The Cyclist's Guide to Northwest Arkansas
With an expansive Ozark backdrop that lends itself to mountain biking, Northwest Arkansas is a haven for cyclists. Yet, it was not always such. Aided by mountain biking enthusiasts, like Tom and Steuart Walton, Northwest Arkansas has beWith an expansive Ozark backdrop that lends itself to mountain biking, Northwest Arkansas is a haven for cyclists. Yet, it was not always such. Aided by mountain biking enthusiasts like Tom and Steuart Walton, Northwest Arkansas has benefitted from an explosion of trails. World-class resources, from local makers to specialty shops, have followed, turning Northwest Arkansas into a cyclist. Now, hundreds of miles of trail stretch through Northwest Arkansas, welcoming everyone from the gravel grinder to the commuter.
And whether you’re interested in a leisurely pedal along the Razorback Greenway or a thrilling ride through one of NWA’s first trails, we’ve scouted the makers, resources, and can’t-miss trails (urban and otherwise) to steer you straight.
MAKERS
ALLIED CYCLE WORKS
1701 N 13th St, Rogers | American-made, Rogers-based Allied Cycle Works designs and crafts carbon fiber bikes unlike anything you’ll see on the road. From sourcing materials to design, R&D to paint jobs, everything about an Allied bike is made in the USA.
MAGNOLIA CYCLES
216 E Chestnut Street, Rogers | Owned by craftsman and master bike mechanic Michale Crum, the Rogers-based Magnolia Cycles specializes in handcrafted frames and bikes. The only Northwest Arkansas shop to offer custom frame building and 3D design, Magnolia Cycles uses a process-driven approach informed by Michael’s fine arts background and longtime love of cycling to build bikes suited to their new owner’s riding and lifestyle requirements. In addition to ultra-personalized craftsmanship, Magnolia Cycles provides the cycling community with unique offerings like Concierge Bike Buying, Service Subscriptions, Drop-In Service, and event programming.
PEDEGO ELECTRIC BIKES
1550 E Zion Road, Suite 7, Fayetteville | The locally-owned Fayetteville outpost for America’s number one eBike retailer offers a variety of electric bikes. Shop everything from cruisers to city cycles, mountain bikes to fat tires. In addition to an impressive inventory, cyclists will find an extensive selection of accessories, batteries, and colors to further personalize their electric bikes.
BIKE SHOPS & REPAIR
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE CENTER
240 S Main Street, Suite 170, Bentonville | Aptly located at The Ledger, the Specialized Experience Center is part retail, part communal hub destination for cyclists to enjoy a world-class experience from a world-class cyclist brand. Enjoy unique demo experiences with the best performance mountain and gravel bikes + equipment, weekly group rides, shop Specialized products, and enjoy comfortable place to connect before and after time on the trails.
PHAT TIRE
Multiple Locations | Bentonville/Bella Vista-born Phat Tire is a local favorite for cyclists in search of both gear and repairs. Owners Chris Bosh and Tim Robinson (also born-and-bred Northwest Arkansans) opened the first of many Phat Tires to celebrate healthy living and bring the best in mountain biking — including the best bike mechanics — close to the trails. Shop everything from E-Bikes to BMX, apparel to saddles, and nutrition to parts, plus enjoy daily bike rentals.
THE BIKE ROUTE
3660 N Front Street, Fayetteville | Since 2010, The Bike Route has brought an exceptional shopping experience to Fayetteville cyclists, offering riders same-week repairs, a comprehensive inventory, and impressive knowledge of the sport. Conveniently located on Front Street right off Highway 71B, The Bike Route features easy access to Mud Creak Trail connecting to Razorback Greenway for easy, safe test rides. After visiting The Bike Route and stocking up on your favorite gear, enjoy a ride down Dickson Street for lunch or a cold brew.
THE HUB
410 SW A Street, Suite 2, Bentonville | @thehubnwa | Brought to Bentonville by avid cyclists and local entrepreneurs, Nathan and Kelly Woodruff (founders of Progressive Trail Design and DIG Clothing Co.), The Hub functions like a bougie basecamp for bicyclists. And whether you’re working, riding, or refueling, it’s an easy favorite for good times and great drinks. Need gear, service, or rentals? You’ll find that at The Hub, too.
THE METEOR
Bentonville & Fayetteville [COMING SOON] | Founded by avid cyclists Doug Zell and Chris St. Peter, The Meteor is a beautiful environment combining ingredient-driven food, thoughtfully chosen wine, carefully prepared coffee, and, of course, bicycles. Their motto is Espresso | Champagne | Chain Lube, after all. After fueling up, browse the bike shop, a boutique retail environment with expert service and a carefully vetted selection of bikes, apparel, accessories, and Meteor-branded gear
URBAN TRAILS
THE LEDGER
SCOUTED | 240 S Main Street, Bentonville | Volume 6 Member, The Ledger, is the world’s first bikeable building. Initially dreamt up to meet the community’s growing demand for flexible, modern workplaces (of which there’s plenty), The Ledger evolved into a community-driven space inspired by one of Bentonville’s favorite pastimes. At six stories and 230,000 square feet, the downtown space offers a challenging, memorable ride of switchbacks complete with bike-friendly amenities like secure storage, bikers refresh lounge (with on-sight showers so you can bike to work even on the hottest days), eBike charging, and more. Bike up the exterior ramp during business hours for the best Bentonville views and enjoy art, the Walmart Museum, Airship Coffee, Mertins Eye & Optical, and more!
