on the road at the Joe Martin Stage Race and finished on the podium at the UCI World Cup cross race held at Centennial Park in October. She finished 11th at the world championship, the 18 | BIKE ARKANSAS February 2022

top American.

“It’s such beautiful terrain and environment,” Honsinger said. “Just whether you’re out on the road bike – there’s all these beautiful rolling hills and winding roads. It’s hard to find a straight flat road out here. Everything’s just so winding and up and down and engaging.

And then like when you’re out on the mountain bike or out on a cyclocross or gravel road, it’s just the same – just endless trails.

“It’s such a landscape suited to cyclists and then to have this, like, massive culture around it – everybody engages – it’s not just for bike racers, or top-level athletes.

It’s everyone – from somebody who just rides the mountain bike on the weekend to someone who’s just learning to ride a bike on the bike path, it’s really set up for everyone.

“When I go out here and I ride out on the road, everybody is so respectful and gives me plenty of space or lots of waves, and that I don’t think you see anywhere else in the world. So it really sets a standard that I think the rest of the world should strive toward.”

MEDAL SUMMARY Men’s Elite 1. Tom Pidcock, Great Britain 2. Lars van der Haar, Netherlands 3. Eli Iserbyt, Belgium Men’s Under-23 1. Joran Wyseure, Belgium 2. Emiel Verstrynge, Belgium 3. Thibau Nys Men’s Junior 1. Jan Christen, Switzerland 2. Aaron Dockx, Belgium 3. Nathan Smith, Great Britain Women’s Elite 1. Marianne Vos, Netherlands 2. Lucinda Brand, Netherlands 3. Silvia Persico, Italy Women’s Under-23 1. Puck Pieterse, Netherlands 2. Shrin van Anrooij, Netherlands 3. Fem van Empel, Netherlands Women’s Junior 1. Zoe Backstedt, Great Britain 2. Leonie Bentveld, Netherlands 3. Lauren Molengraaf, Netherlands

OUR TRAILS LEAD TO ADVENTURE

As the United States’ first city to be designated as a UCI Bike City, finding adventure in Fayetteville via two wheels is a given. In addition to great views and exciting terrain, you’ll find amazing food and eclectic shopping – all easily accessible from your bike. So, saddle up and Experience Fayetteville! experiencefayettville.com

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TRAINING THROUGH THE ELEMENTS Event preparation in the winter doesn’t have to be a struggle.

By Lindsay Southwick

Photography By Kai Caddy

20 | BIKE ARKANSAS February 2022

Sigh.

A new year. A time for reflection, newfound motivation and, in the case of 2022, picking ourselves off the floor and trying again. Instead of delivering any sense of normalcy, 2021 was just more of the same dumpster fire fiasco that 2020 was. If there was ever a need for a reset button, 2022 is it.

Signing up for an event is one of the best ways to hit that reset button. An event helps motivate us and gives us the why behind the what. Whether you’re an event newcomer or a seasoned race participant, nothing puts the fire in your spokes quite like a date circled on the calendar. Events give us something to look forward to, and something to work toward, both of which we really need right now.

In Arkansas, cycling events abound. In preparation for this article I looked around to see just how many events, and what kind of events, take place throughout the state. What I found was there’s something for everyone: • If you’re new to riding and are looking for something to get your wheels in motion, there’s an event for that.

• If you’re an experienced rider who thrives on rough terrain, there’s an event for that.

• If you want to get moving with your entire family, there’s an event for that.

• If you are looking for a ride that’s heavy on the social stuff, then an event that includes food and coffee stops could be just the thing.

There are rides in all disciplines, distances and terrains.

This magazine, sites like arkansasoutside.com and bikereg. com are good places to start as you search for the event that’s right for you. Or, ask around. Bike shops and bike enthusiasts usually prove to be excellent resources on this topic.

“For me, I wanted something that wasn’t results-driven,” said Jess Hana, a long-time cyclist and mountain bike coach who is training for her very first event. “The course and terrain of the enduro fit my style of riding. It just seemed like a great first race for me.”

