Story :: Bentonville Bike Fest :: where everyone is welcome

Story

Kenny Belaey, a multiple-time Trial Bike World Champion and passionate mountain biker, chose Bentonville as his U.S. basecamp, drawn by its "amazing trails, the bike boom, delicious food, and fantastic people."

Back in 2013, during a U.S. tour, Kenny was invited to perform at the grand opening of the 21C Hotel in downtown Bentonville, long before the trails reached their current glory. "When I returned five years later, I was astonished by what the Walton Family Foundation and Visit Bentonville had accomplished," he remarked. In that time, they had built over 500 miles of purpose-built trails, thanks to the dedication of over a hundred trail builders who worked tirelessly to create a world-class biking destination.

During this visit, Kenny conceived his first event idea: a women-focused bike event in collaboration with the Bentonville Film Festival named "women shred". The mission was to celebrate women through bike films at Lawrence Plaza and champion women on bikes. "We aimed to attract women to ride, discover, and celebrate."

By 2020, the event evolved into the Bentonville Bike Fest, expanding from a women-only event to a festival for all bike enthusiasts. "We want this event to showcase everything this town has to offer, 100% Bentonville."

Bentonville has since become known as the 'Mountain Bike Capital of the World' due to its innovative and extensive trail network. The global spotlight is now on Bentonville, presenting the perfect opportunity to create a truly unique event.

"In 2021, the event exceeded everyone's expectations, including mine, and we aim to make it bigger and better every year!" Kenny says

We're excited to craft a festival that honors this beautiful town, the natural state of Arkansas, and its esteemed status!

Kalene Griffith, President/CEO of Visit Bentonville, shared, "After hosting a successful women shred bike event for the Bentonville Film Festival in 2019, we're thrilled that Kenny Belaey is leading the Bentonville Bike Fest again. As the Mountain Biking Capital of the World, Bentonville, Arkansas, is the ideal destination for bike enthusiasts to gather for this exciting and inclusive event."

The Bike Fest is preparing for an exhilarating all week long event packed with activities for riders of all skill levels and ages. Expect group rides, workshops, thrilling trial bike shows, one of US largest expo, meet and greets with mountain bike superstars, an enduro race, a XC race, Gravelicious 30 or 60 miler, live music performances, a kids zone, FREE demo bikes, E-bikes, a pump track, flatland BMX shows, freestyle dirt shows, a UCI C1 Trials and nationals event, and much more, making Bentonville Bike Fest the world's epicenter of biking.

"With the Bentonville Bike Fest, we aim to cater to seasoned bicycle enthusiasts seeking new discoveries or skill enhancement, as well as novice riders. We also want to share our passion for this wonderful sport with those who have never seen all these different types of bikes before, but wish to get fitter or enjoy the great outdoors."

Tom Walton of the Walton Family Foundation, supporters of the Bentonville Bike Fest, stated,

"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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