Bike issue 3

M A G A Z I N E

A

R

K

A

N

S

A

S

ISSUE NO. 3 | 2016 ARKANSASWILD.COM #BIKEARMAG

THE COMMUTER ISSUE

10

WOMEN WHO ROCK MOUNTAIN BIKING

BEING BIKE FRIENDLY:

CITIES PLAN FOR

ART BIKES

TAKE FAYETTEVILLE GET GEARED UP TUNE UP TRIATHLON TRANSITIONS

CYCLISTS MEET DANE EIFLING (page 48)

A F i r s t -C l A s s t i m e ... e v e ry t i m e .

America’s #1 Trout Fishing Resort is Gaston’s. Our White River float trips for lunker trout are legendary from coast to coast. We do the work. All you do is fish – in style and comfort. Then there are the extras that make “resort” our last name. First-class lodging. One of the South’s finest restaurants featuring a spectacular view. A private club. Tennis and a pool. Nature trails for mountain biking and hiking. A conference lodge for your group meetings or parties. Even a private landing strip for fly-in guests.

1777 River Road, Lakeview, AR 72642 870-431-5202 • Email gastons@gastons.com Lat 36 20’ 55” N Long 92 33’ 25” W 2 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3

Follow us on

www.gastons.com

Live Outside the Expected Hot Springs Village offers an outdoor lover’s pardise in the heart of the Ouachita Mountains, featuring eleven lakes, miles of natural trails and within minutes of world-class hunting & fishing. Follow Hot Springs Village Basecamp on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, and find your place in a community made for adventurists, lazy-day paddlers and first-timers! Find training opportunities, social get-togethers and organized events deeply rooted in an outdoor culture you won’t want to leave. Come for the fun, stay for the lifestyle — Welcome to our naturehood!

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3 | 3

Photos Courtesy of Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism 4 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3

Delta Heritage Trail features Rails-to-Trails The northern 21 miles of the approximately 85 mile Delta Heritage Trail, from Lexa to Elaine just south of Lake View, is ready for mountain bikers and walkers. The compacted, crushed rock trail passes through fields and treelines offering smooth riding and walking through Delta farmland scenery. Mammals, song birds, and raptors can be seen along the route. The right-of-way passes through some of the most remote and scenic areas remaining in the Delta region of eastern Arkansas featuring some of the finest examples of the remaining wetland forest.

Village Creek Multi-Use Trails The multi-use trails at Village Creek State Park encompass some of the most scenic areas of eastern Arkansas. The park offers incredible beauty with the towering forests of sugar maple, tuliptree and American beech.

Village Creek State Park is situated entirely upon the unique natural division known as Crowley’s Ridge. Crowley’s Ridge has a very fragile soil known as “loess” which was glacially created and blown in by the wind.

West Memphis Arkansas Delta Flatlander The Flatlander, a metric century ride (62 miles) has become one of the biggest cycling events in the south. Biking enthusiasts can venture over the bicycle-pedestrian boardwalk across the Harahan Bridge. It follows the path of the Mississippi River and circles Horseshoe Lake before heading back to West Memphis.

Future plans for bikers will feature a network of trails that one day may allow you to ride all the way to New Orleans on the levee.

deltabyways.com

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

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3 | 5

PHOTO BY NOVO STUDIO

IN THIS ISSUE

10

FEATURES

IN EVERY ISSUE

16

48

MY RIDE, MY TOWN

64

From the Guest Editors

Braking News:

Teach Your Children Well Bike As Art

27

Gear & Components

38

A look at Bike Arkansas guest editor Dane Eifling’s daily commute in Fayetteville

56

DAMES IN THE DIRT

Local Bike Shops

70

Ride & Race Events

74

Ditch the Keys

Women’s mountain biking expands in Arkansas

Better Bike Paths, Better Cities

42

From the Ground Up

44

Trail Rehab

68

IMBA 2016 World Summit 6 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3

ON THE COVER Fayetteville Bicycle Programs Coordinator and guest editor Dane Eifling cruises down Dickson Street toward his office on West Mountain Street in Fayetteville. Photo by Novo Studio.

Correction: The article “Fuel Up” on page 30 of Bike Arkansas, Issue No. 2, was incorrectly attributed to guest editor Misty Murphy. Derek Yorek of GPP Cycling was the author. We regret the error.

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3 | 7

M A G A Z I N E

A

R

K

A

N

S

A

S

A special publication of Arkansas Wild

REBEKAH LAWRENCE Publisher rebekah@arktimes.com ELIZABETH HAMAN Associate Publisher elizabeth@arktimes.com MANDY KEENER Creative Director mandy@arktimes.com MICHAEL ROBERTS Editor michael@arktimes.com KEVIN WALTERMIRE Art Director kevin@arktimes.com ADVERTISING LESA THOMAS Senior Account Executive lesa@arktimes.com RHONDA CRONE Account Executive rhonda@arktimes.com

10,000 PRISTINE ACRES OF TRAILS AND STREAMS JUST WAITING TO BE EXPLORED! Located in the Missouri Ozark Mountains, this 10,000 acre nature lover’s paradise is the perfect place to reconnect with the JUHDW RXWGRRUV 7ZR DQG D KDOI PLOHV RI WURXW ÀOOHG VWUHDPV à RZ WKURXJK WKH KLVWRULF FDQ\RQ ZKHUH \RX FDQ GLVFRYHU D YDULHW\ RI RXWGRRU DGYHQWXUHV

MANDE JILL CORBETT Account Executive mandejill@arktimes.com PRODUCTION WELDON WILSON Production Manager/Controller ROLAND R. GLADDEN Advertising Traffic Manager JIM HUNNICUTT Advertising Coordinator

Fly Fishing | Hiking | Wildlife Tram Tours Dining | Biking | Horseback Rides | Segway Tours

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS BRYAN MOATS MIKE SPAIN

(QMR\ H[WUD VDYLQJV ZLWK RXU $GYHQWXUH 3DVV &DOO RU YLVLW RXU ZHEVLWH IRU D IXOO OLVW RI DFWLYLWLHV DQG WR ERRN \RXU YLVLW WRGD\

SOCIAL MEDIA LAUREN BUCHER lauren@arktimes.com

417.779.5983 | DOGWOODCANYON.ORG

OFFICE STAFF ROBERT CURFMAN IT Director LINDA PHILLIPS Billing/Collections KELLY LYLES Office Manager/Accounts Receivable ANITRA HICKMAN Circulation Director 201 E. MARKHAM ST., SUITE 200 LITTLE ROCK, AR 72201 501-375-2985 All Contents Š 2016 Arkansas Wild

8 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3

DESIGNED AROUND YOU.

The Volvo XC60, Make Life Simple Again.

MSRP starting at $36,600.

NORTH POINT VOLVO 1500 N. SHACKLEFORD | 501-907-0200 | LITTLEROCKVOLVO.COM

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3 | 9

Guest editor and avid mountain biker Addie Teo gets ready to hit the trails.

Addie Teo’s mountain bike retreats bring together women from all over the country. Read more about the most recent event at Iron Mountain on page 56.

Arkansas, the Natural State. Wow! What a great time to be a cyclist in this great state. So many exciting things are happening: In addition to our many wonderful existing road and mountain bike trails, new mountain bike trails are being built in northwest Arkansas and in central Arkansas, and there is a proposal for a new bike path to connect Hot Springs and Little Rock.

Those of us who live in central Arkansas are fortunate to be able to get to the Arkansas River Trail in less than 30 minutes. Once we are on the river trail, we have a variety of options of what to do, whether it’s walking, running or cycling. I sometimes catch myself grinning when I see bicycle gridlock on the Arkansas River Trail. It is wonderful to see central Arkansas residents get out and enjoy what Arkansas has to offer.

Thank you, Bike Arkansas magazine, for this wonderful opportunity to be a co-guest editor for this issue. Many thanks to all my friends who contributed to make this issue extra special. I hope you will also enjoy my article on the women’s mountain bike weekend retreat that I recently organized (page 56). Encouraging women to be on their bikes is my passion, and to be able to organize, witness and participate in an empowering women’s weekend retreat was fulfilling.

I hope you will find inspiration from reading this issue, whether it is to get outside and explore our beautiful Natural State, start a new sport, or volunteer with much needed trail work around our state.

I hope to see you on the trails! Pedal on, everyone!

ADDIE TEO Guest Editor, Bike Arkansas tinyurl.com/z6d8j7m Addie Teo works as a public school occupational therapist. She enjoys all aspects of cycling, from cruising along the Arkansas River Trail to participating in various mountain bike races.

10 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3

PHOTOS BY DAN LYSK

FROM THE GUEST EDITOR

ENJOY RESPONSIBLY © 2015 Anheuser-Busch, Michelob Ultra® Light Beer, St. Louis, MO 95 calories, 2.6g carbs, 0.6g protein and 0.0g fat, per 12 oz.

Lower carbs. Fewer calories.

Exceptional taste.

Brewed for those who

go the extra mile.

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3 | 11

Guest editor Dane Eifling doesn’t just help plan bicycle programs for Fayetteville—he’s also a committed bike commuter.

My passion for cycling lies not only in the joy of riding, but also in working to transition others from driving cars to riding bicycles for transportation. In fact, that’s my job. As the Bicycle Programs Coordinator in the sustainability department of the City of Fayetteville, I work with a focus on growing the number of bicycle commuters in my city. It’s a great job that allows me to pursue my passion for alternative transportation while working with and learning from a talented team of professionals.

Thanks to the foresight and dedication of cycling advocates, planners and community leaders, there has never been a better time to start biking in Arkansas. Across the state, hundreds of millions of dollars have been invested to develop trails and onstreet bike lanes to make safe and enjoyable places to ride.

If you’re reading this magazine, you certainly have an interest, and you may also have everything you need to start commuting or to commute more often. You might just need a bit of encouragement.

I hope you enjoy this issue of Bike Arkansas and are able to find information or possibly inspiration to take a second look at the bicycle and shift the way you think about your everyday transportation options.

DANE EIFLING Guest Editor, Bike Arkansas fayetteville-ar.gov/1495/Bicycling Dane Eifling is the Bicycle Programs Coordinator for the City of Fayetteville.

12 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3

PHOTO BY NOVO STUDIO

FROM THE GUEST EDITOR

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3 | 13

Contributors

14 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3

CHRIS MADISON is the staff attorney for

ERIK LEAMON is the owner and operator

the city of Bryant and an avid weekend warrior. From 5Ks to marathons, century road rides to newly discovered single track trails, sprint triathlons to iron-distance races, he enjoys the Arkansas outdoors.

of The Ride in Conway. Erik loves to be on two wheels of just about any sort.

Alongside his wife and four children, he enjoys his work building, helping and educating the cycling community.

is a park ranger for the North Little Rock Parks Department. He spends most of his workday with his canine partner, Shep, patroling the parks and caring for the various trails in the city.

IAN HOPE

SCOTT SCHOLL is a devilishly handsome

PHILIP THOMAS is the owner and

EFREN MOLINAR is fascinated by aviation

operator of Nova Studio, a photography, video and graphic design company located in northwest Arkansas.

and bicycles. Lacking the resources for recreational aviation, Efren can be found low-level flying on two wheels.

attorney with offices in Little Rock and Conway, practicing in all Arkansas courts. Scott enjoys mountain biking and road cycling, and the beautiful scenery available throughout Arkansas.

Reinvented from the inside out.

Reinvented from the outside in.

Introducing the all-new GLC. Whatever your vantage point, the GLC is a game-changer. From its showstopping exterior to its technology-filled cabin. From a suite of intelligent assistance systems that think, monitor and adjust as you drive to an infotainment system so smart, it can read your handwriting. “All-new� in every possible sense, the GLC resets the bar for the luxury SUV. MBUSA.com/GLC

THE 2016

GLC

STARTING AT

$

38,950*

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3 | 15

Braking News

GET TO KNOW YOUR IMBA RIDE CENTERS

BY MICHAEL ROBERTS

BENTONVILLE (SILVER LEVEL)

With more than 40 miles of bike trails, half of them natural surface, Bentonville is one of Arkansas’ premier mountain biking destinations, and will serve as host city to the 2016 IMBA World Summit.

Bike tourism is a priority for the city, which has installed bike stations with air pumps, repair tools, shower facilities and Wi-Fi check-in spots for use by riders.