If you’re like Hana and want a race where it feels like you’re competing against yourself more than against others, maybe an enduro is for you, too. If endurance is your thing, find a long distance race, or one with a tough course. Pick an event that matches your skill set and preferred style.

Find something that pushes you, but won’t frustrate you.

Remember, it’s supposed to be fun.

GET IT DONE: Training despite the weather is always an option in Arkansas.

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 21 | 21

COURTESY ANNIE DAVIS

BRING BUDDIES: Riding with friends can help make a cold ride more enjoyable.

LIGHT UP THE NIGHT: Night rides with bright lights are another winter training option.

Now that you’ve picked your event, the isn’t cooperating one day, wait a few minutes. with how you’re getting your rides or workouts next step is figuring out your game plan: the In addition to unpredictable weather, lack in. Sometimes I ride at night with lights, or I when and how of preparing for your event. of daylight can also be an issue. take my bike to work to do a quick set of hill If you need help creating a training plan, a “Balancing work and family responsibilities repeats during the day. You just have to find quick search online is likely to give you some with the daylight hours is the hardest thing a way to make it work.” guidance. There are also several apps that can for me,” said Tela Webb, a wife, working mom Weather-appropriate clothing and good help create a training plan for you. Or, if you and NICA coach who has been training for lights are simple remedies to combat the cold have the resources, hire a coach. a century [100 mile ride]. and dark. Night riding isn’t for everyone but Keeping with a training schedule during “Sometimes you just have to get creative if you do it, good lights (front and back) are the winter has its obstacles. While Arkannon-negotiable. Being prepared is an sas affords us the luxury of year-round essential part of winning the battle of Weather-appropriate clothing and good winter training. cycling, it doesn’t guarantee blue skies and 60 degrees every day (Remember Contrary to what you may believe, lights are simple remedies to combat the when the whole state froze over last year? training for a cycling event entails more cold and dark. Night riding isn’t for everyone than just time in the saddle. Look at winThanks again, 2021). In a single week in but if you do it, good lights (front and back) ter as an opportunity to focus on things January we had snow days and days of 60-degree temperatures. If the weather other than cycling. It’s a great time to are non-negotiable.

22 | BIKE ARKANSAS February 2022

O T P U . . .

G N I H T E SOM

Rad

If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind cycling experience, you have to visit North Little Rock, Arkansas. Our newly-opened pump track is just the first phase of the ambitious Big Rock Quarry Bike Park project, which will eventually include downhill mountain bike trails, cross-country mountain bike skills trails, asphalt flow trails and a bicycle playground. Surrounded by majestic 200-foot bluffs, the bike park is easily accessible from the scenic 15-mile Arkansas River Trail that crosses the Arkansas River between Little Rock and North Little Rock. And within a few minutes of this outdoor oasis, you can ride to local breweries, restaurants and entertainment venues.

NorthLittleRock.org @exploreNLR

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 21 | 23

TYPE-A FUN: Soggy, cold rides can be enjoyable with proper attire.

work on strength training, cross training and you need it most,” she said. “I’ve been on rides aspects of your training, having a buddy stretching. Avoid the all or nothing mentality; where I would have quit had it not been for and getting creative when necessary are all the idea that, if you can’t ride for 90 minutes the support of those around me.” ways to keep your event training in check. then you won’t ride at all, is a sure way to let Having others to get you out the door and Remember there is power in flexibility. Hava week go by without riding. Strength train, who are cold and tired (or cold and tired) with ing a plan is important, but being flexible is cross train and get rides in when you can. you keeps you going when you want to stop. important, too. Expect bumps in the road, The time for endurance training will come.

Don’t underestimate the power of a training prepare for them and don’t allow them to “I like to look at this time of year as a good partner — or 60. throw you off course. time to recuperate. Kind of a mental reset,” For every problem that winter training Even if you’ve already made goals and find Hana said. “Constant grinding can make it can pose, there is a solution. Making a plan, yourself off track, don’t give up. Remember, feel like a job.” getting appropriate gear to combat weather you are still standing after 2020 and 2021 Another key to keeping up on your training and daylight hurdles, focusing on other and that’s not nothing! 2022 can’t stop you, during the winter is by having a buddy regardless of whether it finally delivers us or two training along with you. Webb from all the madness. Staying motivated is part of a group of 60 women who For every problem that winter training can and keeping up your training may not ride on Saturdays in preparation for a be easy. But in my experience, the pose, there is a solution. Making a plan, getting always century in May. greater the effort, the greater the reward. appropriate gear ... having a buddy ... are all Getting yourself across the finish line is “There is something about communal suffering that can really push you when something you won’t regret or forget. ways to keep your event training in check.

