ROGERS -- Officials from the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship have partnered with the Northwest Arkansas Council to organize an inaugural bike ride to the tournament Saturday morning to promote health and wellness in the community, the trails coordinator for the council said.
About 40 people have registered for the Greenway to the LPGA event, and the first 100 riders to sign up receive a daily pass to the tournament, said Misty Murphy, regional trails coordinator for the Northwest Arkansas Council.
Linking the region
The Razorback Regional Greenway is a 36-mile trail system that extends from Bella Vista to south Fayetteville. Planning for the $38 million project began in 2000, and it officially opened in May.
Source: NWA Trails
"This event exists to improve the quality of life in Northwest Arkansas, and health and wellness is a big part of that," said Harry Hardy, director. "We want to encourage people to be active and to be outdoors."
In addition to promoting health and wellness, the event was created to expose a new demographic of people to the golf tournament, Hardy said.
"People might not have come out before, but it may sound a little more attractive with the bike ride," he said. "It's a great connectivity for us, but ultimately it's about being a good community partner."
The ride will start at 9 a.m. at the Downtown Activity Center in Bentonville and follow a 6-mile path along the Razorback Regional Greenway to the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers. Upon arrival, participants will be shuttled to the tournament, taking place today through Sunday at Pinnacle Country Club.
Bikers wanting to ride to the tournament from the south can register online and receive their free ticket upon arrival at the Hammons Center, Murphy said.
"I love how we can incorporate our trails into community events, especially since the LPGA is such a unique thing that we have," Murphy said. "We have great trails, and this is just another way to incorporate healthy living."
Anyone wanting to participate in a shorter 3-mile ride can join at Horsebarn Trailhead Park in Rogers, where the group will stop about 9:30 a.m. to refill water bottles and use the restroom, Murphy said.
The route includes some hills but is suitable for all skill levels, she said.
Mountain bike and road bike rentals from the activity center are available for $5 for a half day, $10 for a full day and $20 for the weekend, said Josh Stacey, recreation program supervisor for the Parks and Recreation Department. The activity center closes at noon Saturday, so bikes would have to be returned before then or rented for the weekend, he said.
"Cycling is a big part of what we do, and we're always willing to work with groups like the Northwest Arkansas Council for events like this," Stacey said. "For people who come into town for the first time, it's a great way to experience Northwest Arkansas."
Phat Tire Bike Shop, down the street from the activity center, has a wider selection of rental bikes, but they may be more expensive, Stacey said.
A guided return trip will begin at 2 p.m., but riders can leave earlier or later on their own, Murphy said.
"Everything I've heard from the community has been positive so far," she said. "We'll learn some lessons from this and find out ways to make it more accessible in the future. I hope to see it become an essential part of the LPGA."
NW News on 06/26/2015