When you need a friend in the bike industry

Outerbike: When you need a friend in the bike industry

Most serious cyclists, and those who work in the bike industry know that moment when a friend from college or high school or work or wherever, contacts you to say—I am thinking about getting a new bike, what do you recommend? There is no short answer to this casual inquiry. In fact right this minute I have not one but two friends waiting for me to give them some kind of answer to this very question. To do it right you have to really reconnect with the person—where do you live these days? How often are getting out? What kind of riding do you want to do? And of course—what’s your budget?

When I was 27 I got hired as the CEO of Merlin Metalworks. There were 3 employees at the time and a decent pile of titanium tubing.  We grew fast. Carbon still faced challenges and titanium was crazy popular. Every fall we built up a demo fleet of our new models for both road and mountain. It was a major push to get the bikes ready for the Interbike trade show in Las Vegas, and then after the show we brought the bikes back to Boston where they mostly sat around all winter.

When I joined Western Spirit, Mark and I would always attend the Vegas trade show and check out the outdoor demo event where all the companies made their demo bikes available for quick rides in Bootleg Canyon. Only bike industry folks were invited, but you would always run into a few consumers who were fairly desperate to see the new bikes and wiggled their way in to the show, through a friend in the bike business.

One fall on the way home after the show it occurred to me that if I could talk everyone into bringing their demos to Moab after the Vegas show, we could invite consumers to come check them out. No need to pretend you work at a bike shop, just come on over and take the bikes for real ride, for a few hours, on real trails. Ride different models back to back and see which one is best for you. Meet the companies, and learn directly from them about their bikes.

The first year there were way too many bikes and not enough riders. No one really knew what a consumer bike demo event was. The second year there were too many people and not enough bikes. People started lining up at 7 am to run to the demo trucks when the event opened at nine. These days we calibrate the tickets to the bikes and there is no need to run to the booths, but people still do it just because it is fun.

And that is the point, picking out your new bike should be fun. You should be confident in your choice and super excited. Sometimes the bike industry just takes itself too seriously. Consider for a moment skiing—if you ski one week a year, you call yourself a skier and the industry calls you a skier. On the bike side if we have been off our bike for two weeks, we are afraid to call ourselves a cyclist. Sure cycling is a lifestyle and embracing it is a religion, but people shouldn’t be hesitant and feel the need to seek out the advice of an ‘expert’  friend to pick a bike.

We should be welcoming every kind of rider, and we should be doing it in as many places as possible. These days I see Outerbike as the bike industry welcoming committee. Yes it is wonderful if you can visit a company’s headquarters, check out their facilities and ride their local trails. And whether you are buying direct or through a shop (you will still need the shop for the service, the accessories and the community!)—you need a way to make a confident decision about your next bike no matter what kind of rider you might be.

Especially in these challenging times, there is a real need for companies to connect directly with consumers where they live and ride. Over the next few years, we hope to introduce brands to new regions across the country by adding Outerbike events in markets that have strong growth potential. With cities and towns of all types building trails, there is more opportunity than ever to get more folks out riding on a new bike.

Ashley Korenblat

Outerbike Plans to hold October Demos in Bentonville and Moab

MOAB, Utah (April 26, 2021) – Outerbike, the premier three-day experiential consumer event dedicated to helping mountain bikers find their perfect bike, announced today that they will be running this year’s Moab, October 1-3, and Bentonville, October 22-24 events. The four previously scheduled events Killington, Crested Butte, Duluth, and South Lake Tahoe, in addition to possible new locations, will return in 2022. 

“We are amazed by the number of new cyclists joining our community! We are welcoming them in record numbers on our Western Spirit multi-day bike trips, but the unintended consequence of the bike boom is a lack of demo bikes for this summer. Since Outerbike is all about the bike, we are holding off on our summer events,” said Mark Sevenoff, co-founder of Outerbike. 

Outerbike’s parent company, Western Spirit Cycling, kicked off their guided cycling trip season in mid-March. These safe, small group trip options for individuals and families are proving to be popular options, as we all work to safely navigate the COVID pandemic.

