The annual Arkansaw High Country Race returns to Fayetteville this fall.
Quickly becoming known as one of the most challenging bikepacking routes in the country, this self-supported race departs from downtown Fayetteville on Saturday, Oct. 9. The race is a 1,000+ mile loop following the Arkansas High Country Route, a series of three gravel and paved road loops that connect several of the state’s stunning natural regions, including the Ozark and Ouachita mountain ranges and the Arkansas River Valley.
Starting from Fayetteville’s city center, the race route follows the Razorback Greenway out of Northwest Arkansas – transitioning to backcountry gravel roads that lead deep into the Ozark Mountains. After winding east to the Buffalo National River Corridor, the route drops south into the Arkansas River Valley. From there, the route points west through the Ouachita Mountains before climbing north into the Ozarks and back to the finish line in Fayetteville.
Last year’s Arkansaw High Country Race captivated cycling fans as top professional and amateur endurance cyclists navigated the grueling course over a colorful week in late fall. Several athletes where chasing not only a race win, but previously established course records -or what is referred to as a Fastest Known Time (FKT).
In the end, Ted King – a longtime professional road cyclist turned elite gravel race winner turned endurance athlete – took the overall win and became the first solo competitor to
complete the racecourse in under 5 days. King set a new FKT of 4 days, 20 hours, and 51 minutes – an effort that earned him the nickname of “King of the High Country”.
Finishing second overall and first in the Women’s field, professional cyclist Ashley Carelock became the first solo woman competitor to complete the race route in under 8 days – crossing the finish line in Fayetteville in 7 days, 9 hours.
Of note, Oklahoman Seth Wood became the first and only competitor known to have completed the race on a single speed bicycle – cycling the entire course and its 80,000 feet of climbing without the ability to shift into an easier gear – setting a single speed FKT of 7 days, 12 hours, and 18 minutes.
~ ~ Race Dates, Details, and Doodads ~ ~
Registration for the 2021 Arkansaw High Country Race and the Short Circuit Race opens June 1, 2021. Each race distance is limited to a field of 50 competitors.
Additional race information, including host hotel accommodations and links to register, can be found at www.rivervalley.ozarkoffroadcyclists.org/races-tours/arkansaw-high-country-race.
For race information, contact Race Director Chuck Campbell at (501) 725-1377 or arhcrace@gmail.com. For local information, contact Brannon Pack, cycling coordinator for Experience Fayetteville, at (479) 521-5776 or bpack@experiencefayetteville.com.
Bikes or Death episodes related to the Arkansas High Country
Ep. 9 – Chuck Campbell, Creator of the Arkansas High Country Route
EP. 35 – A visit to the High Country, Patrick gets a taste of the Route – I interview Chuck Campbell (route creator) and Chuck Campbell (race director) after a 3 day bikepacking trip on the route.
EP. 36 – SCOTTI & ERNIE LECHUGA – At the time held the FKT for the course (ridden as a team)
EP. 61 – Ted King – In 2020 King set a new FKT on the ARHCR and it was his first bikepacking race!
