Cycling
The Ozark Grinder Trail is a gravel grinder bicycle trail covering approximately 200 miles and 13,000 feet of elevation in some of the most wild, scenic, and remote parts of the north central Arkansas Ozarks! From Gilbert and St. Joe, through Tyler Bend at Buffalo National River and all the way to Fairfield Bay, Arkansas it climbs and descends steep grades and makes many creek crossings. The Ozark Grinder Trail is now awarding completer patches to riders who ride the entire straight-through segment, a 134-mile trail between Gilbert and Fairfield Bay. It sports almost 13,000 feet in elevation! Three given out in 2022. The ride can be started from either end. Mandatory selfie spots will be the Gilbert General Store, the RichlandCreek Bridge, Richland Waterfalls Welcome Center in Witts Springs, Wades Convenience Store in Leslie, Oxley General Store, Red River low-water bridge at Lydalisk, Shirley Railroad bridge, and the Fairfield Bay Cobblestone Hotel. You must also turn in your Strava or similar route recording data to Dirk Merle atd.merle@hotmail.com who will certify your completion and record your time.Phone 870-448-7910. Fastest Known Times will be recorded for Male and Female up to age 59, and for 60+ Seniors in thecategories of E-Bike, Standard Bikes, and Single-Speed bike.
Another Cycling addition! The Ozark Grinder Trail now has a loop trail! Almost 151 miles and 13,000+ feet of elevation! Mixed surface cycling! Take in gorgeous scenery as you encircle Marshall and hit spots such as the Town of Gilbert Arkansas, Harriet, Leslie, Witts Springs, Eula, Snowball, and Silver Hill! The cycling challenge of the Ozarks! Created by cyclist Dirk Merle!
Don’t miss the Annual Pedestal Rock Road Bike Ride and Lick Fork Gravel Grind in Witts Springs! The spectacular ride is the 3rd Saturday in October! Road (Pedestal Rock) distances of 10, 20, 40, 50, 62 miles and gravel (Lick Fork) distances of 15, 30, 50, and 62 miles! Awesome roads and awesome scenery! Great hosts in Witts Springs! Registration: https://www.bikereg.com/prlfride
The Annual Arkansas High Country Race for bicycles also comes through Searcy County and is approximately 1,041 miles with 84,373 ft of climbing, unofficial estimates! This is a self-supported ultra-biking event. Some of America's finest long-distance gravel cyclists compete in this event!
The Arkansas Graveler is a new cycling event that will send up to 400 cyclists 336 miles along the state’s northern gravel roads across Searcy County from Fayetteville to Jonesboro! The Arkansas Graveler is set for June 23-29 next year and features a route that begins on the University of Arkansas campus and travels through Oark, Jasper, Marshall, Mountain View, and Cave City before finishing at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. The cyclists will spend the night at our amazing tourism attraction the Kenda Drive-In!
The Annual Snowball Adventure Race has a cycling leg. This adventure will involve a 5.5 mile run to the Margaret White area on the Buffalo National River, where you will then jump in your boat for an 8.5 mile float down the beautiful Buffalo to the Tyler Bend launch area. You will then pick up your bicycle at the Tyler Bend Pavilion and start the 11.5 mile gravel journey back to Snowball via the Ozark Grinder Trail.
Opening soon just outside Marshall at the Mountain Homestead Natural Area! 1.46 miles of Multiuse Trails! Mountain Biking & Hiking! Nature Trail! Dark Night Sky Viewing! Bird Watching! Call 870-448-2557 for more information!
Hill Country Cycling is a local cycling club that features rides around Searcy County including the annual Chocolate Roll Bike Ride out of Leslie in December!