Highlights: The Blowing Springs Trail features seven miles of singletrack with optional features to challenge your riding chops, and Slaughter Pen’s 20 miles of trails for riders of various skill levels are a crown jewel of Arkansas mountain biking. Visit the Friends of Arkansas Singletrack (FAST) for more details at fasttrails.org.

16 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3

A chance to battle the epic-designated Womble is just one amazing reason to take your bike to Hot Springs.

FAYETTEVILLE (BRONZE LEVEL)

Riding Mt. Kessler and Mt. Sequoyah are just two of the fantastic reasons to make Fayetteville’s 50 miles (and growing) of trails your next place to ride. The area is also home to Devil’s Den State Park, the birthplace of mountain biking in Arkansas.

Highlights: Lake Fayetteville’s 5.6 miles of singletrack are a fun, quick ride around the lake and through Lake Fayetteville Park just outside one of Arkansas’ busiest urban areas; or take a tour of the six northwest Arkansas downtown areas connected by the Razorback Regional Greenway. Visit Ozark Offroad Cyclists for more details at ozarkoffroadcyclists.com.

HOT SPRINGS (BRONZE LEVEL)

When you think mountain biking in the Hot Springs area, think epic— there are two IMBA Epic trails just a short distance away from the Spa City.

Once the riding day is done, relax in a soothing, geothermic bath or take in the historic sights in the Natural State’s original resort town.

Highlights: Discover some of the most beautiful terrain in all of Arkansas along the 39 miles of singletrack that make up The Womble, or test your mettle against Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (LOViT). Known as the Ouachita National Recreation Trail, both offer a challenging experience and a chance to know the region’s old-growth forested glory.

Visit IMBA for more details at imba. com/epics.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND TOURISM

W

hat does it take to earn a Ride Center™ designation from the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA)?

Nothing short of offering a variety of mountain biking experiences for riders of every caliber. Arkansas is home to three such centers: Bentonville, Fayetteville and Hot Springs. In addition, the entire northwest Arkansas region has the distinction of being IMBA’s first “group” ride center—a testament to the region’s mission to connect its communities through cycling.

Each area has been reviewed and evaluated by IMBA and been deemed worthy of recognition—and you’ll know exactly why when you get out and ride. For more information about what it takes to become an IMBA Ride Center™, visit IMBA.com or MTBProject.com.

Host of the 2016 World Summit November 10-12

Designated Silver Level Ride Center bikebentonville.com 800-410-2535 visitbentonville.com BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3 | 17

TEACH YOUR CHILDREN WELL

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE BICYCLE COALITION OF THE OZARKS

BY MICHAEL ROBERTS

Clockwise from left: The Bicycle Coalition of the Ozarks’ lineup of bikes for Fayetteville Public School students; students hone their skills both on the trails and through a series of obstacles.

D

r. Karl Menninger, famed psychiatrist, once opined, “What’s done to children, they will do to society.”

The Bicycle Coalition of the Ozarks (BOC) has taken that to heart, developing a cycling curriculum for students grades 3-12 that not only teaches young riders how to ride safely, it also encourages a lifelong love of biking through excursions on some of Arkansas’ best trails. For BOC program director Britney Schrag, there’s another bonus: increased awareness on four wheels instead of two.

“Our goal is creating a generation of drivers who know how to share the road,” she says. To this end, the BOC staff facilitated training for area physical education teachers as well as providing volunteer assistance in the classroom starting in 2014. It was a natural progression from the group’s history of educational activities like the annual Kid’s Bicycle Safety Rodeos.

For some students, the beginning of their bicycle education starts with learning to ride a bicycle for the very

18 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3

first time. “Even in the older grades, there’s always one or two who have never ridden before,” says Schrag. Safety basics and learning the parts of the bicycle come next, familiarizing pupils with both the rules of the road and how to troubleshoot their bikes. More advanced students are taught skills like bunny hops and grabbing a water bottle while riding—important skills whether riding the hills or in dense downtown traffic.

But it isn’t all rules and work—there are trail rides, too.

“I’ve been so impressed with the amazing dedication from students,” says Schrag, who adds that getting outside for a ride seems to be the one class that no student dreads. And as this bike education curriculum spreads across the schools alongside an ever-expanding network of trails, paths and bike lanes, future generations will not only understand what it means to share the road, they will have never known any other way.

Trailblazers

SOMETHING

BIG

IS COMING THIS YEAR to Bella Vista

40 Miles of trail offering something for everyone and every ability.

THEBACK40 (479) 876-1255

101 Town Center, Bella Vista, AR Office hours: M-F 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.

www.bellavistaar.gov

RACHEL FURMAN works as the environmental manager at L’Oréal in North Little Rock. Being outdoors, enjoying nature and exercising come naturally to Furman, which is one reason she loves biking so much. Furman has a background in running, but started racing on bikes 11 years ago. Over the years, Furman has raced road, cyclocross, Xterras, cross-country mountain biking and 12-hour solo endurance mountain biking. She also competed on Team USA at the World Championship for mountain bike orienteering. Rachel has commuted to work by bike, done a six-day bike-packing trip, and enjoyed countless rides with friends. Cycling truly completes Furman, and Arkansas is a fantastic state for this passion.

—Addie Teo

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

I-430 @ RODNEY PARHAM 224-7651 / chainwheel.com New Rentals Available!

ROAD • MOUNTAIN • HYBRID

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3 | 19

BIKE AS ART

BY MICHAEL ROBERTS

W

hen the 7th Annual Artosphere Festival returns to Fayetteville from May 10 through 27, it does so with an expanded series of events which are sure to please cyclists of all skill levels.

May is National Bike Month, and the folks behind the festival are celebrating it in style.

“At its heart, Artosphere celebrates artists who are influenced by nature,” says Jenni Taylor Swain, vicepresident of programming at the Walton Arts Center, the event’s host. To this end, Swain and her team of organizers are expanding their traditional “Trail Mix” events onto the Razorback Regional Greenway, combining biking, dancing, music, performance art and area farmers markets to celebrate the new sense of connectedness the Greenway has brought to the area. Of particular interest

20 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3

to cyclists is the second annual “Square to Square” bike ride from Fayetteville to Bentonville on May 14.

But what would Artosphere be without the art? Bikelovers are in luck here, too, because Austin-based group Bike Zoo are bringing their unique, colorful bike inventions to the festival for a bike parade like no other. Bikes dressed up as butterflies, bats, owls, eagles and an 80-foot segmented snake built from bicycles are sure to wow the crowds with a whimsical way to enjoy both bikes and art.

Artosphere’s Bike Zoo will be on parade Friday, May 13 at 7 p.m. For more information about Artosphere, including Bike-itecture tours of Fayetteville and Bentonville, visot waltonartscenter.org/artosphere. For more information on Bike Zoo, visit bikezoo.org.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BIKE ZOO AND THE WALTON ARTS CENTER

Clockwise from top: The Bike Zoo will be bringing their fantastic bike creations to Artosphere, including monarch butterflies, a glowing mantis and a bald eagle.

ROGERS

318 S. 1st St. Historic Downtown 479.372.4768

Artosphere’s Trail Mix events include music and art (top) and rides along some of the best trails in northwest Arkansas (bottom). This year’s events will be held on the Razorback Regional Greenway and Fayetteville’s Frisco Trail.

ARTOSPHERE CALENDAR OF BIKE EVENTS MAY 12:

Fayetteville Bike-itecture Tour of local architectural points of interest, 5 p.m.-9 p.m.

MAY 12:

Bentonville Bike-itecture Tour of local architectural points of interest, 5 p.m.-9 p.m.

MAY 14:

Trail Mix events, including bike parades, the second annual Square to Square ride, live music and other entertainment.

Razorback Regional Greenway, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

BELLA VISTA

34 Sugar Creek Center 479.657.2078

MAY 15:

Trail Mix, Frisco Trail, 4 p.m.-8 p.m.

MAY 21:

Fayetteville Bike-itecture Tour, 3 p.m.-7 p.m.

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3 | 21

LIVE TO RIDE

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CARTI LITTLE ROCK

BY JOHN FREELY

John and Anne Freely are justifiably proud of their Tour de Rock rest stop—and riders are always enthusiastic about refreshments when they see the Rose City sign.

G

“

uys your age probably shouldn’t be running anyway,” the orthopedist said to the 55-yearold, with the nodding agreement of the medical students in the conference room. “You might want to consider something less stressful, like swimming or riding.” Grudgingly, I accepted the news since my knee hurt so badly. Growing up in Brooklyn does not present many opportunities to swim. So, being neither a particularly competent nor confident swimmer, I decided to ride instead.

Philadelphia, where I was then living, is a good running and riding city. The path around the Schuylkill River is an ideal venue. If that is not sufficient, the path leads all the way out to Valley Forge—a 35-mile round trip. I bought my first bike (since the Columbia Cruiser as a kid), a TREK hybrid, and began riding daily.

I quickly loved riding. The absence of the pounding of running and no lateral movement in pedaling proved to be an excellent therapy for my knee. So I rode and rode.

My wife, Ann, and I retired in 2006 and moved to Maumelle. By now I was on a road bike and quickly

22 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3

discovered the great riding opportunities here in Arkansas. Kudos to this area for the NLR River Trail, the Big Dam Bridge and Two Rivers Park, to name but a few.

Life is full of wrinkles. In 2009 I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and treated at CARTI/St. Vincent.

Forty-three radiation treatments can slow you down, but it doesn’t prevent you from riding—so I rode and rode.

Ann had already been volunteering at CARTI and told me about the Tour de Rock. I was enough back in shape to try it and loved it! I rode and Ann volunteered at the Rose City rest stop. Ann, having been a runner for several decades, was unhappy with the lack of enthusiasm of some of the other volunteers at the rest stop. She convinced me we could do a better job. In 2010 we took over sponsorship of the rest stop and have been sponsoring it for the last six years. It is great fun to enthusiastically greet hundreds of riders on those hot, humid, sometimes rainy Saturdays.

More about those life’s wrinkles: I had a great riding year this past one—well over 3,000 miles. For a 72-year-old guy, that’s not too bad. Over a year ago, my primary physician

Live Your Adventure OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE YOU WITH THE GEAR, SERVICE AND SUPPORT NEEDED TO FULLY ENJOY THE ARKANSAS NATURAL STATE.

OUTDOOR GEAR & CLOTHING • BIKES • KAYAKS • CANOES PADDLEBOARDS • FISHING GEAR & MORE • RENTALS & REPAIRS

501-691-0138 625 S. 7TH STREET HEBER SPRINGS, AR 72543 SCREEKOUTFITTERS.COM

Fort Smith’s Most Experienced Bike Shop John Freely hasn’t let age, injury or illness keep him off his bike.

had detected a heart murmur, and an echocardiogram indicated a bicuspid aortic valve with moderate stenosis. (I have never particularly aspired to be part of the 1 percent—but I made it since only 1 percent of people have bicuspid aortic valves—the other 99 percent have tricuspid ones.) Over the next year the stenosis had progressed from moderate to severe. My cardiologist felt that since I was in good shape (for a 72-yearold—thanks, riding!) he recommended going ahead with replacement, instead of waiting for symptoms to occur. He assured me that I could be back on the bike in 4 to 5 weeks. I’m holding him to it!

Now when I call the Hogs, I can say it is truly from the heart since I now have a porcine valve in there!

I fully expect to ride in this year’s tour.

Ann and I will once again be hosting the Rose City rest stop. We hope to see all of you riders there—if you don’t stop, give a wave and a shout-out.

There is not an organization more deserving of our support than CARTI. Money raised at Tour de Rock helps CARTI offer a wide range of patient assistance programs, which greatly benefit cancer patients and their families. Please join me in supporting CARTI at the Tour de Rock.

For more information about Tour de Rock, visit carti.com/events/ tour-de-rock.

We Love what we do!

(479) 484-7500 8201 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith championcycling.com

Just Ride!

NORTH

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

WEST

315 North Bowman Suite 6-9 Little Rock • 501-221-BIKE (2453) Mon-Sat 9:30-6 • Sunday - Out Riding | www.ArkansasCycling.com BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3 | 23

TRIATHLON TRANSITION

BY CHRIS MADISON

C

ompeting in triathlons means more than just swimming, biking and running. Often forgotten is the fourth race element: transition. Most triathlons in Arkansas are short-distance races, known as sprints. A sprint generally consists of a 500-750-yard swim, 12 miles of cycling, and 3.2 miles running.

