FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 6, 2015
Contact: Connie Edmonston
Parks and Recreation Director
479-444-9417
cedmonston@fayetteville-ar.gov
Northwest Arkansas Receives Designation as First Regional Ride Center
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Northwest Arkansas has been recognized as a Regional Ride Center by the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA). IMBA recognizes trails and trail systems around the world that “stand out as models for the best” mountain biking trails. This is the first and only region-wide IMBA Ride Center designation. The Regional Ride Center includes trails in Fayetteville and Bentonville as well as trails within an hour radius.
Fayetteville was designated as a bronze-level Ride Center in 2014 by IMBA, recognizing the City as a model for outstanding mountain biking trails and locations. Mountain biking trails within Fayetteville’s parks system include Lake Fayetteville, Lake Sequoyah, Lake Wilson, Mount Sequoyah, and Kessler Mountain.
IMBA’s announcement of Northwest Arkansas receiving a Regional Ride Center designation stated, “With the Bentonville (silver-level) and Fayetteville (bronze-level) Ride Centers located less than 30 miles apart, the two towns have formed the first and only region-wide Ride Center designation. Mountain bikers visiting the Ozarks can double-down, with a wide range of riding to choose from and two cycling-crazed communities hosting some of the nation’s finest trails.” Steve Schneider, who lives in northwest Arkansas, is the South Central Region Director for IMBA. Through his knowledge, encouragement, and enthusiasm – mountain biking trails are flourishing in the area.
Additional information about IMBA’s 2015 Ride Center designations can be found here: https://www.imba.com/news/epics-ride-centers-2015.
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