The Inaugural Birdeye Gravel Festival – Updates

Updated Maps below —–

Martin Smith and studioDRIFT are bringing a new event to the Arkansas Delta and Crowley’s Ridge, the Birdeye Gravel Festival. Martin was the driving force behind a gravel ride from Jonesboro, Arkansas to Clarksville, Mississippi in November of 2021. He was also at the helm of the Delta Grind ride that took place in Helena-West Helena, Arkansas. Both of these events were much more than gravel rides. Martin, his studioDRIFT team, and his family have a record of turning these events into unique experiences by accentuating the area’s hospitality. Food and music are a big part of these gravel rides. In its Inaugural year, the Birdeye Gravel Festival looks to have the same recipe for fun and local exploration.

“This year is our test run for what we hope to be a growing event showcasing the beauty and friendliness of the Arkansas Delta,” said Smith. Don’t let the word “test” throw you. The events previously mentioned were also in their first year and as a participant, I found the organizers set a high standard early.

Martin and Kara Smith talk about how the festival came about and what to expect on the Natural Bikes Podcast.

The festival, located in Birdeye, Arkansas, will be based on an 8-acre farm with a home built in 1903 as the hospitality headquarters. For accommodations please contact info@birdeye.events. Camping will be allowed on-site in the orchard and a restroom/shower facility will be available for participants’ use. All meals are freshly made on-site utilizing local ingredients. Two fire pits and community areas on the grounds will be provided for downtime and relaxation with the grazing St. Croix sheep and Black Spanish Heritage Turkeys providing company if not adding to the conversation.

The Rides

The rides incorporate both Arkansas Delta farmlands and the rolling hills of Crowley’s Ridge. Directions for shorter routes can be obtained at the ride start. Click links for maps.

• 50-mile route (Friday Ride)
• 80-mile route with a 55-mile option (Saturday Option Ride)
• 105-mile route (Saturday Option Ride)

All rides and aid stations are sponsored by Garver and EDG.

 

The current schedule and registration links are below.

---

EXTRA FUN! – Are two days not enough for you? Here is a special deal for anyone wanting to ride in from Jonesboro or Memphis.

Those that arrive by bike on Thursday get a meal Thursday night and Friday morning, no cost. We can arrange for the transport of luggage/gear for $25 per person

Jonesboro potential Routes:

• Jonesboro to Birdeye Gravel – Farm +Levee Route – Long day with south wind! Includes 12 miles replicated Friday route
• Jonesboro to Birdeye Gravel – Old Military Road + Crowley’s Ridge Route – Includes 25 miles replicated Friday route

Memphis potential Routes:

• Memphis to Birdeye Gravel – North Route – Jericho, My 3 Girls corner store is a good stop.
• Memphis to Birdeye Gravel – South Route – Trail of Tears

 

---

The Music

After the rides, enjoy an evening of music and food at the picturesque Birdeye Farm. Beer and other beverages will be available including brick-oven pizzas on Friday night and a fish fry on Saturday night. All while enjoying local music from the unique stage behind the house. Invite your friends and family, they can purchase music only tickets.

BIRDEYE GRAVEL SCHEDULE

Friday, November 11th –

• 9-10 am Event participants arrival, gear un-pack, tent set up
• 10-10:30 am Friday Route Review + Instructions
  • 50 Miles – 75% Gravel, 25% Paved (No route signs or aid stations, GPS, self-guided) Sag Wagon will be available for pick-up.

BIRDEYE GRAVEL 50 – Friday Route

• Shorter/Longer routes will be available for distribution but self-guided.
• Group up and ride at your own speeds, expected time on route is 3.5-5.5 hours.
• Lunch Opportunity (Not Provided in Event Fee) Harrisburg Big O’s BBQ at mile 25
• 2-4 pm – Arrival back in Birdeye
• 2-6 pm – Free time on the Farm – light snacks provided as part of the event fee
  • Beer available for purchase
• 6-8 pm – Pizza + Beer + Wine (included in event price)
• 7-8 pm – Music, Jeremy Burnett + John Shepherd (included in event price)
• Music-only tickets available through Eventbrite for $10
• 8-10 pm Fire pit, free time (Beer + wine available for purchase)

Saturday, November 12th

• 5:30-6:30 am – Continental Breakfast + Gear Up for Ride
  • Fresh baked bread, fruit, granola, yogurt
• 6:45 am – 55, 80, 100 Mile ride start

BIRDEYE GRAVEL 100 – Saturday Route

Ride Stations

• 28 Miles – Newcastle
• 40 Miles – Forrest City
• 55 Miles – Madison
• 82 Miles – Wynne

BIRDEYE GRAVEL 65 – Saturday Route

Ride Stations

• 28 Miles – Newcastle
• 45 Miles – Wynne

Post-ride schedule

• 5 pm Course Closed due to Sunset – Sag Wagon + Tap Out at each ride station available.
• 6-8 pm Fish Fry + Beer (Included in event price)
• 7-8 pm – Music by Bailey Bigger.
• 8-10 pm Fire pit, free time (Beer + wine available for purchase)

Sunday, November 13th

• 8-10am Breakfast + Pack Up
  • Grits, Buttermilk Biscuits, Rabbit Ridge Bacon, Poached Farm Eggs, Orange Juice + Milk (Dairy + Non-Dairy)

BIRDEYE GRAVEL 10 AM WRAP-UP

REGISTRATION

Event Cost $190 per person – Race Roster
Friday Only $100 – Race Roster
Saturday Only $125 – Race Roster
Music Only Friday $10 – Eventbrite
Music Only Saturday $15 – Eventbrite

Come spend Veterans Day Weekend in Birdeye, ride some great gravel roads, enjoy the incredible hospitality and local music and please visit our award-winning Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery located one mile north of the festival site.

What about the weather?

Chances are, the weather will be perfect.

• Average High 58, Average Low 42
• Record High 70, Record Low 29
• Sunny 55%, Partly Cloudy 20%, Cloudy 10%, Overcast 10%, Rain 5%
• Wind NW 25%, E 15%, 10mph, SW/NE/N/S 10%

Questions?

General questions and volunteer requests can be directed to the Facebook Event Page or to info@birdeye.events.

---

About studioDrift

Our Mission…..

Preserve integrity. Animate place. Create opportunities.

Our Vision…

Connecting and activating rural communities

studioDRIFT is the culmination of 40 years of founder Martin Smith’s direct life experience with the Arkansas Delta. From investing in existing infrastructure to designing and creating compatible place-making strategies that prepare communities for tomorrow, we envision rural Arkansas communities and economies that are re-animated through the creative activation of natural, cultural, and historic assets that attract tourists looking for unique and authentic experiences. With 25 years of design experience as a landscape architect, Martin has integrated his life’s work with communities of the delta with an emphasis on preservation and place-making. The primary focus of studioDRIFT will be “Developing Rural Infrastructure for Tomorrow” with an emphasis on connectivity and weaving together a cohesive integrated business model. These fabrics or programs include historic structures and landscapes, bike and water trails, ecological and adventure tourism, cultural arts and music, and sustainable food systems.