Bike Arkansas

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JUNE 2020 ISSUE NO. 14 BIKEARKANSASMEDIA.COM

FIRST LOOK: MOUNT NEBO BIKE TRAILS LITTLE CYCLISTS RAISE BIG MONEY

the best time to go fishing is when you can get away.

making memories since 1958.

1777 river road | lakeview, arkansas 870-431-5202 | gastons@gastons.com gastons.com | lat 36 20’ 55” n | long 92 33’ 25” w 2 | BIKE ARKANSAS JUNE 2020

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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. 14 | 3

IN THIS ISSUE PAGE 22

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BRAKING NEWS

The pandemic may keep the state from submitting proposed U.S. Bicycle Routes for approval, and Fayetteville and Bentonville embrace Slow Streets.

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MY KIT

Little Rock’s Derek Brooks has put thousands of miles on his Giant OCR3.

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KOPSKY KIDS GO BIG FOR HUNGER RELIEF

Elliott and Izzy Kopsky raised more than $12,000 for the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance through a bicycling pledge drive.

By Molly Mitchell 4 | BIKE ARKANSAS JUNE 2020

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LIFE IS UPSIDE DOWN. GET ON A BIKE!

Arkansans are cycling more than ever.

By Lindsay Southwick

22 MOUNT NEBO,

AN MTB DESTINATION

A preview of the Monument Trail system at Mount Nebo State Park, an impressive project of the Arkansas Parks & Recreation Foundation.

By Bob Robinson

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RACING AGAIN

When will cycling events return in Arkansas?

By Stephen Koch

EVERY ISSUE

32 EVENTS 38 BIKE SHOPS ON THE COVER

Derek Brooks in Big Rock Quarry in North Little Rock. Photo by Matthew Martin.

on the search for adventure summer

this

The Arkansas River Valley Tri-Peaks region boasts three premier peaks with challenges for all your biking goals — on and off-road. Pedal with pride on the 34-mile Huckleberry Mountain Horse Trail, which takes you over the shoulders and summits of Mount Magazine- Arkansas’ highest peak. Embrace Winona Scenic Drive near Perryville and trek through the Ouachita Mountains.

For the more adventurous- take the 28-mile Moccasin Gap Trail off Scenic 7 Byway North near Dover; and then in late July, embark on Arkansas’ second Monument Trail, available on Mount Nebo! Novice riders love cruising the 4-mile Bench Trail around beautiful Mount Nebo. Whichever trail you decide to travel- there’s plenty in the River Valley to peak your interest!

This advertisement was paid for with a combination of state funds and private regional association funds.

501-354-9743

#VisitTriPeaks BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 14 | 5

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BIKEARKANSASMEDIA.COM FOLLOW US FOR MORE BIKE

BROOKE WALLACE Publisher

brookewallace@arktimes.com LINDSEY MILLAR Editor

lindseymillar@arktimes.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

From paved paths through city parks to rugged mountain bike trails to sharrows on most main roads, Conway is working to be one of the most bike-friendly cities in the state.

If you don’t own a bike, you can rent a cruiser for up to a full day from one of five bike-share stations throughout town.

And when you finish your ride, stop in to one of our local restaurants to refuel.

For more information about Conway bike trails visit CycleConway.com.

CVB@ConwayArkansas.org ConwayArk.com 866.7CONWAY

6 | BIKE ARKANSAS JUNE 2020

ROLAND R. GLADDEN Advertising Traffic Manager KATIE HASSELL Graphic Design/Social Media ROBERT CURFMAN IT Director CHARLOTTE KEY Billing/Collections ANITRA HICKMAN Circulation Director

ALAN LEVERITT President alan@arktimes.com Arkansas Times Limited Partnership 201 E. MARKHAM ST., SUITE 200 LITTLE ROCK, AR 72201 501-375-2985 All Contents © 2020 Bike Arkansas Magazine

Contributors

LINDSAY SOUTHWICK is a freelance writer who loves anything that gets her outside and is even known to occasionally summit tall peaks. Proving you can teach an old dog new tricks, she began mountain biking 18 months ago and can almost keep up with her husband. She lives in Bentonville with her husband and four children who graciously supply her with legions of content to write about.

BOB ROBINSON enjoys all things

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

Tr ai l sEdgear eCooperCommuni t i es , I nc . ' sbr and newpr emi erc abi ns !Av ai l abl ef orni ght l yr ent al st o bot hPOAandnonPOAmember s , t hes ec abi nsar e l oc at edont heBel l aVi s t aBac k40bi k et r ai l .Tr ai l s Edgec abi nsar eper f ec t f orbi k eent hus i as t s , out door s men, weddi ngpar t yac c ommodat i ons , week endget away s , andmor e! s i t usat t r ai l s edgec abi ns . c om.Forbook i ng Vi i nf or mat i onandr at es , c ont ac t usat 4793667233& t r ai l s edge@c ooper l and. c om orbookonl i neat v r bo. c om •ai r bnb. c om

MIKE SPAIN is a graphic designer and

art director with Arkansas Times. An avid cyclist since 2004 and weekend ride leader, he was bitten by the cycling bug in 1976 while working at Chainwheel.

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 14 | 7

BRAKING NEWS

PANDEMIC SLOWS ARKANSAS’S U.S. BICYCLE ROUTE PROGRESS The Arkansas Department of Transportation has been meeting with community leaders in cities along a proposed U.S. Bicycle Route from Little Rock to West Memphis in advance of submitting the route for approval to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officialas. Getting supportive resolutions from cities is an important step in the application process, Kim Sanders, bicycle-pedestrian coordinator for the state Department of Transportation, said.

But moving the application along requires meeting with a lot of people, which is difficult amid the COVID-19 pandemic: “We’re kind of at a standstill for that right now.” The association has spring and fall deadlines for submissions.

Sanders had hoped to make the fall deadline, but, thanks to the pandemic, that is unlikely, she said.

With money from a five-year, $3.2 million State Physical Activity and Nutrition Program grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences hired Crafton Tull for a feasibility study on creating the route from West Memphis to Little Rock. That study led to the proposed route.

The U.S. Bicycle Route System was conceived in 1978 by the highway and transportation officials’ association, which coordinates on numbering interstate highways. The routes

use a mixture of low-traffic roads, offroad paths and bike lanes to get riders safely across long distances. Adventure Cycling, the nonprofit that worked with the Arkansas Parks and Recreation Foundation to develop the Arkansas High Country Route, is a lead advocate on further development of the system and the source for maps and GPS info.

