Team USA, Big Sugar Classic and community rides highlight Bentonville’s October cycling lineup

Members of the USA Cycling National Mountain Bike Team return to Bentonville Oct. 12–15, joining a lineup of October cycling events that includes the Life Time Big Sugar Classic, community rides and family activities. The month offers visitors and residents opportunities to ride alongside Team USA athletes, watch elite racing and explore the region on two wheels.

Known as the Mountain Biking Capital of the World™, Bentonville will host events for a range of ages and experience levels in October. Highlights include the Life Time Little Sugar MTB on Oct. 11, public rides and racing with Team USA Oct. 12–14, and the Life Time Big Sugar Gravel and OZ Kids™ Crit Championship Series on Oct. 17.

“October is when Bentonville really celebrates the bike,” said Kalene Griffith, president and CEO of Visit Bentonville. “Multiple events this month bring visitors from across the country who stay in our hotels, eat at our restaurants and shop with our local businesses. We’re proud to support cycling events all year that strengthen our community and show the positive impact tourism has on Bentonville.” 

Team USA returns to Bentonville

Members of the USA Cycling National Mountain Bike Team return to Bentonville Oct. 12–15 for several days of public events, community rides and racing.

The schedule of Team USA events includes:

  • Tuesday, Oct. 13:  Thunder Dome Thriller — Check-in begins at 3:30 p.m. at Coler Mountain Bike Preserve, followed by an open jam at 4:30 p.m. with racing to follow. Community members can race alongside USA Cycling National Mountain Bike Team athletes. Pre-registration is required to race, and space is limited. Spectators may attend free.

  • Wednesday, Oct. 14: Ride to Work Wednesday with Team USA — 7-9 a.m. at Onyx at The Preserve at Walmart HQ. Community members are invited to ride alongside Team USA athletes during Bentonville’s monthly Ride to Work event.

  • Wednesday, Oct. 14: Meet & Greet with Team USA, presented by Arkansas Tourism –  5-9 p.m. at the Oz Trails Bike Park. Meet the riders representing Team USA. Bring your jersey, helmet or bike and get it signed by Haley Batten, Gwendalyn Gibson, Madigan Munro, Savilia Blunk, Riley Amos, Makena Kellerman, Bailey Cioppa, Jack Spranger, Daniel English and Nico Konecny. Free, no registration required.

  • Thursday, Oct. 15: Ride with the Team:  9:30-11 a.m. from Rapha at The Compton. Roll out from the Rapha Clubhouse for an easy spin with Team USA. No race pace, just a relaxed morning ride with the best in the sport. 

Registration for the Thunder Dome Thriller is free at  probikecenter.com. For additional information, contact Visit Bentonville at (479) 271-9153 or info@visitbentonville.com. 

Life Time Big Sugar sweetens up two major weekends of racing

The Life Time Big Sugar Classic, one of Bentonville’s biggest bike celebrations, returns October 10-18 with signature events showcasing the region’s trails and rugged Ozarks gravel.

Community rides offer something for every cyclist

Beyond the major races, October offers a range of opportunities for riders of different ages and experience levels to get out and explore Bentonville by bike.

The Tour de Coler Weekly Group Ride continues every Tuesday in October at Coler Mountain Bike Preserve, including an Oct. 6 ride to kick off the month. Mountain bikers ranging from beginners to experienced riders are welcome, with participants divided into groups for an evening of riding and learning the trails around Coler.

Bike School Bentonville’s Family Ice Cream Ride on Sunday, Oct. 11 offers a relaxed outing for families, sometimes incorporating a leisurely three- to four-mile ride before finishing with ice cream! The ride is self-supported, and participants should arrive prepared with basic supplies for mechanical issues.

October opened with endurance racing and a Greenway ride

The month began Oct. 3 with the Arkansaw High Country Race and Square 2 Square Bike Ride. The High Country event, which includes the Arkansaw High Country Race and Northwest Loop Race, began its two-year stay in Bentonville. Square 2 Square, held twice a year for more than a decade, offered a family-friendly ride along the Razorback Greenway.

Full October 2026 Bentonville Cycling Calendar

Oct. 3: Arkansaw High Country Race 2026: Classic endurance race begins its two-year stay in Bentonville.

Oct. 3: Square 2 Square Bike Ride: A festive, family-friendly celebration of the Razorback Greenway stretching back 10+ years.

Oct. 6: Tour de Coler Weekly Group Ride: Weekly, Tuesday evening mountain bike ride at Coler Mountain Bike Preserve.

Oct. 11: Family Ice Cream Ride: Family-friendly three- to four-mile ride hosted by Bike School Bentonville.

Oct. 11: Life Time Little Sugar MTB: Marathon mountain bike racing through Bentonville and Bella Vista singletrack.

Oct. 13: Thunder Dome Thriller:  Community jam and racing with USA Cycling National Mountain Bike Team athletes at Coler Mountain Bike Preserve.

Oct. 14: Ride to Work Wednesday with Team USA: Community ride at Onyx at The Preserve at Walmart HQ, 7–9 a.m.

Oct. 14: Meet & Greet with Team USA, presented by Arkansas: Autograph signing at Oz Trail Bike Park, 5–9 p.m.

Oct. 15: Ride with the Team: Easy-paced group mountain bike ride at Rapha at the Compton, 9:30–11 a.m.

Oct. 17: Life Time Big Sugar Gravel presented by Kenetik: 100-, 50- and 25-mile gravel routes through the Ozarks.

Oct. 17: OZ Kids™ Crit Championship Series at Big Sugar Classic:  Final stop of the youth racing series for children ages 2–10.