My Town

Russellville is home to a small, but growing, diverse, eclectic and committed tribe of cyclists, trail advocates and visionaries. Our town is not a trail town yet, but we are working towards that reputation. 

A one bike shop town; Jackalope Cycling, the River Valley Chapter of the Ozark Off-road Cyclist organization, Russellville Cyclone Cycling NICA team, and a supportive tourism bureau and city government is helping transform Russellville into a regional cycling hub. 

Russellville is home to some of the best original old fashioned hand cut trails; Old Post mountain bike trails and Ouita Coal Company trail system. 

Our town is also home to the Old Post Challenge mountain bike race and the Arkansas High Country Race; one of the most challenging 1,000 plus mile races in the Country. 

My Ride

My ride journey is entering its 39th year, beginning with a used Diamondback Sorrento mountain bike in 1985. Mountain biking was a new form of adventure for me to explore. Mountaineering and kayaking took planning, logistics, travel and hours from home. Cycling, reflecting back, was an evolution in seeking adventure closer to my town. 

My limited experience, knowledge of local mountain trails and my personality at the time made it challenging to connect with other riders during that time period, so the majority of my early years of riding was solo, using that time to escape, dream, reflect, re-energize, or any other reasons or thoughts that came to my wandering mind when riding. 

Fast forward to my current reality. 

My ride is simple yet complicated with many layers. I ride with the best intentions, sometimes for fitness, to clear my head, to push myself, to reach a goal, connecting with other riders and surroundings or just to ride my bike.

My bike is a platform, like bread is to peanut butter. It is the tool that re-adjusts my mindset mentally, spiritually and physically. I am able to organize my work, my tasks, and state of being while I ride. It is a wonderful and satisfying feeling after I finish a ride. It’s a cliche’, but riding gives me a natural high. 

My Trail

Old Post Mountain Bike trails are my “go to” local trail system. Located in Russellville along the Arkansas River at Old Post Park, this 7 + mile system has been my favorite trail system for decades. 

Hand cut, flowy, rocky, rooty, relatively flat and fast are some of the adjectives that easily come to mind when I think of OPT. 

Decades of riding the various versions of this trail system allow me to mindlessly ride my bike, concentrating on life and fitness while letting my legs and body rip through the flowy hand cut trails.

Dedicated members of the River Valley Chapter of the Ozark Off Road Cyclist organization and other trail advocates keep this legend of a trail system in great shape for riders of all abilities to enjoy. 

A mandatory visit to Jackalope Cycling to trade stories and enjoy like minded humans and then to Point Remove Brewing Company, located in the old downtown fire station for nutrition and drink are always on my “bike to-do list”. Craft beer and wine along with a select menu of salads, charcuterie and pizzas are a great place to finish a mountain bike ride. 

My town is slowly becoming a cycling destination for gravel and mountain bikers. Our bike community is working diligently to make Russellville a trail town for riders of all abilities. 

Welcome to my ride and my town.