A little more than half of the states in the country have designated USBRS routes. UAMS has been working on the route with the state Department of Parks and Tourism, Arkansas Department of Transportation and members of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Cycling.

The Department of Transportation plans to submit another application for a route from the Missouri border south to Alma along with the Little Rock to West Memphis route or soon thereafter. Eventually, the plan is to have another route from Little Rock to Fort Smith, which would connect to the Alma-to-Missouri route, Sanders said.

“We get a lot of bicycle tourism already,” Sanders said. “ We get a lot of mountain biking tourism. There are a lot of people who get out and like to ride across their region, across their state, across multiple states.

We’d like to establish a safe route to draw more bicycle tourism of a different kind.”

The hope is that signage will accompany each route, Sanders said, but that hasn’t been fleshed out.

FAYETTEVILLE AND BENTONVILLE EMBRACE SLOW STREETS The cities of Bentonville and Fayetteville have partnered with Bike NWA to host weekly Slow Streets events from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. every Sunday through Aug. 30.

In Fayetteville, the 3.5-mile route links Wilson Park to Dickson Street and other areas around downtown. In Bentonville, the route runs throughout downtown and

8 | BIKE ARKANSAS JUNE 2020

provides connection to the Razorback Regional Greenway, the Slaughter Pen Trail, Compton Gardens and Dave Peel Park.

According to BIke NWA’s website, “The goal is to make streets safer to walk, bike and travel without a vehicle, creating wider spaces than sidewalks and trails allow for safe physical distancing.”

Slow Streets began as a pilot project in Bentonville on May 10-17.

Signs and barricades discourage cut-through vehicular traffic along the routes, but streets remain open with a 5 mph speed limit. Bike NWA is seeking volunteers to help put up and take down signage and barricades. Sign up to volunteer at bikenwa.org.

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BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 14 | 9

MY KIT PHOTOGRAPHY: MATTHEW MARTIN

10 | BIKE ARKANSAS JUNE 2020

NAME: Derek Brooks FROM: Little Rock AGE: 43 JOB: Validation engineer with Molex in Maumelle

I’VE BEEN RIDING: Since 2005. I

rode as a kid, throughout high school and in college. But what prompted me later in life to start riding again was that I had a car accident, and I was just done driving. So for about five years I didn’t have a car, so anywhere I went was on a bike. Sometimes that meant biking to a bus stop and putting my bike on the bus to get places.

THESE DAYS: I probably get 60

miles in every week. I ride the River Trail a couple times a week and some longer rides.

BIKE: Giant OCR3. I got it in 2007.

I probably paid $670 and it was on sale at Chainwheel. The guy who sold it to me always laughs when he sees me on it, like, “You’ve gotten your money out of that.”

I’ve put thousands of miles on it.

The aluminum frame has been durable. I’ve had to lay it down a couple of times, and I’ve never bent the frame or cracked it. I’ve changed the wheels out. I’ve got a Shimano wheel on the back and a ROL Volant one on the front. Both have Continental Gatorskin tires on them. I replaced the saddle, too. This one is a WTD, typically used for mountain biking. It’s got a little more padding than normal.

HELMET: Giro GLOVES: Pearl Izumi. I rode

without them for a while, but when your hands sweat a lot, your grip can give way.

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 14 | 11

SOCKS: I got these socks when I rode Tour Da Delta in 2010.

It starts in Helena and you go into Mississippi. I thought it was going to be real chill, and then I got to Crowley’s Ridge.

On that ride, it was always like you could see the horizon, but you’re never getting closer.

STIRRUPS: That’s what the bike came with and I just got used to them. You get your habits going. I’ve fallen a lot and been in some close calls. I just feel way more comfortable [with stirrups vs. clipping in]. I’ve nearly crashed on the River Rail trolley tracks. If you’re clipped in on them and fall, it’s a wrap; it’s over.

JERSEY: Paladin Sports. It just spoke to me. It reminded me of some anime stuff.

SUNGLASSES: Solar Comforts. Those are my good shades,

which we all know is always risky. If you have your good shades on, they’re bound to get destroyed. But these stay on and don’t slip around.

BOOK: Lennard Zinn’s “Zinn & the Art of Road Bike

Maintenance.” I got it years ago from a friend back when there was a bike co-op associated with the Arkansas Sustainability Network. I went down there frequently and learned a little. One of my friends working there gave me the book. It’s really detailed. Once you get through it, you’ll be comfortable doing just about any repair on your bike.

“LENNARD ZINN’S “ZINN & THE ART OF ROAD BIKE MAINTENANCE.” ... ONCE YOU GET THROUGH IT, YOU’LL BE COMFORTABLE DOING JUST ABOUT ANY REPAIR ON YOUR BIKE.”

12 | BIKE ARKANSAS JUNE 2020

SERVING YOUR CYCLING NEEDS FOR

25

years

SALES & SERVICE

Trail Maps and Rentals Available

SINCE 1995

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

Central Arkansas Velo (CARVE) would like to say thank you to all our patrons and sponsors for their support this last year! Your donations enabled us to put on eight well-organized events, create the NCAS – In Case You Are Hit While Cycling mnemonic and replace our stolen trailer and contents.

If you would like to help CARVE: • Support cycling advocacy initiatives such as public policy and infrastructure • Develop recreational and competitive cyclists through education and coaching • Build the cycling community through events large and small

Fund our mission and donate to CARVE www.centralarvelo.org BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 14 | 13

CREW: (From left) Izzy, Elliott and dad Bill Kopsky.

Bite-Sized Bikers Raise $12,000 For Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance.

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mall but seasoned cyclists Izzy and Elliott Kopsky raised more than $12,000 for the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance in a bikea-thon fundraiser to help with COVID-19 relief efforts.

In mid-April, Izzy and Elliott decided they wanted to do something to help people affected by the coronavirus crisis. They were inspired

by Capt. Tom Moore, the nonagenarian who raised more than £30 million for the British National Health Service by walking laps in his backyard with his walker. The boys’ 14 | BIKE ARKANSAS JUNE 2020

version was cranking mileage on their bikes for Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance. “We thought we wanted to help people in our community like that guy,” said Izzy, 9, “so we decided to do a bike-a-thon.” Why cycling?