Triathlons are challenging because all three sports are in one event. Because a sprint race is so short, those that do not practice and train for transition are leaving time and effort on the course. Transition is free time for better race performance.

The difference between a three-minute bike-to-run transition vs. a one-minute transition is significant.

Assuming a runner runs a 7:30 pace, those two wasted minutes change the pace to 8:07—a 37-second loss per mile. A swim-to-bike transition of five minutes vs. one minute will cause a rider averaging 18 miles per hour to drop to the equivalent of 16.36 miles per hour.

So how can triathletes avoid these detrimental losses? The answer is adding full bike and run workouts to any training regime. Brick workouts are the perfect time to practice transition. Lay out a transition station, set gear up as you think optimizes transition, and practice it, optimize it, evaluate it and make it muscle memory. It can even be helpful to video transition training to look for repetitive motions.

TRANSITION TRAINING TIPS FOR BIKES INCLUDE: • What gear is needed for the bike?

• Do I really need socks?

• Can I put shoes on while standing?

• How is bike racked?

Quick transitions save time when going from biking or running to the water portion of a a triathlon (above) so that racers can furiously compete (below).

SIMILARLY, FOR BIKE-TO-RUN TRANSITION:

• Can I get out of my bike shoes while they are still clipped?

• Do I need socks? Do I have a race belt?

• Have I practiced the movements from one discipline to the other?

• Are my transition movements smooth and efficient?

There are tons of “techniques” for faster transitions, but none beats practicing!

For more information, visit trifind.com/ar.html.

24 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3

PHOTO COURTESY OF ARKANSAS OUTSIDE

Bikes and gear at the Lake Beaverfork CATS Triathlon outside Conway stand ready for a quick triathlon transition.

Trailblazers

Pedaling bikes since 1972

New bike sales and full service repair shops staffed by professional bicycle mechanics

FAYETTEVILLE 322 W. Spring Street | 479.442.9311 ROGERS 402 S Metro Parkway | 479.254.9800

Find Good Times Here!

RICHARD BELL founded the Bell & Co. Mountain Biking Team 10 years ago after his son, Clayton, began to share his enthusiasm for MTB racing.

If you’ve ever been to an Arkansas Mountain Bike Championship Series mountain bike race, you’ve likely seen the big yellow grill that Bell & Co. sets up to refuel the famished racers. While enjoying the successes of the team in the AMBCS race series, the focus of Bell and his team is on fellowship and trail advocacy.

Bell has provided resources for building and maintaining trails across Arkansas and was a major force in rehabilitating the Syllamo Trail.

—Scott Scholl

Slope Style • Session Zone Kids Zone • Pump Track Lake Atalanta multi-use trails = 10 miles Concrete trail to lake and surrounding area Dog Parks 299 East Cherry Street • Rogers 479-621-1120

10 Admission Splash Pass available at 1/2 price May 16-27 Park After Dark – Themed Events, 5:30-10:30 Special Admission Price $6 June 18, July 2, July 16, July 30, August 13 1707 South 26th Street • Rogers 479-936-5482

www.rogersar.gov From training wheels to big wheels, we have a ride for you!

CANNONDALE | RALEIGH | GT | SCHWINN | REDLINE Tune Ups • Checkovers • Tire & Tube Replacement • Brake & Gear Work • Wheel Work • Lifetime adjustment policy on new bikes Financing Available! No down payment. No interest for 12 months W.A.C.

7910 John F. Kennedy Blvd. (Hwy 107), Sherwood (501) 835-4814

www.jandpbikeshop.com

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3 | 25

YOUR NEXT IS RIGHT IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD .

Come enjoy one of our many biking and hiking trails and you'll quickly discover this outdoor lover's paradise has something for everyone.

VisitFairfieldBay.com MARINA • Golf • fIshING • TeN N Is • TRAIls • AN N uAl eveN Ts • 501.884.4202

BlooMIN’ in the Bay, Blues & BBQ in the Bay - sAT., MAy 7 | suRf the Bay WATeRsPoRT fesTIvAl - JuNe 17-18

Paid for with a combination of state and Greers Ferry Lake/Little Red River Tourism Association funds. Go to visitgreersferrylake.org for our free area guide.

WE DON’T JUST DESIGN TRAILS

WE RIDE THEM Great trail and bicycle network design happens when our planners and engineers combine their professional experience with their personal experience as cyclists.

for more information contact: Dave Roberts, VP of Planning 501.664.3245 dave.roberts@craftontull.com 26 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3

Bike Gear

PHOTO BY NOVO STUDIO

FRESHEN UP YOUR RIDE

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3 | 27

GPS MADE COMPACT Why not give your ride a fresh start with a new GPS unit so you can track all those miles you’re about to tackle?

The Garmin Edge 25 is tiny (40x42x17mm) and light (30g), but provides all the distance, speed, elapsed time and elevation information you’d ever want. Load preset course into it and take off — this little gem will lead you the right way and give turn warnings. $199.99 garmin.com

FRESH TIRES, NEW ROADS Want to get back out on the road with a new set of tires? Of course you do, and these Grand Prix 4 tires from Continental are just the thing. These sturdy tires provide ample protection from flats while the soft rubber and deep tread make for comfortable riding and good road grip. $74.99 continental-tires.com/bicycle

FEAR NO FLAT Don’t let spring cleaning leave you flat. Durable, inexpensive and indispensable, having a few spare tubes like these from Bontrager on hand is one of the easiest ways to make sure you can get on the trail quickly no matter what. $7.99 trekbikes.com

HANDLEBAR MUST-HAVE The joy of this handlebar tape from Bontrager is that it won’t break while stretching, ensuring a great, tight fit. Good vibration dampening is an added bonus. $19.99 trekbikes.com

28 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3

PHOTOS BY BRIAN CHILSON

Bike Gear

CLEANER AND DEGREASER Make last year’s collected dirt and road grime a distant memory with this non-corrosive, nonflammable cleaner from Simple Green made specifically for bikes. Use it on metal, rubber, plastic and painted surfaces without fear — the only damage this aerosol is going to do is to the dirt. $15.99 simplegreen.com

SPACE-AGE CHAIN LUBE Think all chain lubes are created equal? Think again.

This polymer-based lube from Dumonde forms a self-lubricating plastic coating slipperier than Teflon — perfect for getting road bikes ready to roll. $11.99 dumondetech.com

SCRUB DOWN This four-piece brush kit from Park Tool is made specifically for bicycles, and includes brushes for cleaning gears, a soft bristle soaping brush, tapered detail brush and a combination cleaning sponge/bristle brush. $21.99 parktool.com

BIKE REPAIR KIT This handy custom kit comes standard with any tune-up package. From a basic bike tweak to a complete tear-down and rebuild, there’s a plan just right to get your ride road-ready for warm weather.

Free with service package. chainwheel.com

Products featured courtesy of Chainwheel in Little Rock, chainwheel.com; check with your local bike shop for item availability.

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3 | 29

MY KIT

PHOTO BY NOVO STUDIO

NAME: Will Keener, Fort Smith OCCUPATION: Preschooler AGE: 3 3/4 years ON THE BIKE: “Mommy and Daddy gave me my bike for Christmas.

I fuel up with Goldfish and juice before my rides. I like to ride with my light saber in my hand and light it up. I like to ride with my sister, Emme, and Mommy and Daddy.”

WHERE I RIDE: “The first time I rode my bike, dude, it was AWESOME! I like to ride in my driveway and the street in front of my house. It’s a little hard and sometimes I fall over, but I brush it off and get back on and ride. I want to learn to do flips on my bike!”

MY DREAM RIDE: “If I could ride anywhere, I would ride to outer space. I would see Chip and Dale, Martian Mickey and Astronaut Pete.”

THE KIT: Youth helmet is from Carr’s Chain Reaction in Russellville. R2-D2 shirt courtesy of Lucasfilm LTD. Blue high-top sneakers from Vans.

THE BIKE: Strider Classic Balance Bike. See striderbikes.com for a local retailer.

30 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3

Trailblazers

SCOTT WARREN , who was born and raised in Little Rock, is the product manager for Orbea Bicycles. In July 2015, the redesign of the Orbea Ordu, one of Warren’s latest projects, was made available to the public.

Before working at Orbea, Warren owned Javelin Bicycles in Little Rock, where he designed, innovated and built bikes for nine years. For many years, Warren has been one of the leading innovators in the bike industry. In addition to being a product manager, Warren has been a team director for various high-performance athletes for over 20 years. He is the team director for the Visit Dallas DNA Pro Cycling team.

Warren’s athletes often come to Arkansas for product testing as well as training. Many of these athletes love to ride and train in the amazing terrain and beauty of the Natural State.

—Addie Teo

For first-class facilities, a convenient location on Interstate 40, and a clean and safe community to enjoy away from the trails, Conway, Arkansas is the perfect location for your next ride.

With sharrows on major roadways throughout town, as well as numerous trails through the city and its surrounding areas, Conway is working to be one of the most bike friendly cities in the state.

For more information about Conway bike trails, contact the Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Board at walkbikeconway.com .

CVB@ConwayArkansas.org ConwayArk.com 866.7CONWAY

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3 | 31

MY KIT

PHOTO BY NOVO STUDIO

NAME: Mike Abb, Bentonville OCCUPATION: Director of Arts and Entertainment, Abboriginal Productions WHERE I RIDE: “I ride all the time, both for transportation and recreation. I’m found mostly in Benton County and downtown Bentonville. That’s the beauty of Bentonville: You have awesome urban trails laced throughout t he city, which allow you to have fun, exercise and travel all in one.”

THE PLAYLIST: DJ Cam, Will Sessions, Mux Mool, j. rawls THE BIKE: Trek Superfly SS

32 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3

WHY I RIDE: “Riding the bike has been a solution to so many needs. Getting from point A to B efficiently and sustainably, fitness, mental health—the older you get the more important being in good health matters. The bike is very forgiving on the body compared to running, weight lifting or some sort of crossfit. You think a lot on the bike, and those moments when your blood is moving and you are passing through the forest and see the earth at a rapid pace triggers new thoughts and observations, which have been remarkably beneficial to me.”

THE KIT

CRAF TED WITH LOVE

Best Coffee

CHECK YOUR HEAD: POC Sports makes a full line of helmets for onand off-road action, with its Octal series providing great comfort and ventilation along with great protection. $240, pocsports.com.

PHONE, EARS AND EYES: Mike’s battery phone case from Mophie provides heavy-duty screen protection and added juice while his Marley headphones provide the perfect music listening experience.

And the sunglasses? “Cheapies, no brand,” says Mike. Case: $59.95129.95, mophie.com; Headphones: $29.99, thehouseofmarley.com.

With five locations on or near the Razorback Greenway bike trail!

www.arsagas.com

PACK IT IN: Biking to work doesn’t mean leaving anything at home with the Range Backpack from Incase. Unbeatable protection for laptops and other electronics, plus a locking pocket make this a secure, convenient way to tote whatever it is you need to get through the workday. $149.95, incase.com.

SOMETHING HANDY : Get a grip on your ride with gloves from Giro.

With a product line designed specifically for road bikers, you can go high-end with the Proof or go easier on the pocketbook with the Jag—with models at all price points in-between. $20-$80, giro.com

Enjoy the

Ride!

Berridge Bikes

LET THERE BE LIGHT: Traffic can’t help but see you when you’re packing this 400-lumen front and rear light kit from Cygolite. The Metro 400 is perfect for commuters sharing the road. $84.95, rei.com.

KEEP WARM, LOOK COOL: Cold air and rain are no match for the Stretch Rainshadow Jacket from Patagonia.

This lightweight jacket won’t slow you down, but it will keep you dry and snug no matter the weather. $229, patagonia.com.

321 Texas Blvd Texarkana, Texas 75501 903-794-BIKE (2453) berridgebikes.com BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3 | 33

THE SIX-STEP FLAT TIRE FIX

BY DANE EIFLING

STEP 1: Let out one or two choice words to express how you feel about having just gotten a flat. You’re entitled, go ahead, be creative.

STEP 2: Remove the tire. Take your wheel off first. If you try getting a tube on and off while the wheel is still on the fork, it’s not happening. Use a tire leaver to unseat the tire and slide the tube out.

