For the mountain bike riders

[Quillback]

BELLA VISTA -- OZ Trails announced plans for the first chairlift-served downhill mountain-bike park at the junction of Bella Vista and Bentonville along U.S. 71, according a Tuesday news release from Runway Group.

 

The OZ Trails Bike Park will feature over 2o miles of gravity trails. Construction starts this spring, according to the release.

The development integrates a "state-of-the-art" Poma-Leitner high-speed chairlift system, providing year-round lift access for riders across all skill levels, the release states. The facility will connect with the existing OZ Trails network, which showcases the region's distinctive Ozark terrain, according to the release.

"The OZ Trails Bike Park represents a pivotal moment for outdoor recreation in Bella Vista," Bella Vista Mayor John Flynn said in the release. "With direct access to the Razorback Greenway and the Little Sugar Trail System, the park's position at the crossroads of existing trail networks makes it a central hub, strengthening Bella Vista's position as a key destination for world-class cycling infrastructure."

OZ Trails describes itself as Northwest Arkansas' signature trail system, "a world-class network that showcases the distinctive terrain of the Ozarks terrain while connecting communities throughout the region," the release states.

[snagged in outlet 3]

That’s awesome!

[David Unnerstall]

Ironton has Shepard Mountain downhill bike path.  If a doctor told me I had fifteen minutes to live that is where I will be.

[snagged in outlet 3]

There’s one just north of Branson too I believe 

[Terrierman]

All that coasting with none of the climbing.  Genius move.

[ColdWaterFshr]

I was an early pioneer of the sport, in the late 80s when bike shops had 1 or 2 Mtn bikes, the rest were road.  
 

Competed in the first Mtn bike races and trials at  Ritter Springs and Busiek SP.  did well, but there was maybe 8 of us. 🤣🤣

I’m old 

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

Seems we are getting something similar in Festus this year.   I'm pretty excited.   I've been wanting to get the dust off the bike.  I'll have to stick to the bunny slopes nowadays.   I used to ride some really tough terrain.  

[Terrierman]

On 2/8/2025 at 10:02 PM, ColdWaterFshr said:

I was an early pioneer of the sport, in the late 80s when bike shops had 1 or 2 Mtn bikes, the rest were road.  
 

Competed in the first Mtn bike races and trials at  Ritter Springs and Busiek SP.  did well, but there was maybe 8 of us. 🤣🤣

I’m old 

I went to Busiek right after buying my mtn. bike.  Clipped in at the range and headed West.  First creek crossing I found myself upside down, in the creek, still clipped in after going over the bars.  Water was a little deeper than I thought and the gravel was a LOT softer and deeper.  I had a short and very scared mtn bike career.  Decided my skeleton would prefer I stick to gravel roads and paved trails.

[ness]

On 2/8/2025 at 5:40 PM, Terrierman said:

All that coasting with none of the climbing.  Genius move.

We did the Vail Pass Bike Path a few years back. Man, that was a heck of a hill! We took a bus to the top and pretty much coasted down to Copper Mountain. Spectacular scenery and the only thing that hurt was my hands. 

I’d do it again, but take a fly rod along as it flows a sweet looking stream much of the way. 

[BilletHead]

45 minutes ago, ness said:

We did the Vail Pass Bike Path a few years back. Man, that was a heck of a hill! We took a bus to the top and pretty much coasted down to Copper Mountain. Spectacular scenery and the only thing that hurt was my hands. 

I’d do it again, but take a fly rod along as it flows a sweet looking stream much of the way. 

                Is he going uphill or downhill? Any way you look at it one of those ways is uphill.  John, I like your idea much better.