Simple. “Because we’re really good at it and we like it,” Elliott, 7, said.

Izzy and Elliott have been biking with their dad, Bill Kopsky, executive director of the Arkansas Public Policy Panel, for years, and they trained diligently for their big race on May 20. Both boys set personal records

during the bike-a-thon. Before the race, Elliott’s personal best was 18 miles and Izzy’s was 55.

On the big day, they hit their personal goals and then some. Izzy rode 66 miles and Elliott made it to 32.7 miles. “I’m a little nervous,” said Izzy a few days before the race, “because I’ve only got close to that once. In training we’ve only gone 18 to 23 miles, and I need to go 65, so I’m a little nervous about that. But I think I can do it.”

A couple of small crashes and previously unconquered hills stood in the way of victory

for both boys, but they powered through. The hardest part for Izzy was Fort Roots Drive, the steep hill up to Veteran’s Administration Hospital in North Little Rock, especially when he took a spill on the way down. “I was going down Fort Roots, and I tried to stop but I couldn’t stop completely so I rolled into a curb. My pedal hit me in the leg. I got a tiny cut but a big bruise.

It hurt a lot at first; it doesn’t hurt anymore.”

Elliott came out of the race with a battle scar, too. “My dad said there were deer in a field,” he said, “and I wanted to look at them and suddenly I kind of flipped over the edge of my bike. And I have a little scrape on my knee.”

Elliott’s crash happened early in the race, but it didn’t break his spirit. “Elliott really toughed it out to not have it derail his ride, so I’m proud of him. [It] looked like it hurt,” Kopsky said. Izzy chimed in to say that Elliott got up from his crash smiling, but Elliott contests that claim. “I was not laughing or smiling,” Elliott insisted.

Despite a few bumps in the road, the boys made it, and everybody finished the day satisfied. “I felt tired, proud and happy at the same time,” Elliott said. “I was very proud of them,” their father said. “You know, they set a goal and I was a little nervous because it was a stretch for both of them, but they both did KOPSKY KIDS: Elliott (left) and Izzy Kopsky were inspired by a British nonagenarian who raised more than £30 million for the British National Health Service by walking laps in his backyard with his walker. really great. We had a good day out.”

Elliott (below) shows off his record 32.7 miles on his odometer.

When it got hard, Izzy said that his motivation to keep going was “finishing the ride and helping other people.” sure to be on the rise for a long time coming.

Donors sponsored the boys per mile cycled “This is a long haul that we’re in for,” Webb or with flat donations, and all donations went said. “That’s one reason that what these kids are to the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance. The doing is so important, because not only does organization works with nonprofits, state and it raise money, but it also raises awareness.” federal agencies and other organizations to Webb said the money the Kopskys and othincrease access to food across the state. “It’s ers raise can have a significant impact on the an incredible amount of money,” said Kathy lives of those struggling with hunger, such as Webb, executive director of the organization. enabling the organization to make more help “I’ve had the privilege of knowing these kids available to the Latinx community by hiring since they were born and knowing their native Spanish speakers, or getting schools the parents. I know that they’re bringing up their equipment they need to provide meals for kids kids to understand that issues like this have during the summer. “Every donation makes an impact on all of us. And those of us who a difference,” she said. The money the boys can do something have an obligation to do it.” raised “could make the difference in whether Addressing hunger in Arkansas is and will a school is able to continue serving, and that continue to be an urgent need because of the could be a thousand kids.” fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. After the In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, the boys recession in 2008, it took a full decade to recover understand that hunger relief is profoundly in terms of numbers of Arkansans affected necessary. “A lot of people are losing their by hunger in the state. Because an even more jobs and aren’t getting enough food,” Elliott severe economic downturn is in progress as a said. “We’re hoping the donations will help,” result of the coronavirus pandemic, hunger is Izzy added.

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 14 | 15

Lockdown,

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, Saddle-Up Arkansans get on their bikes like never before.

By Lindsay Southwick photography by brian chilson

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IN HIGH DEMAND: Bicycle shops across the state, including Arkansas Cycling & Fitness in Little Rock, have had a hard time keeping up with demand amid the pandemic.

he shutdown we presumed would last a couple of weeks back in March has turned into months, with no sign of things returning to pre-pandemic status anytime soon. Sports, concerts, vacations, special events and extracurricular activities have all been postponed or outright canceled, leaving all of us feeling the effects of COVID-19 in one way or another. It seems one of the only things that has been spared from closure has been the great outdoors.

So, if there’s an upside to the shutdown, it’s that people are getting outside. Thank goodness for that! Fresh air has never been more necessary for our mental stability.

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 14 | 17

GONE IN NO TIME: Inventory that normally lasts months at Arkansas Cycling & Fitness has been selling in a matter of weeks, according to owner Richard Machycek (right).

In a survey conducted by BikeNWA, 72 “There are lots of riders getting their first lifted and people are looking for ways to fill percent of respondents said they’ve spent entry-level hybrids or beginner mountain their summer calendars, don’t anticipate that more time doing outdoor activities with bikes. Single-speed kid bikes have been popthings will die down anytime soon. Though their family since the shutdown began, and ular as well. And we’ve seen a good amount many trails handle crowds with grace, it seems 28 percent said they’ve explored trails they of service work demand. Lots of new tires more necessary than ever to put our very best hadn’t been to before the pandemic. going on old bikes.” trail manners to use.

It’s no surprise that Arkansans have turned Initially, it was bikes in the under $1,000 “There’s an incredible number of new riders to cycling as a means of burning off some category that were in high demand. However, right now, but it’s not just them who lack best cabin fever. It helped that bike shops were it didn’t take long before high-end bikes, like practices,” Rich Drew, founder of The Ride deemed essential businesses (as providers those built by Bentonville-based manufacturer Series MTB Skills Clinics, said. “New riders of transportation) and were allowed to stay Allied Cycle Works, started seeing an uptick don’t always know what they don’t know, but open throughout the pandemic. In a time in business as well. being a skilled rider doesn’t always translate when small businesses are struggling to keep “Something clicked around the second into trail etiquette. It’s always important to their doors open, many bike shops across the week of April and that’s when business really have appropriate skills and know-how to use state are only struggling to keep up the trails respectfully, but it’s even with demand. At Arkansas Cycling and more important with potentially “There’s an incredible number of Fitness in Little Rock and Sherwood, crowded terrain.” new riders right now, but it’s not inventory that usually lasts months Drew encourages everyone to has been selling in a matter of weeks. keep a few things in mind: just them who lack best practices,” “I’ve never seen anything like it,” 1. YIELD. While the climber is — Rich Drew owner Richard Machycek said. “In April, said to have the right of way, many I sold more than double the number times someone descending doesn’t of bikes I usually do this time of year. May is started to pick up for us,” Allied CEO Brendan have the ability to safely stop. Yielding as much shaking out to be more of the same.”