STEP 3:

STEP 4: Patch the tube. Follow the instructions on your patch kit.

Most will have you clean the puncture area with alcohol and rub the area with an emery cloth to make the glue adhere better.

Be sure to allow the glue a chance to get tacky before you put on the patch. If you have a spare tube you can toss the old one in your bag and patch it at a more convenient time.

STEP 5: Install the tube. Partially inflate your tube. Starting with the stem, work the tube into the tire. Using your hands, roll the tire back onto the rim until it’s seated. Once the tube and tire are positioned, go ahead and air that baby up.

STEP 6: Ride away. Enjoy the sense of pride and satisfaction knowing that you have conquered adversity. Smile and hold your head up high as you continue your ride.

For more info on how to fix a flat tire, visit youtu.be/-ZbeR0mJBkk 34 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3

PHOTO BY NOVO STUDIO

Find the culprit. Tires go flat for lots of different reasons. If your tube has two holes side by side it’s probably a pinch-flat. Tip: Pinch-flats can often be prevented by keeping plenty of air pressure in your tire. A single puncture likely means that you’ve been the victim of a piece of sharp debris such a thorn or broken glass.

Remove any debris.

sometimes the road to better health starts with

changing gears

Now is the time to get started on the ride of your life, and there’s no better place than the bike trails in Central Arkansas.

Keep on riding. Keep on striving. #KeepOnAmazing

Mental Health: Adults who exercise display sharper memory skills, higher concentration levels, more fluid thinking and greater problem-solving ability.

Reduce Risk: Regular cycling can reduce the risk of chronic illnesses such as type 2 diabetes and stroke.

Heart Health: Cycling for 20 miles a week reduces your chance of getting heart disease by half, compared to those who don’t exercise.

Waistline: On average, a 180lb. cyclist riding at a moderate effort level will burn approximately 650 calories per hour.

Joint: Cycling is a joint-friendly, low-impact aerobic exercise.

Before starting any exercise program, consult with your physician.

To find a physician visit:

Baptist-Health.com

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3 | 35

Saturday, June 4, 2016 6 a.m. – 4 p.m.

River Trail Station 140 Riverfront Drive • North Little Rock Tour de Rock is central Arkansas’ premier ride offering an exciting experience for cyclists at any level. All proceeds benefit CARTI. Four rides to choose from: 25 mile • 50 mile • 62 mile • 100 mile

carti.com • 501.296.3406 Platinum Sponsors

Diamond Sponsor

o t U O Y E K A T S L I A R T r Ou .

E R E H W Y R E V E d n a E R E BEER, TH

er. d the finest craft be mountain scener y an offers ul tif ail Tr au e be Al to e rs th ito ile trails takes vis in the world , wh of x ers mi nt s Ce le’ de vil m Ri tte co d ye le. fie Fa BA-certi ncefayettevil is one of only 37 IM out more at experie d Fin . ies er ew For bikers, the cit y br cro the region’s best mi a self-guided tour of 36 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3

Trailblazers

A WELCOME SIGHT AFTER A

long day in the

saddle

Proud sponsor of

Buffalo Outdoor Center in Ponca is a perfect spot to post up for your biking, paddling, hiking or zip-liningSALES adventures. Located SERVICE ALL BRANDS just 25 minutes from the Upper Buffalo Trail System, it’s nice to come back to your cabin on the mountain and relax in the hot tub on the deck. Rest, relax and do it all again the next day.

Join Us! #BuffaloRiver #BOCcabinlife

Hwy. 43 • Ponca, AR • BuffaloRiver.com • 870-861-5514

TIM SCOTT , assistant superintendent of Devil’s Den State Park, is a 36-year veteran of the Arkansas State Parks Department. Along with park staff, he helped lay the foundation for mountain biking in state parks, inspired by a trip to Crested Butte to observe their Fat Tire festival.

Devil’s Den held the first mountain bike event in the state in 1989. This will be the 28th year for Ozark Mountain Bike Festival and Northwest Arkansas Mountain Bike Championships at the park.

Tim is also a USA Cycling official, and he served as the guest curator for the Old State House’s “Different Strokes” bike exhibit.

—Addie Teo

SALES

SALES SERVICE ALL BRANDS SERVICE ALL BRANDS

SALES SERVICE ALL BRANDS SALES SERVICE ALL BRANDS TRAIL MAPS AVAILABLE

HOT SPRINGS IS AN IMBA RIDE CENTER

TRAIL MAPS AVAILABLE

719 WHITTINGTON AVE., HOT SPRINGS, AR

TUESDAY-FRIDAY 11 AM-6 PM PARKSIDE CYCLE SATURDAY AM-4 PM TRAIL MAPS10 AVAILABLE 719 WHITTINGTON AVE. HOT SPRINGS, AR 501.623.6188 TUESDAY-FRIDAY WWW.PARKSIDECYCLE.COM PARKSIDE CYCLE 11 AM-6 PM 719 WHITTINGTON AVE. PARKSIDE_CYCLE@HOTMAIL.COM HOT SPRINGS, AR TRAIL MAPS AVAILABLE

TUESDAY-FRIDAY 11 AM-6 PM SATURDAY 10 AM-4 PM

SATURDAY 10 AM-4 PM

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3 | 37 501.623.6188 WWW.PARKSIDECYCLE.COM

BETTER BIKE PATHS, BETTER CITIES

BY DAVE ROBERTS, ASLA

BIKE LANES: An exclusive space for

bicyclists denoted by pavement markings and signage. Location of the bike lane is adjacent to motor vehicle travel lanes and flows in the same direction as motor vehicle traffic. Bike lanes are typically on the right side of the street, between the adjacent travel lane and curb, road edge or parking lane.

BUFFERED BIKE LANE: Conventional bicycle lanes paired with a designated buffer space separating the bicycle lane from the adjacent motor vehicle travel lane and/or parking lane.

CYCLE TRACK: An exclusive bike facility

SHARROWS: Shared lane markings (sharrows) are road markings used to indicate a shared lane environment for bicycles and automobiles. Sharrows reinforce the legitimacy of bicycle traffic on the street and recommend proper bicyclist positioning. Another benefit is that they are typically used when there is no room for bike lane pavement markings and travel speeds are less than 35 mph.

The Big Dam Bridge is part of the Arkansas River Trail system, a bike-friendly project that has made Little Rock a must-ride destination.

I

n 2014, the Outdoor Foundation found that cycling is the second most popular sport in the U.S. According to a 2009 report issued by the Census Department, there are more cyclists in the U.S. than skiers, golfers and tennis players combined.

Cyclists span the range from causal riders to exercise enthusiasts to competitive road and mountain bikers. In addition, a growing number of adults and children are using bicycles to get from their home to their place of employment or their school.

Cycling’s growing popularity in the country, particularly in Arkansas, has led urban planners to expand their toolbox of transportation options to ensure safe accommodation for all modes of travel. Safe is the key word. Not all cyclists are alike—age, experience, skill level and comfort near vehicles traveling at different speeds all play a role in selecting the right bicycle facility for the situation. Ideally, the planner’s expanded toolbox would include some, if not all, of the following options (seen right):

38 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3

BIKE BOX: A designated area at the head of a traffic lane at a signalized intersection that provides bicyclists with a safe and visible way to get ahead of queuing traffic during the red signal phase.

SHARED-USE PATH: A physically separated path from motor vehicular traffic with an open space or barrier.

Shared-use paths should always be designed to include pedestrians even if the primary anticipated users are bicyclists, e.g. Razorback Greenway or Arkansas River Trail.

SHARED-USE PATH WITH SEPARATION OF USERS:

A bi-directional path with designated walking lanes for pedestrians and directional lanes of travel for cyclists, such as the Tulsa River Trail.

SIDE PATH: A wide multi-use path that runs parallel with a roadway alignment set back 5 feet or more off the street.

PHOTOS BY BRIAN CHILSON

that combines the user experience of a separated path with the on-street infrastructure of a conventional bike lane. A cycle track is physically separated from motor traffic and distinct from the sidewalk.

Bike path planning not only makes life better for commuters on the Razoback Regional Greenway crossing Fayetteville’s Dickson Street (top), it also allows cities to be able to host events like the Big Dam Bridge 100 in Little Rock (bottom).

Cities that decide to accommodate cyclists do so with more than transportation in mind. The popularity of cycling means economic development to the area. According to the National Bicycle Dealers Association, in 2014 cycling represented a $6.1 billion industry in the U.S. alone. Take a ride on the Razorback Greenway from Fayetteville north to Bella Vista (36 miles from end to end), and you will see new businesses and restaurants bordering the multi-use path. You will also see cyclists that have come from surrounding states to experience the trail, stay in the hotels, eat at the restaurants and contribute in other ways to the local economy.

Urban corridors designed (or redesigned) to provide travel lanes for vehicles and public transit, bike lanes for cyclists, and sidewalks for pedestrians are called “complete streets.” According to the Health Community Domain Leader at the Arkansas Department of Health, Leesa Freasier, “The governor

of Arkansas has endorsed a 10-year plan called Healthy Active Arkansas, which seeks to create livable places that improve mobility, availability and access within communities where Arkansans live, work and play. A component of that plan is to adopt a statewide healthy highways policy using complete street principles.”

The imminent finalization of the AHTD Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan is good news that cycling in Arkansas is moving forward. This planning document presents opportunities for coordination between the state and municipalities on some of the bicycle facilities discussed here. We know cyclists come to our state to ride the Arkansas River Trail and the Razorback Greenway. It might not be too long before they come to see how our facilities are setting the standard in urban bike planning.

For more information, visit the National Association of City Transportation Officials at nacto.org.

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3 | 39

WWW.SCHWINNBIKES.COM

40 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3 | 41

FROM THE GROUND UP

BY MICHAEL ROBERTS

42 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3

PHOTO BY BRIAN CHILSON

T

he city of Fayetteville has an ambitious goal: By 2040, it wants each of its citizens to be within a half-mile of a trail. Such ease of accessibility is a cornerstone of Fayetteville Trail Coordinator Matt Mihalevich and his dedicated crew of planners, builders and trail maintenance personnel.

“A hundred miles of trail doesn’t make a difference if it’s inconvenient to reach,” says Mihalevich. “Our highest priority is connecting businesses to where people live.” Under his leadership, Fayetteville is already more than halfway to its goal, with 55 percent of the population meeting that half-mile criteria.

Desires to transform northwest Arkansas into an interconnected cycling paradise have been in the works for more than 20 years, with the last decade seeing major projects like the Razorback Regional Greenway give the area some of the nation’s top riding paths.

With over 200,000 riders a year, the project’s initial naysayers are “long gone,” according to Mihalevich.

At Fayetteville Trail Department staff handles almost all aspects of trail construction in-house, from working with property owners along planned trail routes to procuring easements for lighting, benches and art. The city also employs its own construction crew instead of using outside contractors, a situation that Mihalevich says comes with numerous benefits. “Using outside labor costs two to three times as much as doing things internally,” Mihalevich says. “And these guys know the terrain better than anyone.”

The growing system of trails in the region has become a huge source of civic pride, even from noncyclists. Volunteers called “Trail Trekkers” monitor trails with water and spare inner tubes for riders needing a hand, and they constantly pick up trash to keep things pretty. Locals feel a sense of ownership in these trails, and doing their part to maintain them is worn like a badge of honor.

This combination of municipal investment and volunteer spirit is a model Mihalevich thinks other communities across the state can emulate, even if on a smaller scale.

“We’re willing to talk to anyone about growing a trails program in their town,” he says, citing the nascent program begun in nearby Greenland as an example of smalltown effort. “They come to meetings, apply for grants. They’re doing what they can.”

Matt Mahalevich wants everyone in Fayetteville to live no further than a half-mile from a bike trail.

Enjoy Miles of Biking Here!

When you’re done riding the trail . . .

Our lodge, cottages and condos will provide you with a home base. Located just minutes from the LOViT - an IMBA EPIC Model Trail – one of only 40 in the world.

870-867-2191 • 800-832-2276 • MountainHarborResort.com

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3 | 43

Trail Rehab

BY ERIK LEAMON

BY IAN HOPE

Cadron Settlement Park in Conway has become a first class trail through volunteer efforts.