“We are excited for the October Outerbike events, and committed to welcoming each and every new cyclist. Our tight knit circle of cycling enthusiasts can be a bit intimidating for newcomers and Outerbike is all about breaking down those barriers and helping everyone find the perfect ride,” said Ashley Korenblat, CEO of Western Spirit Cycling. For the 2021 attendees who deferred their event entry last year, Outerbike created a "bring a friend for free" option. All deferrals and new ticket sales will begin on May 15th. The Outerbike 2022 dates and locations will be announced shortly. For more information, please visit www.outerbike.com. 

For more information about Western Spirit Cycling guided trips, please visit https://westernspirit.com/. 

About Outerbike

Outerbike is the premier provider of multi-day, off-road experiential consumer cycling events from the owners of Western Spirit Cycling. Celebrating its tenth year in 2020, Outerbike is a unique collaboration between bike and outdoor brands, bike-focused cities and towns, and cycling enthusiasts from around the world to create ‘see, try and buy’ opportunities for the growing community of enthusiast cyclists looking to find their perfect bike and gear. Outerbike’s platform offers both a community hub and resources – both online and at physical event locations – that enable specialty brands to support the consumer decision journey from research to purchase through authentic, shareable experiences in iconic outdoor locations. 

About Western Spirit

Founded in 1990, Western Spirit Cycling is an adventure bike touring company headquartered in Moab, Utah, which runs multi-day bicycle tours and outdoor events on public lands throughout the country. Western Spirit works closely with Public Lands Solutions, a non-profit that supports effective and sustainable public land solutions through outreach and planning.

Ashley Korenblat, Outerbike CEO & Kristin Carpenter of Channel Mastery talk “Your Friend in the Bike Business.”

Ashley Korenblat, Outerbike CEO & Kristin Carpenter of Channel Mastery talk “Your Friend in the Bike Business.”

With the cancellation of Outerbike's 2020 events, we've been working tirelessly on a tool to help connect new and existing riders with a bike that's right for them. Today, we're so excited to formally announce the launch of our new online bike finder, Your Friend In The Bike Business. 

Ashley Korenblat sat down with Kristin Carpenter of the Channel Mastery podcast to talk about the launch and what it means for both consumers and exhibiting brands. Check out this excerpt from the episode to get a teaser. 

Q: If you go to Outerbike.com today, what will people find?

A: We’ve added a new button in the top navigation of the Outerbike website called Bike Finder which takes you to the ‘Your Friend In the Bike Business’ quiz. 

Anyone who has been in the bike business for a long time, you know this call, you get this call from someone you went to college with or you haven't seen in a while. And they're like, "I’m buying a new bike online, what are the best women’s mountain bikes under $2,000. What should I get?" And you're like, "Oh my gosh. How am I going to explain it to this person? And when it's someone you really care about, you go through all these steps and you start asking them questions. Like, what are your plans? Where do you live now? You really go back and figure out what type of bike would be best for them.

We wanted to provide an online resource for buying a bike that will ask those questions and help get people to the right category of bikes. We're not reviewing bikes and we're not recommending a specific bike, but we're getting them to the category so that they can see the list of bikes from Outerbike exhibitors in that category. The way they answer the questions about the trails in their neighborhood and their goals for biking leads them to the right category. Our goal is to drive them to the manufacturer's webpage so they can look around and see what's there, knowing exactly what they’re looking for after taking the quiz. 

Q: With Outerbike events, I know you all were so cognizant of empowering the new cyclist to come into their IBD feeling like they have their legs under them. Without these in-person events, this tool should be a fantastic way for people to come in still feeling empowered, or buy a new bike online. Was that the goal? 

A: That's definitely the goal. And they may find themselves in a category and then learn something that pushes them to another category. One of the inspirations for this was we knew that at Outerbike, people were walking into booths and they were getting confronted with this question 27.5 or 29? Some people really didn't know about it. And other people knew the choice was there, but they were uncertain why. I think if we're going to welcome new people into the sport, we can't assume that they are literate in every aspect of cycling. But that doesn't mean they don't deserve the bike that's right for them. That's the part that we're trying to bridge, is helping them get to the point where they know more and it's easier for them basically to walk up the price point ladder.

