GRAVETTE -- Susie Douglas spoke to members and guests of the Greater Gravette Chamber of Commerce at their March 20 meeting about Rural Recreational Roads and plans to develop cycling events on those roads in Benton County.
Douglas is cycling experience manager for Runway Group, a private investment firm focused on outdoor developments, and is a former mountain bike coach. She explained that Rural Recreational Roads is an initiative of Runway Group started as an effort to bridge the gap between rural and area towns. She is making an effort to connect bike riders with area services they can enjoy during their outdoor excursions.
Rural Recreational Roads has a website, Facebook and Instagram accounts. The website includes maps of recommended routes in Bentonville, Gravette, Siloam Springs and Pea Ridge.
"Our beautiful Arkansas dirt roads provide vital connections for rural farms, communities and commerce. But these sinuous gravel ribbons through the hills and hollers also provide adventurous recreation opportunities for those on foot, bike and horse. We believe that the Rural Recreational Roads experience can provide safe, adventurous connections with the rural parts of our state," according to the group's site.
Douglas described a recent group bike ride in Pea Ridge at which the mayor spoke to the group about Pea Ridge and area attractions and shared some of his future plans for the city. The event also featured a session on bike etiquette. She said that such rides usually attract 100 to 300 riders.
She said that a bike ride, or "ramble," is planned in Gravette on Tuesday, April 30. It will begin at the Gravette Rural Recreational Roads hub, located at 106 First Avenue N.E., just across from Grumpy's Coffee and the 59 Diner. Riders will travel on a designated eight-mile ride and gather for a post-ride get-together at the Recreation Parlor.
She urged owners of area businesses and attractions and representatives of area organizations to contact her at [email protected] so Rural Recreational Roads and the community of gravel cyclists can support their businesses.
In other business at the meeting, chamber treasurer Sundee Hendren announced that May is Women's Health Awareness Month and said that the Gravette Historical Museum has a spring selfie station set up and encouraged all to go by for a photo opportunity. She announced that Dr. Stubbs, a dentist with Gravette Dental Associates, will be the speaker for the April 17 Chamber meeting. She reminded all present of the Chamber gala on May 2, with a "Run for the Roses" Kentucky Derby theme. Chamber secretary Natty McKenzie announced that she was seeking donations of items for door prizes for that event. Anyone having items to donate should contact her.
Hendren outlined several other upcoming Chamber events, including a back-to-school bash in September, Pickin' Time on 59 Sept. 26-28, and Hometown Christmas Saturday, Dec. 14.
Carole Robel, treasurer of the Friends of the Gravette Public Library, announced that the group is planning a library gala to be held on Sept. 21.