As winter begins to fade away, the cycling calendar begins to fill up.
Daylight saving time is just around the corner. Those months of indoor training and braving the elements when you've had enough of staring at a screen going nowhere are about to pay off.
The early part of the season is a grand time for those that like to play in the dirt. There are ample opportunities to take part in gravel and mountain bike events around the state in March and April.
Several cyclists from the area will be taking on the famed red dirt roads in Stillwater, Okla. next weekend at The Mid South, which unofficially kicks off the gravel calendar in the US. If you're able to pull yourself out of bed the next morning Bentonville's Marley Blonsky of All Bodies on Bikes is leading a casual, slow roll March 12 at 10 a.m.
Back in Arkansas, there's plenty to prep for.
New to the calendar this year is a two-day gravel adventure in North-Central Arkansas near Batesville. The Sandtown Shuffle offers 30- and 62-mile rides on Saturday, March 25 and a 55-mile Dirt Church ride on March 26.
Organizers promise a mix of sandy, smooth, rocky and raunchy roads. They also warn of several low bridges, so there could be a few water crossings on race day. Sunday's race route will be sent to registered riders the week of the race. The course will not be marked.
Volunteers will be on course to offer support, but it's encouraged for riders to be as self-supported as possible. Phone service is spotty along these rural roads.
Weeknight, short-track mountain bike racing returns to Bentonville on March 30. The OZ Trails Town Series kicks off that night and will continue each Thursday for five weeks.
These races are open to all ages and abilities. The Ironhead property off Ford Springs Rd and east of Slaughter Pen plays host to these events. Courses are designed by legends Nat Ross and Chris Drummond and will differ from week to week.
The Hazel Valley Rally, the new incarnation of the Hazel Valley Gran Prix, takes place April 1. Rule of 3 organizers Andy Chasteen and Lauren Pickman have evolved the event into a true gravel race with chip timing, but want to keep the community vibe of the original. Beer, food and wacky podiums are promised at the finish. Route options of 45 and 64 miles start and end at the Hazel Valley Ranch in Fayetteville.
The venerable Arkansas Mountain Bike Championship Series kicks off it's seven-race schedule April 2 with the Iron Mountain XC race on Lake DeGray near Arkadelphia.
Ozark Gravel Cyclists founder Andrew Onermaa is the brainchild of DOOM, A 390-mile self-supported bikepacking jaunt through some of the roughest, most remote and steep gravel roads the Ozarks has to offer. The second edition of the race kicks off April 8 from the Oark General Store in Oark.
Bikepacking races are unique in that fans can follow the riders' progress on an interactive map day and night throughout the event. "Dot watching" as its known can quickly become obsessive. Following along via social media also adds to the story of these epic races.
Just more than 20 riders started the race last year. This year, 67 are registered. Onermaa has rented camping spaces in Compton so locals aren't overrun with cyclists searching for a spot to catch a few hours of sleep.
Keep an eye peeled for summer event registrations opening up this month and next. Early bird pricing and other perks can be had if you get in early.
On that note, registration for October's Big Sugar Classic opened Wednesday. New this year for Big Sugar is the Little Sugar MTB race Oct. 15 featuring three route options and one giant prize purse. The $65,000 purse to be divided among the top 10 men and women in the 100K Little Sugar was also announced Wednesday. Life Time, the organization that produces the race, says it's the largest single-day cycling event purse in the US.
Big Sugar Gravel is set for Oct. 21. It will once again be the series finale of the Life Time Grand Prix series. The gravel event is already sold out.
At a glance - Upcoming Cycling Events
March 18 Wildcat Marathon, Hot Springs
March 19 Northwoods Enduro, Hot Springs
March 25-26 Ouachita Challenge, Oden
March 25-26 The Sandtown Shuffle, Batesville
March 30 OZ Trails Town Series, Bentonville
April 1 Hazel Valley Rally, Fayetteville
April 2 Iron Mountain XC, Arkadelphia
April 8 DOOM, Oark
April 12-16 US Pro Cup, Fayetteville
April 22 Iron Pig Time Trial, Fayetteville
April 29 Pedaler's Bash, Fayetteville
April 29 Battle at Prairie Grove, Prairie Grove
April 30 NWA Spring Classic Road Race, Prairie Grove