Q: This is a great tool for newcomers breaking into the sport, but it could also be a great resource for cycling enthusiasts, correct? 

A: Absolutely. In the tool, one of the very first questions is, “Are you just getting started or looking for your next bike?” So we've worked to tailor it a little more to experienced people versus newcomers. They get slightly different explanations and answers. And we think that's really effective because we're able to speak directly to the newcomers, but we aren't boring the more experienced cyclists. 

To learn more about Your Friend in the Bike Business, listen to the full episode with Kristin and Ashley on the Channel Mastery HERE. 

To try the new Bike Finder tool for yourself head to: https://www.outerbike.com/your-friend-in-the-bike-business 

Your Guide to Understanding the E-Bike Industry

Your Guide to Understanding the E-Bike Industry

Where it started and the current state of e-bikes in North America.

Introduction

The newest evolution to the cycling industry has taken notes from Benjamin Franklin as electric bicycles are beginning to eclipse the traditional cycling industry and aren’t going anywhere. If you are in the market for a fun, fast, more environmentally friendly way to get around, consider an electric bike. 

However, before you rush out to buy an e-bike, make sure you review the local, state and federal laws that regulate these motorized bikes. As cycling’s fastest-growing industry, e-bike laws and regulations have not kept pace with the $15.4 billion dollar market, as reported by Mordor Intelligence. Many states have been proactive in passing laws to allow for open use of e-bikes, but there is still a long way to go. 

People for Bikes is a leading member in the fight for progressive electric bike regulation. Their team works to lobby Governors and pass laws across the country to promote the use of e-bikes. They have been crucial in securing legislation across nearly half of US states for the use of e-bikes, classifying them as regular bicycles under state law.  

Federal Classification and Definition 

The federal government passed a 2002 law, defining the parameters of e-bike specifications. This law regulates the motor size, top speeds, and propulsion methods of e-bikes. The 2002 law defined electric bicycles as: 

“A two- or three-wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts (1 h.p.), whose maximum speed on a paved level surface, when powered solely by such a motor while ridden by an operator who weighs 170 pounds, is less than 20 mph.” 

This classification of e-bikes is important in structuring local and state laws around the usage of e-bikes with respect to traffic laws, pedestrian usage, and public access. 

Classification System

Of all US states, 26 have adopted the three-class e-bike system. These three classes divide the e-bike market into three distinct categories, based on motor function.  The specific class dictates where and how e-bikes can be used, reported by NCSL.

• Class 1 - E-bikes with a motor that only provides assistance when the rider is pedaling. Motor stops when the bike reaches 20mph. 

• Class 2 - E-bikes with a throttle-actuated motor, that also stops motor function when the bike reaches 20mph.  

• Class 3 -  E-bikes with a motor that only provides assistance when the rider is pedaling. Motor stops when the bike reaches 28mph. 

People for Bikes explains the usage of these classes when individual states look to enact laws around e-bikes, stating: “In the interest of safety, local governments would be allowed to restrict, regulate or prohibit the use of e-bikes in their parks, on paths and on trails. In the absence of local ordinances, Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes would be allowed on paths and trails; while Class 3 e-bikes would only be allowed on roadways. The e-bike class model also allows local agencies to permit e-bikes on paths or bikeways where they are traditionally not allowed, in the event that the alternative route is considered hazardous. This is a local jurisdictional decision.” 

State By State Acceptance

People for Bikes created helpful maps to display where states are in the regulation process of e-bikes and electric mountain bikes. Here you can see which states have passed laws around the three-class system in green. Yellow represents states where some legislation has taken place, and red delineates states where legislation is confusing and regulations are not representative of actual e-bikes. People for Bikes have made it their mission to continue to push Governors to pass legislation to classify e-bikes as bicycles. There are still a number of states that are in need of updated laws surrounding the use of e-bikes.

