WEST FORK -- Snow was on the ground when college senior Ben Zill woke up in his tent Saturday morning at Devil's Den State Park, but he and his friends were ready to ride.
Other hearty cyclists braved the freezing temperatures to participate in the 30th annual Ozark Mountain Bike Festival this weekend.
Ozark Mountain Bike Festival last day
Today is the last day of the 30th annual bike festival held at Devil’s Den. One last event is planned today after two full days.
Where: Lake Fort Smith State Park, 15458 Shepherd Springs Road in Mountainburg. It’s about a 30-minute drive from Devil’s Den visitor’s center.
When: 11 a.m. April 8
What: 10 miles moderate pace ride and chance to explore the mountain bike trails of the park.
Who: Meet Park Ranger Shawn Griffith at the Visitor’s Center
Reminder: Fossil Flats terrain is rolling and rocky with two potential creek crossings. Choose rides within limitations. Helmets are required.
Source: Devil’s Den State Park
Saturday was the first time it has snowed during the event, but one year it did get down to 9 degrees, said Tim Scott, park assistant superintendent.
"It's just three of us because everyone else in our group chickened out," said Zill, who is part of the UARK Cycling club at the University of Arkansas. "I just really wanted to go camping. I was in a zero degree bag and toasty."
The cyclists waiting until it was just above freezing and the non-camping stragglers wandered in and then they took off, riding 5-10 miles.
"All skate. Everyone ride," joked Brannon Pack, executive director of Ozark Off Road Cyclists and who helped run the festival.
Last year was 75 and sunny with hundreds of cyclists along with friends and family in attendance, Scott said. Many men, women and energetic children still showed Saturday.
The children rode over ramps or popped wheelies while the adults not cycling got toasty by a fire and reminisced about their biking experiences.
"With outdoor events, you never know what you are going to get," Pack said. "But we can have an amazing time with a big group and we are having an amazing weekend here now."
Nicolette and Keln Taylor came with three of their children from the Bella Vista area to the festival for the first time. Keln works for the National Interscholastic Cycling Association coaching student athletes.
Nicolette said it's exciting to be a part of the cycling community and to have an event to take her children to.
The day of riding ended with a big cookout with cake and ice cream for dessert and bike shenanigans. Pack said they usually have games like how far people can throw a bike and show off tricks.
Scott is the festival founder and organizer, but he is known in the cycling circles as the "godfather of mountain biking" in Arkansas, according to many who pointed to their event T-shirt's cartoon of Scott. He helped pave the way for mountain biking in the state, many said.
"If you look at the last 10 years, mountain biking has really exploded," Scott said. "At the time we started this event, we had no idea it would take off like this. My supervisor at the time said Northwest Arkansas -- and this was 30 years ago -- could become a mountain-bike destination."
Devil's Den offers trails for hikers only and also multi-use trails cyclists can use as well. Hikers have right of way, Scott said.
The festival was an event for families and community as it has been for 30 years, Pack said. For those competitive-minded cyclists, NW Arkansas Mountain Bike Championships are Saturday, Sept. 15.
NW News on 04/08/2018