Mountain bike race comes to state

ARKADELPHIA — Mountain bikers from across the nation will be in Arkansas for the USA Cycling Marathon Mountain Bike National Championships on May 7 in Arkadelphia.

The event will be held at the Iron Mountain Trail System, which is located in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains and on the south shore of DeGray Lake.

The event is a chance to continue the national spotlight on mountain biking and outdoor recreation in the state, according to Fred Phillips, executive director of DLT Events, which is hosting the race.

“Between what is happening in the northwest corner of the state, the multiple IMBA [International Mountain Bicycling Association] epic trails we have here in the state now, and all the trail-building and maintenance programs going

on now, these national championships are helping provide additional exposure,” he said.

“It is my hope it will help further make the state a nature tourism location and destination for outdoor enthusiasts such as trail runners, mountain bikers and hikers.”

The Iron Mountain Trail System is made up of around 20 miles of contiguous trail. The trailheads are easy to access and are located about 15 minutes off of Interstate 30.

“The route as far as topography provides challenges yet is rideable by pretty much all levels depending on what section of the trail system you choose,” Phillips said. “It really depends on the type of riding you are looking at doing. You can have relatively easy riding or a little more aggressive climbing and descending. So there is a lot of variety.”

Participants will ride 50 miles on the championship course. The route is spectator-friendly, with several sections that are easy to access from the main parking areas out onto the trail system. An $18,000 prize purse for the pro field courtesy of a grant from the Walton Family Foundation will be offered.

There will be an 11-mile mountain bike companion event May 6 for those who would like to ride some of the national championship course.

Arkansas is home to five International Mountain Bicycling Association epic routes. These include the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail, the Upper Buffalo Trail, the Womble Trail, the Syllamo Trails and the 108 miles of the Ouachita National Recreation Trail, a long-distance hiking trail through the Ouachita National Forest.