All Things Bikes and Tacos! (...and every vehicle imaginable)

I'll say this. Bentonville is definitely well worth the trip. There are hundreds of miles of trails to choose from, with every style of riding imaginable, and they're constantly building more. There are several good breweries to visit, as well as epic camping/fishing just 25 minutes away at Beaver Lake. (My campsite was site #94 in Prairie Creek Campground, and the views of Beaver Lake were just fantastic).

Slaughter Pen trail network starts right in the middle of town:


Random jumplines all over the the entire area, including this mini park in the middle of the Slaughter Pen system:


Just before hitting the infamous Blackbird trail. Needless to say, Blackbird was absolutely sick. I went full speed on my second pass and will never forget it. The jumps and berms were smoother than anything I've ever ridden. The sign was deceiving, as well, since the ultra-smooth flow of the trail made the monster features much easier than anyone would expect. (which is why I didn't mind going full speed on my second run).


Here's someone else's vid of Blackbird for reference:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0m2OZvHo5cw

There are some things I simply won't do. This trail feature was definitely one of those things. (It was a helluva lot steeper than the photo indicates):


One last shot from my campsite at Prairie Creek Campground:

 

Yeeaahhh.. I hear that. Except I try to sell something before/after I get something else.

 

Front bed rail mount from At The Helm Fabrication.

https://youtu.be/DEY_8eRU0wk

 

See, THAT'S what I'm looking for! Thanks, man! I have a trail bud (one of those locals you run into all the time at the home trails and always seems to convince you to jump gaps you probably shouldn't) who went up there and was like "our jump line sucks now", LOL!

That campsite, UGH, I need it! How was the weather up there, cause it's HOT AS BALLS down hurr in Texas. Also, how were the trails as far as rider traffic jams? Who's planning the next TacomaWorld Ride-Stravaganza? Figuring, now prolly isn't the right time between the 'rona, riots and the general shitty state of things... but still!

 

A. I'm AWFUL at resale, like I have no idea how to price shit and am easily talked down because I'm like "is that $25 more important to me than this person?", then I get spun up in the debate of "well, I beat the hell out of it pretty good"....

2. I will typically ride/use shit until it's nearly not worth selling (drive it till the wheels fall off or in this case ride it till the hubs blow up)

III. I'm still in the "my bike still rides harder than I do" phase, I think. Like, I don't often find myself in a situation where I think I can go faster, turn sharper, send it deeper or huck to flatter because I need more/less bike, you know?

These are what I'm using to talk myself off the ledge on the Transition bikes, LOL.... but, for real, who's got recommendations on Gravel bikes? I've ridden road one time for exactly 22 miles and am looking to build on that to help fast track my fitness and general riding stamina (basically make me a gooder mountain biker and less fat). I'm down to build it myself or buy something reasonable, but would like to stay sub $2k. Thinking I'd like 1x drivetrain, room for slightly larger tires (comfort is the goal here) and hydro brakes. Thoughts?

 

I got lucky and found a leftover 2019 salsa warbird Apex 1 for $2k. I’m a huge fan of it compared to my old aluminum Cyclo-cross bike turn road bike. $2k is a solid budget though, not sure there are many carbon bikes you can get. Maybe the giant revolt. Aluminum though, trek checkpoint alr, Cannondale topstone al, canyon grail al. I think they are all gonna be around the same price and spec. Cycling tips (Pinkbike’s sister site) did a bunch of reviews on gravel bikes earlier this year. https://youtu.be/67HmV1C33xQ

 

Unless you are suuuper into gravel, $2k is all you need to spend. We’ve got Niners with the new 105 Group and they are 98% as good as my friends custom $6k bike.


Did a little grind in Pisgah this morning.

 

I definitely agree, $2k is about all you need. The warbird apex 1 is $2599 new so after owning mine for about 2-3 months I’d say if I had to do it again and pay full price I’d still do it. That’s just me though haha

 

Same. I think these builds were $2500, worked a deal to get two 2019s for $3800 out the door.

 

Some wheeling, camping, riding and fun pre-Rona.



This is one way to make some iced coffee...

 

Don’t lie to yourself. Swipe the card and get it over with! I’d always choose a mtb over a gravel bike because one is exciting while exercising and the other is just exercising.

 

There were a lot of people out riding, of course, but none of the trails felt crowded. I think there are simply too many trails for any one of them to ever get crowded at the same time?

The weather...ok..yeah.. THAT was interesting. It was 99 degrees, 100% humidity, and "Feels like" was at 108 degrees. Needless to say, I blew through all my water a LOT faster than I expected. It was like riding through a sauna.

The other three seasons are not bad there, though, so plan accordingly. There are also water points in some of the parks that are right next to the trails systems, so you can refill if you go dry.

Even with the weather, it was still one of the best riding experiences I've ever had. I am definitely hitting Bentonville on my way home in August! No doubt whatsoever.

 

yaasssssss! now that's what I'm talking about -- taking things to the next level with both the truck and bike! nice pics.

 

PFA

I live nexdoor to Bentonville in Rogers, it's also hot as balls here + humidity. Bentonville trails can get crowded on the weekends but there's so much more in the Northwest Arkansas area than there. I'd usually be down to show people around but with the 'rona I'ma hold off on making new friends for a minute. Always happy to give a weather report and make trail suggestions though.

 

Thanks! Work in progress.

 

It sounds like you want to check out what Salsa has. Even within specific bike models they offer a wide variety of components, tires, etc. You can get a carbon Giant Revolt for $1850, but it's more on the road side of the spectrum and only comes with a 2x drivetrain.

 

My “gravel” bike is a Salsa Cutthroat 1X with 2.35 IKONS. You can get pretty crazy on the Cutthroat and so damn comfortable you can ride it all day! This is my buddy yesterday, he’s on a Cutthroat too.



My Cutthroat after yesterday’s ride



My other buddies from yesterday’s ride!

 

Not in the turd gen section anymore - now I feel like I can participate


Been out a ton on my Trance this summer so far. Gonna be on the lookout for one of those used bike deals this winter from all the impulse bikers.

 

Badass pic! Where was it taken?

 

I took it about 2 hours ago on a trail just outside of town here.