RAZORBACK GREENWAY
Mile 0 at Kessler Mountain Regional Park | Connecting seven communities across Northwest Arkansas, the Razorback Greenway offers access to Fayetteville, Johnson, Springdale, Lowell, Rogers, Bentonville, and Bella Vista, as well as its major hospitals, schools, and corporate headquarters. And from gravel grinders to commuters, there’s something for every cycle enthusiast on the 40-mile trail. Across your journey, take in world-class art, culture, and recreation and take heart that there’s quite a few repair stations along your way should you need them.
RUNWAY BIKE PARK
922 East Emma Avenue, Springdale | Runway Bike Park is a 2.75-acre, state-of-the-art outdoor bicycle skills training area located on the campus of The Jones Center. Featuring three skills areas — the Pump Track (one of North America’s largest asphalt tracks), Skills Course, and Bicycle Playground — the world-class venue is a premier destination for families to enjoy the beautiful trails of Northwest Arkansas.
THE RAILYARD BIKE PARK
299 E Cherry Street, Rogers | The Railyard Bike Park is a natural surface park featuring various elements that allow riders of all levels to test their skills. One of the only lit bike parks in the country, the well-kept Railyard Bike Park is open late for night riding. And, with access to paved and off-road trails, it encourages riders to keep trekking. Take the paved trail to Lake Atalanta Park or shoot off-road via the multi-use trails that connect to Lake Atalanta or Pleasant Ridge trails.
WILDERNESS TRAILS
COLER MOUNTAIN BIKE PRESERVE
2500 NW 3rd Street | Boasting over 19 miles of flow, cross-country, rock, dual slalom, and flyover trails, Coler Mountain Bike Preserve is a veritable haven for cyclists — and the state’s most challenging enduro-style jump trail system. While just a mile west of downtown Bentonville, the Cole Mountain Bike Preserve feels like Ozark backcountry with multiple flowy jump lines, challenging technical rocky sections and several huge gap jumps.
DEVIL’S DEN STATE PARK
The iconic park in Arkansas State Park system offers thrilling geologic features that make for a fun ride. Enjoy 3, 4.2, or 6-mile options in its stacked loop system, of which the 3-mile Outlaw Loop is the most beginner-friendly. Local Tip: Stop in the Visitors’ Center to talk with Assistant Park Superintendent, Tim Scott, who will recount the first mountain bike festivals and downhill escapades.
SLAUGHTER PEN
203 NE 3rd Street, Bentonville | Forty-plus miles of single-track flow alongside the paved Razorback Greenway and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, which means this urban mountain biking experience is dotted with public art. Enjoy lean flow, major downhills, technical rocks, and huge berms on trails welcoming beginner to expert cyclists, plus connector trails taking riders between the hub’s various system. Local Tip: Crystal Bridges is a bike-friendly museum, so roll up after your ride to enjoy the free art museum.
RIDES, RACES & MORE
BENTOVILLE BIKE FEST
May 25 – 28th, 2023 | The largest off-road cycling in mid-America is held in Bentoville, featuring a plethora of cyclist favorites, including trials, events, and competitions across BMX, Gravel, Enduro, and more. Plus, with bike skills workshops for all levels, free demo bikes, hundreds of vendors, non-stop entertainment, and the legendary trails of Northwest Arkansas, it’s a must-attend event of cyclists.
SQUARE 2 SQUARE
Spring & Fall | The Square 2 Square Bike Ride is a festive, family-friendly cycling experience that allows participants to take in the Razorback Greenway’s scenery and camaraderie! While the ride offers multiple options and dates (including virtual rides), Square 2 Square is a 30+ mile route with stops at Lake Fayetteville, Downtown Springdale, Lowell, and Rogers before finishing a few blocks off the Downtown Square in Bentonville at Lawrence Plaza.
LOCAL RESOURCES
21C MUSEUM HOTEL
SCOUTED | Bike-Friendly Hotel | 200 NE A Street, Bentonville | @21cbentonville | Located on the northeast corner of the Bentonville town square and a short walk to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, 21c Museum Hotel Bentonville is a 104-room boutique hotel, contemporary art museum, cultural center, and home to The Hive restaurant. In celebration of Bentonville’s bike culture, 21C Museum Hotel offers complimentary bike valet, storage and washing station.
OZ TRAILS
Trail Information | @oztrailsnwa | Founded in 2016, OZ Trails was created to showcase the development of multi-purpose trails in Northwest Arkansas. OZ Trails focuses on growing the local rider base and providing information to both locals and travelers seeking to experience the region’s unique trail system as it develops. Check in for go-to trails, routes, conditions, and more.
Happy riding and don’t forget to tell them Scout sent you!
