September 27 - 29, 2024
With 100 miles of sprawling trails inside our city limits and access to hundreds more miles of scenic roads - both paved and unpaved! - just outside, there might not be a better way to see Fayetteville and the surrounding Ozark Mountains than by bicycle! This fall, cyclists are invited to experience the Ozarks in pairs at the second annual Fayetteville Tandem Rally, a 3-day gathering of tandem bicycle enthusiasts taking place Friday, September 27 through Sunday September 29.
Designed for two (or more!) riders, tandem bicycles have created a passionate following of folks that enjoy gathering in popular cycling destinations around the country to ride and relax. The brand new Fayetteville Tandem Rally will feature plenty of both! Daily road and (optional) gravel group rides are followed by evenings spent with newfound friends at one of Fayetteville’s many bicycle-friendly restaurants, coffee shops, and craft breweries.
2024 Plans are still in the works - read on for a taste of the 2023 rally:
Friday’s ride will have cyclists following picturesque, paved roads from Fayetteville to Sassafras Springs Vineyard & Winery for a wine tasting and snacks. In the evening, event participants are invited to pedal to dinner along the well-lit Razorback Regional Greenway to Fayetteville’s Downtown entertainment district – where complimentary bicycle valet and a variety of award-winning restaurants await.
The low traffic density, high road quality, and mild topography of the Illinois River Valley that bring cyclists to Fayetteville and Northwest Arkansas will be highlighted on Saturday’s rides. After parading down Fayetteville’s iconic Dickson Street, scenic paved and gravel road routes will lead tandem riders through the Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park. As one of America’s most intact remaining Civil War battlefields, this historic park is perfect for the day's group picnic! Saturday concludes with a celebratory dinner featuring Northwest Arkansas’ renowned Yeyo’s, where tandem riders will dine on their famous street tacos at a unique venue located just blocks from the event’s host hotels.
The Fayetteville Tandem Rally concludes on Sunday with a variety of curated riding options across Northwest Arkansas. Rides for participants include the Razorback Regional Greenway, scenic roads, and even tandem mountain bike rides! While the riding and the rally officially start on Friday, event hosts Hank and Roxanne invite attendees to join them Thursday evening for early packet pickup and a few local brews at Crisis Brewing – a favorite stop on the Fayetteville Ale Trail!
Event registration is live and includes a wine tasting on Friday, lunch and dinner on Saturday, and a full weekend of supported rides, rest stops, curated routes, and more! The event’s host hotels allow tandem bicycles to be stored in the rooms and include complimentary breakfast each day.
We can’t wait to welcome each of you – two by two! – for the inaugural Fayetteville Tandem Rally!
