LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The second annual Arkansas Graveler is set to take place in the first week of June 2025. The five-day bike journey will take cyclists through county and forest backroads from Mena all the way to Heber Springs.
Scotti Moody, Director of Events and Development for Ozark Foundation, said the event celebrates the best of Arkansas "in a most unique and magnificent way" by highlighting the state's nature, culture, and hospitality.
The event, hosted by Ozark Foundation, will start on June 3 in Mena and cyclists will take what is known as The Bigfoot Route until June 8 where they will arrive in Heber Springs.
“While this route will present an incredibly epic challenge for cyclists from around the world, we hope they return home having felt that the Arkansas Graveler is so much more than a ride," Moody said.
The inaugural Arkansas Graveler in 2024 attracted 265 cyclists from 35 different states, according to Ozark Foundation. Around 25% of those who attended were women, which the organization noted was higher than the average cycling event.
The first event also helped local communities by donating bicycles and cyclists helped pack over 15,000 meals for the people of Searcy County.
“Each county in our state has a system of gravel roads that can become tourist attractions and offer a one-of-a-kind view of the outdoor beauty and small-town charm that makes Arkansas special," said Shea Lewis, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks.
Lewis said Arkansas is "well-positioned" to become a destination for cyclists who prefer to use gravel trails and unpaved roads.
Registration for the event will open on Jan. 1, 2025. For more information, click here.