C

adron Settlement Park is a quaint spot with beautiful views just west of Conway, where Cadron Creek flows into the Arkansas River. With five miles of fun, exhilarating trails, the park has become a must-visit for Arkansas mountain bikers. Local riders take great pride in the trail, as well they should — many of them are the volunteers who built and still maintain it.

Cadron’s location is lovely, with great cycling terrain, but being close to two large rivers has drawbacks. In 2015, Cadron was hit hard by record level floods twice in one year, dislodging one of the larger trail bridges both times and leaving portions of the trail unusable for weeks.

While an army of “trail fairies” made quick work of the initial trail cleanup, the bridge wash-out was another matter altogether. Like the rest of the Cadron trail, the bridge was hand-built by volunteers using cedar from a downed tree.

This made the bridge great for resisting rot and decay, but not so good at handling floodwaters.

After the first flood, our local crew went to work with come-alongs and chains to move the beast back into place.

The second flood was not as kind, moving the bridge too far to move back. So one muddy Saturday this spring, the Cadron’s Conway caretakers assembled and built a new and more secure bridge from treated lumber, continuing the Cadron’s evolution into a top local trail.

44 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3

PHOTO BY DAN LYSK

RIVER TRAIL RENEWAL

PHOTO BY ERIK LEAMON

CADRON CREEK COMEBACK

The recent flooding of the Arkansas River left silt, debris and damage along the Burns Park section of the River Trail system.

W

hen sections of the Arkansas River Trail around North Little Rock’s Burns Park were inundated by rising waters in January 2016, it marked the area’s second instance of devastating floods in just eight months.

The Arkansas River crested at just below 26 feet, submerging about two miles of the River Trail beneath 6 feet of water, from Burns Park to the Big Dam Bridge. The water itself did not do major damage to the trail, but left behind an immense amount of sediment and debris, forcing the shutdown of the park for a couple of weeks in order to assess the damage and rehabilitate the trail.

The clean-up efforts began as soon as crews could get equipment into affected areas. To battle the mud and silt, the North Little Rock Fire Department used pumper trucks and hoses to clean off roads and parking lots—a necessary first step so that other crews wouldn’t bog down and get stuck. After everything was hosed down, the North Little Rock street department brought in earth-moving machines.

Over the next week and a half, these machines would scrape, dig and haul off hundreds of tons of sand and trees— nearly 300 dump-truck loads! Crews took this chance to go beyond mere clean-up, grading and leveling trail edges to help prevent the remaining river sand from being washed back onto the trail. Finally, because it was neither possible nor legal to push all the sediment and sand back into the river, crews instead groomed remaining sand along the trail and seeded everything with a wildflower seed mix. The spring blossoms will stand as a testament to the hard work involved in keeping Arkansas’ trails in top form for cyclists, runners and all others who enjoy them.

AVID BIKER?

PULASKI COUNTY HAS YOU COVERED!

BIG DAM BRIDGE AT 4226 FEET THE BIG DAM BRIDGE IS THE LONGEST PEDESTRIAN/BICYCLE BRIDGE IN THE WORLD! TWO RIVERS PARK ALLOWS VISITORS TO EXPLORE AND RELAX WHILE ENJOYING NATURE'S BEAUTY. THE 1000-ACRE PARK, LOCATED JUST SIX MILES OUTSIDE OF DOWNTOWN LITTLE ROCK, HAS MANY AMENITIES TO INCLUDE BIKE TRAILS, WALKING TRAILS, GARDENS, AND ABUNDANCE OF WILDLIFE. JUNCTION BRIDGE PROJECT WILL ADAPT THE JUNCTION RAILROAD BRIDGE FOR PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE USE, LINKING BOTH SIDES OF THE ARKANSAS RIVER. IT WILL BE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE SIX BRIDGES PLAN AND RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT IN BOTH CITIES. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.CO.PULASKI.AR.US/PROJECTS

Junction Bridge, Little Rock

Trail planners are our

HEROES.

Scott

YOUR TRIP BEGINS HERE

Fayetteville

#VisitArkansas

Two Rivers Bridge, Little Rock

Arkansas has some of the best bike and shared-use trails in the country — from paved and protected urban paths that connect communities to IMBA Epic off-road routes. Come see us.

ARKANSAS.COM

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3 | 45

Trailblazers

BRYON MOUDY was diagnosed SATURDAY

OCT. 8

VISIT NORTH

LIT TLE ROCK Home of the BEST trails in Arkansas!

Arkansas River Trail Green Loop Trail Yellow Trail

nlr.ar.org A great place to live, work, and play!

46 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3

with non-Hodgins Lymphoma at 25, and doctors gave him a 20% chance of survival. Bryon beat the cancer and has since devoted his career to helping others to become healthier through cycling. Bryon has made many ventures in the cycling industry. In 1995 he bought his hometown bike shop, Highlander Cycling and Outdoors in Russellville. And in 1996 he got his USA Cycling license and began coaching.

Through coaching, Bryon became fascinated with the science of bike fit and launched his bike fit business Bike Fit. The bike fit station is a prominent fixture in Bryon’s new shop, The Handlebar, in Fayetteville. “I can’t let anyone leave the shop without a perfect fit,” he’ll tell you.

In 2014 Bryon’s cancer returned and he was once again fighting for his life. But two years later, Bryon seems to have beaten the odds yet again. Despite lingering pain and fatigue from his ongoing treatments, Bryon rides in to open his shop every day and even teaches a spin class three days a week.

—Dane Eifling

Trailblazers

3515 JFK BLVD • NLR, AR 72116 • 501-753-4990 • www.angrydavesbicycles.com

STEVE PASCOE grew up riding a dirt bike. Since then, Steve has been involved in running, adventure racing, road bike, mountain bike and triathlon races. In 2015, Steve added Ironman to his impressive racing resume. One of Steve’s greatest memories was finishing 16th overall at the Ouachita Challenge in 2011, where Steve caught up to Richard Machycek with five miles to go, but Steve could not keep up with the pace. At the time, Steve’s kids knew only two names associated with bicycle racing, Lance Armstrong and Richard Machycek. After every race, Steve’s kids would always ask if Steve had beaten Richard.

Of all the bicycle races Steve has accomplished, his greatest joy in cycling is the lifelong friends he has met along the way, especially his friends Keith Jordan, John Ed Moore, Terry Coddington, and Tim Duvall, who call themselves “The Fab Five.”

—Addie Teo

BELLA VISTA | BENTONVILLE | EUREKA SPRINGS | FAYETTEVILLE HOLIDAY ISLAND | HUNTSVILLE | ROGERS | SILOAM SPRINGS | SPRINGDALE

Naturally Fun e, our kes, rivers and mor With mountains, la ing ils are just the beginn tra ke bi of s ile m 200+

Come see for yourself why nearly 4 million people visit Northwest Arkansas each year!

This ad paid for with state and private regional association funds

Northwest Arkansas BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3 | 47

MY RIDE, MY TOWN A look at Bike Arkansas guest editor Dane Eifling’s daily commute in Fayetteville.

PHOTOS BY NOVO STUDIO

48 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3

Dane Eifling reflects next to the newest mural at the Fayetteville Town Center.

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3 | 49

A

s I step out of the house this morning I am presented with two options. I can ride my bike to work, or I can drive.

My bike is parked right next to the car in the carport. My keychain holds keys to both vehicles. I could easily choose the car key, but I opt for the key to my bike lock instead. The choice today, as it is on so many other days, is an easy one. The car will stay in the carport while I pedal out of the driveway, down the street and toward my office.

The decision to ride to work is made easy because of three main reasons. First, I like to ride more than I like driving. I enjoy the feeling of leaning into turns and the wind on my skin. The exercise I get pedaling up hills gives me a nice boost of endorphins to start my day. I experience a richness of detail in my surroundings—sights, sounds and smells that I just can’t get in a car.

Second, it’s just more practical to ride a bike.

A car is a bit unwieldy for a trip of only 2.7 miles. Biking costs less and doesn’t take much more time. It takes me 11 minutes door-to-door when I drive to work and 15 minutes when I bike. The time saved by the car doesn’t come

50 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3

close to matching the benefits of biking.

Third, my job and my community make it easy to ride. I work in downtown Fayetteville, which is just a few blocks from the Razorback Regional Greenway. But my usual route from home is entirely on-street. While sharing the road with automobiles certainly requires some measure of competence, Fayetteville drivers are accustomed to sharing the road and are almost always courteous and respectful.

I’m thankful to have this option. I know many people have little or no choice when it comes to their transportation. It’s the car or nothing. For these people, obstacles such as not owning a bike, living too far from work, physical limitations or hazardous roads can all but rule out anything but driving.

I’ve made deliberate decisions that help make everyday biking for transportation a more viable option. I’ve chosen to raise my family in the middle of town, for instance.

I’ve chosen to invest in a quality bicycle, and I’ve landed a job at a bike-friendly place of employment. But all of these larger decisions don’t force me to put away the car keys. They only make it feasible for me to ride.

“I’VE MADE DELIBERATE DECISIONS THAT HELP MAKE EVERYDAY BIKING FOR TRANSPORTATION A MORE VIABLE OPTION.”

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3 | 51

52 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3

“I HAVE A LITTLE EXTRA TIME THIS MORNING, SO I SWING INTO MY FAVORITE NEW COFFEE SHOP, THE ARSAGA’S AT CHURCH AND CENTER, FOR A FANCY ‘TOAST’ AND SOME ICED TEA.” My job as bicycle programs coordinator for the city of Fayetteville is centered on making the same transportation option that I enjoy available to more people in Fayetteville. My job affords me the opportunity to learn about my community from the inside out and see behind the scenes of city government. It also allows me to explore my community in the best way possible—by bicycle.

I have a little extra time this morning, so I swing into my favorite new coffee shop, the Arsaga’s at Church and Center, for a fancy “toast” and some iced tea. I’m able to conveniently prop next to the entrance. I like stopping in local businesses like this one because I’m able to get a unique experience and I inevitably run into an acquaintance or see a familiar face.

The Fayetteville Farmers’ Market offers me another convenient opportunity to stop for fresh local produce. Today I’m just getting a lavender plant for my wife’s garden.

I often hop on my bike to go to a nearby meeting or to teach a class. I use my bike for utility but I still very much enjoy my time riding.

On the weekends I might take a pleasure ride with friends, but we always have a destination. We’ll take a scenic route to an event, restaurant or store. We don’t keep score by tracking our speed or number of miles.

Biking, the way I do it, is not a sport. It’s just how I get around. I don’t wear any special cycling gear—no special shoes or lycra shorts.

Biking is an integral part of my lifestyle, but I do not consider myself a “cyclist” any more than most people consider themselves “motorists,” I’m just a regular guy from Fayetteville who rides a bike.

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3 | 53

PHOTO BY EFREN MOLINAR

Women from all over the south spent a weekend mountain biking on DeGray Lake and in Hot Springs.

dames in the dirt Women’s mountain biking expands in Arkansas

BY ADDIE TEO

T

hroughout the years, I have led many casual women’s mountain bike and road bike rides. Three years ago, I decided to organize my first women’s mountain bike weekend retreat. It started out as a personal goal to complete all of the Arkansas International Mountain Bicycling Association Epic trails. In 2013, four of my riding buddies joined me on my mission to complete all 37 miles of the Womble Trail in two days. This was an ambitious goal and we experienced fatigue from pedaling many miles that was lightened by much laughter and the sharing of personal stories. Since then, I have continued to have one or two women’s mountain bike weekend retreats each year.

Each time, more and more women have joined me. To date, we have done the entire Womble Trail twice, the entire Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (LOViT) once, a combination of Womble and LOViT last year, and this year we added Iron Mountain and Cedar Glades trails to our accomplishments.

Fast forward to Feb. 27-28. Feb. 27 marked the 11th anniversary of Vanderkitten, a women’s apparel company

54 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3

that specializes in clothing for action sports like cycling, running and triathlons. I have been a Vanderkitten Ambassador for three years, and it was only fitting to have a women’s mountain bike weekend retreat on this date. My goal for this retreat was to invite all skill levels of riders to the trails at Iron Mountain in Arkadelphia and Cedar Glades in Hot Springs. This was the largest group I have ever organized. Twenty-one women participated and four states were represented. We had only two rules: Everyone must have fun and no one was allowed to apologize for being slow on her bike!