As for electric mountain bikes (eMTBs), there are additional rules and regulations that affect their usage in state parks, authorized on a state by state basis. The map below defines how state parks are accepting eMTBs. When comparing the two maps, we can see that many states that have laws surrounding e-bike usage do not have similar laws in reference to eMTBs. 

Safety Concerns  

A major concern about e-bikes in the minds of many is safety. Speed assessments of e-bikes versus traditional bicycles have resulted in inconclusive results. Studies have been conducted by the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, the Dresden University of Technology and the Utrecht University, resulting in differing outcomes on safety, average speeds and the effect on traffic. 

The majority of the studies show evidence to believe that people believe that e-bike users and traditional cyclists will act the same way in regards to traffic rules. 

As of March 2019, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) reported that 13 of 26 states with three classes of bikes have implemented helmet laws. States are taking a range of approaches to the severity of helmet laws surrounding e-bikes. Connecticut has the most strict guidelines in place, requiring every class of e-bike rider and passenger to wear a helmet. Next, a number of states like California and Tennessee are putting restrictions on just class three e-bikes, requiring all riders and passengers to wear helmets. Colorado and Michigan are requiring helmets for those under 18, on class three e-bikes. Finally, states like Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, and Arizona are not requiring any helmet usage. 

The Latest News in E-Bikes 

On April 1, 2020 New York legalized electric bikes and scooters. This gives more availability to scooter services, as well as opens up delivery work for immigrant workers, who weren’t able to previously deliver food (due to not having a driver’s license). In other news, the Bureau of Land Management has asked the public for comments on proposed e-bike regulations. In their press release, BLM has asked for considerations on regulating e-bikes on their land. The proposed rule would “... facilitate increased recreational opportunities for all Americans, especially those with physical limitations, and would encourage the enjoyment of lands and waters managed by the BLM.” In related news, the National Parks Service is following suit with BLM, proposing regulations on e-bike usage in parks across the country. In the press release, the National Parks Service proposed allowing e-bikes in all the same places as traditional bicycles, in all 380 individual National Parks. 

If you’re in the market for a new bike and considering an e-bike or eMTB, first make sure you understand what all that entails. Ensure you’re up to speed on your state's laws surrounding classification, places to ride and your state’s safety laws. For more information on e-bikes, regulations, and how to advocate for e-bike laws, check out People for Bikes e-bike page here. 

Sources: Mordor Intelligence, People for Bikes (Infographic, E-bike Homepage), Consumer Product Safety Act - Low-Speed Electric Bicycles, National Conference of State Legislatures (State Electric Bicycle Laws | A Legislative Primer), The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Dresden University of Technology, Utrecht University, The Verge, Bureau of Land Management, Proposed New Rule, National Parks Service 

An Inside Look at Why Outerbike Landed on Four New 2020 Venues

An Inside Look at Why Outerbike Landed on Four New 2020 Venues

Outerbike comes to South Lake Tahoe, Killington, Duluth & Deer Valley 

After hosting successful events in Crested Butte, Bentonville and Moab last year, Outerbike saw an opportunity to expand into new locations for 2020. When it came to choosing the perfect destinations and communities to host a bike demo, Outerbike was on the lookout for a handful of key components. 

We wanted to hear from our past attendees on where they’d like to see us go, so we put together a questionnaire to hone in our search. The response was overwhelmingly positive, aligning on a shared desire for locations with stacked loop trails, strong mountain bike advocacy group presence and just the right balance of population and destination popularity. Introducing Outerbike’s four new 2020 locations: 

South Lake Tahoe, CA

One of the biggest pieces of feedback received from our survey was a call for a California event--you asked, and we listened! As an emerging mountain bike destination, South Lake Tahoe encapsulates the feeling of a true mountain town. From the Bijou Bike Park to the tremendous riding just outside of town like Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, it is a true up-and-coming mountain bike destination and now a stop on Outerbike’s 2020 schedule.