24 | BIKE ARKANSAS February 2022

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ANOTHER MON

26 | BIKE ARKANSAS February 2022

UMENTAL TREASURE Devil’s Den Monument Trail builds on rich legacy of the state park.

STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY

by Bob Robinson

W

e all have favorite trails we’ve ridden so much we could follow the line through rock gardens blindfolded. Familiar is good, but you need to expand your horizons.

The Natural State has so many awesome trails, the new Monument Trails at Devil’s Den State Park may have slipped under your radar.

The Arkansas Parks and Recreation Foundation, working with Arkansas State Parks, completed construction of the trails in 2021; Devil’s Den was the fourth state park to get a monument trail. Suzanne Grobmyer, executive director of the foundation, said the goal for starting the Monument Trails networks was to construct trails that will “encourage visitors not just to ride the trail, but to take in everything natural the area offers.”

Mission accomplished at Devil’s Den.

SPLISH, SPLASH: The Devil’s Den Monument Trails feature a few creek crossings.

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 21 | 27

TECHNICAL AND ROCKY: Devil’s Den has plenty to offer experienced riders.

Following Grobmyer’s edict, in the fall of natural qualities. They knocked it out of the on Gold Brick, which is a short climb that 2020, before Rock Solid Trail Contracting ballpark. The trail system is a conduit to bluffs, T-bones Devil’s Racetrack. turned the first spade of dirt to begin conwaterfalls and other hidden gems, a world not Or continue past Loop A, past Horse Campstruction, they began to scour the hillsides of normally visited on a bicycle. ground on State Highway 220, to the bridge the 2,200-acre park. With input from Ozark over Ellis Branch to reach the westernmost Off Road Cyclists and park staff members’ end of Devil’s Racetrack. past explorations, they found picturesque The addition of the Monument network As of now, there is a small pullout for parkbluffs, interesting rock formations and other bumped the park to 19 miles of prime mouning. But Tim Scott, assistant superintendent at unique natural landscapes. tain bike trails, more than enough to make it Devil’s Den, announced that by August there Aaron Rogers, owner of Rock Solid, said a mountain bike destination. would be camping, parking, a bathroom and he was impressed by the incredibly dynamic Your Devil’s Den adventure can begin at changing room at the trailhead. topography of the mountains within the park. the parking lot on Campground Loop A. The westernmost trailhead entrance heads The soils and rugged rock formations are unique Enter the gate, then immediately take a left out, meandering across flat open meadows, and provide the ideal building cubes making for a good warmup. It then for constructing sustainable trails on crosses the highway and a historic the park’s steep terrain.

The addition of the Monument network bumped the park rock Civilian Conservation Corps-era Rogers challenged his crew to create to 19 miles of prime mountain bike trails, more than bridge to gradually inch its way up to trails that would highlight the area’s enough to make it a mountain bike destination. the base of a bluff line.

LET’S RIDE

28 | BIKE ARKANSAS February 2022

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UNIQUE FEATURES: A 30-foot waterfall greets riders on the Gold Brick trail.

At this point, cyclists begin the signature Devil’s Den experience that sets it apart from other trails.

Racetrack skirts the base of the sheer 100-foot bluff. As the trail ambles beyond the overhanging cliff, riders are often gifted with a refreshing light shower from the drip line above. Pretty cool.

At just under four miles, Racetrack is the longest trail in the Monument network. As riders emerge from the bluff line, things get a little technical. The trail snakes its way between narrow passageways and over long armor-plated rockways laid down

by Rock Solid.

Then, just after passing where Gold Brick 30 | BIKE ARKANSAS February 2022

joins, riders roll around a ridge and boom! A 30-foot waterfall cascading over the edge of a horseshoe alcove. The trail routes riders through, then behind, a curtain of dripping water.

