Flatlander, Gravel Grinder Saturday

Flatlander, Gravel Grinder Saturday

Bicycle enthusiasts invited to be a part of annual event this weekend

news@theeveningtimes.com

Fat bikes, mountain bikes, and off-road bikes will line up behind road bicycles and recumbent cycles for two rides starting from West Memphis tomorrow morning. The fourth annual Arkansas Delta Flatlander pulls out from Pancho’s at 9 a.m. The road riders will trek a 62-mile round trip from the Big River Trail Head adjacent to the Mexican restaurant landmark and make a round trip around Horseshoe Lake.

The off road riders embark on the Gravel Grinder a few minutes later and will spin past the Big River Crossing through the Delta Regional River Park on a 21-mile off road ride north along the St. Francis Levee. The West Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau put the ride together and Executive Director Jim Jackson said pre-registration had been strong. The bureau leads a sponsorship lineup including the Peddler Bike Shop, the Big River Strategic Initiative, Memphis Hightailers Bicycle Club, PR event Management, and Pancho’s.

Walk-up registration begins at 7 a.m.

After the scenic rides through the delta, festivities will be enjoyed in the Pancho’s parking lot. Food, beverages and music will cap off the morning of cycling.

Jackson expected another strong turn out for the rides. “Registration is about right going on historical numbers,”

said Jackson, “and of

course we’’ll have even more walk-ups Saturday morning. I’m guessing we’ll have about 120.”

Both rides will be simultaneous for the first time this year. Cyclist tend toward one kind of riding or the other and are geared for the road or for the rougher ride atop the levee. Only a couple of riders made both treks last year.

The gravel grinder will show case the new Delta Regional River Park. Park development is almost done and awaits a grand opening ceremony, but the Saturday morning peddle will serve as a soft opening for the trail and an eye opening for interested cyclists from around the region. City Clerk Phillip Para will lead the Gravel Grinder ride.

“The ride will show off the Delta River Regional Park, which is 99 percent complete,” said Jackson. “We needed to market this park and this is a great 20 mile ride on gravel.”

By John Rech