The Ozark Off Road Cyclists (OORC) are holding their annual Buffalo Headwaters Challenge this weekend -- Friday through Sunday at Red Star in Madison County.
Where is Red Star? It is where Madison County Road 3605 and Arkansas 16 meet.
The three-day event is free to club members, and membership has its perks. Food, beverages, tent camping and the Challenge Ride and Hoot 'N Holler are all included.
A weekend membership can be bought online until 10 a.m. Wednesday for $40 per person. Memberships can be bought in person from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, 7 to 9 a.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, and 7 to 9 a.m. Sunday at the Headwaters School, 139 Madison County Road 3605 in Pettigrew.
On-site registration is by cash or check only. All riders must check in at the Headwaters School to verify their membership, fill out a liability waiver and grab a wristband for the weekend.
Kick back and relax Friday night with the OORC 20th birthday bonfire and dinner highlighting 20 years of trail advocacy. The club's mission statement, per its website, is to advocate, build, maintain and preserve sustainable multi-use, soft-surface trails in the Arkansas Ozarks while providing opportunities for mountain bikers and other outdoor enthusiasts of all ages to live healthy, active lifestyles.
Breakfast will be provided Saturday morning before the Buffalo Headwaters Challenge Ride begins, around 10 a.m. Riders will choose between multiple routes including the 40-ish Mile Challenge, the 26-or-so Mile Half Challenge and the 17'er-so Mile.
Afterward, riders can tuck into a recovery meal featuring grilled-cheese sandwiches from the Buffalo Outdoor Center and local craft beverages.
From Saturday afternoon and into the evening hours, local bands like Arkansauce and the Outlaw Hippies will provide music. Dinner will be campfire jambalaya provided by Phat Tire Bike Shop.
Sunday morning breakfast will include pancakes and biscuits and chocolate gravy. At 9:30 a.m., the club will have a rider meeting for its first Hoot 'N Holler enduro-inspired ride. Enduro is a form of mountain bike racing that consists of a number of timed downhill sections of trail along with untimed uphill transfer stages.
The course will begin at the Knuckles Creek Trailhead, where riders will take off on a downhill route featuring the Azalea Falls. There riders will be picked up by Phat Tire Bike Shop and shuttled to the top of one of the longest downhill runs in the Ozarks (according to the website), the Fire Tower Trail.
Shuttle services will run from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Organizers want each rider to donate $10 to compensate the shuttle drivers and pay for gas; extra donations will support the Upper Buffalo Mountain Bike Patrol.
The website says that "a couple" of aid stations will be available, but riders should approach the rides as though they were unsupported. Riders should carry plenty of water and snacks along with bike tools.
There will be lots of tent camping. RV parking will also be possible, but space is limited and without hookups. Organizers request no generators because of the noise. Additional nonevent RV parking will be open in the general area for a fee.
Dogs are not allowed at this event.
Finally, the Buffalo Headwaters Challenge Weekend encourages sustainability. Specifically, participants will be asked to wash their plates and silverware after eating, and to provide their own reusable cups -- disposable cups will not be available. Recycling bins will be well marked.
Roots Mountain Biking will present three skills workshops during the weekend. These must be registered and paid for in advance. For more information, visit rootsmountainbiking.com.
For event registration and more information, visit ozarkoffroadcyclists.org.
Please send tips for active recreation to
cbyrd@arkansasonline.com
ActiveStyle on 01/23/2017