MILEAGE
1,041 miles
ELEVATION GAIN
84,373 FT
TYPE OF TERRAIN
50% Gravel Roads & 50% Paved Roads
FASTEST KNOWN TIME (FKT)
8 days, 3 hours, 33 minutes
START: TUESDAY, MAY 7 FINISH DATE: MAY 15
RISK = REWARD
GIVE = GET
Aligning new projects with my core principles is key to reaching my goals. I was super stoked by the invite to attempt the FKT (fastest known time) on the freshly-minted Arkansas High Country Route. These self-supported, multi-day expedition rides are my sweet spot, especially when I can highlight an historic effort to maximize an area's outdoor and recreational value through preservation of public land. The creation of the High Country Route represents the same values as my Be Good™ Foundation: outdoor exploration, personal discovery and humanitarian service.
IMAGES FROM THE TRAIL
SEE THE ROUTE
REBECCA USED HER GARMIN IN-REACH SO FANS COULD TRACK HER ON THE JOURNEY.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ROUTE SHE TOOK
GARMIN CONNECT PAGE
CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF THE ARKANSAS HIGH COUNTRY
About the Arkansas High Country Ride: The all-new “mixed-surface” Arkansas High Country Route showcases the geological diversity, splendid natural areas, and welcoming communities of west-central Arkansas, while linking regional bike trails and other routes.
Highlights include unique geologic formations of Ozark and Ouachita national forests, the Buffalo National River, and the well-signed and smooth Razorback Greenway connecting the urban areas of Fayetteville and Bentonville.
Approximately 48% of the route is paved (8% of which is bike path), 47% is unpaved (dirt or gravel), and 5% is singletrack.
ROUTE INFORMATION
SCHEDULE
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Monday, May 6- Ride Kick-off and Meet & Greet at Meteor Bikes, Little Rock
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Tuesday, May 7- Depart on ride, taking south route,
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Ride 600 miles from Little Rock to Bentonville, estimated 100-150 miles / day.
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Saturday, May 11- Arrive in Bentonville for screening of Blood Road at the Bentonville Film Festival.
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Sunday, May 12- Begin return trip back to Little Rock, taking the north route.
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Wednesday, May 15- Ride finish.
REBECCA'S GEAR
Doing a long ride like the #ArHC is a pretty big undertaking not only because of the massive distance, but also the unsupported nature of the ride. Success depends on planning, controlling the controllables, and dialing in your gear. Just like putting in the training time for your legs and lungs, careful gear selection will pay dividends on ride day. It’s not always the burliest quads that prevail in ultra endurance events. Efficiency, smarts and equipment management are part of the equation too.
Being self-supported means you carry everything you need on your bike and body, resupplying at public places along the way. Testing, planning and a roll of the dice will determine what goes on the road and what stays at home. I'll post my gear list and a loaded bike pic once I'm enroute!
A SPECIAL THANKS TO
Arkansas Parks & Tourism, Bentonville Film Festival, Walton Family Foundation, Bike Bentonville, Adventure Cycling, Arkansas Parks & Recreation Foundation and Red Bull for supporting the planning, vision, and execution of this landmark maiden ride.
