Half Day | 7 Stops
The Old Guys Bike Group, ranging in age from 71 to 84, regularly gather to ride paved trails. This route is around 11.5 miles one way, but there are many access points where you can start a ride, walk or run as long or short as you like. With the exception of one stop at Old Main, this entire route is paved and off-street. The entire route is lighted and may be ridden at night. Most street crossings are by bridge or underpass - the rare street crossings are well-marked and signaled.
Morning Bike Ride with OGBG
Author: Old Guys Bike Group
This is one of our favorite routes, and it's accessible to most riders, especially if you ride an e-bike for a boost up the hills. A special note: One of our group, James, is wearing a Pedal It Forward jersey. He volunteers there and asked for a plug. Pedal It Forward is a local non-profit that repairs bikes and distributes them to people who need them. Read more about them here.
Stop 1: Mud Creek Trailhead
This trailhead is a great place to meet up, park and unload bikes. While you are waiting for your group to assemble, you can listen to the creek flow by or take a look at whimsical fairy trees that have appeared along the trail. There are picnic tables and benches in the forest between the trail and creek.
Mud Creek Trail has a couple of well-marked street crossings, but is separate from the road. You'll feel surrounded by nature, even though you are in the middle of Fayetteville.
Stop 2: Gordon Long Park
Our group picks up one more rider here. There is parking, a well-maintained restroom, a water fountain and water bottle filler, and a bike repair station at this shady park located along a creek. Next up, the trail takes us by tunnel under a road and railway, and past University of Arkansas cross-country training fields.
Stop 3: Old Main
Our group diverges from the Greenway for a moment to take in Old Main, the oldest building and icon of the University of Arkansas. This part of the trip diverges from the protected bikeway. You may choose to park your bike and walk to this stop. It's only a short distance from the Greenway, but it's a fairly busy area.
Stop 4: TheatreSquared
Our group returned to the trail and crossed Dickson Street in the heart of the downtown entertainment district. Like all street crossings on this route, this one is very well marked. There is a crossing signal for safety. On the south side of the street, you can read a historical marker about how the Razorbacks got their name.
We paused for a moment at TheatreSquared. Recently constructed, T2 is a state-of-the-art theatre presenting original professional productions throughout the year. The lobby is open during the day with a cafe serving lunch, snacks, and cocktails themed to the current production.
Stop 5: The Ramble
You'll want to stop and explore this area. The Ramble is a newly built park built around a restored springfed creek. Walk or ride downhill to explore the creek area, or head uphill along a curving path leading to a canopy walk. If you need a restroom or lunch, the Fayetteville Public Library is just up the hill.
Stop 6: Razorback Greenway Mile 0
As you head to this stop, the trail crosses an interstate - the trail bridge is its own structure - totally separate from car traffic. Woods and meadow surround the trail as you arrive at Kessler Mountain Regional Park.
Stop and reflect on your adventure at Mile 0 - the official starting point of the 40-mile Razorback Greenway.
At the park, you'll find sports fields, playground, and well maintained restrooms - plus trailheads for nature and mountain bike trails.
Stop 7: Tsa La Gi Bike Park
The OGBG headed back to our starting point, taking a different return route - also a paved, off-street, and well-lit path. Our path passes by Tsa La Gi Bike Park is part of the University of Arkansas campus. The park has options for riders to choose jumps, drops, rock gardens and flow. These features are practice tools designed for riders of all levels to enjoy the park and take their improved skills to the trails.
Our group enjoyed watching riders practice jumps, and Dan showed us the ropes.
Welcome to our Tag Along series! These are real adventures, by real people, in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Through these stories you get to tag along with visitors and residents as they experience our great city and the surrounding areas. These mini-tours offer itineraries along with maps and helpful tips. Opinions expressed are not the official views of Experience Fayetteville - they belong to the creator.
