Young children race their bike with parents running alongside them.

Photo by: Kate Austin Photography

Written by: Jess Pendergrass, Bentonville Public Library

The Walmart OZ Kids™ Fat Tire Criterium and Fall Fest will take over Bentonville Public Library’s (BPL) backyard on October 22 from 2-6 p.m. Ozark Outdoor Foundation in partnership with BPL and the Bentonville Library Foundation are pleased to bring the championship race of the Walmart OZ Kids™ Fat Tire Crit series to Bentonville. The event will include kids bike races for ages two to eleven as well as a family-friendly fall fest. Advanced registration is required to enter the races or to attend the festival.

The criterium will run from 3-5:45 p.m. on October 22. A criterium is a bike race in which the riders follow laps on a closed course. The number of laps will be determined by the age of the riders. Riders on both balance and pedal bikes are welcome to register.

Bike rules for safety included mandatory helmets and bar end plugs. All riders must ride bikes with flat handlebars. Points are awarded based on place and awards will be given out during the event. Riders in all categories are eligible for awards.

Registration for each race is $20 and includes admission in the race, race plate and finisher medal. Once registered, race packets can be picked up at BPL on October 20 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m., October 21 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. or October 22 from 9-11 a.m. The fall festival does not cost to attend but does require registration.

Prior to the races, on October 20 at 5 p.m., Bike School Bentonville will host a race practice clinic at the Library to familiarize kids of all ages with the process of a criterium. During the clinic, riders will become familiar with the start, finish, course and staging processes. Registration is not required.

Alongside races throughout the event, families and community members can enjoy a fall festival with food and fun. The Library will host activities like family Princess Storytime, a book giveaway sponsored by KPMG and crafts for all ages. OZF will host movement activities like a bike skills course, safety checks and 40-foot obstacle course. Pedal It Forward’s 30 bikes for giveaway have been claimed by registrants. Light food and drinks will be provided, sponsored by Arvest. For more information, visit https://bikeschoolbentonville.com/kids-crit/.

 

OZ Trails community,

When I think about where this started, trail builders like Dave Renko, Nathan Woodruff, and Don West from the early days come to mind. They strengthened my belief in the power of trails and in Arkansas becoming one of the great places in the world to ride. It started simply: a few hand-built trails, a lot of conviction, and a community willing to put in the effort to create something special.

OZ Trails was never just about bikes. It was about building a way of life around the outdoors — a place where families spend more time together, where people find clarity away from screens, and where visitors feel welcome. It proves that something world class can still feel local, personal, and rooted in the land.

For years, we dreamed about this park. We walked the land, studied what it could become, and kept coming back to the same idea: Northwest Arkansas deserved a bike park that matched the ambition of this community.

Now, we’ve built it.

OZ Trails Bike Park is where so much of that work comes together. It was created with trail builders who treat their work like a craft, supported by bike patrol so riders can feel confident, and shaped by a team that cares about the experience from the moment you arrive. I've been riding the park throughout development, and I finish every ride believing it will change how people progress and connect with each other.

Founding Membership is an invitation to the people who get it — the riders who know what time on trail does for you: clearing your head, building confidence, finding your people, and feeling a sense of pride in the place you ride. We want you here from day one. Membership is more than access. It helps set the tone for what this park becomes. The first members should be people who care about the culture, who welcome others in, and who believe this place can keep growing into something truly special.

As a father, I often think about watching my kids progress on these trails — starting on green, moving to blue, and then deciding they’re ready for black. It’s part of why we built this place the way we did — so families can show up, everyone has something to ride, and they can keep building the skills to take the next step.

Alongside Founding Membership, we’re also launching a Founding Family Membership for those who want to share this with the people they love.

Our Founding Memberships open today.

Come ride it. This place was built for you.

Upcoming Events

OZ, LOCAL, AND REGIONAL

Weekend Warm Up

March 7, 2025 - November 7, 2025

Level 2 Mountain Biking Fundamentals

11/1/2025, 11/22/2025

Mountain Biking: Intro to Drops

November 1, 2025

BVL Cyclocross Training Series

October 26, 2025 - November 16, 2025

Coler MTB Youth Class

September 10, 2025 - November 26, 2025

Purple Heart Gravel Ride

November 8, 2025

Arkansas Enduro Series presented by Monster Energy

November 21, 2025 - November 23, 2025

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