This wonderful weekend concluded with lots of hugs and goodbyes. It was a beautiful, empowering weekend with lots of fabulous women on bikes. The next women’s mountain bike weekend retreat will be scheduled for October, in conjunction with Women’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Please feel free to join us for our future women’s rides. They will be posted on the chainwheel.com Facebook page. Until next time, ride on ladies!

n ow Br ey ar hr s, mp ing Pu pr dy t S Cin Ho

PHOTO BY EFREN MOLINAR PHOTO BY ADDIE TEO

ria ar av Ch r ez a, a Per ist na la V ria el Ad B

The Iron Mountain/Cedar Glades Mountain Biking Women’s retreat will always hold special memories for me because on the first day of the retreat, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, I became a United States citizen.

There’s no better way to celebrate my naturalization than to ride some of the best trails Arkansas has to offer, surrounded by women who share the same love and passion for the sport as I do.

Riding in the morning, sharing food recipes, going out for dinner, watching the sunset on a boat, relaxing at the hot tub and chilling out at the end of day with a bottle of wine courtesy of fellow rider Dena Woerner to celebrate my new citizenship was priceless. I get excited when Addie invites me to this type of event; the comradery and atmosphere of riding with girls only is empowering.

– Adriana Perez Chavarria

I started mountain biking in 2011 after my second knee surgery. My first mountain biking race was in 2012. I love this sport, both racing and leisurely riding. I feel strong and embrace the sport with great pride. The retreat, for me, was an opportunity to meet many women that share my interest, at all different skill levels. It reminds me of how I felt when I first started riding. And watching the sun set over the trails we rode on the boat ride across DeGray Lake was simply amazing.

I shared this experience with two women that I ride almost weekly with, Jess Soroka and Aerah Hardin — it was an amazing retreat.

– Cindy Pumphrey Brown (pictured on right)

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3 | 55

56 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3

PHOTO BY EFREN MOLINAR

– Katie Parker

er rk Pa Al tie b, Ka Ara

My life goal is to ride in all 50 states. So when I was invited to an all-women’s weekend of mountain biking in Arkansas, I jumped at the chance to go. I’ve driven over seven hours now (one way) to attend two of these women’s weekends. Arkansas has some really fun trails, with Cedar Glades being my favorite so far.

Mountain Harbor and its sister resort, Iron Mountain, are beautiful, relaxing places to stay. I especially liked the hot tub after a long day of riding. Staying and riding with all women is much less stressful because I don’t feel pressured to be faster or better than anyone else. I can’t wait to go back and ride more Arkansas trails.

a ok r or s, a s S ing Jes t Spr Ho

– Jess Soroka

PHOTO BY ARKANSAS OUTSIDE

This was my first time attending the Women’s Mountain Bike Retreat in March at Iron Mountain, and what a fantastic experience. There were some really amazing women riders, and it was wonderful to spend the day with them. The sunset boat ride around DeGray Lake and group dinner was a perfect opportunity to get to know everyone and catch up with friends from the racing series.

For me, the best part was spending the day with some really incredible women who ride.

is ew Ms n L lle, Lyn rkvi Sta

PHOTO BY EFREN MOLINAR PHOTO BY EFREN MOLINAR

rk Cla ar ey k, ds oc Lin tle R Lit

It’s no secret that mountain biking is a male-dominated sport. I was too intimidated to even try it for a long time. But once I did, I fell in love. Women’s group rides are becoming more popular as a way to introduce women to the sport, and they couldn’t be more important.

So a weekend spent among women of all abilities is one of the most empowering and positive experiences I’ve had in my short time as a mountain biker. Being able to ride with stronger women helps make me a stronger rider, not only because they can teach me so much about skills, handling the bike, and picking lines, but also because these women are so positive and encouraging. And that’s what gives me the confidence to keep hitting the trails.

– Lindsey Clark

Events such as this make me feel pampered since all the details are taken care of. Addie Teo knows how to organize and for that reason, it was worth the 6-hour drive. I love riding new trails and bonding with strong, positive women who share my passion.

Attending women’s mountain bike events like this inspires me to work with women from my hometown and introduce them to cycling. Patience, encouragement and a few basic instructions each build confidence to overcome fears. It is very satisfying for me to see the empowerment these women feel when they can ride a section of trail that previously intimidated them.

– Lynn Lewis

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3 | 57

– Micah Henderson & Tricial Elliot

PHOTO BY MICAH HENDERSON

n so der ott Hen Elli tx ah ia as, Mic Tric Dall

Tricia and I met at a Dallas Off Road Biking (DORBA) beginner’s clinic about a year ago. At the time, we were both looking for a riding buddy so we could enjoy mountain biking safely and more often. After the clinic we exchanged phone numbers and began biking different trails around DFW. In Dallas, we ride with a women’s group called Dirt Side Sisters, but we are now in our off-season. That’s when we came across The Women’s Biking Retreat Facebook page that Addie created.

We both enjoy a good adventure and needed a change in scenery.

The event was well organized and included an agenda, so we knew what to expect and could prepare accordingly. Tricia and I enjoyed the group ride! The pine trees were the best part, as well as the friendly atmosphere and new friends we made along the way. We plan to attend next year and maybe even spend a little more time there when we go back.

58 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3

n so ck ar e Ja th, hel Smi Mic Fort

– Michele Jackson

PHOTO BY EFREN MOLINAR

We had a fun-filled weekend of activities: eating, bike games, hot-tubbing, sunset boat cruise and, of course, riding many miles of sweet single track. It’s always great to gather with like-minded women. We encourage each other, share stories, and don’t mind the sweat and dirt. We couldn’t have asked for a nicer setting — beautiful threebedroom cabins with a lovely lake view. Many thanks to our organizer, our host, and all the sweet sponsors for the extra goodies.

s kin r aw , a e H on Su ldr Wa

PHOTO BY EFREN MOLINAR PHOTO BY EFREN MOLINAR

an oll ar y P h, nc mit Na t S For

This was my third Ladies Weekend Mountain Bike Retreat, and an experience that I cherish and look forward to each time. It has grown from five to 10 participants to 21 friendly and passionate ladies that enjoy riding as much as I do.

Among these women were riders of different skill levels, all with a desire to ride a beautiful trail to the best of their abilities. I thought it was really cool that Addie gave us a choice to ride in a “fast pace” group or a “comfortable pace” group. Both had a leader and a sweep so no one fell too far behind in each group. Each person could take this opportunity to ride to their fullest potential and have fun, too! Both groups stopped and caught up at certain points to eat lunch, take pictures and socialize — it turned out to be a perfect weekend.

– Nancy Pollan

M y r i d i n g s k i l l s n e v e r re a l l y improved until I started riding with the girls. We learn and practice skills in clinics and during rides. Strategically we attack difficult sections of trail, repeating them for mastery. We work at stamina on weekend rides.

Three years ago, five of us tackled the whole Womble Trail, approximately 37 miles. Cooperatively we planned and cooked all our meals at High Shoals and Fishing Village. The following year, about 10 of us rode from Crystal Springs to Denby on the Vista Trail. We luxuriated at Mountain Harbor. And this year the momentum increased at Lake DeGray. What will we do next?

– Sue Hawkins

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3 | 59

1 Come stay at

IRON MOUNTAIN

ARKANSASOUTSIDE.COM

and experience the Iron Mountain Bike Trail.

MON - FRI 9-6 • SATURDAY 9-5 Rock Climbing Backpacking Camping Apparel and Footwear Kayaking Fly Fishing Rapelling Canoeing Hiking

134 Iron Mountain Marina Dr., Arkadelphia, AR (870) 246-4310 • (800) 243-3396 www.iron-mountain.com • info@iron-mountain.com

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES WITH A

SOUTHERN ACCENT.

SM

501.767.1373 • 112 Blackhawk Lane Hot Springs, AR • ouachitaoutdoors.com PHOTO BY JEREMY RODGERS

Like our ride along the Arkansas River Trail, our memories of Little Rock are filled with wonderful discoveries. The breathtaking views from the top of Pinnacle Mountain. Touring the city’s downtown by Segway, and its neighborhoods, barbecue joints and breweries by bike. Enjoying the charm and convenience of riding the trolley from our hotel to explore the great shops, restaurants and clubs in the River Market, and being mesmerized by the city’s beautiful illuminated bridges. These are the memories of a new Southern style. You can experience it all here. You can experience it all in Little Rock.

Big Dam Bridge > To see more visit LittleRock.com

60 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3

Trailblazers

Jo fe th in st e y le

what you might picture when you think “Executive Director,” you probably picture a guy wearing a business suit sitting behind a big oak desk. As Executive Director of the Bicycle Coalition of the Ozarks (BCO) Paxton Roberts spends more time on a bicycle than he does behind a desk, but he still likes to dress well. He grew up in Sulphur Springs and moved to Fayetteville in 1993 to attend the University of Arkansas.

An avid mountain biker and road cyclist, Paxton began volunteering with the BCO in the mid-2000’s as he worked toward a P.H.D. in Public Policy. Paxton recognized an opportunity with the BCO to combine his love for cycling with his academic pursuits.

Paxton was named Executive Director of the BCO in 2012.

Paxton is most proud of the BCO’s work in representing cyclists of all types, ages and abilities. Under his leadership, the BCO has pulled in hundreds of thousands of dollars in grant funding, advocated for improved biking infrastructure and policies and has expanded bike education programming across northwest Arkansas.

—Dane Eifling

Li

PAXTON ROBERTS isn’t exactly

BUILDING A MORE BIKE-FRIENDLY FAYETTEVILLE

A full concept and lifestyle recumbent dealer featuring a full line-up of all models: Terra

Trike · Catrike · Bacchettta Recumbents, and More

200 progress ave #5 · signature plaza · Siloam Springs

479-524-6605 · dogwoodjunction.biz

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3 | 61

PHOTO BY NOVO STUDIO

BIKE SHOPS

The Handlebar / Fayetteville

Central Arkansas

CONWAY

THE RIDE

2100 Meadowlake Rd., Ste. 2 501-764-4500 therideonline.net Bike Brands: Specialized, QR, Raleigh, Niner In-house Specialties: Repair.

Group Rides: Yes

LITTLE ROCK

ARKANSAS CYCLING & FITNESS 315 N. Bowman, Stes. 6-9 501-221-BIKE (2453) arkansascycling.com Bike Brands: Specialized, Giant/Liv, Haro In-House Specialties: Service/repair, 62 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3

demo bikes and wheel sets on select models, financing with the Specialized S-Card, Specialized Body Geometry bike fittings.

Group Rides: Two-hour Saturday morning shop road ride open to all.

Route is approximately 35 miles and begins at 7 a.m.

BOBBY’S BIKE HIKE TOURS & RENTALS Little Rock River Market 400 President Clinton Ave. 501-613-7001 bobbysbikehike.com/littlerock Bike Brands: Raleigh, KHS, Fuji, Schwinn In-House Specialties: Repairs, rentals, tours.

Group Rides: Yes

CHAINWHEEL

10300 Rodney Parham Rd. 501-224-7651 chainwheel.com Bike Brands: Trek, Kestral, Pinnarello, Salsa, Catrike In-House Specialties: Servicing all major bike brands with a goal of 48hour turnaround; perform professional fit services; financing available.

Group Rides: Saturday “Coffee Ride,” Tuesday road ride and Thursday night mountain bike ride (all rides seasonal).

ORBEA USA

119 Main St. 501-280-9700; 888-466-7232 orbea.com/us-en/

SPOKES

109 S. Main St. (Downtown) 501-801-5222 1001 Kavanaugh Blvd. (Hillcrest) 501-664-7765 spokeslittlerock.com Bike Brands: Cervelo, Cannondale, Orbea, Felt, Niner, Electra In-House Specialties: Repair, service, financing.

Group Rides: Yes, differs with the season.

THE COMMUNITY BICYCLIST 7509 Cantrell Rd., Ste. 118 501-663-7300 thecommunitybicyclist.com/index. html Bike Brands: Fuji, Surly In-House Specialties: Service for all bike shop brands.

NORTH LITTLE ROCK

ANGRY DAVE’S BICYCLES 3515 John F. Kennedy Blvd.

501-753-4990 angrydavesbicycles.com Bike Brands: Santa Cruz, Scott, Intense, Marin, Ridley, Electra and BMX brands (Redline, SE Racing, FIT, WETHEPEOPLE) In-House Specialties: Service and repair, custom wheel building, custom bike builds, professional fit service; financing through Synchrony Bank, layaway.

