Recently announced, Fayetteville now ranks 10th overall among US cities in the PeopleForBikes’ annual ratings of the best cities for bicycling in the United States.

A Rich History of Road Riding Awaits Cyclists in Fayetteville A Fayetteville tradition, groups of spandex-clad cyclists have been taking to the scenic roads surrounding our community for decades. Low traffic density, high road quality, diverse mountain topography and route accessibility make for an iconic road riding experience. From Fayetteville, one of the largest county road networks in Arkansas offers over 400 miles of picturesque paved roads and the mild fall and winter seasons make the area popular for off-season team training.

While historically known for world-class road cycling, the counties surrounding Fayetteville feature considerable amounts of gravel riding options. Fayetteville and all of Washington County boasts over 500 miles of accessible gravel roads alone.

Fayetteville, Arkansas is home to a large portion of the NWA Razorback Greenway - a 40-mile off-street paved trail system that, starting from Mount Kessler Regional Park and the official “Mile Zero”, winds through our Southtown, Downtown, and Uptown areas. With no shortage of trailside stops, you and your family will find easy access to local food and refreshments all along the way. Here is a selection of routes to make an afternoon or day out of the NWA Razorback Greenway and Fayetteville’s extensive network of trails.

Midway between the suffering associated with road cycling and the surfer-esque culture of mountain biking – gravel riding, sometimes referred to as gravel grinding, is erupting in popularity. A common road surface found in rural areas throughout the United States, gravel road riding has become cycling’s fastest growing discipline. Offering a more relaxed style than traditional paved road riding, cyclists are drawn to the low traffic and diverse scenery associated with gravel riding. It’s not uncommon to ride for hours without encountering a single car.

The Joe Martin Stage Race, one of the top professional and amateur road cycling stage races in the nation, returns to Fayetteville, Arkansas April 2-5th, 2020. In its 43rd year, the Joe Martin Stage Race is the second oldest continually held cycling stage race in the country. Over 4 days, a hundred professional and elite amateur road cycling teams from around the globe gather in Fayetteville for a series of race stages. Rooted in the Ozark Mountains, an expansive road network of quality pavement, diverse topography, and sweeping scenery shapes each stage. The energy culminates for the final stage – the spectator-friendly Experience Fayetteville Criterium on the streets of Historic Downtown Fayetteville.