The Bike Fest is gearing up for an action-packed three-day event that offers excitement for riders of any skill level or age
Kenny Belaey, multiple Trial Bike World Champion and an avid mountain biker made Bentonville his US basecamp because of “the best trails ever, the bike boom, great food and awesome people”.
In 2013 he was on a tour throughout the US and was hired to perform at the grand opening of the 21C hotel downtown Bentonville, long before the trails were what they are today.
"When I came back 5 years later I couldn't believe what the Walton Family Foundation and Visit Bentonville had achieved" In those 5 years they had constructed over 500miles of purpose build trails, 60 hard working trail builders had been working, week in week out, to hand build a world class biking destination.
During this same visit, his first event idea was born: to organise a women focussed bike event in collab with the Bentonville Film Festival. Mission was to celebrate women through bike videos on the big screen at Lawrence Plaza and champion women on bikes. ‘We wanted to attract women to ride, discover and celebrate.’
Then, in 2020 the event evolved into the Bentonville Bike Fest by going from a women-only event to a festival for all bike enthusiasts.
"we want this event to champion everything this town has to offer, 100% Bentonville"
Meanwhile the town of Bentonville has been nominated as the ‘Mountain Bike Capital of the World’ because of its innovative and endless network of trails. Now the whole world is watching Bentonville and we realize this is the perfect opportunity to make this a one of a kind event.
"In 2021 the event was beyond everyone's expectations, including mine and we only want to make it bigger and better year after year!"
We can’t wait to create a festival that does justice to this beautiful town, the Arkansas natural state and its status!
Kalene Griffith, President/CEO Visit Bentonville says
"After running a very successful women shred bike event for the Bentonville Film Festival in 2019, we're excited to learn that Kenny Belaey will now head up the Bentonville Bike Fest again. As the Mountain Biking Capital of the World, we can't think of a better place for bike lovers to travel to than Bentonville, Arkansas, for this exciting and inclusive event"
The Bike Fest is gearing up for an action-packed three-day event that offers excitement for riders of any skill level or age. Group rides, workshops, epic trial bike shows, an expo, meet and greets with mountain bike super stars, an enduro race, the All American race, live artists, kids shreds, demo bikes, E bikes, pumptrack, flatland BMX shows, Freestyle dirt shows, the US Trials nationals, a Guinness World record attempt and so much more will make the Bentonville Bike Fest the world’s epicenter of mountain biking.
“With the Bentonville Bike Fest we want to cater to the experienced bicycle enthusiast who’s in for a new discovery or wants to hone their skills as well as the novice rider. And at the same time we want to share our passion for this wonderful sport to someone who’s never even seen a mountain bike in their life but who wants to become fitter or have a great time outdoors”
Tom Walton, Walton Family Trust - supporters of Bentonville Bike Fest said:
“We’ve always challenged ourselves and Northwest Arkansas communities to be innovation labs for trail building and cycling – an effort that includes diversifying ridership.”
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About the Team
#bettertogether
Kenny says "This festival wouldn't be possible without the help of the amazing Bentonville community, sponsors, the Walton Family foundation, our volunteers, staff and this fantastic team"
Jessy Heard
General production & sponsorship
John Leach
Event site coordinator
Media
Press office
Erin Spandorf
Volunteer manager
Lori Reed
Kenny Belaey
production
Founder / CEO
follow this link do google maps
Bentonville Bike Fest is a Pedal to the Medal llc production.
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