BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Bentonville, known as the Mountain Biking Capital of the World™, will host a full calendar of cycling events in October, from international races and industry summits to family-friendly rides.
At the center of the monthlong celebrations is the Life Time Big Sugar Classic, running Oct. 12–18 as part of Bentonville’s annual Biketober festivities. The week begins with the Little Sugar MTB, a premier mountain bike race on the singletrack of Bentonville and Bella Vista, and concludes Oct. 18 with a day filled with competition and community gatherings.
The Big Sugar Gravel will send riders across the rugged backroads of the Ozarks, while the OZ Kids™ Crit Championship Series brings young cyclists to the Bentonville Square. The day will finish with The Gravel Rave, a signature cycling after-party that draws riders and fans from across the region.
Team USA Joins the Celebration
The USA Cycling National Mountain Bike Team will be in town during Big Sugar week, adding to the festival atmosphere with appearances at public events.
- Oct. 14: Dual Slalom Race and Hangout at The HUB Bike Lounge.
- Oct. 16: Meet & Greet at Thaden School, a youth-focused event connecting students with athletes.
- Oct. 17: Coffee with the Team at Onyx Coffee Lab in Bentonville.
These appearances are designed to give fans opportunities to meet athletes in both casual and community settings.
More October Highlights
Bentonville’s October cycling calendar also features the Square 2 Square Fall Ride on Oct. 11, connecting Fayetteville and Bentonville with thousands of riders along the Razorback Greenway. Other events include Bike to School Week (Oct. 6–10), the Ladies AllRide Mountain Bike Skills Camp (Oct. 11–12), and the SHIFT’25 Summit (Oct. 15–17), which will bring outdoor recreation leaders and innovators together at Compton Gardens.
“Cycling has transformed Bentonville far beyond the trails. It fuels our economy, supports local businesses, and creates opportunities for our community,” said Kalene Griffith, president and CEO of Visit Bentonville. “October is the perfect time to see those benefits in action. Life Time’s Big Sugar Classic has grown into a world-class event that showcases our trails while paving the way for more cycling programs, which have invigorated our community’s culture and spirit.”
Cycling Event Calendar
- Oct. 3: Weekend Warm Up – Greater Bentonville Area Chamber group ride (recurring Fridays).
- Oct. 6: Welcome to Bentonville Ride Club monthly introduction ride.
- Oct. 6–10: Bike to School Week.
- Oct. 7: Tour de Coler Weekly Group Ride (recurring Tuesdays).
- Oct. 11: Square 2 Square Fall Ride.
- Oct. 11–12: Ladies AllRide Mountain Bike Skills Camp.
- Oct. 12–18: Life Time Big Sugar Classic programming throughout the week.
- Oct. 12: Life Time Little Sugar MTB.
- Oct. 14: Hangout with Team USA at The HUB Bike Lounge.
- Oct. 15–17: SHIFT’25 Summit at Compton Gardens.
- Oct. 16: Meet & Greet with Team USA at Thaden School.
- Oct. 17: Coffee with Team USA at Onyx Coffee Lab.
- Oct. 18: Life Time Big Sugar Gravel, OZ Kids™ Crit Championship Series, and The Gravel Rave.
Bentonville’s cycling season showcases not only its world-class trails but also the community’s commitment to fostering a culture of cycling for riders of all ages and abilities.
All photos courtesy of Visit Bentonville.
This article was originally published on ArkansasOutside.com, your trusted source for outdoor news and updates in The Natural State. Unless otherwise credited, all photos included in this piece are the property of Arkansas Outside, LLC. We take pride in sharing the beauty and adventures of Arkansas through our lens—thank you for supporting our work!