South Lake first came on the map as the glitz-free and superiorly scenic alternative to Las Vegas. And while it certainly maintained that front for decades, it’s now the area’s outdoor riches that are spurring the economy in the form of adventure tourism. Minutes from town, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hiking, climbing and - increasingly - world class mountain biking. Thanks in large part to the Tahoe Area Mountain Bike Association (TAMBA) - who started building, maintaining and advocating for multi-use trails in the Tahoe area in 1988 and are still going strong today. South Lake Tahoe is home to some of the most amazing, high quality alpine mountain biking, including an array of diverse skills trails, and scenic beauty in the country, nestled on the shores of one of America’s most scenic lakes.

Killington, VT

Outerbike co-founder, Mark Sevenoff, was ostensibly at the forefront of Killington-area mountain biking for years. As a freshman at Castleton University in the mid-80’s, he was dismayed to find upon arriving that he and only one other person had a mountain bike. A mere four years and a minor coup later (that saw the on-campus bike club reshaped into a mountain bike club), there were more trail-ready bikes scattered about town than people lined up at Ben & Jerry’s on Free Cone Day. It made sense to eventually bring Outerbike to where one of its founder’s carved up double tracks before the proliferation of clipless pedals, and 2020 marks the first year in Mark’s old stomping grounds.

Killington is a far cry from what it was in 1987 with trails designed by Gravity Logic to suit riders of every silk, an easy day-drive from Boston or New York City, and one of the fastest growing mountain bike destinations on the east coast. Outerbike Killington will offer the chance to demo bikes on every imaginable terrain.

Duluth, MN

Duluth is a small city with a big personality located on the westernmost shore of the world’s largest freshwater lake, Lake Superior. The lake is at the core of daily life in Duluth and the city’s rugged shoreline and hilly forests offer a year-round playground for those seeking adventure. Duluth is indisputably the center of the upper midwest mountain bike scene.

As one of only seven IMBA Gold-Level Ride Centers™ in the world, Duluth has long been a coveted location to host an Outerbike, and 2020 marks that inauguration. A mountain bike destination “unicorn,” Duluth is the rare urban location that has a plethora of trail access minutes from town, and a city that’s placed mountain biking on a pedestal as a way to increase not only tourism but residents’ quality of life. Our chosen venue of Spirit Mountain bike park has manicured midwest flow trails sculpted by IMBA Trail Solutions, Rock Solid, Trail Logic and other trail building teams. And best of all, the Duluth Traverse Trail now passes through Spirit Mountain from east to west and provides links to the entire system.

Deer Valley, UT

Since this blog was written, sadly our Deer Valley event for this year has had to be canceled due to Covid 19. However, we’ll be back in 2021 and until then we’ll be dreaming of the amazing trails at this Wasatch gem.

Spread over six mountains and featuring up to 3,000 vertical feet of elevation change, Deer Valley offers nearly 70 miles of mountain bike trails, including four flow trails designed by Gravity Logic and the interconnected Park City region which was awarded the first-ever Gold Medal Ride Center designation by IMBA in 2013.

Easily accessible from the Salt Lake City International Airport, getting to Deer Valley is easy and visitors can be at the resort before noon, ready to ride right away. It really couldn’t get much easier! With riding season kicking into full gear in June, Outerbike will come into town summer solstice weekend. Visitors will enjoy lift-served and cross country trails as well as lots of lodging options and restaurants. 

Outerbike will also be returning to Crested Butte, Moab and Bentonville on the 2020 schedule. Click here to learn more about each designation and to register. 

What is Outerbike?

“What exactly is Outerbike?” Put simply, Outerbike is the mountain bike demo event. You arrive, you ride the best bikes in the world on the some of the best trails in the world, you make new friends, and you go home happy. Outerbike is a rare opportunity to try the bikes for yourself and decide what moves you.

Here are some other questions we’re asked frequently:

“Do I really get to ride all these bikes?”

Yes. Yes you do.

There are three ticket options at Outerbike. The full demo pass does indeed allow you to ride all the bikes. You should bring your pedals and a hydration pack, but we’ll supply the steeds.