NORTH LITTLE ROCK BICYCLE

800 E. Washington Ave. 501-372-2727 nlr-bicycles.com Bike Brands: KHS, Sun, Summit, Manhattan, Reid In-House Specialties: Sales and service.

RUSSELLVILLE

CARR’S CHAIN REACTION

506 N. Arkansas Ave. 479-890-4950 carrschainreaction.com Bike Brands: Trek, KHS, Cannondale, Moots, Sun, Surly, Mirraco, Manhattan, Striker In-House Specialties: Full service repair shop; Trek financing .

SHERWOOD

ARKANSAS CYCLING & FITNESS

3010 E. Kiehl Ave. 501-834-5787 arkansascycling.com Bike Brands: Specialized, Giant/Liv, Haro In-House Specialties: service/ repair, demo bikes and wheel sets on select models, financing with the Specialized S-Card, Specialized Body Geometry bike fittings.

Group Rides: Two hour Saturday morning shop road ride open to all.

Route is approximately 35 miles and begins at 7 a.m.

J & P BIKE SHOP

7910 John F. Kennedy Blvd. (Hwy 107) 501-835-4814 jandpbikeshop.com Bike Brands: Cannondale, Raleigh, GT, Schwinn, Redline In-House Specialties: Full service repair, tune-ups, check overs, tire and tube replacement, brake and gear work, wheels; financing with no down payment, no interest for 12 months W.A.C.

Northwest Arkansas

BELLA VISTA

GPP CYCLING

34 Sugar Creek Center 479-657-2078 gppcycling.com Bike Brands: Felt, Scott, Argon 18, Haro Bikes, BMC, Ellsworth In-House Specialties: Coaching services, bike fitting, full-service repairs, rentals, fitness center.

Group Rides: Group rides for all levels of riders and different types of bike rides including road and mountain.

BENTONVILLE

MOJO CYCLING

2104 S. Walton Blvd., Ste. 1 479-271-7201 mojocycling.com Bike Brands: Orbea, GT, KHS, Transition, Canfield Brothers, Cannondale Group Rides: Shop rides on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings

PHAT TIRE BIKE SHOP

231 S. Main St. 870-910-5569 gearheadcyclehouse.com Bike Brands: Specialized, Trek In-House Specialties: Full-service bike shop, Shimano Certified Service Center Group Rides: Weekly, Saturday morning rides at 7:30 a.m. from the store.

125 W. Central Ave. 479-715-6170 phattirebikeshop.com Bike Brands: Trek, Santa Cruz, Electra, Stromer, Salsa In-House Specialties: Full service department with Shimano Certified techs. Works on all levels of bikes, specializing in tubeless tire setup, electronic shifting and professional bike fits. Massive rental bike fleet ranging from high-end carbon to hybrid and kids’ trailers. Everything is backed with a 100-percent, no questions guarantee. Open seven days.

SEARCY

EUREKA SPRINGS

THE BIKE LANE

ADVENTURE MOUNTAIN OUTFITTERS

Northeast Arkansas

JONESBORO

GEARHEAD CYCLE HOUSE

2116 W. Beebe Capps Expressway 501-305-3915 thebikelane.cc Bike Brands: BH, Cannondale, Devinci, KHS, Pivot, Rocky Mountain, Wilier In-House Specialties: Repairs/service Group Rides: Tuesday and Thursday evenings, Saturday mornings, Sunday afternoons and some holidays.

151 Spring St. 479-253-0900 adventuremountainoutfitters.com Bike Brands: Specialized In-House Specialties: Full-service bike shop, certified suspension technician, custom builds, professional fitments, rentals, guide and shuttle service to Eureka Springs and greater Ozark Mountain area trails.

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3 | 63

KINGS RIVER FLOAT TRIP an ozark river adventure

FAYETTEVILLE

GOOD BIKES

3300 W. Martin Luther King Blvd.

479-935-3345 argoodbikes.com Bike Brands: BMC, Bianchi, Colnago, Focus, Fuji, GT, Independent Fabrication, Kestrel, Breezer, SE, Redline Chase, Staats, Police Specialties.

In-House Specialties: Consultations, professional fit service, full-service repair shop (with Arkansas’ only licensed professional mechanic), financing; official Mavic support center.

Group Rides: Yes

PHAT TIRE BIKE SHOP

RIVERSIDE

cabins campground canoes kayaks shuttles

kings river outfitters

479-253-8954

eureka springs, arkansas kingsriveroutfitters.com 64 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3

3775 N. Mall Ave. 479-966-4308 phattirebikeshop.com Bike Brands: Trek, Santa Cruz, Electra, Stromer, Salsa In-House Specialties: Full service department with Shimano Certified techs. Works on all levels of bikes, specializing in tubeless tire setup, electronic shifting and professional bike fits. Massive rental bike fleet ranging from high-end carbon to hybrid and kids’ trailers. Everything is backed with a 100-percent, no questions guarantee. Open seven days.

THE HIGHROLLER CYCLERY

322 W. Spring St. 479-442-9311 highrollercyclery.com Bike Brands: Specialized, Yeti, Pure Fix, Pure City Cycle, Reid Cycles In-House Specialties: Repairs all types, suspension overhaul services, bike fittings (using the Body Geometry fit system with motion capture software), bike path use rentals, bike financing available through Synchrony Bank.

Group Rides: Yes. Road ride Thursday evenings leaving Baum Stadium at 6:15 p.m. late spring/summer; intermediate level ride average 16-18 mph, no drop.

FORT SMITH

CHAMPION CYCLING & FITNESS

8201 Rogers Ave. 479-484-7500 championcycling.com Bike Brands: Specialized In-House Specialties: Full service and repair to all brands, 0% financing for 24 months.

Group Rides: Group and family rides offered.

PHAT TIRE BIKE SHOP

3660 N. Front St., Suite 2 479-966-4050 facebook.com/thebikeroute Bike Brands: Cannondale, Cervelo, Pinarello, Moots, Niner, Electra In-House Specialties: Full service mechanics/repair, rental of bikes and race wheels Group Rides: Thursday evening beginner ride from Owl Creek Elementary at 6 p.m.

1700 Rogers Ave. 479-222-6796 phattirebikeshop.com Bike Brands: Trek, Santa Cruz, Electra, Stromer, Salsa In-House Specialties: Full service department with Shimano Certified techs. Works on all levels of bikes, specializing in tubeless tire setup, electronic shifting and professional bike fits. Massive rental bike fleet ranging from high-end carbon to hybrid and kids’ trailers. Everything is backed with a 100-percent, no questions guarantee. Open seven days.

THE HANDLEBAR

SCOTT’S BIKE SHOP

THE BIKE ROUTE

115 Block Ave. 479-316-8030 thehandlebar.org Bike Brands: Lynskey, Linus, Redline, Raleigh, Scott, Gunnar, Waterford, Retrospec, Felt In-House Specialties: Repair, bike fit, coaching, service, rental, financing; beer and coffee.

Group Rides: Weekly rides

3716 S. 87th St. 479-452-5228 scottsbikeshop.com Bike Brands: Giant, Colnago, Scott In-House Specialties: Service and repair, restoration, financing and layaway.

new Fuji SL

Fuji Transonic.”

HEBER SPRINGS

SULPHUR CREEK OUTFITTERS

691 S. 7th St. 501-591-0138 screekoutfitters.com Bike Brands: Kona, Salsa, Surley, All City, Polaris ebike, Dillenger ebike In-House Specialties: Full service, sales and rentals.

Group Rides: Yes, every Saturday at 8 a.m.

No Drop.

MOUNTAIN HOME

MOUNTAIN HOME BICYCLE COMPANY

Come See the new Fuji SL at The Community Bicyclist!

Mon-Sat 10am-6pm 7509 Cantrell Rd, Suite 118 • Little Rock

(Tanglewood Shopping Center, located in back)

501.663.7300 www.thecommunitybicyclist.com

1310 E. Side Centre Ct. 870-425-2453 mountainhomebicyclecompany.com Bike Brands: Trek, Electra In-House Specialties: Full service repair, Shimano certified techs.

ROGERS

GPP CYCLING

318 S. 1st St. 479-372-4768 gppcycling.com Bike Brands: Felt, Scott, Argon 18, Haro Bikes, BMC, Ellsworth In-House Specialties: Coaching services, bike fitting, full-service repairs, fitness center and rentals.

Group Rides: Group rides for all levels of riders and different types of bike rides including road and mountain.

LEWIS & CLARK OUTFITTERS

2530 Pinnacle Hills Parkway 479-845-1344 lewisandclarkoutfitters.com Bike Brands: Giant, Liv, Momentum, Kona In-House Specialties: Full-service bicycle repair, rack install, 6- and 12-month financing.

Group Rides: Mountain, road, paved trail social ride and women’s only.

“Your FULL SERVICE bicycle shop”

OZARK BIKE SHOP

Cash Village Shopping Center 400 S. 8th St., Ste. K 479-636-0394

THE HIGHROLLER CYCLERY

402 S. Metro Parkway 479-254-9800 highrollercyclery.com Bike Brands: Specialized, Yeti, Pure

PHONE 501.764.4500 FAX 501.764.4502 www.therideonline.net 2100 MEADOWLAKE RD, SUITE 2 CONWAY, AR 72032

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3 | 65

Stay with us when you Hike, Bike or Run the Lake Ouachita Vista (LOViT) Trail!

Fix, Pure City Cycle, Reid Cycles In-House Bike Specialties: Repairs for all types, suspension overhaul services, bike fittings (using the Body Geometry fit system with motion capture software), bike path use rentals, bike financing available through Synchrony Bank.

SILOAM SPRINGS 987 Shangri-La Drive Mount Ida, Arkansas 71957 (870) 867-2011 24 miles West of Hot Springs.

10 miles East of Mt. Ida

18TH

ANNUAL

EUREKA

SPRINGS J U LY 15-17 2016

CROSS COUNTRY CYCLERY

516 E. Main St. 479-228-7359 facebook.com/CrossCountryCyclery Bike Brands: Boardman, Masi, Haro Bikes, Foundry, Surly, Del Sol, All City In-House Specialties: Professional repair, custom shock and fork rebuild and tuning, custom bike builds, custom wheel builds.

Group Rides: Tuesday night road ride, Thursday night MTB ride, monthly Saturday ride.

DOGWOOD JUNCTION TRIKES & BIKES

200 Progress Ave., Ste. 5 (Signature Plaza) 479-524-6605 dogwoodjunction.biz Bike Brands: Terra Trike, Catrike, KHS, ICE Trikes, Bacchetta recumbent In-House Specialties: Repair, service, sales, limited rentals, financing, layaway, test rides, winter storage and recycled bikes.

Group Rides: laidbacktrikes.com to sign up.

SPRINGDALE

LEWIS & CLARK OUTFITTERS

W W W . F A T T I R E F E S T I V A L . C O M

P R E S E N T E D

B Y

4915 S. Thompson St. 479-756-1344 lewisandclarkoutfitters.com Bike Brands: Giant, Liv, Momentum, Kona In-House Specialties: Full-service bicycle repair, rack install, 6- and 12-month financing.

Group Rides: Mountain, road, paved trail social ride and women’s only.

PHAT TIRE BIKE SHOP

101 W. Johnson Ave. phattirebikeshop.com NEW LOCATION COMING SOON! Bike Brands: Trek, Santa Cruz, Electra, Stromer, Salsa In-House Specialties: Full service 66 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3

department with Shimano Certified techs. Works on all levels of bikes, specializing in tubeless tire setup, electronic shifting and professional bike fits. Massive rental bike fleet ranging from high-end carbon to hybrid and kids’ trailers. Everything is backed with a 100-percent, no questions guarantee. Open seven days.

Southeast Arkansas

HOT SPRINGS

COME SEE US FOR ALL YOUR BIKING NEEDS! Located 100 yards from the north end of the Clinton Park Bridge - Right off the Riverfront Trail!

VBicycles

NLR

10am to 6pm Closed on Wed. • Open Sun. 2pm to 6pm • (501) 372-2727 nlr-bicycles.com • 800 E. Washington Ave, Suite B, North Little Rock, Arkansas

PARKSIDE CYCLE

719 Whittington Ave. 501-623-6188 parksidecycle.com Bike Brands: Trek, Felt, Salsa In-House Specialties: Full service repair and fitting.