Photo op, anyone?

Riders next jump on a sweet stretch of Fossil Flats trail, the original trail network, to connect with Dollar-A-Day. The ride becomes a little more open and flowy with a slight downhill grade. Fast-track this stretch for speed to take advantage of the fun alternate

A 30-foot waterfall cascading over the edge of a horseshoe alcove. The trail routes riders through, then behind, a curtain of dripping water.

lines Rock Solid sprinkled in.

Riders might get a little wet as the trail crosses Lee Creek. Normally this is the drier of two crossings, but the deep collection of small, polished pebbles tends to suck at your knobbies and result in a wet foot dab.

Peddling up the creek bank on the opposite bank, riders reach an intersection. Those preferring a short, flat ride back to camp hop on Sawmill Loop. But if you’re up for some climbing, techie rocky stuff, and lots of “oh shit!” moments, peel left for All You Can Eat. Scott says the Monument Trail names were inspired by common expressions used by the CCC workers who built the

park in the ’30s. Workers were paid a dollar a day and all they could eat.

Up All You Can Eat we go. There are several hundred-foot elevation gains, but with sweeping switchbacks cut into the mountainside, there’s nothing too steep.

The trail tops out along the base of another bluff line, where a couple of passageways get a little more snug than those on Racetrack, and the rock pathways are chunkier. With the low hanging rock ledges bordering the trail, a little close for comfort, I was thankful to only be 6-feet tall.

Now, it’s decision time: Sparky, an intermediate downhill with steep rocky descents and alternate line drops, plus another waterfall

DO YOU HAVE BIKE NEWS? WANT TO ADVERTISE? INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES? CONTACT BROOKE WALLACE AT: BROOKE@ARKTIMES.COM @BIKEARMAG BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 21 | 31

NATURE: The Devil’s Den trails make use of all of the area’s natural features.

encounter. Or Orville, where Rock Solid demonstrates engineering and craftsmanship, incorporating the mountain’s raw materials into drops — natural and manmade — armored flow lines, and other legit black diamond features.

From the stories Scott shared about Orville Taylor and his mischievous activities, it’s appropriate to name the park’s only black diamond trail Orville. One interesting story was how Taylor convinced each of his barrack mates to pay him 10 cents to rise early enough in the morning to stoke the fireplace so the cold room would be warm when they climbed out of bed.

Both trails are one-way bike-only trails, so no worries about close encounters of the uphill kind. Lower your dropper, hang on to your bar grips and let gravity do its thing.

32 | BIKE ARKANSAS February 2022

NOT JUST FOR CYCLISTS

Don’t leave the family at home on your Devil’s Den outing. Even if they aren’t riding knobbies, they will love this park.

Via bike or foot, everyone enjoys following the trail to get up close and personal with the bluff ledges, rock crevices and expansive views into Lee Creek hollow from vantage points high on the bordering ridges. At this slower pace, they can read the kiosks distributed throughout that tell the park’s role in Arkansas history.

Don’t leave the family at home on your Devil’s Den outing. Even if they aren’t riding knobbies, they will love this park.

Scott is pleased with the Monument Trails and the park once again setting the trend for mountain bike trails in the state.

It was Scott, along with his supervisor at the time, Wally Scherr, who brought mountain biking to Arkansas State Parks. In the mid’80s many hiking trails in the state did not allow bicycles.

Together, in 1988, they attended the Fat Tire Mountain Bike Festival in Crested Butte, Colorado. After the visit, they decided the hilly, rocky environment at Devil’s Den was a perfect fit for mountain biking. The next year, the park hosted Arkansas’s first mountain bike festival and, on the following day, the state’s first mountain bike race.

Both continue to be popular annual events to this day.

E D I R E H T F A LIFETIME

MOUNT NEBO STATE PARK

O

PIN NAC LE MO UNTAIN STATE PAR K

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

Visit MonumentTrails.com for more information.

