A neat thing about the Razorback Greenway is you're heading through quiet countryside one minute. The next, you're in the middle of town.
That's definitely the case along the Blossom Way Trail in Rogers, one of the spur trails that branches off the main Greenway. We're exploring these byways periodically here in NWA Outdoors. So saddle up those bikes and let's do Blossom Way today.
The trail gets its name by meandering beside Blossom Way Creek on the south side of town. Blossom Way Trail breaks away from the Greenway one-half mile north of Pleasant Grove Road in Rogers, then travels east for 6.8 miles to downtown Rogers.
Easiest way to bike, walk or run Blossom Way Trail is to park at the trailhead at Dixieland Road and Price Lane on the south side of Rogers High School.
From here, bike left on the trail to see a little bit of countryside, or right to visit the attractions in downtown Rogers.
For our ride today, we'll start at the Mercy trailhead in Rogers, one block east of Promenade Boulevardand Rife Medical Lane, near Mercy Hospital. We'll pedal 17 miles to downtown Rogers and back.
From Mercy trailhead, it's 1.7 miles to the junction where Blossom Way Trail veers off the Greenway and heads east.
A sign marks the intersection, which is next to a golf course. Blossom Way Trail goes past the clubhouse area a short way, then breaks into the wide open spaces.
It's cool and shady where the trail goes under Interstate 49. The overpass rumbles overhead. Dark shadows add an aura of mystery to Blossom Way Creek on the right.
Grassy green spaces at Immanuel Baptist Church are on the left. Bike on a weekday afternoon and the school's cross country team might be running over the neatly trimmed grass.
Just before pedaling under the 26th Street overpass, look to the right. There's the remnants of a beaver dam here that was active until a year or so ago. It looks abandoned now, but still backs up a beaver pond along this urban stream.
Blossom Way Creek is a perfect specimen of an Ozarks losing stream that disappears underground, then emerges again downstream. In dry times, bikers will see places where the stream bed is bare gravel, where it's gone underground. A few yards later, there's water again.
It's pleasant riding here on the Blossom Way Trail past 26th Street. The trail is flat and scenic. Pretty soon Whitey Smith Stadium and Rogers High School come into view. There's a quail restoration area off to the right, disc golf course and more of Blossom Way Creek.
At the high school, you'll come to Blossom Way trailhead. There are some picnic tables here, and shade trees for a break before heading farther into town.
Cross Dixieland Road and head east on Price Lane. From here it's mostly homes and neighborhoods. Bikers will cross busy Eighth Street (U.S. 71B) with the aid of pedestrian traffic signals.
A little farther, the trail curves north to run beside a nice woodsy stretch behind three Rogers public schools. This is one pretty stretch. Follow the trail to South First Street. Pedal north along First Street to the eateries and shops in downtown Rogers.
If you're on mountain bike, or anything besides a skinny-tired road bike, The Rail Yard bike park in downtown Rogers is a hoot to visit. The novice loop is thrilling enough for most riders, unless one who likes to fly over jumps on the more technical paths.
I've asked these daredevils how they learn their stunts without breaking their necks. One kid told me the learning curve involves lots of falls, tumbles, scrapes, cuts and maybe a bone break.
One might think The Railyard is for kids, but if you're near downtown Rogers on a bike, check it out if you're young at heart.
Flip Putthoff can be reached at [email protected].
Sports on 09/11/2018