Michelle RodriguezRider Profile: Michelle Rodriguez

Trust yourself! You can do it!! It may seem like a lot to take in at first, but just ride at your pace and you will start to get in your groove of riding. You’ll meet so many people that will be happy to just ride with you!

Who are you?

Just a little Latinx baby from the Midwest.

What types of riding do you do?

I love to ride gravel, mountain bike and road!

What do you do for a living?

I am an account manager.

How long have you been riding?

A year and a few days! I bought my bike May 18th of last year. I had a fun memory from the day I bought it recently pop up on my phone. Haha!

Photo 2 - Michelle RodriguezWhat brought you to Northwest Arkansas?

I grew up in Springdale but moved to Virginia Beach back in 2015. I planned to temporarily move back to help my family. Unexpectedly, my partner fell in love with NWA! He calls himself a local now, haha! We definitely call this place home.

How did you get started mountain biking?

I started getting interested in MTB after my partner, Luis, started riding. I saw how much fun he was having and I wanted to have fun on bikes too. I was so nervous because I was not in shape… I’m so glad I got over that mental block and tried it because now I’m hooked!

Why do you participate in mountain biking?

There’s so much! I could go on and on with this question. It’s a little bit of everything. Connecting with nature, connecting with people from different walks of life, the physical fitness, the mental fitness… I always find myself pushing myself harder when I’m on my bike.

What cycling ambitions do you have for yourself in the next year?

Just to ride as much as possible, and participate in some races!

What mountain bike do you ride and why?

I ride a little hardtail Cannondale Trail 3. This bike and I were meant to be! I really wasn’t looking for a bike last year, but my partner Luis called me to come to the bike shop to check out this bike in my size. I was just like, ‘Ok yeah let me go check it out no big deal.’ I saw it, tested it, and fell in love. We’re living happily ever after now haha!

If you could only ride on OZ Trail for the rest of your life, what would it be?

The Modelo loop! Such a fun loop!

What is your favorite post-ride meal?

Yeyos nachos with the salsa on the side. HANDS DOWN! SO DELICIOUS!

Photo 3 - Michelle RodriguezWhat encouragement would you give to someone in our community who is thinking about trying mountain biking but is nervous to take the first step?

Trust yourself! You can do it!! It may seem like a lot to take in at first, but just ride at your pace and you will start to get in your groove of riding. You’ll meet so many people that will be happy to just ride with you!

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.

PURCHASE FOUNDING MEMBERSHIP

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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