Page 4 - Explore Arkansas 2020

4P EXPLOREARKANSAS
ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE • SUNDAY, JUNE 28, 2020
ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETE FILE PHOTOS A pair of cyclists ride along the Arkansas River Trail in North Little Rock’s Burns Park.
Christian Marez, right, and Megan Oswald, both of Fayetteville, try out the bicycle skills course at Gregory Park in Fayetteville. The park’s features also include a concrete pump track and two one-direction natural-surface downhill mountain-bike trails.
BY CODY GRAVES
CREATIVE SERVICES WRITER
Two-wheeled adventure is right around the bend in Arkansas. With hundreds of miles of paved and unpaved trails, the state has become a first-class destination for cycling enthusiasts.
Whether riders are looking for lei- surely sightseeing or intense moun- tain-bike action, there is something for everyone. Following is just a small sample of the biking opportunities that Arkansas has to offer.
ARKANSAS RIVER TRAIL
Coursing through Little Rock, North Little Rock, Maumelle and Conway, the Arkansas River Trail is one of the state’s premier biking destinations. This 88-mile, relatively flat loop connects a variety of sights and attractions in the central-Arkansas area, including the Clinton Presidential Library, the Big Dam Bridge, Pinnacle Mountain State Park, six museums and 38 parks. The trail has many access points, and there are even local businesses that rent bikes for those who need one. For more information, visit arkansasrivertrail.org.
CABOT BMX TRACK
Operated by the Cabot Parks and Recreation Department, the Cabot BMX Track has become a haven for BMX enthusiasts around the state. The track’s mission is to promote the sport by teaching sportsmanship and bicycle safety. The Cabot BMX Track has two dirt tracks that have a vari- ety of hills and slopes that let riders practice their biking skills and learn new ones. Track operator Joe Douglas said the track is open March through November, and practice sessions are held every Monday. Races are sched- uled for Thursdays and Saturdays, depending on the weather. Douglas
said all ages of bicyclists are wel- come, and the only requirements are that riders wear long-sleeve shirts, long pants or jeans, and a helmet. The track even has equipment that can be loaned out to those who might be new to the sport.
“[BMX] is something the entire family can enjoy together,” he said. “Even if you just have your son or daughter out there racing, the atmosphere around the track is very family-oriented.”
For more information, visit usabmx. com/tracks/1783.
14TH ANNUAL TOUR DA DELTA
One of the most unique events in Arkansas, the 14th Annual Tour da Delta in Helena, takes place Oct. 10 and gives riders the chance to see the sights in the St. Francis National Forest and experience the history of the Civil War while passing through Fort Curtis and other landmarks. This race has a wide selection of routes that go all the way up to a 70-mile road ride. For more information or to register, visit tourdadelta.net.
FAYETTEVILLE AND NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
Over the past two decades, much progress has been made in the Fay- etteville area to make the city and Northwest Arkansas bicycle-friendly. Accessibility has been the key goal for the city with its paved-trail net- work, said Brannon Pack, cycling co- ordinator for Experience Fayetteville. Pack said the goal of this project is to make the trail system accessible with- in a half mile of every rooftop in the city over the next decade. Fayetteville currently has about 47 miles of paved trails, and over the next 10 years, the total is expected to surpass 100 miles.
PEDAL POWER Great places in Arkansas to enjoy cycling