Friends of Arkansas Singletrack
FAST: Friends of Arkansas Singletrack
Meet at The Water Tower Parking Lot at 5 PM.
In an effort to help get this year’s OZ Trails Town Series up and running, FAST is going to help install the Short Track up by the Coler Water Tower. Please bring work gloves, rakes, and rogue hoes.
Wednesday night group ride for March 26, 2025. Meet at Coler Grove. Ride starts just after 6:00 PM announcements.
If you are uncertain about which group to join, please opt for the next lower ride level, if you find you need a greater challenge there is always next week. Keep in mind this is a group ride for all levels of rider enjoyment from experienced to beginner and it’s every rider’s responsibility to create this environment through communication and awareness.
A Group:
“High” paced and challenging group ride, with minimal stops. This will be the fastest of our group rides. Be prepared to push your physical limits & technical skills. Trail difficulty can be Blue, Black, and/or Double Black 9.5-10+ mph average for the entire ride. This can be a drop ride or no-drop, depending on the ride leader’s discretion.
This group sometimes changes into a “Jumps and Drops” sessioning ride, depending on ride leader discretion.
B Group:
“Above Average” paced and somewhat challenging group ride, with regrouping as deemed necessary by the Ride Leader. This is an XC-focused “spirited” training group ride. Trail difficulty will be mostly Blue with some Black added in from time to time. Average pace on flat terrain: 11-12mph, with an average pace of 9-10mph for the entire ride. This is a no drop ride. Distances vary based on Ride Leader discretion.
C Group:
Average paced ride with several regroups determined by the Ride Leader, typically at intersections and at the top of climbs. Trail difficulty will be mostly Blue. Average pace on flat terrain: 9-10mph, with an average pace of 7-8.5mph for the entire ride. This is a no drop ride. Distances are 6-10 miles.
Par-D Pace Group:
Average paced ride with frequent regroups at tops of climbs and features for rest and shenanigans. Trail difficulty will be mostly Blue with plenty of Green. Average pace on flat terrain: 7-9mph, with an average pace of 6-8mph for the entire ride. This is a no drop ride. Distances are 6-8 miles.
EZ-Riders:
This ride is perfect for 1st time FAST group riders and for those that are new to the sport of mountain biking. Expect frequent stops while your ride leader strives to ensure everyone is comfortable with the terrain and pace.
This is a no drop ride, 5-7 miles, 5-7 mph pace, frequent stops, sticking to green and easier blue trails.
***New Mountain Bikers please make sure to introduce yourself to the
Ride Leader & Sweeper***
Every rider within each group is responsible for knowing where the rider behind them is and communicating forward if there are issues during the ride. The slowest rider is the most significant rider of any group.
COMMUNICATION is key! If for any reason, there is an issue and riders need to split up or break off from the group this must be communicated verbally to another group member and then later communicated to the entire group at one of the stops.
Two major rules:
Never leave/split off from a group without telling someone.
Know where the rider is behind you.
Wednesday night group ride for March 12, 2025. Meet at The Gear Garden parking lot. Ride starts just after 6:00 PM announcements.
If you are uncertain about which group to join, please opt for the next lower ride level, if you find you need a greater challenge there is always next week. Keep in mind this is a group ride for all levels of rider enjoyment from experienced to beginner and it’s every rider’s responsibility to create this environment through communication and awareness.
A Group:
“High” paced and challenging group ride, with minimal stops. This will be the fastest of our group rides. Be prepared to push your physical limits & technical skills. Trail difficulty can be Blue, Black, and/or Double Black 9.5-10+ mph average for the entire ride. This can be a drop ride or no-drop, depending on the ride leader’s discretion.
This group sometimes changes into a “Jumps and Drops” sessioning ride, depending on ride leader discretion.
B Group:
“Above Average” paced and somewhat challenging group ride, with regrouping as deemed necessary by the Ride Leader. This is an XC-focused “spirited” training group ride. Trail difficulty will be mostly Blue with some Black added in from time to time. Average pace on flat terrain: 11-12mph, with an average pace of 9-10mph for the entire ride. This is a no drop ride. Distances vary based on Ride Leader discretion.
C Group:
Average paced ride with several regroups determined by the Ride Leader, typically at intersections and at the top of climbs. Trail difficulty will be mostly Blue. Average pace on flat terrain: 9-10mph, with an average pace of 7-8.5mph for the entire ride. This is a no drop ride. Distances are 6-10 miles.
Par-D Pace Group:
Average paced ride with frequent regroups at tops of climbs and features for rest and shenanigans. Trail difficulty will be mostly Blue with plenty of Green. Average pace on flat terrain: 7-9mph, with an average pace of 6-8mph for the entire ride. This is a no drop ride. Distances are 6-8 miles.
EZ-Riders:
This ride is perfect for 1st time FAST group riders and for those that are new to the sport of mountain biking. Expect frequent stops while your ride leader strives to ensure everyone is comfortable with the terrain and pace.
This is a no drop ride, 5-7 miles, 5-7 mph pace, frequent stops, sticking to green and easier blue trails.
***New Mountain Bikers please make sure to introduce yourself to the
Ride Leader & Sweeper***
Every rider within each group is responsible for knowing where the rider behind them is and communicating forward if there are issues during the ride. The slowest rider is the most significant rider of any group.
COMMUNICATION is key! If for any reason, there is an issue and riders need to split up or break off from the group this must be communicated verbally to another group member and then later communicated to the entire group at one of the stops.
Two major rules:
Never leave/split off from a group without telling someone.
Know where the rider is behind you.
Meet at the North Parking Lot at 11830 Peach Orchard Rd, Bentonville, AR at 5 PM.
Bring water, gloves, and rakes. The plan is to clean up Lower Oscars from Pedal Assist to the Waterfall.
Meet at the Slaughter Pen Skills Park on Saturday, March 1, at 9 am to help do some cleanup of the area after the freeze-thaw damage.
Bring water, work gloves, rakes, flat shovels, and brooms. We’ll have a few limited tools available.
