This month, we learned that we were the very first recipients of the International Mountain Biking Association’s Local Leadership Award. We were invited to receive our award at Outerbike and IMBA’s 30th Anniversary Party in Bentonville, Arkansas. Five FAR representatives loaded up an RV, packed some snacks (thanks, FAR mom, Shirley), and pulled an all-night 13-hour drive to the Ozarks. Not only were we honored to receive the award, but we also used the opportunity to ride as much of the famed Bentonville ‘Slaughter Pen’ and ‘Back 40’ trail systems as we could. While we had a tremendous amount of fun (and even weathered a few scrapes and bruises), we also learned a great deal. We weren’t just riding; we were observing, taking notes, and absorbing the culture of one of Arkansas’ mountain bike communities. Here’s what we’d like to report back to our own community:
Connectivity
Trails aren’t just for fun in Bentonville. They utilize connections between schools, parks, neighborhoods, stores, downtown districts, and trailheads to create a network of viable alternatives to vehicular traffic. Due to the very nature of the trails weaving through residential and business districts, they offer a safe and off-road alternative for pedestrian and bicycle traffic that is accessible from dozens of points along the system. Even from our campground in nearby Bella Vista, we could ride to parks, other trail systems, and other businesses, all while encountering very minimal (if any) cars. Trails in Bentonville often run parallel to roads (with a nice, wide berth). While this isn’t always the most aesthetically pleasing situation, it definitely got the job done. Trails also often weaved through neighborhoods and next to utility areas (like water treatment plants). We can imagine that these trails required a great deal of persuasion and logistical figuring, but the value of those agreements was obviously invaluable.
One of the most interesting connections was to their local art museum and children’s museum. Families, including small children, could ride safely from parking areas, the downtown retail and restaurant district, and even home in order to visit either location. While we did note that this created a bit of a hazard in terms of mixed-use trails, we think that this could have been exacerbated by the traffic from the event. Additional signage may have been helpful to remind bikers to dismount or ride under a specified speed limit.
What locations within our community would you like to see connected by trails?
One of the most interesting connections was to their local art museum and children’s museum. Families, including small children, could ride safely from parking areas, the downtown retail and restaurant district, and even home in order to visit either location. While we did note that this created a bit of a hazard in terms of mixed-use trails, we think that this could have been exacerbated by the traffic from the event. Additional signage may have been helpful to remind bikers to dismount or ride under a specified speed limit.
What locations within our community would you like to see connected by trails?
A Cohesive Approach to Cycle Tourism
Of course we picked up local trail maps before riding, and Bentonville is well plugged into the popular apps like Trailforks and MTB Project, and STRAVA, but there was also another piece of available literature that we found particularly interesting. It was a booklet that touted the 37 best places to ride in the state of Arkansas. We only had a few days this time, but each of us left Bentonville with dreams of a return trip to Arkansas including Hot Springs, Mountain View, and other locations added to our itinerary. Supporting other communities (we thought of our neighbors in Pueblo, Salida, Buena Vista, and Westcliffe) with growing mountain bike systems seems like a win-win situation: we all see economic growth but keep overcrowding at bay.
How do you see Cañon City fitting into a larger mountain bike ‘circuit’?
How do you see Cañon City fitting into a larger mountain bike ‘circuit’?
Mountain Biking Matters to Local Economies
(Info-graphic courtesy of City of Bentonville)
Sometimes, an info-graphic says it all. According to recent data, bicycling in Northwest Arkansas contributed $137 million in benefits to the economy in 2017 alone. That’s a sustainable, positive, robust industry! At the campground we stayed at, located at the trailhead for The Back 40 trails, well over half of the sites were booked by mountain bikers. The campground was almost completely full on a fall (“shoulder season”) day in late October. We could envision this kind of success in our own town and would love to see more hotels embrace ‘bike culture’ by marketing to bikers and offering amenities such as bike lockers and maintenance stations. In the downtown district, restaurants seemed to have a high percentage of mountain bikers and vacationing families.
Do you own a business in Cañon City that has seen increased sales due to trail usage?
Do you own a business in Cañon City that has seen increased sales due to trail usage?
Cycle Amenities are Cool!
Trails do not exist in a vacuum in Bentonville. Riders are supported throughout their stay in the area and also along their ride. There is evidence not only of established support, like quality parking areas and well-maintained trails, but there are also scattered amenities that remind bikers, hikers, and runners that their safety and enjoyment is a priority. Trial signs and kiosks were prevalent. Even though paper maps were made available to us, and a few of us had downloaded the regional guides via our cell phones, the kiosks were still very helpful. Posts with steel signs were located at junctures, allowing trail users to navigate with relative ease, despite the complex array of trails.
Intermittently, we found mechanic stations with tools necessary to pump tires, fix wobbly seats and chains, and other minor issues. There were even racks that allow riders to assess and fix their bike easily. Water fountains were located at intervals as well, including bottle filling stations.
Despite all of these wonderful additions to the trails, the one that may have moved us the most was a simple Coleman cooler left by one of the intersections of a trail. Inside were bottles of water and a handwritten sign that said, “Remember to hydrate! 😉”
What amenities do you think should be prioritized as we look to improve trail systems in the Royal Gorge Region?
Intermittently, we found mechanic stations with tools necessary to pump tires, fix wobbly seats and chains, and other minor issues. There were even racks that allow riders to assess and fix their bike easily. Water fountains were located at intervals as well, including bottle filling stations.
Despite all of these wonderful additions to the trails, the one that may have moved us the most was a simple Coleman cooler left by one of the intersections of a trail. Inside were bottles of water and a handwritten sign that said, “Remember to hydrate! 😉”
What amenities do you think should be prioritized as we look to improve trail systems in the Royal Gorge Region?
All Types of Bikers are Welcome
Whether you ride a road bike, a mountain bike, or a 12” balance bike, riders of all types and abilities will find trails and paths that are appropriate for their needs. Trails include green (beginner), blue (intermediate), and black (advanced) sections. There are even downhill-specific trails that allow for one-way traffic for speed and jumps. Within Bentonville’s extensive trails systems, many paved paths help link points, including adjacent systems, parks, schools, and cultural centers, to one another. Also located within the systems are skills parks that help developing riders gain confidence in a low-stakes environment before heading out on the trails.
There are a number of cities across Colorado that are doing a fantastic job of integrating mountain biking into their communities and cultures. It was educational and inspirational to see one already at work in Bentonville. They have enjoyed a great deal of community and financial support from donors, which we haven’t been able to match yet. Nevertheless, we are inspired by their model and hope to learn from their successes. Trails strengthen communities, and we can’t wait to go FAR.
RSS Feed
