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.
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
An Arkansas Gravel Series race, called “The Chocolate Roll” is a new local 48.3 mile cycling race or ride at Leslie! Natural State Bikes | Facebook Natural State Bikes – All Things Bike Related In Arkansas – The Natural State
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.
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!