Fat Tire Festival in Eureka Springs

The Eureka Springs’ Fat Tire Festival on July 15-17 is full of downhill, super-d, short track, and cross country racing. Riders and spectators from surrounding states come together for group rides and social gatherings during this three-day event.

SHORT TRACK  |  FRIDAY, JULY 15

This ride is very spectator friendly because most of the course can be viewed from one location. The Short Track is a short circuit course designed for fast pace shoulder to shoulder riding. This race caters to strong sprinters and skilled bike handlers. There are prizes for various categories for men and women.

BIG TOWN RIDE  |  SATURDAY, JULY 16

According to organizers, this ride is the epitome of the Fat Tire Festival experience. Not recommended for first time mountain bikers, the ride is for those cyclists that are familiar with navigating rocky terrain, steep climbs, and fast descents. There are three ride options: Avid, Chill, and Ladies Only. The ride distances range from 5 to 15 miles and go through a labyringht of in-town singletrack, alleys, and back streets only locals know about. It starts in a grass lot just north of the Inn of the Ozarks.

FAYETTECHILL SATURDAY SOCIALS  |  SATURDAY, JULY 16

Head to Melonlight Studio for a silent and live auction, plus raffles and door prizes. The Carroll County (CC) chapter of the Ozark Off-Road Cyclists is a non profit organization focused on building and maintaining soft-surface trails in Carroll County. Show your support by bidding on some great items at Melonlight Studio. You must be present to win. After the auction, migrate over to Chelsea’s for live music and an after party.

PTD DOWNHILL  |  SATURDAY, JULY 16

Full face helmets are mandatory, so you know this one is an awesome event. The Progressive Trail Design Downhill is held on the year-round publicly open Lake Leatherwood Downhill Challenge Trail featuring rock drops, jumps, and rock gardens. There are roll around options for beginners, but main lines shave a lot of seconds. All together though someone on a standard mountain bike with basic skills can negotiate all of this course and trail.

SUPER D  |  SATURDAY, JULY 16

The course is a crossover of downhill and cross country riding. There are roll around options for all advanced downhill features. Full face helmets are not required and many Super D riders compete with the same bike and gear they use for cross country competition.

CROSS COUNTRY  |  SUNDAY, JULY 17

This is a 10 to 22 mile point-to-point race. Distances are determined by class and category. The race starts in front of the historic Basin Park in the middle of downtown Eureka Springs and is one of the most unique race starts in the country.

XC OMNI & DOWNHILL DUO  |  ALL THREE DAYS

XC Omni is three events scored by the cumulative time of all three competitions. The margins are thin for who comes out on top. The PTD Downhill Duo is a gravity test of two downhill runs. Both of these are prime spectating courses with lots of cowbells being run in support of the riders.

KIDS RIDES & EVENTS

Register your children and sign a consent form before they participate in any events. There’s plenty to choose from: Kids Skills Course Opens, Kids Short Track Challenge, Leahterwood Kids Guided Fun Ride, Kids Rodeo, Adventure Subaru Kids Tent.