If you love your own bike so dearly that you dare not throw a leg over another, we also offer a BYOB ticket—bring your own bike. It allows you access to all things Outerbike, including cold beer, daily lunches and new friends, but on ole faithful. It’s kind of like a three-day resort experience: Bring your bike, ride the world’s best trails, get shuttled around, and get fed. What’s not to like?

Finally, for those who may not want to ride, but find joy in experiential excellence, there is a social pass. This gets you all social access to a cycling event unlike any other. Feed off the stoke of those around you, ask questions, keep on with the new friends, and maybe ride a bike next year—no pressure though.

“How Do You Choose Where to Hold Events?”                           

Outerbike events are unlike any other demo events because we realize that to truly test a bike, you need somewhere extraordinary to do that.

That’s why we hold events in the nation’s meccas of mountain biking, where you can test bicycles on the kind of trails you dream of riding them on.  We believe that buying a new bike needs to be informed by real experiences on real trails, so we give you opportunities to try the best, on the best.  

“What Skill Levels are Represented at Outerbike Events?”

This is perhaps the most important question we’re frequently asked, and it’s one we’re committed to answering every time. We welcome riders of every skill level, and accommodating those riders is a huge part of choosing where to hold events.

World-class riding doesn’t just mean big drops, crazy tech and fat berms—it also means mellow flow, and rides everyone can have fun doing. Outerbike events are designed to offer something for every type of rider, and we proudly serve riders of every skill level imaginable. If you’re looking to get into the sport of mountain biking, there are few better places to start than Outerbike.

 “Which bike companies will be there?”

The answer to this question changes at each event, so we can’t provide a master list. But here’s what you really need to know: Outerbike does our utmost to offer everything.

From the major brands, down to custom builds you won’t find in your local shop, we bring the bikes that represent every sector of shred. The only way to know for sure is to see it for yourself.

How Do I Explain Outerbike to Others?

Great question. Here are some useful analogies for your non-cyclist friends:

Golfers: Spend three days at Augusta National taking your pick from all the newest, coolest components in golf from brands like Calloway, Titleist and Ping. Put together your dream golf bag, have a complimentary caddy, and maybe run into Jordan Spieth. Who knows?

Musicians: A stage. Rows of amplifiers. Play half a song with a Gibson, then decide you want a thinner neck, and switch to that Telecaster you’ve always hoped for. Sit behind a Steinway, strike a Tama Studio Pro with all maple shells and try 10 different double bass pedals until you finally find a technology that can keep up with your feet. Maybe Dave Grohl will walk by and suggest you loosen your grip on those sticks.

“Should I Come to an Outerbike Event?”

Our turn to ask a question:

Do you enjoy bikes, the cycling industry at large, world-class riding, the company of other riders, cold beer, or a good time in general? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of those, then our answer is a yes right back—you should come to an Outerbike event.

Click here for ticket options and more information.

An Insider’s Guide to Bentonville for Bikes

Outerbike Bentonville is set to be a special event, because Bentonville and bikes have a history. It’s a town where a love of nature is common, and one of the best ways to experience it is on two wheels.

But all the extraordinary options do create one question: Where should someone ride who only has three days in town?

The Venue as a Trailhead                

Though there are myriad things making Outerbike Bentonville a special event, near the top of that list lies the venue. Buckyball Field is at the entrance to the nation’s premier American art museum, and it also happens to be near the entrances to several of the nation’s premier mountain bike parks.

Those parks are each extraordinary in their own right, and we here at Outerbike want you to take full advantage of what Northwest Arkansas has to offer, while also maximizing the time you need to try the bikes you want.

So, Where to Start?

Slaughter Pen Trail System: The Slaughter Pen Trail System is a Bentonville legend. It’s where many of the town’s greatest rippers hit their first jump or drop, and it stands today as a proud testament to a town turning toward cycling as an engine of economic growth and a cultivator of work-life balance. In simpler terms, it’s totally sweet, and quite well loved.

Slaughter Pen has it all, and we suggest you start there. The benefit of hitting Slaughter Pen first is twofold:

1.     There is a huge variety of trails.

2.     It’s close enough that if you take a bike out, then decide pretty quickly it’s not the one for you, it’ll be easy to return it and grab another.