Quirk said. “Some momentum we had had as you can is just a good rule. Sometimes this Business has remained steady at Phat Tire from a strong first quarter came back, and means communicating with oncoming riders Bike Shop’s nine locations, though it’s not necwe’ve had a really strong stretch ever since. to determine who will wait and who will pass. essarily business as usual. Instead of helping People are investing in their dream bikes and 2. DON’T RIDE BEYOND YOUR COMtourists riding the trails, they’re staying busy we are feeling pretty optimistic about things.”

FORT LEVEL. Riding beyond your ability providing services to locals with extra time All those bike repairs, purchases and poses a risk to yourself and others. There is no (and energy) on their hands. tune-ups translate to more bikes out and shame in getting off the saddle if something “We’ve seen a trend for family bikes,” about. While fewer cars on the road bode is above your pay grade. said Nickel Potter, director of operations for well for road riders, the trails are a different 3. LOOK UP. It’s easy to get caught up in Phat Tire Bike Shop, which has locations in story. Even with a ban restricting out-of-state what’s directly in front of you. Be cognizant of Bentonville, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Rogers, travelers in April, the trails remained busy what’s ahead and always be expecting someone.

Siloam Springs and Springdale. with Arkansans. Now that the ban has been 4. KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE. Keep at 18 | BIKE ARKANSAS JUNE 2020

August 8th & 9th

“I’ve never seen anything like it. In April, I sold more than double the number of bikes I usually do this time of year. May is shaking out to be more of the same.”

— Richard Machycek least three to four bike lengths between you and other cyclists.

5. PRACTICE PATIENCE AND USE COMMON SENSE. The trails belong to everyone, so be kind to others utilizing them — hikers included. The busier the trail, the more patience you need to have.

Avoiding large group rides and taking care of the trails are two more things worth noting. Some cities have been forced to lay off at least some of their maintenance staff, making it necessary for those using the trails to be good keepers of them.

It’s been a weird couple of months and, unfortunately, and it’s not over yet. It’s hard to know exactly what the world will look like when the virus finally leaves us alone. It would be a shame if we went through all of this without taking away something from it. Let’s hope it’s caused all of us to examine our lives with a little more scrutiny. What are the things we are anxious to get back to, and what are the things we are OK leaving behind for good?

An optimist might even say this pandemic is giving us a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to push the reset button on things that need to be reset. Let’s hope that some of the habits we’ve created and hobbies we’ve discovered during this time will stay with us long after this is over.

It’s been a unique time that’s allowed everyone to get outside and enjoy whatever their little corner of the world has to offer them. Luckily for us, our little corner is pretty great. Let’s hope when COVID-19 is in the rear-view mirror, our bikes are not.

Cross Country Mountain Bike Race Women’s Ride Clinics Tour de Taco Ride Ice Cream Ride Downtown Classic Ride Trail Crew Workshop

Fees: $10-$50 (varies with program) Entry fees include a Kessler Mountain Jam trucker hat

www.fayetteville-ar.gov/jam

DO YOU HAVE BIKE NEWS? WANT TO ADVERTISE? INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES? CONTACT BROOKE WALLACE AT BROOKE@ARKTIMES.COM @BIKEARMAG BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 14 | 19

SATURDAY, AUGUST 15 20 | BIKE ARKANSAS JUNE 2020

SATURDAY, AUGUST 15 WE’RE SET TO RIDE AT THIS YEAR’S TOUR DE ROCK! Plans are in place to ensure the health and safety of our riders.

WHAT:

25, 50 and 62 mile routes through central Arkansas

WHERE: Race begins and ends on Riverfront Drive in North Little Rock.

WHY:

Support CARTI’s mission of delivering the most advanced forms of cancer care.

RACE UPDATES • Drive-thru packet pick-up at CARTI Cancer Center • Start queues with 6’ zones between each rider • Additional SAG support to assist riders • Socially-distanced rest stops • To-go lunch by Count Porkula BBQ and Edwards Food Giant

Register today at CARTI.com/TourdeRock

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 14 | 21

ATOP THE MOUNT: Amber Brown, project manager for the Arkansas Parks & Recreation Foundation, enjoys her ride with a view.

22 | BIKE ARKANSAS JUNE 2020

Mount Nebo Trails Nearing Completion Soon to be mountain bike destination.

Story and photos By Bob Robinson

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 14 | 23

ROCKY RIDE: Amber Brown gets up close and personal with the rock bluffs.

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ver since the completion of Phase I of the Monument Trail system at Mount Nebo State Park, mountain bikers have anxiously awaited the return of Rock Solid Trail Contracting to build the additional 18 miles of proposed trails.

The 2-mile descent of Chickalah Downhill flow line included in Phase I, with its sweet optional black jump features, revealed the potential fun factor of the mountain’s 1,000-plus-foot elevation difference when placed in the creative hands of the Rock Solid crew.

The remaining 6 miles included in last year’s construction, Chickalah Valley Loop, routing cyclists through pine forest hollows and hugging rocky bluff lines, energized the anticipation of what was to yet to come.

But the wait is over. Well, almost over?

Suzanne Grobmyer, executive director of the Arkansas Parks & Recreation Foundation and manager of the Mount Nebo Trail project, said in May that the final stages of construction were still taking place. She stressed that cyclists should keep off the new trails until the opening has been officially announced.

Plans were in the works for a mid-June opening; however, the best way to follow the grand opening schedule of events is at arkansasstateparks.com/monumenttrails.

24 | BIKE ARKANSAS JUNE 2020

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

The Mount Nebo Trails are not just for mountain bikers.

“From trail runners, hikers, to mountain bikers, the trail offers a system for all skill levels and all fitness levels,” Grobmyer said.