Group Rides: Yes, call shop for details.

TEXARKANA (TX)

BERRIDGE BIKES

321 Texas Blvd.

903-794-2453 berridgebikes.com Bike Brands: Felt, Giant, Intense, Electra, Sun, Torker, Redline, Phat Cycles, Trek In-House Specialties: Service and repairs, custom builds.

BICYCLE REPAIR & SERVICE ONLY

BICYCLE OUTFITTER

112 N. Walnut St. Harrison 870-741-6833 By appointment only.

MOTIVE BIKE SERVICE

Mobile repair service to the Little Rock Metro Area and beyond 479-366-7926 motivebikeservice.com

OZARK BICYCLE SERVICE

W. New Hope Road Northwest Arkansas Area 479-715-1496 ozarkbicycleservice.com

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3 | 67

ALL EYES ON BENTONVILLE

PHOTO BY NOVO STUDIO

BY MICHAEL ROBERTS

Slaughter Pen Trail is just one of Bentonville’s world class mountain biking trails.

W

hen the International Mountain Bicycling Association says “World Summit,” it isn’t an exaggeration—representatives from mountain bike advocacy groups, land management agencies and the bicycle industry all gather together to share ideas about how to improve mountain biking and share stories from all over. And this November 9-12, that gathering of professionals and enthusiasts will be coming to Bentonville for the 7th World Summit. The focus of this year’s conference is “Building Tomorrow’s Mountain Biking Today.”

In addition to the keynote speakers, networking opportunities and gear galore, the Bentonville summit will also feature legendary riders Hans Rey and Danny MacAskill. Rey, an acclaimed adventure and trail rider, is a member of IMBA’s honorary advisory board and is no stranger to the festivities. MacAskill, star of some of the most-viewed bicycling videos of all time, will be making his first World Summit appearance—and he’ll be putting on a special demonstration at The Railyard Bike Park in Rogers.

So save the date for the World Summit—and be sure to pick up our fall issue of Bike Arkansas, which will feature in-depth interviews, features and all the IMBA info you could ever want.

For registration details, visit imba.com. Week packages, day passes and activity specific passes are all available.

68 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3

501.305.3915 • thebikelane.cc 2116 W Beebe Capps Expy, Searcy

RECYCLE BIKES FOR KIDS is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide one free bike to any kid and to offer adults the oppor tunity to earn a bike by volunteering.

IMBA 2016 WORLD SUMMIT SCHEDULE

To volunteer or donate a bike please call or stop by the shop.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9: Kick off the festivities with a preopening of the expo from 12 p.m.-5 p.m. and a special opening ceremony in the evening.

1212 E. 6th St. Little Rock 501-207-1696 www.facebook.com/recyclebikesforkids

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10: The summit launches with thought/ industry leaders presenting dynamic topics and discussion panels throughout the day. To top off the day, celebrate IMBA’s model trail awards at the breathtaking Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

SAVE THE DATE

SAVE THE DATE ARKANSAS RIDE FOR THE CURE

ARKANSAS RIDEBenefiting FORSusan THE CURE G. Komen

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11:

The morning continues with cutting edge industry discussions before wrapping up to head over for an action packed afternoon at the world class bike park, The 200 Block of Main Street Railyard. The afternoon fun will200 Block of Main Street, Downtown o DowntownJonesbor Jonesboro include the expo being open 200 Block of Main Street, Downtown Jonesboro from 12 p.m.-6 p.m., special guest Mile, 45 Mile 20 Mile, 45 Mile20 and 62 Mile Ridesand 62 Mile Rides appearances from Danny MacAskill Register atwww.ArkansasRideForTheCure.co Register at www.ArkansasRideForTheCure.com and Hans Rey, a night ride and Register at www.ArkansasRideForTheCure.com family friendly movie night.

JULY 30 • 8 AM

JULY 30

8AM

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12: EPIC ride, barbecue and beer!

Keep up with changes to the World Summit schedule by bookmarking imba.com/world-summit-schedule.

www.facebook.com/StBernardsHealthcare • St. Bernards Healthline (855) 207-7300 BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3 | 69

EVENTS

MAY 7

IRON MOUNTAIN MAN MARATHON

MAY 14

SQUARE TO SQUARE

JUNE 4

TOUR DE ROCK

dltevents.com

fayetteville-ar.gov/1931/Square-toSquare-Bicycle-Ride carti.com/events/tour-de-rock

JULY 15-17

FAT TIRE FEST

JULY 30

KOMEN ARKANSAS RIDE FOR THE CURE

AUG 14

BIKE & HIKE FOR ALS

fattirefestival.com

arkansasrideforthecure.com

bikehikeforals.com

Community Bakery proudly supports cycling in Arkansas.

• Bike Friendly Ride Stop • Plenty of Caffeine & Carbs

• Bike Rack Parking • Outdoor Seating

Join us for Bruce’s Saturday morning Coffee Ride!

SoMa District | 1200 Main St., Little Rock, Arkansas | (501) 375-6418 | communitybakery.com 70 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3

SAVE THE DATE 2104 S. Walton Blvd Bentonville, AR 479-271-7201

SEPT 9 - 11 PIG TRAIL GRAVEL GRINDER e üƚĹÚų±ĜŸåų ƋŅ ÆåĹåĀƋ “Operation Speak Easier,” an initiative of ALS Association of Arkansas.

SEPT 24 | BIG DAM BRIDGE 100 SEPT 30 - OCT 2 | SLAUGHTER PEN JAM OCT 8 | ARKANSAS DELTA FLATLANDER OCT 22 | TOUR DA DELTA NOV 5 | TOUR DUH SUNKEN LANDS APRIL 30 SYLLAMOS REVENGE

syllamosrevenge.com

BIKE Rockwater Village to Pinnacle Mountain.

HIKE Pinnacle Mountain & BIKE back to Rockwater Village.

SUN AUG 14, 7AM @ Rockwater Village

MAY 7 IRON MOUNTAIN MAN MARATHON dltevents.com

“PUT A LID ON IT” POKER RIDE facebook.com/ PutALidOnItPokerRide

RETURNING HOME RIDE

crduffy.wix.com/returning homeride

TOUR DE HOOT

bikereg.com

MAY 14 THE 65 ROSES TOUR

bikereg.com/the-65-roses-tour

A fully supported ride, featuring cool swag and our transition station.

Registration t opens May 1s

bikehikeforals.com

MYAC SALT COUNTY BIKE TOUR cityofbryant.com/ salinecountybiketour

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3 | 71

MAY 15 THE UGLY GNOME

therideonline.net/ theuglygnome

WOOLLY HOLLOW XC/AMBCS AMBCS.com

MAY 21 LITTLE ROCK GRAN FONDO

littlerockgranfondo.com

MAY 21-22 ROCK CITY RACES

team-carve.com

arkansas’ largest cycling tour!

MAY 25 RONDE VAN BURNS

team-carve.com

MAY 27-30 BICYCLE ACROSS ARKANSAS FOR DARE raceroster.com/events

JUNE 1 RONDE VAN BURNS

team-carve.com

It’s just the big dam bridge.

Get over it!

Rides from 10-100 miles.

Well-stocked aid stations, traffic - controlled course, and live music!

JUNE 4 PEDAL THE RIDGE

pedaltheridge.com

TOUR DE ROCK

carti.com/events/tour-derock

JUNE 12-18 RIDE THE NEW MADRID FAULT LINE ridethefault.com

JUNE 15 RONDE VAN BURNS

team-carve.com

JUNE 18 TRUE GRIT RIDE 100

truegritride.com

JUNE 17-18 TOUR DE FUN

emseries.com

JULY 15-17 FAT TIRE FEST

fattirefestival.com

JUNE 22 RONDE VAN BURNS

team-carve.com

JULY 22-24 ROGERS CYCLING FESTIVAL

rogerscyclingfestival.com

JULY 29-30 KOMEN ARKANSAS RIDE FOR THE CURE

SPA CITY 5 HOUR

AUG 13 ARKANSAS TOUR DE CURE

dltevents.com

JUNE 8 RONDE VAN BURNS 72 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3

ozarkoffroadcyclists.com

JUNE 5 ARKANSAS STATE TIME TRIAL team-carve.com

© Big Dam Bridge Foundation

JUNE 12 BATTLE FOR TOWNSEND’S RIDGE XC/AMBCS

team-carve.com

arkansasrideforthecure.com

diabetes.org/arkansastour

EUREKAN ROAD RACE AND TOUR RIDES theeurekan.com

SEPT 9-11 PIG TRAIL GRAVEL GRINDER

OCT 30 3 LEGGED DAWG

SEPT 17 CONWAY FALL CLASSIC

NOV 11 TOUR DUH SUNKEN LANDS

pigtrailgrinder.com

cycleconway.com

NOV 9-12 WORLD IMBA SUMMIT

dltevents.com

imba.com

facebook.com/ tourduhsunkenlands

Follow us on and for more information and events: www.arkansaswild.com

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS BIKE CHAMPIONSHIPS/AMBCS

arkansasstateparks.com/ devilsden

WHEEL A’ MENA, TOUR TO THE TOP wheelamena.org

SEPT 24 BIG DAM BRIDGE 100

thebigdambridge100.com

SEPT 30-OCT 2 SLAUGHTER PEN JAM

slaughterpenjam.com

OCT 1 BANDED SUFFERING

bandedsuffering.com

OCT 8 EZ BIKE POKER RIDE

equestrianzone.org

OCT 9 JOE WEBER ARKY 100

arkansasbicycleclub.org

OCT 16 JONES CENTER CYCLOCROSS RACE dicksonstreetcyclingclub. wordpress.com

APRIL.30.2016 PINNACLE HILLS PROMENADE ROGERS AR

OCT 22 TOUR DA DELTA FALL RIDE tourdadelta.net

Photo credit to Eric Molle, PictureNWA | Design by David Hovey

BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3 | 73

Happy Trails

WEEK ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: › Friday, May 20: Bike to

Work Day, with an official kickoff press conference at the Old State House at 7:30 a.m. to be followed by a free breakfast at the Capital Hotel.

› Saturday, May 21: Bike to

Play Day, with bike racks at the 32nd Annual International Greek Food Festival in Little Rock.

› Monday, May 23: Carpool to School or Work Day, because everything is better with a friend. › Tuesday, May 24: Walk to School or Work Day—see your world in a fresh way.

› Wednesday, May 25: Ride the Bus to School or Work Day, because public transportation rocks.

Ditch the Keys participants gather at the Old Statehouse in Little Rock.

› Thursday, May 26:

Telecommute to Work Day—tell your boss it’s good for the earth!

› Friday, May 27: Social Friday,

R

WHY DRIVE? RIDE!

featuring free community workout classes at the River Market amphitheater in Little Rock.

BY MICHAEL ROBERTS

Registered Ditch the Keys participants will receive an online code and/or email for discounts and freebies from local restaurants and shops. Ozone Action Days is a program of Metroplan, in partnership with the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, Arkansas Department of Health and the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. Visit ditchthekeys.com for more information and to register.

eady to make the transition into a bike commuter? Already commute and want to show your community what it’s all about? Then Ditch the Keys Week, May 20-27, is just the way to do it! This public awareness program kicks off Ozone Action Days and encourages people around Arkansas to leave the car in park and reduce the harmful effects of ground-level ozone.

74 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3

PHOTO COURTESY OF OZONE ACTION DAYS

› Sunday, May 22: Car-Free Sunday—take a Sunday ride on two wheels instead of four.

Free tools to quit smoking your own way.

STAMP OUT SMOKING 1-800-QUIT-NOW

StampOutSmoking.com • 1-800-QUIT-NOW BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3 | 75

share share share your your your beers beers beers & bikes & bikes & bikes photo photo photo stories stories stories with with with #seekfindenjoy #seekfindenjoy #seekfindenjoy

share your beers & bikes photo stories with #seekfindenjoy PUBLICATION NAME • DATE 1

76 | BIKE ARKANSAS issue no. 3

@LOST40BEER @LOST40BEER @LOST40BEER

@LOST40BEER

@LOST40BEER

Day Day Day bike. bike. bike.

Day Day Day hike. hike. hike.

Day Day Day trip. trip. trip.

Day bike.

Day hike.

Day trip.