A group of 3 ladies ride on the mountain bike trails

Guest blog post by: Women of OZ NWA

Riding with a group can be loads of fun. Make sure you’re prepared for group rides with these tips from our friends, Women of OZ!

WHAT TO DO
  • Announce oncoming traffic: When you spot oncoming traffic, loudly say, “rider up,” so your group knows they’ll need to share the trail without another rider/runner/hiker.
  • Communicate when slowing and stopping: Announce when slowing or stopping, so the group has time to react.
  • Clear the trail: If you need to stop, get entirely off the trail so others can pass.
  • Yield to climbing traffic: The uphill rider generally has the right of way.
  • Pace the climbs for the middle of the group: When the pack hits hills and climbs, it can be hard to keep the group together. It’s important for the riders at the front to consider everyone when establish the climbing pace.

 

WHAT NOT TO DO
  • Show up unprepared: We’ve all been late to a group ride at some point, and we’ve all forgotten something important. It happens, but it shouldn’t happen often.
  • Ride too close to your friends: Leave 1-2 bike lengths between you and the person in front of you.
  • Get the whole group in trouble or in danger: When you decide to join a group ride, it’s like joining the Musketeers: all for one and one for all. For safety and efficiency, the whole group needs to move with one mind.

 

Let’s ride together!

 

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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