Steep & Spicy – The Arkansas High Country Race

1,000 miles. 75,000 feet of elevation gain. Gritty backroads and sparse resupplies. If you think that sounds like a perfectly punishing recipe for a bike race, you’re not alone.

The Arkansas High Country Race (ArHC) started in 2019. “The first race was a one of the events planned for the kick-off announcement of the route,” said Chuck Campbell, the mastermind behind the Arkansas High Country Route, which serves as the race course.

“The idea was conceived in 2015 when I was preparing to ride the Tour Divide. I thought it would be cool to have a mixed surface route in Arkansas. I started with a Delorme atlas by marking must-see destinations like State Parks, swimming holes, and grand vistas. Then it became a game of connect-the-dots,” said Chuck.

Then the idea gained momentum.

Three cyclists sitting on bench outside gas station with assortment of snacks

“I called Adventure Cycling Association in the summer of 2015, and they were cautiously interested because they wanted to add some gravel to their portfolio of routes. In late winter of 2016, ACA posted a Blog entry about a possible route in Arkansas, and it got more traction than they had ever experienced,” said Chuck.

The Arkansas High Country Route came together over the course of about two years. It spans much of west-central and northwest Arkansas, encompassing the Ozark Plateau and Ouachita Mountains — the ancestral lands of the Osage (Wazhazhe) and Caddo peoples, both of which were forced out of the area in the 19th century.

This year’s event kicks off on Saturday, October 8th, 2022. The city of Hot Springs will host the race start, with Russellville-based bike shop Jackalope Cycling as the presenting sponsor. “Every two years, we’ll be rotating host communities to keep the race fresh and ever-evolving. The Ouachita National Forest and greater Hot Springs area are what allow us to showcase the South Loop of the Arkansas High Country and some phenomenal IMBA Epics. Pair that with some good food, good drink, and some spas and springs…it’s a cycling destination through and through,” said Race Director Andrew Onermaa.

Collage; cyclist with bike outside Country Store re-supplying, cyclist stopped and scenic overlook taking photos bike parked

Racers looking to challenge themselves in Arkansas have a few options. There’s the full 1,000-mile course, the 487-mile South Loop, and — new for this year — the Ouachita Triple Crown, a 183-mile course that links three IMBA Epic singletrack trails in one wild, grueling ride.

“There are no resupplies unless you quest significantly off route and the riding gets remote surprisingly quickly. It’s steep, spicy, and packs one hell of a punch. If you’re not comfortable with proper backcountry riding and risk management, this isn’t the route for you. If you’re looking to dive deep into some low-trafficked singletrack glory, it’s a goldmine,” Onermaa said of the new Ouachita Triple Crown course.

Collage; cyclists riding loaded bikes on gravel road, lone cyclist riding with bikepacking gear in forest road

The ArHC isn’t a total sufferfest, though; riders who keep their eyes open will find rewards in the form of phenomenal scenery, historic points of interest, and friendly folks.

What are the keys to success in the ArHC? Rides like these require a strong mental game. Onermaa offers this advice: “Know your mindset before the very first pedal stroke. Are you in it to see new terrain and have a fun experience? Are you in it to meet people and share stories? Are you in it to push limits on what you thought was possible for yourself? Whatever your reason, know it before you start. When things get tough and you’re out there by yourself, what’s going to be the voice in your head?”

Collage; cyclist sitting on giant chair made from hay bails with bike, person wearing cycling cap eating large breakfast in diner

Showing up with the right gear can also make or break your ride. “The most common set-up is whatever we’d term as a “standard” drop bar gravel bike. The bigger the tire clearance the better. 42 mm would be my minimum recommendation on tire size - it’s what I did my first go-round on the High Country with, and I have only gone up in volume since then. Aerobars are pretty commonplace as there is a fair share of pavement and the ability to change up hand positions over time helps manage discomfort and pain. The gearing and comfort of a hardtail mountain bike has been gaining more traction recently as well. I’ll always say comfort is king,” said Onermaa.

Ready to test yourself in the High Country? Registration is open now through September 8th and is capped at 50 riders per route. Learn more and sign up here: https://www.arkansashighcountry.com/

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