“We strive as a foundation to build Monument Trails that speak to the story and place they are located.”

Grobmyer and Arkansas Parks & Recreation Foundation have done a fantastic job incorporating the story of Mount Nebo State Park

into the Monument Trail system, beginning with the Three-C Trail.

This beginner, and strider friendly, 2-mile trail stretches across the entire length of the mountain, connecting Sunrise and Sunset points. Along the way, it introduces visitors to many rustic cabins, pavilions and campground structures crafted by the 1930s-era Civilian Conservation Corps.

Builders have also preserved the history of the area in naming the trails. Miller’s Goat Trail derives its

The long sweeping switchbacks, snaking their way up the steep forested hillside, make the climb as painless as possible; however, the trail will still challenge even the fittest riders.

DISCOVER THE TRAILS of

THE DIAMOND LAKES REGION

The Diamond Lakes Region has 240 miles of trails plus three IMBA EPIC trails.*

NORTHWOODS TRAILS HOT SPRINGS

Beginner to Advanced 27 miles Trailheads: Waterworks at 300 Pineland Dr., Pullman Ave., Cedar Glades Park, Bull Bayou Near: Downtown Hot Springs

IRON MOUNTAIN TRAIL Beginner to Intermediate 32 Miles Near: DeGray Lake

LAKE OUACHITA VISTA TRAIL (LOViT)*

Intermediate 38 Miles Trailheads: Avery Park, Brady Mtn. Rd., Crystal Springs, Joplin, and Denby Point Near: Mount Ida • Crystal Springs

OUACHITA NATIONAL RECREATION TRAIL*

name from the pet goat of Superintendent Matt Miller’s son, Pat. The Ox Pull Trail’s name is a reminder of when the park’s early visitors had to switch out the horses of their wagons with oxen to pull them up the steep mountain road entrance to the park.

THE NEW TRAILS

If the highlight of your visits to Mount Nebo over the past year has been Chickalah Downhill, then you should begin your new adventure at the top of Hayes Creek Run. Hayes is another directional descent-only trail, with 12 minutes of adrenalin-filled, gravity-fed ecstasy, featuring monster tall berms, technical rock slabs, black jump features (which offer ride arounds) and a classic bridge that itself is a work of art.

Upon arriving at the bottom of Hayes, cinch up your shoe straps for the long climb back up the mountain. For those who have visited the park, picture the steep winding entrance to the park that had your vehicle downshifting to its lowest gear during the

Intermediate to Advanced 108 Miles Added Bonus: Camping Shelters every 10 miles Trailheads: Hwy 7 past Jessieville, Story Near: Hot Springs Village • Story

WOMBLE TRAIL*

Intermediate 35 Miles Trailheads: Fishing Village in Story, Hwy 298, and Northfork Lake Near: Mount Ida • Story

Go to BIKEHOTSPRINGS.COM for details HIDDEN

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This ad is paid for with a combination of state funds and private regional association funds.

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 14 | 25

MANY SIDE OF MOUNT NEBO: (From left, clockwise) Suzanne Grobmyer, executive director of the Arkansas Parks & Recreation Foundation, follows her daughter Margrett. Add a hammock to your mountain biking gear for the Sunset Point view at the end of a great day of trail riding.

Jordon Smith works a gnarly rock feature.

26 | BIKE ARKANSAS JUNE 2020

RIDE ANGRY GET YOUR ASS OUT THERE. struggle up the mountain. Now replace the pavement with dirt single-track, and you have an accurate image of the climb back up the mountain on Ox Pull Trail.

The long sweeping switchbacks, snaking their way up the steep forested hillside, make the climb as painless as possible; however, the trail will still challenge even the fittest riders.

A parking area located at the transition from fun downhill to no-fun uphill means riders can work out shuttles with their buds. Some may think of it as a cop-out, but hey, no

Miller’s is a fun 6-mile, green-rated trail that meanders its way around the mountain, offering spectacular views of the lush river valley below from a wide variety of angles.

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28 | BIKE ARKANSAS JUNE 2020

one expects snow skiers to ski back up the mountain.

Grady Spann, director of Arkansas State Parks, said the park is open to an enterprising entrepreneur with a plan for operating a for-pay shuttle service back up the mountain. Having ridden up Ox Pull, I believe a person providing shuttles up the mountain could name their price.

Following your payback for the downhill thrill ride, be it either with sweat or coin, jump on Miller’s Goat Trail.

Miller’s is a fun 6-mile, green-rated trail that meanders its way around the mountain, offering spectacular views of the lush river valley below from a wide variety of angles. It also includes stretches of rock gardens that will challenge the skill sets of beginning cyclists.

Spann rates this as being one of the best trails he has ridden.

The cherry atop the Mount Nebo trail system is Lizard Tail, the only true black-rated trail in the park. This 2-mile stretch of trail earns its high rating with the narrow tread of raw, techy-rock that routes cyclists along the exposed bluff rim of the mountain.

THE FUTURE

Spann said that, with a total of 25 miles of single track, Mount Nebo State Park will become a mountain bike destination. This amount of quality bike trails will provide an entire weekend of cycling adventure, drawing visitors to the area from outside The Natural State.

Using attendance statistics from Hobbs State Park’s Monument Trail, completed in 2019, where the April 2020 attendance of 5,570 was more than double the same period from the previous year, it appears the future for Mount Nebo State Park looks bright.

Grobmyer describes the Monument Trail at Mount Nebo as being “truly a shared vision between Arkansas Parks and Recreation Foundation, Arkansas State Parks & the Walton Family Foundation.” The Walton Family Foundation has provided grant funding to the Parks & Recreation Foundation to pay for the trail work at monument trails throughout the state.

Park officials describe the system as the largest trail construction project in the state parks’ history since the construction of the original trail systems in the 1930s and ’40s by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

STATUS OF FUTURE MONUMENT TRAILS ➤ PINNACLE MOUNTAIN STATE PARK: Trails are underway with completion scheduled for late 2020. ➤ DEVIL’S DEN STATE PARK: Construction is underway with a revision of Fossil Flats and development of new trails. ➤ HOBBS STATE PARK: Bringing trails such as Hidden Diversity Trail up to today’s standards of sustainable trail design is under discussion.

UP HIGH: Jordon Smith, a Rock Solid Trail Contracting crew member, enjoys the fruits of his labor (opposite page).

