Bentonville earns international recognition for its mountain trails

The International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) recently announced the cities and trails that achieved Ride Center recognition and Bentonville was on the list along with Sun Valley, Idaho; Livigno, Italy and Taupo, New Zealand.

The IMBA Ride Center® designation represents the IMBA’s Model Trail recognition for large-scale mountain bike facilities that offer something for every rider. From backcountry adventures to shuttle-served gravity trails, from expert-only to family-friendly, riders should encounter the best the sport has to offer from designated ride centers.  

Bentonville earned a silver rating because of its 40 miles or bike trails, 20 of which are natural surface.The majority of Bentonville’s singletrack trails link directly to its urban trail system, allowing mountain bikers easy access to city amenities including bike stations with air pumps, repair tools, shower facilities and wi-fi check-in spots.

Leading the effort in acquiring the IMBA Ride Center recognition, the Bentonville Convention and Visitors Bureau recently designated bicycle tourism as a priority and works in partnership with Bentonville Parks and Recreation, Bike Bentonville, and Friends of Arkansas Singletrack (FAST) to offer multiple race, ride and skills clinics throughout the year, according to Blair Cromwell, communications director for the Bentonville Convention and Visitors Bureau.