HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, Ark. — Registration for the seventh annual Gudrun Mountain Bike Festival opened Saturday, June 7, inviting riders of all abilities to tackle the acclaimed Northwoods Trails in Hot Springs.
Set for Nov. 7–9, the mountain‑bike extravaganza features events for everyone from seasoned pros to first‑time riders. Early‑bird registration is available through midnight Aug. 2; late registration opens at midnight Oct. 11. The first 400 participants will receive exclusive race swag, Visit Hot Springs Trails Coordinator Traci Berry said.
Multiple Events
The three‑day festival lineup includes the Slow Roll ride through downtown Hot Springs; the grueling, 180‑mile Ouachita Triple Crown race; downhill Enduro and dual‑slalom competitions; a Strider event for young riders; time trials; and the finale of the Arkansas Mountain Bike Championship Series, the Attila the Hun cross‑country race.
Last year’s Gudrun drew 630 riders from nine states. “Think you got what it takes to win your category in the Gudrun Full Enduro and Attila the Hun XC Race,” Berry said. “Get registered and compete for the Gudrun Valkyrie (Female) and the Gudrun Berserker (Male) Awards. These awards will be given to the male and female with the best cumulative time in their Enduro and Attila Categories.
“It’s hard to believe that we are in our seventh year of the festival. It feels like just yesterday we were opening the trails to the public. Now we get to share the trail love on a daily basis and with one big celebration every November.
“The trails are a huge asset for our community and getting to share them with folks of all ages, riding styles and ability levels from several states each year is the icing on the cake. We have people who have participated every year, making it like a reunion of sorts. We hope we see many old friends and make even more new ones.”
Northwoods has been voted the top trail system in Arkansas by readers of Arkansas Outside. Full details and registration are available at www.bikereg.com/70535. More information about the Gudrun Mountain Bike Festival can be found at www.hotsprings.org/events/gudrun-northwoods-mountain-bike-festival/, and details on the trail network are online at www.northwoodstrails.org. For questions, contact Traci Berry at tberry@hotsprings.org.