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 14 | 29

POSTPONED: The Joe Martin Stage Race, one of Arkansas’s biggest cycling events, isn’t happening as scheduled. Organizers plan to hold it later in the year, but no date has been set.

A Racing Rethink

More people are riding bikes amid the pandemic. But when will rides and races return?

By Stephen Koch

L

ike every aspect of life during a pandemic, the world of cycling has been in a tumult this year. With the large numbers of participants in close proximity that bike racing brings together, competitive races understandably ground to a halt across the state this spring.

No one is really sure what the future of bike racing holds, but summer and fall dates for postponed spring events remain on schedules in Arkansas.

Tiffany Hoover with Fayetteville Parks and Recreation oversees the Square 2 Square Bike 30 | BIKE ARKANSAS JUNE 2020

Ride, along with a co-organizer from Bentonville. “Our spring ride would have been May 2,” Hoover said. “Thankfully, we offer the ride twice a year, and are hopeful that the Sept. 19 version can go off without a hitch,” she said, noting this year is the five-year anniversary of both the Razorback Greenway and the Square 2 Square Bike Ride.

While competitive racing is in limbo, Hoover says the parks and recreation department is encouraging riders to get out for solo rides.

To that end, and for those who thrive on

competition, the department has launched the virtually documented Square 2 Square Bike Ride Challenge. This gives riders the chance to ride the spring course (Fayetteville Square to Bentonville Square) between May 22 and July 5 “as a way to receive what would have been the spring finisher medal. The ride challenge is free and limited to the first 2,000 registrants,” she said.

Participants will be encouraged to use the official ride hashtag on social media, utilize the route maps in either the Ride Spot or

Strava apps and join the Square 2 Square Bike Club on Strava as a way to safely interact and engage with other riders. “Offering the ride challenge also allows us to provide recognition to our sponsors through social media as if the spring ride [had] taken place,” Hoover said.

Bruce Dunn is owner and race director of All Sports Productions in Fayetteville, which puts on several of the state’s biggest races.

Like Hoover, he’s challenged himself “to think outside the box [to reimagine racing]. You’ve got to be creative.”

He said adapting to the new reality means “you can’t just look at the same model today.

Look at restaurants, and how they’ve adapted.

So, for us, we’ve been going through these imagining scenarios: ‘What if it were half capacity, and do the crowd with social distancing?’ We’ve been looking at some virtual options for running. That kind of thing.”

As for bike events in the present, “We’ve been making those decisions based on a Phase 3 mentality,” Dunn said, referring to the tiered reopening plan states are to follow on public gatherings. “And are people ready to gather at the end of Phase 3?” he asked. “We’re waiting until the public is ready to come out.”

Beyond spectators, Dunn said, “We also need to see if a significant number of our athletes will show up to events. If you normally have 800 people competing, and only have 200, you can’t do that.” He said surveys his company has done show that 86 percent of respondents are willing to participate in events by July: “We’re hoping that July comes and we’re ready to go.”

Little Rock’s Big Dam Bridge 100, one of the biggest cycling events in the state and produced by Dunn’s All Sports, is set for Sept.

26. “We opened registration on March 15,” when the extent of COVID-19 in the U.S. was becoming well-known, he noted. “Judging by the number of applications, people feel that by September they’ll be ready,” he said.

Dunn said the next big cycling event for All Sports Productions is the Ozark Valley Triathlon, scheduled for Aug. 2 at Lake Wedington in the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests, parts of which remained closed at the time Bike went to press. “We have a decision tree based on local and city and state governments,” he said.

“Plan for the worst, and hope for the best.

In disorder comes an anti-fragile organization.

The greater stresses make you innovative,” Dunn said.

The quarantine seems to have raised the profile of cycling as a whole. The New York Times reported in mid-May on a national bicycle shortage. More locally, according to Traci Berry, Northwoods trails coordinator at Visit Hot Springs, “the trails have been busy; the bike shops are crazy busy.” She said she’s hearing about “a lot of [bike] gear being bought, and a lot of beginners now

FINGERS CROSSED: The Big Dam Bridge is still on for Sept. 26 out there riding.”

That’s the good news for COVID-19-era cycling in Arkansas. The activity is all solo riders and small groups, she noted: “Any events we had planned for spring have been canceled. The group rides, they have been curtailed. Our monthly Full Moon Rides and trail maintenance events are canceled.

We’re adhering to all the social distancing guidelines. We’ve cut down half our parking at our four different trailheads,” Berry said.

Canceling rides and group events isn’t something anyone wants to do, Berry said, but it was an easy choice: “When you’re having races, how do you distance? You’re trying to pass someone. Group rides are a little easier, ’cause it’s not a competitive event. But it is still

about the social side of biking, and when you have to worry about the distances, or serving food, it changes things.”

Still on the schedule in the Spa City: The Gudrun, Northwoods MTB Festival, set for Nov. 13-15 and launching, she hopes, with a running/cycling expo that Friday. “It’s all kind of play-it-by ear,” she said.

“Right now, it’s about staying connected with the community through social media, being active and enjoying the trails we have here,” Berry said. “We’re trying to do a lot of stuff virtually to encourage riding in a safe way. From what I’m hearing, cycling shops aren’t hurting, so, except for racing, biking will be doing OK. It’s almost the only thing you can do right now.”

CANCELED: The Ugly Gnome Mountain Bike Race, schedule for May, was called off because of the pandemic.

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 14 | 31

EVENTS WAMPOO ROADEO JULY All Souls Church, 4601 Walker’s Corner Road, Scott. $15.

Now a virtual ride. More details at facebook.com/wampooroadeo.

EUREKA SPRINGS MULTISPORT FESTIVAL JULY 17-19 Eureka Springs. $45-$140.

A three-day festival with a sprintdistance triathlon on Friday afternoon, Gran Fondos on Saturday and running races on Sunday. The Gran Fondos include 21-, 30-, 62- and 100-mile routes. A “Full Eurekan” is anyone who competes in the triathlon, the 100-mile ride and 10K run. Check allsportsproductionsinc.com to be sure this event is still on.

CRYSTAL BRIDGES ENDURANCE GRINDURO AUG. 1 Siloam Springs. $40-$65.

A gravel race with timed stages through Northwest Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. With 50- and 100mile options. Register and find more info at bikereg.com/45723.

