The forecast kept changing. For most of the week, rain was expected on Saturday, and several people I had spoken with decided not to ride the White Rock Classic. Then I heard a group from the CARVE cycling team in Little Rock was making the trip. When the chance of rain dropped to 20 percent, the ride was back on.
About 50 miles of sticky dirt road with some impressive climbs from Hazel Valley Ranch in the Ozarks to the top of White Rock Mountain. Most of the course would be the same as the White Rock Classic 50K Run, which would be happening the same day.
The ride follows well-maintained forest roads. The opening two miles are paved, but they’re also a steady climb. Riders then cruised along a ridgeline for several miles, creating a false sense of ease. After that, the climbing began. If you weren’t riding uphill, you were descending. Here’s a short video of riders descending a couple of the hills. Since this is an out-and-back course, every descent eventually becomes another climb.
The riders were soon spread out along the road, although some continued riding in small groups. The hills often broke the groups up.
I didn’t go to the turn around, opting instead to take photos of folks as they passed the White Rock Sign.
I spent about half an hour with one cyclist who had already gone through four tubes after ripping a sidewall. Another rider stopped with a patch kit, and two others each donated a spare tube so he could continue.
By the end, the riders were well spread out, making those final climbs alone.
It was a great group that simply seemed happy to spend the day riding. Many said they were using the event as training for the Ouachita Challenge. I’d love to ride it myself next year. The finish at the lodge certainly helps, with good food, cold drinks, a warm fire, and a comfortable place to swap stories after the ride.
A lot more photos on the Flickr Site, Enjoy.
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9 Responses
A big thanks to all riders, volunteers, and everyone who helped put this together this year (Fayetteville Bicycle Co., Highroller Cyclery, Phat Tire, Carve, Dr Hudec, Tom, Marty, and Kaley. Hazel Valley Ranch LOVES u all!!
Video from this event: http://dumchev.blogspot.com/2012/03/white-rock-classic-part-1-video-2-min.html