We recommend you make travel plans to arrive in Mena on the afternoon of June 2, 2025. Join us for packet pickup, optional rider meetings, and luggage drop at University of Arkansas Rich Mountain between 3 - 7 PM.* At 7 PM, we’ll all convene at The Ouachitas for some pre-ride brews!

Mena is our Kick-Off Host City for 2025!

Five Things to Know About Mena:

1. Mena is the gateway to adventure in the Ouachita National Forest. Mena has announced its plans for extensive downhill MTB trails, featuring lift-accessed riding with 1,300 vertical ft of descending.

2. Mena is home to Wolf Pen Gap, which hosts 41 miles of ATV trails over high mountain vistas into piney valleys, following the paths of old logging roads.

3. The Mena train depot is a historic railroad station built in 1920 and is one of the most elaborate surviving early-20th-century railroad stations in the state.

4. Located atop Rich Mountain sits Queen Wilhelmina State Park. Positioned along the Talimena National Scenic Byway, it offers some of the most breathtaking views in the state from the fully renovated lodge.

5. Autumn’s colors bring the Ouachitas to life, and thousands make the journey here each year to witness the beauty in Mena.

*If you wish to wait and drop luggage/pick up your packet Tuesday morning before the ride begins, please plan to do so no later than 6:30 AM.

Depart Mena: 7:30 AM Tuesday, June 3

ARRIVE in Glenwood: PM Tuesday, June 3

Five Things to Know About Glenwood:

1. Glenwood sits along the pristine Caddo River, a tributary of the Ouachita. Each year, the Caddo draws thousands of canoers, kaykers, anglers, and families looking to explore the great outdoors in a peaceful mountain setting.

2. Glenwood Golf Course & Country Club is part of the Natural State Golf Trail. The Glenwood Golf Course showcases a secluded, beautiful 18-hole golf course and is ranked one of the top in Arkansas. It's well worth the drive to find.

3. Glenwood began as a railroad town. Founded in the early 1900's, Glenwood has a rich history in timber and logging industries.

4. The annual Caddo River Festival takes place every summer on Labor Day weekend in the heart of downtown Glenwood. This festival incorporates a parade, local talent show, vendors, food trucks, an antique car show, and more.

5. Revitalization of Glenwood’s downtown historic district is underway, with a new mercantile and restaurant opening in the next few months. You’ll see some beautiful murals along E Broadway.

DEPART Glenwood: 7:30 AM Wednesday, June 4

ARRIVE Hot springs: PM Wednesday, June 4

Five Things to Know About Hot Springs:

1. Hot Springs National Park is the oldest federally protected land in the United States and the source of the world's best water for drinking and bathing.

2. Hot Springs is an International Mountain Bike Association Ride Center and hub for the Northwoods Trails, Iron Mountain Trails, and three IMBA Epics: The Womble, LOViT, and The Ouachita Trail

3. Oaklawn Racing is the oldest family-owned race track in America. The Oaklawn grounds also include a casino, hotel, spa, and multiple restaurants.

4. Hot Springs is home to hundreds of restaurants and bars, serving up everything from pizza, tacos, burgers, Asian, Bavarian, fine dining and more!

5. Hot Springs hosts city-wide block parties with live music, food, and vendors. 2025 Gravelers can attend the Bridge Street LIVE Entertainment District on Thursday, June 5th!

You have choices!

This spring, we will release the route details for our 50-ish mile, Oaklawn-themed optional Race Day (our only timed event at the Arkansas Graveler). We have really fun jerseys for the overall winners (male and female), KOM/QOM champs, Spring segment champs, and a random superlative jersey that we will hand out, too! These will resemble the jockey silks of horse racing and will be highly coveted among the Graveler peloton the following days!

OR

You can take the rest day. There are so many excursions to consider in Hot Springs, whether it’s a spa day at the historic Bath Row, playing in the Casino, dining out, or enjoying the water sports nearby.

Depart Hot Springs: 7:30 AM Friday, June 6

ARRIVE Morrilton: PM Friday, June 6

Five Things to Know About Morrilton:

1. Morrilton is the gateway city to Petit Jean State Park, Arkansas’ oldest and most popular state park.

2. There is only one city named “Morrilton” in the entire world, and the name was selected based upon a flip of a coin; there was a 50/50 chance it would have been named Moose Town!

3. Winthrop Rockefeller, the former governor of Arkansas, made Morrilton his adopted hometown when he moved to Arkansas from New York City in the early 1950's. He established Winrock Farms atop Petit Jean Mountain, which now houses the Winthrop Rockefeller Instititute.

4. “Wolverton Mountain,” the namesake of Claude King’s 1962 #1 hit on the Billboard Country Chart, is located just north of Morrilton.

5. Morrilton’s historic downtown is a treasure-trove of unique, beautiful buildings. These include the Rialto Theater, a historic railroad depot, the Conway County Courthouse, the old Coca Cola bottling plant, a working Carnegie Library, and the five-story “Morrilton Skyscraper.”

Depart Morrilton: 7:30 AM, Saturday, June 7

ARRIVE Russellville: Saturday, June 7

Russellville is our Finale Host City for 2025!

Five Things to Know About Russellville

1. Russellville sits at the meeting point of the Ouachita and Ozark National Forests, as well as along the Arkansas River and Lake Dardanelle. It’s a beautiful spot for outdoor getaways.

2. Russellville is known for its local music, art scene, and historic downtown area. The most notable of these events is the Art Walk. On the first Friday night of each quarter (March, June, September, and December), the city hosts the Downtown Art Walk, in which the public may listen to live music, taste wine and food, and appreciate, and purchase and sell art while connecting with the community.

3. Russellville hosts a variety of sporting events and fishing tournaments, due to its location on Lake Dardanelle. Russellville is also close to Mt. Nebo and other state parks like Petit Jean.

4. Russellville is home to Arkansas Tech University, which was founded in 1909 and will serve as the Graveler’s finale venue as we enter downtown Russellville.

5. Along with fishing, swimming & camping, Lake Dardanelle State Park offers a must-see Visitor Center that has state-of-the-art interactive exhibits & five aquariums.

DEPART Russellville: 9 AM

ARRIVE Hot Springs first, ETA 11 AM; Mena ETA 1 PM

We have shuttles to get participants, luggage, and bikes back to Hot Springs (for Half-Gravelers) or Mena (for full Gravelers). This shuttle service can be added as an a la carte service on our BikeReg platform. You must sign up by May 12, 2025 to have a spot secured. The shuttle service is $75.

All participants will receive a complimentary breakfast that morning. We will stop in Hot Springs to drop off Half-Gravelers and to give everyone a snack/bathroom break for those going all the way to Mena.