HELLO TRAIL LOVERS!
Fall has begun, and so has our busiest season of the year! It’s almost as if October were tailor-made for riding in the Ozarks. The trees’ leaves are turning all sorts of colorful shades, the creeks are full, the mornings are crisp, and the warm afternoon sun makes for prime time to be out on the trails.
In this issue:
🟣 Progress at the new Bike Park
🟣 Upcoming events
🟣 Trail updates
🟣 New OZ Trails merch
🟣 Art installations on the trail
🟣 Local industry news
BIKE PARK UPDATE
Construction of the OZ Trails Bike Park is in full swing! We’ve begun building the OZ HQ facility and finished pouring concrete for the lift-line towers and terminals. Our friends at Benton Drones captured some stellar aerial footage of the lift line, which stretches about half a mile and provides great perspective on the scale of the 200-acre park and plaza.
Stick around to the end to see trail footage featuring local rippers Corban Timboe and Energizer Benny as they flow-check one of the black diamond lines.
Stay up to date with the latest updates on the construction of the park by following us on social media.
NEW OZ MERCH!
FIRELINE TECH TEE = $50
This beautifully designed tee probably won’t help you fly every table top on Fireline in Coler, but it’ll sure as hell keep you dry and cool on that climb back up Pedal Assist to send it again. And again. And again. And again. #checkyourbattery
Created in partnership with Handup, the Fireline Tech Tee is loaded with trail riding essentials: 4-way stretch, cotton-like feel, poly/spandex blend, OZT printed neck lining, moisture wicking, and 50+ UPF sun protection.
Available Local at These Merchandise Retailers:
- Rapha Bentonville
- Thaden Field
- The Meteor Bentonville
- Phat Tire Bentonville and Bella Vista
- Gearhead Bentonville
- Bison Bikes
- Bentonville Bicycle Company
- Mojo Bicycles
- Adventure Lab NWA
- Bike Inn Bentonville
TRAIL UPDATES
On May 26, 2024, multiple tornadoes tore through Northwest Arkansas, downing tens of thousands of trees across Bentonville, Rogers, and the surrounding area. Beyond the immediate damage, we lost a huge amount of tree canopy, and that matters more than you might think. Those trees provided more than just shade; they were protecting the trails from rain, slowing water flow, and holding soil in place.
Without that cover, erosion kicks into OVERDRIVE. Trails get rutted, drainage features get overwhelmed, and what was smooth singletrack can turn into a moonscape pretty quickly.
The good news? Our trail community showed up in force after the storm—300-person workdays, waitlists to volunteer, crews driving in from hours away. That energy is still needed. Maintenance isn’t a one-and-done deal, especially now.
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Report Issues – See a downed tree or nasty rut? Drop a report on the Trailforks app (yellow box in right corner of app). GPS location, quick description, photo if you’ve got it. Takes 30 seconds and helps crews prioritize.
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Adopt a Trail – This is the simplest way to give back. Pick a segment, maintain it on your own schedule. You’re not committing to moving mountains—just keeping your section clear and rideable. Fill out the application at wearetrailblazers.org/volunteer and you’re in.
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Join a Trail Workday – Trailblazers hosts regular workdays (10-20 folks, snacks included). It’s social, it’s satisfying, and you’ll learn more about how trails actually work.
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Other Ways to Help – Donate tools (rakes, loppers, wheelbarrows), sponsor a workday, or connect your Strava to Trail Care and donate per mile ridden. And yes, drinking Bike Rack’s Trailblazers Lite Beer counts (if you are 21 or older). Proceeds go back to the trails.
Questions? Hit up volunteer@wearetrailblazers.org. The trails give us a lot. Let’s keep them in shape.
Visit TrailForks.
INDUSTRY NEWS
SCOTT Adventure Lab has opened in downtown Bentonville inside the Motto Hotel! Part bike shop, part custom outfitter, the Adventure Lab has a fully array of SCOTT bikes for purchase and rental.
The Adventure Lab has partnered with 37 North Expeditions to offer a wide array of guided tours across the Ozarks. So whether you want a guide for cycling the trails, kayaking down the Buffalo River, or paddle boarding on Sugar Creek, you can find your adventure at the Adventure Lab.
They will be having a grand opening at 4 p.m. on October 16.
Ride. Repair. Explore.
Find them on the MAP.
CELEBRATING SUCCESS
We want to highlight Team USA cyclist and 2025 UCI XCO World Cup Champion Christopher Blevins. Blevins trains in Northwest Arkansas, and Team USA is sponsored by Visit Bentonville. He has been working his way up the ladder and took the 2025 overall UCI championship earlier this month at Lake Placid. This is the first time an American male has taken the title since 1991. Congratulations Christopher Blevins! Follow him on Insta HERE!
TRAIL ART
Bentonville Community Radio partnered with the Trailblazers to create the “Barn Dance,” a light and sound experience. The barn is located just below the Oz Castle in Slaughter Pen and features floor-to-ceiling illuminated messages stating “DANCE NOW THINK LATER” and “WE RISE BY LIFTING OTHERS” while playing Bentonville Community Radio 24/7.
The phrase “WE RISE BY LIFTING OTHERS” is the name of a participatory art project by Italian artist Marinella Senatore that uses illuminated, light-based installations. Marinella Senatore (Cava de’ Tirreni, 1977) is a multidisciplinary artist trained in music, fine arts, and cinema. Her practice is characterized by a strong collective and participatory dimension both as methodology and content; her work combines aesthetic research with the transformative power of social engagement.
EVENTS
October brings incredible cycling events to Northwest Arkansas! You’ll find us front and center at Little Sugar & Big Sugar cheering on the racers, plus we’ll be joining the community for the annual Square to Square ride along the Razorback Greenway from Fayetteville to Bentonville on October 11th.
FUTURE EVENTS
– Big Sugar Classic October 12-18th
– Square to Square October 11th
– Shift Summit October 15-17th
– Arkansas Enduro Series October 25-26th
Full calendar HERE.
