Taking a gamble on Umpteen Rides could mean winning in real life. As this poker run continues throughout the state, participants still have chances to win.
But is it really poker? No, because you ride a bicycle to collect the hand you are dealt and there's no betting or bluffing. In a poker run, no one knows who has the best hand until the finish line.
Best part, riders get a chance to take the scenic route down trails rarely traveled while meeting others with a common interest. It gets even better over cookies and hot drinks.
Christmas Day begins Day 5 of the 12-day game called Umpteen Rides with fresh homemade cookies at Little Rock's Boyle Park. Riders doing the Boyle, Baked Goods and Bikes event will meet at 2 p.m. in Pavilion 3 on Leander Drive. There will be two group options: a kid friendly ride through the new and improved Grilled Trail or a more advanced group covering the entire Boyle Park system.
Take the Sardis Gravel Grinder with Larry Matthews at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Bauxite. After this 20- to 30-mile trail ride, everyone will meet for sandwiches and hot chocolate.
Later that day, a 10-mile intermediate ride begins at 2:30 p.m. at the Mud Creek Trailhead for the Greenway/Lake Fayetteville Ride. Pedal up Vantage Drive to dirt single-track and back across the dam. Ending on a good note, enjoy cold beers from Independence Brewing Co.
The Trimble Ranch Tour will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday in Berryville. The Back 40 Ride starts at 2 p.m. in Bella Vista, meeting at Lake Ann Trail.
End the night in Berryville for the Trimble Ranch Night Tour, starting at 6 p.m, or in North Little Rock for the Burns Park Night Run, which meets at the red covered bridge. Lights are required for both.
At 10 a.m. Thursday, take a 12- to 18-mile spin through Village Creek State Park in Wynne. Afterward, meet everyone in Forrest City for a hot lunch and warm conversations. At 11 a.m. in Russellville, the Ouita Coal Company MTB travels the perimeter in Illinois Bayou Park. Later, in Fayetteville, riders will meet at Mount Kessler Park at 2 p.m.
On Friday in Mena, riders can ride Earthquake Ridge at 2 p.m., beginning at the East End Visitor Center on Arkansas 88. Ride toward Blue Haze Vista, catching beautiful views of the Ouachita Mountains along the way before heading downhill on the Rich Mountain Trail.
Also, at 3 p.m. there's a ride at Mills Park in Bryant.
Start Saturday morning on a good foot on the Iron Mountain Trail in Arkadelphia at 10 a.m. Meanwhile, there will be a no-drop mountain bike ride through the White River Valley near Branson. In Rogers at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area at 11 a.m., another no-drop ride will use the Cliffty Loop Trail.
New Year's Eve brings four chances for riders to win, starting in Jonesboro with a ride at Lake Bono, which begins at 10 a.m. at 320 Harlan Hurd Road. After this 5- to 6-miler, partake in a few refreshments, vegan chili and adult beverages.
Also, New Year's Eve participants will ride in Conway's Cadron Settlement Park at 11 a.m. or make a bunch of random turns accompanied by shots of Schnapps between noon and 3 p.m. in North Little Rock's Burn Park, beginning at Victory Lake.
Not only do riders have a chance to win the poker run, they also have a chance to win a wheelie contest at Angry Dave's Wheelie Fest at 2 p.m. Sunday on Camp Robinson. This 7- to 10-mile ride has two routes: the 8-mile Wheelie or the 13-mile Wheelie. Even new riders get a chance to learn a new skill.
Umpteen Rides concludes with three events on New Year's Day -- in Bella Vista and Eureka Springs and on the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail west of Hot Springs.
Visit facebook.com/umpteenrides for game rules.
-- Charli Williams
Arkansas State Parks
Arkansas State Parks once again will host free guided hikes on New Year's Day as part of the America's State Parks First Day Hikes initiative.
First Day Hikes offer an opportunity to begin the year by connecting with the outdoors and health-minded people. Many Arkansas parks are offering at least one hike, and events are planned at different times all day.
While the First Day Hikes are fun and a great way to ring in the New Year, there are 52 Arkansas State Parks and they all constantly have something going on, usually at little to no cost.
For instance, Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area, Lake Dardanelle State Park, Lake Ouachita State Park and DeGray Lake Resort State Park are all offering Eagle Watch tours and cruises this week. Adults pay $10; children ages 6 to 10 tour for $6; and children under 6 can watch the big birds for free.
Participating parks and their hike descriptions are at arkansasstateparks.com. Click "Events" and search for "First Day" or "Eagle."
Black Eyed Pea New Year's 5K/10K
The Black Eyed Pea New Year's 5K/10K will set out at 10 a.m. Monday from Pauline and Doug Allen's house in Fayetteville, half a mile from the Mud Creek Trail parking lot at 3509 Buckingham Drive.
The trail and turnarounds will be marked with cones and volunteers.
Racers will be chip-timed. Awards will be given to the fastest male and female.
Free coffee and hot chocolate, black-eyed peas and cornbread will be provided afterward.
Race-day registration will open at 9 a.m. with donations ($5 to $20 suggested) accepted to benefit the Fayetteville High School Cross Country team. Online registration is available; search Facebook for "The Black Eyed Pea New Years Day Run" and find the link. For more information, call (479) 790-6491.
-- Conley Byrd III
Please send tips for active recreation to
cbyrd@arkansasonline.com
ActiveStyle on 12/25/2017