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In 2021 Fayetteville, Arkansas became In 2021 Fayetteville, Arkansas became Fayetteville currently the only UCI Bike City in the U.S. the isonly UCI designated Bikedesignated City in the U.S. theinfirst in the United States to beFayetteville is currently the first city the city United States to be designated by the UCI as a Bike City.

This designated by the UCI as a Bike City. This designation cities and regions designation recognizesrecognizes cities and regions 5. Promotion of road safety friendly cities and/or regions are Promotion of road safety friendly cities and/or regions that are that 5. thathost notcycling only host cycling that not only events butevents also but also 6. Organization of mass participation excellentfor locations for bike tourism.

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But we areBut even these 8 ways: To build long-term relationships • To build •long-term relationships proudour to share our bike culture with 1. A clear, long-term cycling strategy proud to share bike culture with 1. A clear, long-term cycling strategy between thedifferent UCI andcities different cities between the UCI and visitors.

So while you’re 2 Dedicated for the promotion visitors. So while you’re here, hop here, on a hop on a 2 Dedicated funding forfunding the promotion and/orsupporting regions, supporting and/or regions, them in them in bike and enjoy all the hospitality that of cycling city or region bike and enjoy all the hospitality that of cycling in the city in orthe region their strategies for cycle use; their strategies for cycle use; Fayetteville has to offer!

3. Better infrastructure has to offer!

3. Better infrastructure for bikes for bikes Fayetteville • To the wider public • To inform theinform wider public about bikeabout bike in cycle usage 4. Increase4.inIncrease cycle usage BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 21 | 33

RULE OF FREE - HAZEL VALLEY FEB. 12 Fayetteville Second of a series of free community gravel bike events in Northwest Arkansas.

Route options from 45 to 65 miles starting and ending at Hazel Valley Ranch in Fayetteville. Beer, food and fellowship await finishers back at the ranch. Register at bikereg.com/rule-of-free-hazel-valley-2022.

WILDCAT MARATHON FEB. 12 $50-$85 Cedar Glades, Hot Springs Endurance mountain bike race held in conjunction with the Southern Enduro Tour.

Categories for juniors, men and women with a half marathon and marathon event.

To register visit bikereg.com/wildcat.

NORTHWOODS ENDURO FEB. 13 $5-$100 Northwoods Trails, Hot Springs The second stop of the Southern Enduro Tour. Racing in age categories for e-bikes, juniors, amateurs and pros. Registration and more information is available at bikereg.com/northwoods.

MOOSEJAW U.S. PRO CUP PRESENTED BY OZ TRAILS APRIL 20-24 $50-$85 Centennial Park, Fayetteville Amateur and elite level mountain bike racing. Short track and Olympic-style cross country courses will be featured. Visit uscupmtb.com for more information.

GONE GRAVELING FESTIVAL APRIL 28-30 $330 Bentonville Three-day gravel bike festival featuring educational clinics, group rides and community gatherings. Open to any person who identifies as a female. Festival is limited to 250 participants. More information is available at girlsgonegravel.com/festival.

34 | BIKE ARKANSAS February 2022

Have an event you’d like to include in a future Bike Arkansas? Email editor Kai Caddy at kaicaddy@gmail.com.

OZARK GRAVEL DOOM MAY 13 Oark A 376-mile self-supported bikepacking race starting and finishing from the Oark General Store and winding through extremely rural Ozark Mountain gravel roads. Total elevation for the route tops 40,000 feet.

benefit the Kendrick Fincher Hydration for Life foundation. Register at app.regwiz.io/ register/tourdebbq/906 PEDALS FOR COMPASSION JUNE 11 $45 Magnolia Ride benefitting Compassion’s Foundation domestic violence shelter. Four ride options of 15-100 miles. Visit bikereg.com/pedals-for-compassion for more information.

NOON2MOON MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE MAY 14 Coler Mountain Bike Preserve, Bentonville A 6- or 12-hour endurance mountain bike event to raise funds for Coler. Ride solo or in teams of three. Find more information at secure.qgiv.com/event/noon2moon.

WAMPOO ROADEO JULY 16 $15 All Souls Church, Scott A flat road ride with 28-, 40- and 62-mile routes to benefit the Marilyn Fulper Fund.