Fan favorites at Slaughter Pen include the All American Trail, a beginner-friendly piece of riding that winds its way beside the Razorback Greenway, intermingling with some of Crystal Bridges’ artistic attractions, and ultimately providing a perfect proving ground for any rider trying to test out a new machine. It’s a fun one, trust us.

If you find joy in flow, Slaughter Pen is a place you’ll never want to leave. Trails like Angus Chute, Ozone, Choo-Choo and Schroen Train are making flow an art form, where beautiful berms meet tech turns, and mellow fast jump lines.  

These are the trails that’ll take your test to a new level. Once you’ve assessed whether or not a bike meets your minimum standards, take it up a notch and try one of these bad boys out.

 (As a comforting aside, there are no trails in Slaughter Pen that are necessarily going to “force your hand.” In Oz, trail building is taken seriously, as a function of safety for the community. If you don’t want to hit a drop, there will be a way around it, and all features are marked.)

Coler Mountain Bike Preserve: Built on land specially designated as a mountain bike preserve, Coler is a testament to the craft of trail building and the act of riding a bike. It is a beautiful, extraordinarily well-built park that can be reached from Buckyball Field with a bit of pedaling.

 Coler is in one way similar to Slaughter Pen in that it contains riding sure to satisfy almost anyone. The trails there can take you from tech to flow, and the overall feel of the preserve is that it was built with a single purpose in mind: the pursuit of stellar shred.

Coler is anchored at the top of the mountain by “The Hub,” a huge wooden structure that acts both as a central point and a takeoff for the lines that leave from it.

If you’re looking for something truly fun and hugely flowy, try Fire Line. If you want more tech, testing that demo on some real rocky goodness, don’t miss Rock Solid. And for the truly brave, there is Cease and Desist—a line that features some great jumps, and an optional line aptly named Drop the Hammer, which is comprised of three big drops, each with corresponding step-ups. It’s a darn good time.

Blowing Springs and The Back 40: These two trail systems are for those who call themselves singletrack minded. If you want a way to test your next bike on a trail that mirrors mountain options all over the world, these are your tickets to that test.

Blowing Springs is a beautiful, meandering sort of trail system that runs through the Bella-Vista countryside, offering short but often punishing climbs, which have a way of being so rewarding.  

The Back 40 is backcountry. These 40 miles of singletrack are as pure as it gets. Fun, fast and mind-blowingly dynamic, The Back 40 is for the explorer in each of us. If you’re in the market for a cross country bike that can handle your steeze, look no further than The Back 40 as a true proving ground.

Back 40 is most famous for its long climbs, and the massive descents that so often follow. Also an option is a trail called “Ledges,” which take its name from the fact that it is, as it would happen, cut into a cliff side and spanning a series of ledges.

Shuttles will run to take riders to Blowing Springs, and they can reach The Back 40 with ease via bike.
That said, we ask that all riders at Outerbike be conscious of the fact that everyone wants to try bikes, and taking one machine on the entire Back 40 loop for example would be a bit of a party foul—keep your other riders in mind when you take a bike out.

How to Get a Guide

Outerbike will have several NWA organizations leading guided rides. We recommend a guided ride if you want to get a taste for what the area has to offer, or enjoy the camaraderie of being in a group.

Progressive Trail Design: Mountain biking in Arkansas may not be national news without the talent and determination of the riders over at Progressive Trail Design. The NWA-based trail builders are the mavericks partially responsible for the area’s trail explosion, and PTD staff are all able riders who know these trails so well it’s almost as if they built them… You’ll be in good hands.

Friends of Arkansas Singletrack: The folks at FAST are committed to cycling in Arkansas, and their advocacy and outreach bring people together under a common cause: keeping the trails awesome. FAST representatives will be leading rides throughout Outerbike on the trails they work to upkeep.

Ozark Off Road Cyclists: OORC is another Arkansas group of riders united the banner of riding bikes. With a big network, and a strong knowledge of the area’s trails, this is another group that can serve your need for speed.  Or a gentle jaunt if that’s more your style.