How the week works

Each day we're watching many different things, but most importantly, we're watching dinner. If the day is running long enough that you would miss the day's off bike activities, SAG will come find you and bring you in. We don't want you to miss the activities, the hangout, or dinner, at the end of each day as this is what riders of the Graveler tell us the event is truly about.

Support and SAG →

Hydration is water, a full range of Coca-Cola products from Ozarks Coca-Cola, and electrolyte drinks. Nutrition comes from Honey Stinger, alongside sweet and salty snacks, and one station each day has a make-your-own sandwich setup with Teddie Peanut Butter.

Breakfast and dinner are included every day. The Graveler does the cooking, working with local suppliers and the food traditions of each town, so what lands on the plate changes as you move south.

Coffee is on from six every morning, provided by Pork Belly, so nobody needs to go looking for any. If you pass somewhere on the route that looks worth stopping for, stop anyway.

Food and drink →

The gear truck takes bags at the start line between 6:00 and 7:00 AM. If you are staying in private lodging your bag still travels to the camp venue, so plan how you will collect it.

Camping is included and it is where the week actually happens. Arkansas Portables brings restroom and shower trailers, so you have a hot shower every night regardless of what the site has.

• Wash the day's grit from your bike at the bike wash.
• Leave your bike in the supervised parking area and get mechanical help from Phat Tire.
• Charge an e-bike battery, phone or computer at the charging station.
• Use power in the tent camping area for the things you need overnight.
• Hand your tent to the tent valet rather than carrying it through camp.
• Find your bag on the luggage truck by the number that matches your rider number.
• Get medical help from UAMS when you need it.
• Pick up snacks and drinks as soon as you cross the finish line.

Camp and lodging →

Sweep

Sweep vehicles run every stage. If your day comes apart, you flag one down or one finds you, and what happens next is up to you: a lift to the next aid station, a lift far enough up the road that the arithmetic works again, or a lift all the way to camp.

There are no cutoffs on this event. Nobody is pulled for riding slowly, nothing closes behind you, and no list is kept of who rode in. It happens on every edition, and plenty of the people it happens to ride the whole of the next day.

On the two longest days, Friday and Saturday, we move riders up to the first aid station at 7:30 for anyone who wants it. That is offered to everybody and assigned to nobody. Taking it is an ordinary thing to do.

Mechanics

Phat Tire runs bike support at camp every day, with parts. A broken spoke, a torn sidewall or a derailleur that has stopped being a derailleur is an inconvenience here instead of the end of your week.

Which means you can leave the workshop at home. Bring a tube, a plug kit and a multitool, and let us carry the rest of it.

Medical

UAMS provides medical support through the week. For anything serious on course, call 911 first. UAMS is on site every day — they can assist immediately and connect you to any local hospital or emergency services as necessary.

Most of what medical actually handles is smaller than that and worth going to them for anyway: road rash, a saddle sore going wrong, a hand that stopped working properly on day three. Go early. Things that are nothing on Tuesday are a problem by Friday.