What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1322770
DECEMBER 27, 2020-JANUARY 2, 2021 WHAT'S UP! 3 Outdoors Is In TOP 5 From drinks to movies, al fresco was the answer BECCA MARTIN-BROWN NWA Democrat-Gazette O n July 1, the city of Bentonville declared itself "Mountain Biking Capital of the World" and trademarked the title. It should have come as no surprise. "This incredible distinction has come after years of intentional work from Bentonville's city leaders, trail builders, maintenance teams, new and experienced riders, and countless others in our great community," Tom Walton, co-founder of RUNWAY Group, a lifelong Bentonville patron and avid mountain biking enthusiast, said in a news release. "From the outset of our shared vision to transform our city as a mountain biking paradise unique from other destinations, the city government and community leaders provided the support and balanced leadership we needed to help make the dream become a reality." Writing for PinkBike.com, an online hub for mountain bikers, Daniel Sapp said this a couple of days later: "There are a lot of incredible places to ride, and there is plenty of riding in the world that is more epic, scenic, challenging, what have you, than Bentonville. But as an all- encompassing destination, I've not visited anywhere more pleasant to ride, because there's more to bikes than simply terrain. The town is bike-friendly, there are phenomenal restaurants, entertainment, a bad*ss museum, incredible coffee, top-notch bars, and a smorgasbord of other businesses that I actually want to visit. "Take me to a resort with really great riding, and I'm not really going to do anything else. Bentonville? I'm going to go explore the town too. … There are weeks of riding right from town and then plenty more within a short drive. … And it's all integrated into the town without the feel of a resort. It's Pleasantville for a mountain biker, and it's a region with people behind it that Coler Mountain Bike Preserve in Bentonville was created for those who ride, but many families discovered it as an outdoor destination. (File photo/NWA Democrat-Gazette/Flip Putthoff) See Outdoors Page 4