Nicky Boyette – Once a month, a group of ten or so volunteers gather with implements in hand to build or unclutter trails so the general public will have places nearby to hike or bike or walk a dog. This group is the Carroll County branch of the Ozark Off Road Cyclists, and their handiwork can be seen all around the county. The OORC, referred to as the “mothership,” was created in 1997 and has branches in Russellville, Siloam Springs and Ft. Smith.
The group, informally referred to as the CC Riders, formally organized in the spring of 2015 when the Trails Committee of the Eureka Springs Parks Commission asked for help creating the Spring Garden Trail at Harmon Park. They meet on the second Wednesday every month at 6:30 p.m. at Sparky’s Roadhouse Cafe.
Nathan Griffee, chair of the local branch, commented, “Our mission is to advocate for, build, maintain and preserve multi-use soft surface trails in the Arkansas Ozarks.” He added many in the group are mountain bikers, but trails are used for trail running, geocaching, orienteering, unicycling, hiking, dog walking and other activities.
Griffee said they gather for a workday once a month. On July 9, they spread out along trails at Lake Leatherwood City Park and around town to get them ready for the upcoming Fat Tire Festival. Earlier this year, they planned and created the Sloryde Trail at LLCP designed to be a beginner biking trail, but also works as a walking trail.
At the monthly meeting, the group discusses proposed projects. Using the Sloryde Trail as an example of their process, Griffee said they first scouted the area for a likely path. They try to include features of interests such as scenic overlooks, bluffs and creeks, and avoid briar patches and low areas bound to be damp and muddy. Then they clear a corridor a dozen feet wide by trimming bushes, removing honeysuckle and small trees. He emphasized they do not clear cut to make the pathway. They do not remove trees more than two or three inches in diameter, and they keep whatever they can except to provide a line of sight for safety and viewing the environment. Then they establish the tread, or trail, usually a single-track path about 16 inches wide.
Griffee said while they are working on a trail passersby will ask for whom they work, so he keeps on hand 5×5-in. cards explaining they are volunteers along with the statement “These trails don’t maintain themselves.”
He emphasized their work requires some physical tasks but there are lighter jobs, also. Children and seniors regularly participate. “There are plenty of jobs to do,” he said.
In addition, Griffee commented those who show up to work on the trails are “a fun group of people… people who are willing to do this in their spare time are interesting people.” He acknowledged removing brush might be challenging but they have fun doing it.
There is also a group ride every week, usually beginning at 5:30 p.m., Thursdays, at Adventure Mountain Outfitters. They also usually take a ride after the monthly workday.
Chair Bill Featherstone of the Parks Commission commented that not enough could be said about the impact of the CC-OORC volunteers have on the trails in town. Designing and making trails is only one part of their contribution. “Maintaining existing trails is a never-ending task,” Featherstone said, “and Parks could never keep up with the task without these volunteers.”
Over here and over there
Griffee remarked the “rocky, rooty, ledgey” trails at LLCP are becoming a popular attraction for riders. Vacationing cyclists seek them out. He said an enterprise called the MTB Project points cyclists to mountain biking trails near wherever they are. And, yes, there’s an app for that. He said their researchers are mountain bikers who ride probably 300 days a year all over the country, and LLCP has what they are looking for. CC-OORC is cognizant the work they do makes a difference in keeping visiting cyclists coming back to Eureka Springs.
The Nature Conservancy solicited assistance from the CC-OORC for its property along the Kings River. There’s an abode there called the Deck House, which the Conservancy uses to host those who have or might become donors, and Griffee and his comrades built a trail from the Deck House down to the river. There might be another trail waiting to be built there in the future.
Another prospective site for trail-building is the Farm, a concert venue northwest of Eureka Springs. Griffee said the proprietors there want to promote it as a year-round camping venue, and among other amenities, they built a disk golf course for visitors. They have asked about trails through the woods that abut a section of the Mark Twain National Forest.
Other trail venues are Black Bass Lake and Pension Mountain south of Berryville.
Fat Tire Festival
The Fat Tire Festival, which begins Friday, July 15, marks the 18th time riders, spectators and partygoers have gathered for the event. It is billed as three days of various mountain bike races, including events for kids, along with “group rides, social gatherings and good vibes” according to its Facebook page. Most of the events will be at LLCP but some rides will take place around town.
Griffee was pleased to announce that on Saturday, July 16, from 6-9 p.m., there will be a silent auction at Melonlight Studios above Brews on Spring Street, and CC-OORC will be the beneficiary of the auction. Art, bike parts and equipment and other items will be auctioned off. He said, “We will do good stuff for trails with the proceeds of the auction.”
Anyone interested in joining the fun can check out the Facebook page for Carroll County Ozark Off Road Cyclists or email carrollcountyriders@gmail.com.