Miles, Milestones & Good Company

Discover the rides, shops, and stories fueling Northwest Arkansas cyclists this summer.

Happy summer, dear readers! Long days of pedaling with plentiful dips in swimming holes and stops for snow cones are ahead. Rejoice.

If snow cones and swimming holes aren’t your thing (or you’re already back in town after both), Joseph Nguyen aka the Hangry Pedaler shares a few of his favorite Northwest Arkansas coffee and restaurant stops in this issue’s My Town, My Ride feature.

Also coming this summer is the opening of the OZ Trails Bike Park. The chair-lift equipped park in Bella Vista will be the first of its kind in Arkansas. Joe Jacobs of Arkansas Outside got a sneak peak and shared his experience with us.

To get you geared up for all of those summer adventures, you should swing by Jackalope Cycling in Russellville. Owner Johnny Brazil offers fly-fishing, camping, climbing and disc golf gear along with all the bike gear you’d ever need in his shop — making it a perfect one-stop shop for a big bikepacking trip this summer. We sat down with Brazil for our Shop Talk feature. The highlight might be the deep dive on the mythology surrounding the jackalope.

Long miles and rowdy adventures are not without their mishaps, however. We also catch up with Brad Walsh of Natural State Carbon Repair, the only carbon repair outfit in Northwest Arkansas and one of just a handful nationwide.

We hope you enjoy this issue and many, many beautiful miles this summer! Have fun out there.