• Rides will average around 50-80 miles per day

• Curious minds, local or visiting, who want to experience a place instead of just passing through

• Riders who appreciate cultural and historical depth in outdoor adventure

• Those ready to ask hard questions and embrace the complexity of Arkansas’s past and present

• People seeking deeper connection through land, story, and each other

The drive from Bentonville to McGehee, Arkansas, offers a remarkable cross-section of the state's diverse ecoregions, transitioning from the ancient, forested Ozark Highlands of Northwest Arkansas, through the more open Arkansas Valley (briefly touching the eastern edge of the Ouachita Mountains), across the rolling to flat South Central Plains, and finally into the vast, fertile expanse of the Mississippi Alluvial Plain, or "The Delta." This roughly 4.5 to 5-hour journey vividly showcases Arkansas's varied topography, from rugged hills and winding rivers to expansive agricultural fields, providing a real-time lesson in the state's natural geography.

Embark on a poignant historical journey by first visiting the World War II Japanese American Internment Museum, which powerfully chronicles the forced removal and imprisonment of 120,000 Japanese Americans, including the over 8,000 individuals interned at the nearby Rohwer Relocation Center between 1942 and 1945. Following this, ride to Arkansas Post, North America's first European settlement established in 1686, where you'll delve into centuries of cultural interactions, military conflicts—including the only Revolutionary War action in Arkansas—and its significant role as the first territorial capital before its destruction during a pivotal Civil War battle. Conclude your day with a drive to Elaine for an overnight stay.

Ride from Elaine, the site of the tragic 1919 Elaine Massacre, a racial conflict stemming from labor union tensions and white supremacy (Elaine Massacre of 1919, Death of Hundreds, Elaine Massacre Video), to Helena, a city rich in history as the birthplace of Delta Blues and a crucial site during the Civil War, uniquely situated on Crowley's Ridge (Helena, West Helena, Phillips County), and then continue to Marianna, a town with deep agricultural roots and a notable place in the Civil Rights Movement within the Arkansas Delta. The historic Presbyterian Church bike hostel connected to downtown offers a truly memorable stay.

The bike ride from Marianna to Birdeye offers a captivating transition from the flat agricultural expanses of the Delta into the rolling terrain of Crowley's Ridge. While Marianna lies within the generally flat Mississippi Alluvial Plain, the route towards Birdeye, which is located on the eastern slopes of Crowley's Ridge, introduces significant topography and ecologic changes. This section of the ride traverses Crowley's Ridge, a distinctive geological anomaly that rises noticeably from the surrounding flatlands. Riders can expect a mix of hard-packed clay gravel and paved roads, winding through a landscape of farmland, levees, and historic country lanes.

Birdeye distinguishes itself as more than just a gravel cycling event; it's a multi-day "rally style" festival offering a holistic blend of outdoor adventure, deep community immersion, and a commitment to rural economic support. While the event provides varied gravel routes through hills, farmland, and historic lanes—the festival is headquartered on an 8-acre farm with a 1903 farmhouse, fostering an intimate, "house-party" atmosphere with farm-to-table cuisine and live local music. Beyond cycling this event serves as a vital fundraiser for the 250-mile Crowley's Ridge Gravel Trail Project, ensuring a sustainable connection to the Arkansas Delta's landscape, community, and heritage.

Late morning departure back to Bentonville