BECAUSE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. MAKE SURE YOU CHECK ONLINE BEFORE MAKING PLANS. OZARK VALLEY TRIATHLON AUG. 2 Lake Wedington Park, Fayetteville With four courses: a sprint triathlon (400-yard swim, 13-mile bike and 2-mile run), international triathlon (1,000-yard swim, 19-mile bike and 4-mile run), aquabike (1,000-yard swim, 19-mile bike) and sprint duathlon (2-mile run, 13-mile bike and 2-mile run). Register and find more info at runsignup. com/Race/AR/Fayetteville/ OzarkValleyTriathlonpresentedbyDegree.

BENTONVILLE BIKE FEST AUG. 7-9 Workshops, a gravel ride, an enduro, a race and events specifically geared toward women and children. Find more information and get tickets at bentonvillebikefest.com.

KESSLER MOUNTAIN JAM AUG. 8-9 Kessler Mountain Regional Park, Fayetteville.

Clinics, social time and a Arkansas Mountain Bike Championship Series cross country race. More info at secure. rec1.com/AR/fayetteville-ar/catalog.

JUNE 20

The Square Park, Magnolia. $35-$50.

With a short family route and 15-, 35- and 100-mile routes, along with a 107-kilometer one. The event benefits the Compassion’s Foundation Domestic Violence Shelter. To register and for more info, visit bikereg.com/ pedals-for-compassion.

32 | BIKE ARKANSAS JUNE 2020

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Northwoods, Hot Springs All at 6:30 p.m. (except the November and December dates, which are at 5:30 p.m.)

A beginner-to-intermediate group ride that lasts about an hour and ends with riders cooking out and listening to live music together at the trailhead. Make sure you’ve got a front light on your bike.

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TOUR DE SALT SHAKER SEPT. 9 Benton.

A charity ride to benefit ABBA Charities Inc. with 10-, 25- and 50-mile options. For more information, contact Kandi Cox, kandi@abbacharities.com or 501776-2566.

TOUR DE ROCK AUG. 15

Riverfront Drive, North Little Rock.

Riders choose between four “pancake-flat” routes — 25, 50, 62 and 100 miles — in this ride to benefit CARTI. Fully supported, with an after-party featuring music, exhibitors, food and a beer garden. For more info and to register, visit carti.com/events/tour-de-rock.

TRIFEST FOR MS SEPT. 4-6 Bentonville.

A swim/bike/run triathlon that benefits UAMS research into multiple sclerosis.

With routes for all ages and levels. More info at researchms.org/trifest.

HIGHWAY 71 PASTRY TOUR SEPT. 6 Fayetteville A ride for all riders, including children,

TOUR DE BLUFF SEPT. 11-12 615 Main St., Pine Bluff.

A 23-mile road race along with other contests and social events.

Register and find more info at tourdebluff.com.

DEGRAY LAKE TRIATHLON SEPT. 13 DeGray Lake, Arkadelphia.

Triathlon with variety of swim, bike and run options. Find more info and register at runsignup. com/Race/AR/Arkadelphia/ DegrayLakeTriathlon.

ARVEST DIRTY FONDO SEPT. 13 Historic Marlsgate, Scott. $90.

A gravel grinder through Lonoke County with two routes: one 26 miles and another 48 miles. Presented by Recycle Bikes for Kids. There’ll be special RB4K Dirty Fondo beer brewed especially for the event by Flyway Brewing’s brewmaster, Nathan Greubel. Prizes and food, too. More info at bikereg.com/43793.

PEDESTAL ROCK AND LICK FORK BICYCLE RIDE OCT. 17

Witts Springs.

A ride with 20-, 40-, 50- and 62-mile paved options and 15-, 30-, 45- and 62-mile gravel options. All riders receive pre- and post-ride meals and a schwag bag. The ride benefits Community Voices, a nonprofit that works to showcase the Boston Mountains. For more info, visit wittssprings.org.

34 | BIKE ARKANSAS JUNE 2020

CONWAY FALL CLASSIC BIKE TOUR SEPT. 19 Grace Methodist Church, 1075 Hogan Lane, Conway.

With 20-, 42- and 65-mile routes. More info at cycleconway.com.

INNER CITY CLASSIC SEPT. 19 Rail Yard, 1212 E. Sixth St., Little Rock A fully supported ride with rest stops and 20-, 40- and 84-mile options.

Proceeds go to send kids to Young Life camp. More info and registration at innercityclassic.com.

SQUARE 2 SQUARE BIKE RIDE SEPT. 19 Bentonville. Free.

Ride 30 miles on the Razorback Regional Greenway, finishing in Fayetteville.

With three pit stops along the way with first aid, bike maintenance services and refreshments.

R.A.P.T.O.R. GRAVEL GRINDER SEPT. 20 Fayetteville A gravel ride with 30-, 50- and 70-mile routes. More info at runsignup.com/Race/ RAPTORAdventureSeries/Page/gravel.

OZ TRAILS OFF-ROAD OCT. 9-11 Bentonville Choose from three different singletrack routes: 15, 30 or 50 miles. More info at epicrides.com/events/oz-trails-off-road.

TOUR DA DELTA OCT. 10 Helena-West Helena. $20-$70.

A ride, with gravel and paved options,

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with 10-, 20-, 32- and 71mile routes. Find more info and register at bikereg.com/ highway71pastrytour.

COLER ROLLER OCT. 17 Coler Mountain Bike Preserve, Bentonville.

Annual mountain bike party for members of Friends of Arkansas Singletrack (FAST).

More info at fasttrails.org.

TOUR DE HOOT OCT. 17 McGehee.

Gravel ride with routes up to 100 miles long.

Ride supports Boys and Girls Club of McGehee.

PEDAL THE RIDGE Oct. 17 Paragould.

A fully supported ride with 10-, 25-, 62and 100-mile routes. Register and find more info at pedaltheridge.com.

LANTERNE ROUGE FONDO OCT. 18 Shiloh Square, Springdale.

With 20- and 40-mile routes. Registration gets you into a beer-sampling after-party event and a complimentary pilsner glass. For more info, visit facebook.com/ events/931988827144181.

FALL BICYCLE TOUR OCT. 18-22 Lake DeGray area.

An Arkansas Bicycle Club fiveday camping tour. More info at arkansasbicycleclub.com or contact Janice Peters, 501-952-8848 or Jim Britt, 501-9121449. Riders must be club members.

