22 Days of Christmas

The 22 Rides of Christmas

Fayetteville Half Marathon

22 Days of Christmas(Update: It’s now 22 rides)

Following the grand spectacle of the International Mountain Bicycling Association World Summit in Bentonville, Arkansas is not an easy task. Letting the world in on the world-class mountain biking we enjoy on a daily basis was a pretty big deal. So what kind of event do we have to follow that? Luckily Paul and Melanie Norris stepped up and brought an idea from out west to the Natural State and created the 22 Rides of Christmas.

The Community Bicyclist

Paul and Melanie have harnessed mountain bikers from across the state to lead 22 rides on 19 different trail systems over 11 days. These are all friendly, simple, FREE, unsupported rides with several options for newer riders.

Below is the list of rides with some information. Click on the trail system to go to the Facebook event page for each event and sign up to keep abreast of any changes. If you make a ride, please thank the ride leader(s) for volunteering. Also, share this with friends and family who may be visiting for the holidays. Tell us which ones you will be attending in the comments. We wonder who will make the most rides. We will update this list as more information comes in.

Date Trail System Leader Time Meeting Place Other Info
12/22/2016 Craighead Forest Heather Hankins 6:00 PM Restrooms in the beach area. All skill levels, bring lights, possible group dinner afterward.
12/23/2016 Burns Park Night Ride Paul & Melanie Norris 6:00 PM Covered Bridge Intermediate Re-group
12/23/2016 Mt. Kessler Vincent Edwards 11:00 AM Kessler Regional Park Med pace No Drop-Group split as needed
12/24/2016 Burns Park Beginner Ride Stacy Tierney 9:00 AM Cooks Landing Co-ed No Drop
12/24/2016 Tour of Eureka Springs Nate Griffee 10:00 AM Leatherwood Ball Fields Pace based on participants
12/24/2016 Lake Fayetteville HB Fink 12:00 PM Apple Blossom Brewing Casual Pace/Weather Permitting
12/24/2016 Ben Geren Gunnar Wright 2:00 PM McClure Amphitheater All Levels
12/24/2016 Camp Robinson David Wonn 1:00 PM Camp Robinson Bike Trails Sportsmans Pass Required/Bells and Xmas sweaters encouraged
12/25/2016 Boyle Park Paul & Melanie Norris 1:00 PM  Pavilion 3  Co-ed No Drop
12/26/2016 Woolly Hollow Melanie Norris 8:30 AM Enders Fault Parking Lot LADIES ONLY – Beginner No Drop
12/26/2016 Sardis Gravel Grind Larry Matthews 10:00 AM Sardis Ball Park 25 mile gravel/paved/ Weather Permitting
12/26/2016 Fossil Flats Noel Howard 10:00 AM Devil’s Den State Park, Camping area A Medium pace. Beginner/Intermediate
12/27/2016 Iron Mountain Danny Williams 2:00 PM  Iron Mountain Recreation Area Casual Pace
12/27/2016 Trimble Ranch Brent Trimble 10:00 AM 489 Bunch Springs Rd Berryville Casual for the most part
12/28/2016 Cadron Richie Ryerson 12:00 PM Lower Parking Lot main trailhead All levels
12/29/2016 Ouita Coal Company Melanie Norris 10:00 AM Illinois Bayou Park Beginner No Drop
12/29/2016 Earthquake Ridge Kenny Davis 10:00 AM Visitor Center Rich Mountain Regroup at intersections
12/30/2016 Hobbs Paul Norris 2:00 PM Townsends Ridge Trailhead  Co-ed No Drop
12/30/2016 Old Post James Crabill 1:00 PM Old Post Park Visitor Center  Beginner/Intermediate
12/31/2016 Lake Leatherwood Paul Norris Kendall & Alissa Smith 10:00 AM Leatherwood Ball Fields  Co-ed No Drop
1/1/2017 Back 40 Epic FAST 11:00 AM  Blowing Springs Trailhead  40+ miles Pace based on participants
1/1/2017 Creegens to Burns Mike Mitchell 10:30 AM  Creegens Pub, North Little Rock  Co-ed Casual pace
Fleet Feet Christmas Ad
See also  Womble Trail Closure

3 Responses

  1. What a fun article that draws Arkansas into the limelight. These rides are especially appealing in Indian Summer, during blackberry winter, or in those long glorious days watermelon eating days of sunshine. Pedal on, bikers.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *