[RadicalPugilism]

Weather permitting, I've got two days to ride on Thanksgiving weekend. We're staying in Bentonville, but I'm willing to drive a little bit.

I'll probably scope out Devil's Den since it looks pretty cool but also looking for any suggestions. I'm hoping to avoid anything jump heavy, and since I'll be riding solo, nothing terribly challenging. Mt. Kessler seems fun and Cobbs seems like a good plan B if it's wet out.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Can2pir]

Excited about Bentonville too! Finally getting to travel south from northern Ontario.

Camping at Coler for 3 nights so Coler is on the menu first. I've heard/seen (youtube) of new additions in Slaughter pen since the last time I was there (2.5 years ago, gasp!)
Love to hear any recommendations. I'll leave the 3rd day for repeats or new suggestions.

Two nights camping at Devil's Den.
One night at Mt. Nebo!
Haven't ridden either so I'm seriously stoked!!

 

[rockman]

I rode both Nebo and Devils Den last month. Both are fantastic. My 2 cent would be to spend 2 days at Nebo and 1 at Devils Den. At the latter you can pretty much ride everything in a day. Devils Racetrack is pretty awesome in either direction so do it as an out and back rather than riding up the road. The camping at both is nice with access to the trails as about as good as it gets.

 

[Can2pir]

I rode both Nebo and Devils Den last month. Both are fantastic. My 2 cent would be to spend 2 days at Nebo and 1 at Devils Den. At the latter you can pretty much ride everything in a day. Devils Racetrack is pretty awesome in either direction so do it as an out and back rather than riding up the road. The camping at both is nice with access to the trails as about as good as it gets.

Good plan, unfortunately I had to book two nights at devil's den because of the weekend. I'll arrive later, finding something to ride (ha! more like choosing!) on the way from Bentonville. Ride Saturday, get up early and ride Nebo Sunday and either travel (to SC) or delay a day and ride. My legs might be pooched!

 

[So Cal RX]

Hey @RadicalPugilism where did you end up riding and how did it go? I’m going to jump on this thread instead of creating a new one if that’s okay.

I have my old riding crew from California coming to meet me in Bentonville in May (I’m in DFW), and wanted some input from locals and frequent visitors on our ride plans.

I’ve ridden in the area a handful of times, but this will be their first time, so I want to show them the main Bentonville trails (Slaughter Pen, Coler, maybe Back 40) but I also wanted to try something different in the area.

We’re intermediate riders and are looking for fun trails and variety. Would like a bit of challenge, but don’t need the gnarliest, most technical trails to have fun. Don’t need big gap jumps. (generally black diamond okay, double black maybe not). We’ll all be on trail bikes (130-160mm). Don’t mind climbing.

We have 2 partial days and 2 full days, so here’s my prelim plan:

• Tuesday partial late afternoon (shortest day) Coler
• Wednesday full day- Slaughter Pen and Handcut Hollow
• Thursday- Passion Play + Marble Flats at Eureka Springs (plus check out the town)
• Friday partial day- part of Back 40 with Blowing Springs and/or Ledges

Questions:

• I’ve done Slaughter Pen a number of times, but haven’t tried the Handcut Hollow section. It seems to get good reviews. Does adding it make it close to a full day, or should I still try to squeeze Coler in with those?
• Any tips on Passion Play/Eureka Springs? Will be my first time there.
• Anything else I may be missing?

Thanks!

 

[hogfly]

Hey @RadicalPugilism where did you end up riding and how did it go? I’m going to jump on this thread instead of creating a new one if that’s okay.

I have my old riding crew from California coming to meet me in Bentonville in May (I’m in DFW), and wanted some input from locals and frequent visitors on our ride plans.

I’ve ridden in the area a handful of times, but this will be their first time, so I want to show them the main Bentonville trails (Slaughter Pen, Coler, maybe Back 40) but I also wanted to try something different in the area.

We’re intermediate riders and are looking for fun trails and variety. Would like a bit of challenge, but don’t need the gnarliest, most technical trails to have fun. Don’t need big gap jumps. (generally black diamond okay, double black maybe not). We’ll all be on trail bikes (130-160mm). Don’t mind climbing.

We have 2 partial days and 2 full days, so here’s my prelim plan:

• Tuesday partial late afternoon (shortest day) Coler
• Wednesday full day- Slaughter Pen and Handcut Hollow
• Thursday- Passion Play + Marble Flats at Eureka Springs (plus check out the town)
• Friday partial day- part of Back 40 with Blowing Springs and/or Ledges

Questions:

• I’ve done Slaughter Pen a number of times, but haven’t tried the Handcut Hollow section. It seems to get good reviews. Does adding it make it close to a full day, or should I still try to squeeze Coler in with those?
• Any tips on Passion Play/Eureka Springs? Will be my first time there.
• Anything else I may be missing?

Thanks!

Passion Play is one of my favorite places to ride. I will say that it's very easy to go there and kind of miss out on the goods because the layout can be confusing (and there's a good bit of climbing). It's worth hiring a guide if you have the means for there (Pablo from Slaughter Trail Guides is great). They can also provide shuttle, though a shuttle at PP can be of limited utility.

Don't miss Prussian Blue, it's excellent. Other trails that are awesome: Atonement, Deliverance, Crown of Thorns, Gnarmageddon.

You could also do a day at Leatherwood, which is a blast with a wide variety of skill level trails and a much more traditional downhill shuttle experience.

 

[andy f]

Hey @RadicalPugilism where did you end up riding and how did it go? I’m going to jump on this thread instead of creating a new one if that’s okay.

I have my old riding crew from California coming to meet me in Bentonville in May (I’m in DFW), and wanted some input from locals and frequent visitors on our ride plans.

I’ve ridden in the area a handful of times, but this will be their first time, so I want to show them the main Bentonville trails (Slaughter Pen, Coler, maybe Back 40) but I also wanted to try something different in the area.

We’re intermediate riders and are looking for fun trails and variety. Would like a bit of challenge, but don’t need the gnarliest, most technical trails to have fun. Don’t need big gap jumps. (generally black diamond okay, double black maybe not). We’ll all be on trail bikes (130-160mm). Don’t mind climbing.

We have 2 partial days and 2 full days, so here’s my prelim plan:

• Tuesday partial late afternoon (shortest day) Coler
• Wednesday full day- Slaughter Pen and Handcut Hollow
• Thursday- Passion Play + Marble Flats at Eureka Springs (plus check out the town)
• Friday partial day- part of Back 40 with Blowing Springs and/or Ledges

Questions:

• I’ve done Slaughter Pen a number of times, but haven’t tried the Handcut Hollow section. It seems to get good reviews. Does adding it make it close to a full day, or should I still try to squeeze Coler in with those?
• Any tips on Passion Play/Eureka Springs? Will be my first time there.
• Anything else I may be missing?

Thanks!

Handcut Hollow is good for 2-3 hours. It depends if you want to session the DH trails from the hub, ride the traverse loop, or both. You can wear yourself climbing Mother Necessity enough times but the traverse loop and its offshoots are worthy as well.

 

[So Cal RX]

Passion Play is one of my favorite places to ride. I will say that it's very easy to go there and kind of miss out on the goods because the layout can be confusing (and there's a good bit of climbing). It's worth hiring a guide if you have the means for there (Pablo from Slaughter Trail Guides is great). They can also provide shuttle, though a shuttle at PP can be of limited utility.

Don't miss Prussian Blue, it's excellent. Other trails that are awesome: Atonement, Deliverance, Crown of Thorns, Gnarmageddon.

You could also do a day at Leatherwood, which is a blast with a wide variety of skill level trails and a much more traditional downhill shuttle experience.

Thanks @hogfly good intel. Do you think we’d still need a guide if we take our time to explore, don‘t mind some climbing to do so, and use Trailforks to hit the trails you recommend?

Handcut Hollow is good for 2-3 hours. It depends if you want to session the DH trails from the hub, ride the traverse loop, or both. You can wear yourself climbing Mother Necessity enough times but the traverse loop and its offshoots are worthy as well.

Thanks @andy f that sounds good. And in your opinion, Handcut Hollow is worth checking out, right?

 

[andy f]

Thanks @andy f that sounds good. And in your opinion, Handcut Hollow is worth checking out, right?

Handcut Hollow is absolutely worth your time. Really good mix of XC, chunk, and jump lines.

 

[hogfly]

Thanks @hogfly good intel. Do you think we’d still need a guide if we take our time to explore, don‘t mind some climbing to do so, and use Trailforks to hit the trails you recommend?

If you don't mind climbing, you definitely don't need a guide. The trails over there are really, really good. If you use Trailforks, I don't mind putting together a "greatest hits" route for you on it.

Actually here it is:

https://www.trailforks.com/ridelog/planner/view/295471/

 

[Can2pir]

If you don't mind climbing, you definitely don't need a guide. The trails over there are really, really good. If you use Trailforks, I don't mind putting together a "greatest hits" route for you on it.

Actually here it is:

https://www.trailforks.com/ridelog/planner/view/295471/

Hey! snuck in on this and grabbed that greatest hits! I was just there in November but didn't hit Passionplay. I did hit the uplift/downhill park in between days of Coler and Slaughterpen. Also hit Devil's Den and Mt. Nebo.
Really excited about Passionplay, we're going back in May and haven't ridden there yet.

Thanks!

 

[WHALENARD]

Any recommendations on places for a burger & beer and camping, preferably off-grid?

I plan to ride Bentonville for the first time right around the beginning of April. This thread has been very informative for what to ride. How about the other stuff that makes for a good trip?

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[So Cal RX]

If you don't mind climbing, you definitely don't need a guide. The trails over there are really, really good. If you use Trailforks, I don't mind putting together a "greatest hits" route for you on it.

Actually here it is:

https://www.trailforks.com/ridelog/planner/view/295471/

You rock Hogfly, thanks a million!

 

[Can2pir]

Any recommendations on places for a burger & beer and camping, preferably off-grid?

I plan to ride Bentonville for the first time right around the beginning of April. This thread has been very informative for what to ride. How about the other stuff that makes for a good trip?

Sent from my Pixel 4a (5G) using Tapatalk

I've camped in Bella Vista, good campground, services, and right on the Blowing Springs trails. Nice
Last time camped at Coler. No electricity or water hookups but very nice washroom/showers. Right next to Coler which makes riding Coler an easy all day affair, stopping for lunch, etc.

Also went with a gang and rented an Airbnb which we are going back to in May.

I have a converted Dodge Grand Caravan which I can go off grid when I find good areas (Pisgah, Utah, Arizona). Haven't been able to find a suitable boondocking space near the Bentonville trails but the prices for the 'secure' camps w/showers are very reasonable.

There are many great breweries, some with inhouse food, others with food trucks, scattered in the area. I'm trying to hit them all to find my faves and haven't found a bad one yet!!

Enjoy

 

[WHALENARD]

I've camped in Bella Vista, good campground, services, and right on the Blowing Springs trails. Nice
Last time camped at Coler. No electricity or water hookups but very nice washroom/showers. Right next to Coler which makes riding Coler an easy all day affair, stopping for lunch, etc.

Also went with a gang and rented an Airbnb which we are going back to in May.

I have a converted Dodge Grand Caravan which I can go off grid when I find good areas (Pisgah, Utah, Arizona). Haven't been able to find a suitable boondocking space near the Bentonville trails but the prices for the 'secure' camps w/showers are very reasonable.

There are many great breweries, some with inhouse food, others with food trucks, scattered in the area. I'm trying to hit them all to find my faves and haven't found a bad one yet!!

Enjoy

Cool, thanks for the info

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[andy f]

Any recommendations on places for a burger & beer and camping, preferably off-grid?

I plan to ride Bentonville for the first time right around the beginning of April. This thread has been very informative for what to ride. How about the other stuff that makes for a good trip?

Sent from my Pixel 4a (5G) using Tapatalk

I'll be there around the same time, happy to meet up for a ride or two although i'll be working from home. Work is on West coast time so I always have mornings open.

I'm new to the area and only part time. Still learning my way around and playing tourist at this point. As far as other things that make for a good trip, I have some dining favorites:

Monte Ne Inn Chicken is food coma heaven. Family style, all you can eat.
Havana Tropical Grill Order the Masita de Puerco and a Mojito or three. In DT Rogers
Yeyo's Mexican Street Food is great. Their cochinita pibil is amazing, good margaritas too.
Blu Fresh Fish has fresh seafood from both coasts flown in daily. Picnic benches and paper towels kind of place for dining in but the fish is awesome.

For bars, my wife and daughters like The Undercroft. It's a little trendy/cool for my taste but people are consistently friendly there so we always meet someone new and have a good time.

Daytime, Crystal Bridges is the obvious attraction in Bentonville but there are a lot of other smaller museums and historical attractions. Eureka Springs is entertaining to walk around after riding Passion Play or Leatherwood. So is Fayetteville after riding Kessler or Centennial. Rogers has the Daisy BB gun museum.

 

[hogfly]

I've camped in Bella Vista, good campground, services, and right on the Blowing Springs trails. Nice
Last time camped at Coler. No electricity or water hookups but very nice washroom/showers. Right next to Coler which makes riding Coler an easy all day affair, stopping for lunch, etc.

Also went with a gang and rented an Airbnb which we are going back to in May.

I have a converted Dodge Grand Caravan which I can go off grid when I find good areas (Pisgah, Utah, Arizona). Haven't been able to find a suitable boondocking space near the Bentonville trails but the prices for the 'secure' camps w/showers are very reasonable.

There are many great breweries, some with inhouse food, others with food trucks, scattered in the area. I'm trying to hit them all to find my faves and haven't found a bad one yet!!

Enjoy

"Best" Breweries:
Bentonville:
Bike Rack at 8th street (food trucks and a food court with a large pump track and jumpline nearby).
Bike Rack Small Taproom (has a lot of their small batch stuff and is next to Pedaler's Pub and the Hub Bike Lounge)
Right across from Bike Rack is Ropehounds, which has an Ozark Brewing Company taproom.

Rogers:
Hawk Moth: small batch with some AMAZING beers. Lots of barrel aging and such with their beers. It's close to the Railyard.
Ozark Brewing Company: usually has a food truck there. Good atmosphere. Beers are really good. Also closer to Railyard.
New Providence: excellent, excellent brewery. I love everything they do. Not as close to railyard, but it's really good.

Springdale (near Fitzgerald and/or Runway Pump Track):
Bike Rack has a taproom
Black Apple Cidery (ciders only on tap, but they do have beer).

Fayetteville:
Crisis Brewing: cool outdoor atmosphere. Kind of beer garden like
Fossil Cove: great atmosphere and great owner. Near the Razorback Greenway. Not my favorite beer, though they do have a couple of Saisons I really like.
Columbus House: also near greenway. Have some good beers.
Honorable mention for Puritan: it's a coffeeshop/bar on Dickson that keeps really good taps of regional and national beers.

Eureka Springs:
Got-A-Hold: this place is probably one of the best breweries in NWA. Really good. Lots of aged and interesting beers.
Eureka Springs Brewery: near passion play. Good.

I could do food as well, but that will take even longer, hah.

 

[Can2pir]

"Best" Breweries:
Bentonville:
Bike Rack at 8th street (food trucks and a food court with a large pump track and jumpline nearby).
Bike Rack Small Taproom (has a lot of their small batch stuff and is next to Pedaler's Pub and the Hub Bike Lounge)
Right across from Bike Rack is Ropehounds, which has an Ozark Brewing Company taproom.

Rogers:
Hawk Moth: small batch with some AMAZING beers. Lots of barrel aging and such with their beers. It's close to the Railyard.
Ozark Brewing Company: usually has a food truck there. Good atmosphere. Beers are really good. Also closer to Railyard.
New Providence: excellent, excellent brewery. I love everything they do. Not as close to railyard, but it's really good.

Springdale (near Fitzgerald and/or Runway Pump Track):
Bike Rack has a taproom
Black Apple Cidery (ciders only on tap, but they do have beer).

Fayetteville:
Crisis Brewing: cool outdoor atmosphere. Kind of beer garden like
Fossil Cove: great atmosphere and great owner. Near the Razorback Greenway. Not my favorite beer, though they do have a couple of Saisons I really like.
Columbus House: also near greenway. Have some good beers.
Honorable mention for Puritan: it's a coffeeshop/bar on Dickson that keeps really good taps of regional and national beers.

Eureka Springs:
Got-A-Hold: this place is probably one of the best breweries in NWA. Really good. Lots of aged and interesting beers.
Eureka Springs Brewery: near passion play. Good.

I could do food as well, but that will take even longer, hah.

This is awesome! Great resource and wish list! Can't wait to see for myself!!
Thank you.

 

[WHALENARD]

Yes, awesome info guys, thanks so much!

Side note,
I visited Eureka Springs about 14 years ago this fall. While I didn't ride a ton I absolutely fell in love with the place. It seemed like a town long forgotten seeing a resurgence at that point in time. People were super down to earth and the overall charm, welp the place never left me. I will probably stop in there again, I just hope it hasn't been shined up too much.

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[WHALENARD]

I'll be there around the same time, happy to meet up for a ride or two

Okay cool, I'd likely be into that. I don't have any specific dates down at this point in time but when I do I'll PM you and maybe we could set something up.

Thanks a ton for the info, really appreciate it!

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