GPP GROWLER GRINDER OCT. 19 Pedaler’s Pub, Bentonville.

A gravel ride with 100-mile and

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during the King Biscuit Blues Festival.

With a family fun ride 6-mile route, as well as 12-, 22-, 35-, 40-, 55- and 70-mile routes. Registration comes with a one-day pass to the festival, a barbecue lunch after the ride and Tour da Delta socks for the first 95 registered. Learn more and register at bikereg.com/tourdadelta.

JOE WEBER ARKY 100 OCT. 11 Sheridan Community Center, 1511 S. Rose St., Sheridan A 100-mile loop ride through rolling farm, ranch and timberland mostly on rural roads and with supporting rest stops. The ride supports donations to the Boys and Girls Club, Bicycle Advocacy of Central Arkansas, League of American Bicyclists, Cystic Fibrosis, Firehouse Hostel and other worthy causes. Four ride options: 25-, 50-, 62- and 100-mile courses. See bikereg.com/ joe-weber-arky-100 for more info.

WHEEL A’MENA SEPT. 12

Mena. $40.

A ride with 30-, 50- and 70-mile routes. Register and find more info at bikereg.com/44924.

100-kilometer options. Contact nick@ gppnwa.com for more info.

ARKANSAW HIGH COUNTRY RACE OCT. 31 Downtown Square, Fayetteville.

A self-supported, 1,000-mile gravel bikepacking race. Cyclists will travel through the Ozark Mountains, the Buffalo National River corridor, the Arkansas River Valley and the Ouachita Mountains. Custom buckles and leather belts will go to the male winner, female winner, singlespeed winner and one lucky finisher picked at random. For more info, visit rivervalley. ozarkoffroadcyclists.org/races-tours/ arkansaw-high-country-race.

PEDALER’S BASH OCT. 31 Bentonville. $85.

A 45-mile mountain bike marathon through Northwest Arkansas singletrack trails systems, including Slaughter Pen, Bella Vista, Blowing Springs and the Back 40. More info at pedalersbash.com.

Register at bikereg.com/pedalers-bash.

TOUR DUH SUNKEN LANDS NOV. 7 Southern Tenant Farmers Museum, Tyronza (Poinsett County).

The product of America’s greatest earthquake, the Sunken Lands are home to unique lowland swamps and agricultural open spaces. More info at facebook.com/ tourduhsunkenlands

BIG DAM BRIDGE 100 SEPT. 26

Little Rock, fees vary.

Arkansas’s largest cycling event offers several routes, ranging from 15 to 100 miles, with some beautiful mountain and river scenery, as well as a few challenging hills on the longer routes.

The event provides participants with maps, well-stocked aid stations, volunteer support, an event T-shirt, a unique finisher medal, food and drinks. The event finish line ends in the Argenta District of downtown North Little Rock with a block party and live music. See thebigdambridge100.com for more information.

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 14 | 35

TOUR DE QUEEN NOV. 7 De Queen.

A ride with 15-, 25-, 36-, 38- and 47-mile route options. The 38-mile route includes some gravel. More info and registration at bikereg.com/tourdequeen.

DIAMOND BLUFF BONANZA GRAVEL RACE AND TOUR NOV. 7 Quitman.

A gravel ride with 20-, 43- and 63-mile routes. More info and registration at bikereg.com/diamondbluffbonanza.

FAYETTECROSS NOV. 7-8 Centennial Park at Millsap Mountain, Fayetteville.

An international cylclocross race. More info at fayettecross.com.

5TH ANNUAL PETIT JEAN OVERNIGHTER DEC. 3 Conway Airport.

Ride from the Conway Airport to Petit Jean Mountain State Park, spend the night and ride back. Join the Arkansas Bicycle Club to ride. Riders must reserve their own rooms. More info at arkansasbicycleclub.org.

GUDRUN: NORTHWOODS MTB FESTIVAL NOV. 13-15

Hot Springs The annual festival includes a mountain bike expo, group ride through downtown Hot Springs and Attila the Hun Mountain Bike Race through Northwoods Trails.

For more info, visit hotsprings.org.

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36 | BIKE ARKANSAS JUNE 2020

Largest Selection of Bikes in Central Arkansas Full Service Repair Department Friendly & Knowledgeable Staff

3010 E. Kiehl Ave. Sherwood 501-834-5787

315 N. Bowman Little Rock 501-221-BIKE (2453)

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 14 | 37

Bike Shops

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

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

Trek Bicycle of Little Rock

10300 Rodney Parham Road 501-224-7651 trekbikes.com

HOT SPRINGS Hot Springs Bicycle Touring Company

436 Broadway St. 501-276-2175 Facebook.com/hotspringsbicycletouringcompany

Parkside Cycle

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

Spa City Cycling

873 Park Ave. 501-463-9364 spacitycycling.com

SEARCY The Bike Lane

2116 W. Beebe-Capps Expressway 501-305-3915 thebikelane.cc

HEBER SPRINGS Sulphur Creek Outfitters

NORTH LITTLE ROCK Angry Daveís Bicycles

3515 John F. Kennedy Blvd.

501-753-4990 angrydavesbicycles.com

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

BENTON Holy Roller United 108 N. East St. 501-672-4110

SHERWOOD Arkansas Cycling & Fitness 3010 E. Kiehl Ave. 501-834-5787 arkansascycling.com

J&P Bike Shop

7910 John F. Kennedy Blvd.

(State Hwy. 107) 501-835-4814 jandpbikeshop.com 38 | BIKE ARKANSAS JUNE 2020

625 S. Seventh St. 501-691-0138 screekoutfitters.com

MOUNTAIN HOME Mountain Home Bicycle Co. 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 Carrís 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. State 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

The Meteor

401 SE D St. 479-268-1500 meteorbikes.com

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

W. Deane St., Fayetteville 479-715-1496 ozarkbicycleservice.com

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 14 | 39

THE R E ’S NO Better PL AC E.

Arkansas is something special. The great outdoors are even greater in the Natural State, and the people here make it even better. We can find picturesque views from mountain tops and front porches – or soak up the sun on the back of a bike.

The First Security team has a lot to be grateful for – like family, friends and close-knit communities – but home is pretty high on our list. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Proud to be your community bank. Call or click today!

40 | BIKE ARKANSAS JUNE 2020

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