Mountain bikers have the unique opportunity to race on three International Mountain Bicycling Association Epic Trails in one race
Hot Springs National Park, AR – Organizers of the Gudrun Northwoods Festival announced today a partnership with the city to include the renowned Ouachita Triple Crown bikepacking route as part of this year’s festivities. Participants are encouraged to immerse themselves in the full Gudrun experience, including various activities and social events.
The Ouachita Triple Crown, a 180-mile loop encompassing three International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) Epic Trails, was conceptualized by Kenny Williams in 2019. The route strategically connects the Ouachita National Recreational Trail, the Womble Trail, and the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (LOViT) via gravel roads, creating a challenging yet rewarding circuit around Lake Ouachita. Read more about Arkansas’s IMBA Epic Trails at Arkansas: The Natural State for Epic Cross-Country Mountain Biking.
Arkansas boasts more IMBA Epic Trails than any other state, a testament to the region’s exceptional mountain biking terrain. The Ouachita Mountains, characterized by rugged ridges and refreshing spring-fed valleys, provide the ideal backdrop for such an epic adventure.
To participate in the Ouachita Triple Crown as part of the Gudrun Northwoods Festival, riders must sign up with designated track leaders. Full registration closes on October 1st.
Gudrun is a three-day mountain bike festival November 8 – 10 that features competition and activities including the Atila the Hun XC race, the Slow Roll Fun Ride, Full Enduro, Mini Enduro, Waffles and Coffee Time Trial, Jump Jam, Dual Slalom, and more.
Triple Crown registration starts today on the BikeReg website. Registration and route information for the 180-mile Triple Crown race is also available at https://www.arkansashighcountry.com/. The race starts at noon on Friday, November 8, at Cedar Glades Park.
Jackalope Cycling is teaming up with Visit Hot Springs to make the Ouachita Triple Crown a part of the Gudrun – Northwoods MTB Festival.
Traci Berry, the Northwoods Trails coordinator, said, “We here in Hot Springs have really enjoyed working with Chuck Campbell and Johnny Brazil while hosting the Arkansas High Country races in 2022 and 2023.”
Campbell is the founder of the Arkansas High Country Race and co-organizer of the Ouachita Triple Crown along with Brazil.
“Although the Arkansas High Country gravel races have moved on to a new host city, we couldn’t be more excited that they have decided to continue the Ouachita Triple Crown with Hot Springs,” Berry said. “We are pleased that it will coincide with our three-day mountain bike festival, Gudrun, starting and finishing from our festival venue, Northwoods Trails’ Cedar Glades Park.”
The Ouachita Triple Crown route was first mapped by Kenny Williams in 2019. He wanted to link together three International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) Epic Trails into one epic bikepacking route. When connected by gravel roads, the Ouachita Trail (OT), the Womble Trail, and the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (LOViT) create a circle around Lake Ouachita.
“IMBA Epic Trails are the best of the best, and Arkansas has more of them than any other state,” Berry said. “The Ouachita Mountains, composed of rocky ridges and narrow, spring-cooled valleys, are the perfect landscape for an IMBA Epic Trail. The mountains are wild, beautiful, and rugged.”
According to the IMBA website, Epic Trails are “technically and physically challenging, beautiful to behold, and worthy of celebration. EPICS are demanding, majority singletrack trail experiences in a natural setting and at least 20 miles long.”
The Ouachita Triple Crown Race was born in 2022 when the Arkansas High Country Race started a two-year residency in Hot Springs. Starting and finishing in Hot Springs gives the route a lollipop shape.
Jeff Kerkove holds the course record for the 180-mile route at 23 hours and 5 minutes. The women’s record is 38 hours and 27 minutes held by Lindsey Shepherd.
Brazil said, “We can’t wait to return to Hot Springs. It is a great city, and they really know how to host bicycle events. We’re glad to be a part of Gudrun.”
Registration for the Sixth Gudrun Festival is available at https://www.bikereg.com/gudrun.