TOUR DE BBQ JUNE 4 $30-$80 Lewis and Clark Outfitters, Bentonville Event features distances of 7, 30 and 50 miles with barbecue rest stops on the Razorback Greenway Trail. Proceeds

FLINT CREEK ENDURANCE GRINDURO AUG. 6 $35-$50 Siloam Springs Self-sufficient gravel race with distances of 25 and 50 miles leaving from Siloam

KAI CADDY

EVENTS

BECAUSE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. CHECK ONLINE BEFORE MAKING PLANS.

OUACHITA CHALLENGE MARCH 26-27

$60-$195 Oden Two-day event in the Ouachita National Forest featuring a 62-mile gravel race Saturday and a 60-mile mountain bike race along the epic Womble Trail on Sunday.

Visit ouachitachallenge.com for more information.

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 21 | 35

KAI CADDY

JOE MARTIN STAGE RACE

Springs and venturing into eastern Oklahoma. Visit flintcreekendurance.com for more information.

TOUR DE TACOS SEPT. 10 $35-$45 Northwest Arkansas Ride benefitting Kendrick Fincher Hydration for Life featuring taco stops along the route.

More info and registration can be found at

MAY 19-22 Fayetteville A four-day, four-stage professional men’s and women’s race that’s part of the USA Cycling Pro Racing Tour and the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) America Tour. Cyclists from all around the world are expected. The event also includes a two-day, three-stage amateur race. Visit joemartinstagerace.com for details.

app.regwiz.io/register/tourdetacos/905.

ARKANSAW HIGH COUNTRY RACE OCT. 8 Hot Springs $100 Self-supported endurance bikepacking race that traverses the 1,000-mile-plus Arkansas High Country Route. This year’s event will also feature the Short Circuit option, which

RIDE RIDEFOR FORLITERACY LITERACY

Saturday, Saturday,April April30, 30,2022 2022| |11 11am am

Cheryl CherylTidwell, Tidwell,FIC FIC 501-590-4528 501-590-4528

Register Registeratatwww.BikeReg.com/tour-de-toad www.BikeReg.com/tour-de-toad| Learn | LearnMore Moreatatwww.facebook.com/TourDeToad/ www.facebook.com/TourDeToad/ 36 | BIKE ARKANSAS February 2022

will race just the southern loop of the route, which is approximately 500 miles.

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

Registration opens April 1. Visit wheelamena.com for more information.

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

JOE WEBER ARKY 100 OCT. 9 $35 Sheridan The 51st edition of this tour through Dallas and Grant counties. Distance options are 25, 50, 62 and 100 miles. New for 2022 is a mixed-surface adventure ride through scenic forests and farms. Registration opens on July 11. More information can be found at arkansasbicycleclub.org.

PEDESTAL ROCK AND LICK FORK BICYCLE RIDE OCT. 15 $45-$50 Witt Springs Road ride options of 20, 40, 50 and 62 miles and gravel routes of 15, 30, 50 and 62 miles benefiting work being done by Community Voices, a 501(c)(3) organization, to showcase the beauty of the Authentic Ozarks and strengthen the lives of rural Arkansawyers living in the Boston Mountains of southwest Searcy County.

Visit wittssprings.org/prlf-welcome-page for more information.

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

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

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

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KNOW THE PERFECT PLACE THAT COULD USE A SIDEWALK, OR MAYBE A TRAIL THAT NEEDS SOME TLC? Your ideas may qualify for funding through the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) or the Recreational Trails Program (RTP). Visit www.ardot.gov and search for “TAP” to learn more about these grant programs administered by the Arkansas Department of Transportation.

eligible examples include, but are not limited to:

• Conversion of abandoned railroad corridors • Sidewalk improvements • Development & rehabilitation of trailside and trailhead facilities To apply, download an application from our website. Completed applications can be emailed to LFPA@ardot.gov or mailed to the address below. Applications must be received by June 1.

Arkansas Department of Transportation c/o Program Management Division 10324 Interstate 30 Little Rock, AR 72209

north little rock river trail BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 21 | 39

Adventure, elevated

Fayetteville, AR 479.442.8200

adventuresubaru.com 40 | BIKE ARKANSAS February 2022