Today: 9:00AM - 8:00PM
Blog / Fayetteville activites

What is Gravel Riding?

Trail Biking in Fayetteville
Gravel riding is a hybrid form of bicycling that offers the best of both mountain and road biking. It is the act of distance riding over unpaved roads. Sometimes these roads are formed of gravel. Unlike the paved bicycle paths that you will find in cities, gravel riding trails are located in largely rural areas that do not have commuter bikes. It is a sport that has gained a lot of popularity across the state of Arkansas and other parts of the rural South. Here are some things to know about gravel riding and how to participate in it safely if you have no experience with the sport. Technically ChallengingGravel riding is more technically challenging than riding on the street pavement. The ground is not smooth and it requires more technical riding skills to stay upright. You never know when there will be a dip in the path and you must be prepared for it. Better Views The beautiful views of rustic scenery and rocky terrain are probably the most compelling reason to enjoy gravel riding. It can get boring to ride on paved paths found in city parks. Some people could argue that most of the parks look the same, with the token playground and picnic area. With gravel riding, the scenery can change dramatically. Invest in the Right Gear You may not want to bring your beach cruiser or road bike on a gravel riding path. Gravel riding enthusiasts buy gear specifically for long rides on gravel. You need a sturdy bike with a wide wheelbase and a sense of relaxed geometry to stay as stable as possible. In addition, you will want to invest in safety equipment. While riding on a paved path, you might be able to get away without wearing a helmet. However, with gravel riding, you will experience more shock and an increased risk of falling due to the more complicated trails. Participate in Large Gravel Riding Events New events have popped up to transform a largely casual sport into a more fun and competitive activity. For instance, Dirty Kanza is an annual gravel riding tournament. There are various versions of the event that take place at the same time so that you are able to pick out the length of the race that best suits your needs. For instance, the 100 half-pint takes around seven hours to complete and is recommended for beginner gravel riders. The events only get more competitive and difficult from there. No matter which event you choose, be sure to spend the few months leading up to the event preparing in training so that you can have the most successful race possible. If you already love to ride your bicycle, there is a good chance that you will enjoy gravel riding. It is a more technically challenging and advanced alternative to traditional street paths. There are even events that you can participate in to meet other gravel riders who want to explore the less taken path. Image via Pixabay
Posted in:

Related Posts

photographer-2179204_1280

4 Great Spots for Photos in Driving Distance of Fayetteville, AR

There are plenty of amazing photo spots that are worth checking out if you live near Fayetteville, AR. The most beautiful and scenic places in the entire country are just a drive up the road! Within minutes, you'll be adding a lot of awesome pictures to your portfolio. 4 Great Photo Spots for Photos in Driving Distance of Fayetteville, AR 1. Botanical Garden of the Ozarks Initially established in 1993, the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks is a popular place to visit for residents of Arkansas. The entire garden holds a collection of 12 different themes and includes the region's only native butterfly house. The entire area is dedicated to environmental awareness and preservation. The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks also allows you to plan professional photography sessions. In other words, you can go there and take full advantage of all the natural beauty the area offers. The Botanical Garden is a popular option for wedding photos, prom photos, birthday photos, family portraits, and more. 2. Lake Fayetteville Lake Fayetteville is also an excellent place to visit for photographers in Arkansas. The entire area consists of 458 acres of land and 194 acres of water. When you visit Lake Fayetteville, you'll be snapping photos all day long because there's an abundance of outdoor scenery. In 1948, construction began on Lake Fayetteville as a source of drinking water for the local community. The project was completed by 1949, but then the Beaver Water District was built 10 years later to provide communities with clean drinking water from Beaver Lake. The area now is used for recreational activities. 3. Tanyard Creek Nature Trail Right up the road in Bella Vista is Tanyard Creek Nature Trail. It's the perfect place to visit if you want to capture the most scenic and breathtaking aspects of nature within the state of Arkansas. The trail itself loops around for 2.2 miles and offers you waterfalls, creeks, and more. You'll notice that the trail elevates and provides you with some amazing views of the area. As you continue along the trail, you'll also encounter a wood bridge with a quaint and vintage look to it. Although Tanyard Creek Nature Trail isn't the largest outdoor viewing area, you'll still end up taking a ton of pictures! 4. Devil's Den State Park The name sounds intimidating, but Devil's Den State Park is actually a fun place to visit. Nestled in Lee Creek Valley, the area has many unique geographical qualities, including epic rock formations and caverns. The entire park also features 17 cabins and 135 campsites. Are you eager to explore all the beautiful areas of northwestern Arkansas? Contact Crain Kia of Fayetteville today for information on all of our latest models. We'll help you search for a vehicle that can get you around reliably. Image via pixabay.com by Pexels

books-5211309_1280

4 Favorite Bookstores You Can Drive to Near Fayetteville, AR

What's not to love about going on a fun family shopping trip to pick out some new books to read? We love the bookstores here in Fayetteville, AR because they're close to home, kid-friendly, reasonably priced, and chock full of incredible books. We're about to share a few of our favorite places in town, so load everyone into your Kia Sorento and drive on down to these excellent shops. 4 Favorite Bookstores You Can Drive to Near Fayetteville, AR 1. Dickson Street Bookshop Located at 325 West Dickson Street, this lovely bookshop has graced Fayetteville with its presence for over forty years. We love shopping at Dickson, which is known for its selection of used and out-of-print books. Truly, there is no better place for rediscovering old classics and hidden gems. Browsing the bookshelves in person is always worthwhile, but when you feel like staying home, Dickson's online inventory has you covered! Just hop on their website and check out which books they have in stock. After all, there's nothing quite as cozy and convenient as online book shopping! 2. Pearl's Books When it comes to Pearl's Books, we cannot contain our excitement. Unlike Dickson, an old store selling old books, Peal's is a new store selling new books! You can find this literary paradise at 28 East Center Street. By shopping at Pearl's, you can stay up-to-date on new releases and join ongoing conversations about contemporary novels and novelists. Community is very important at Pearl's. Join a book club to receive a 10% discount on book club picks, attend literary events to support local writers, or just drop by for a friendly conversation or book recommendation. 3. Rock Bottom Books If you're in the mood for a comic book, I have some good news for you: Rock Bottom Books has the best selection in town! Located at 1206 Garland Avenue, this store is the perfect place to satisfy any comic collector's needs. In addition to books, they have a wide variety of action figures, Magic the Gathering cards, and clothing items! Bring the kids to pick up the latest Marvel or DC comic, or go alone to find the newest addition to your collection. Either way, Rock Bottom Books is definitely worth a visit. 4. Dad Suggests The little ones love to read, and we love to make sure that they are reading high-quality books. That's why we recommend Dad Suggests, which you can find at 1404 North College Avenue. This shop contains a perfectly curated collection of family-friendly stories that will absolutely engage your child and encourage a love of reading. In addition to children's books, you can also purchase board games and graphic novels, all of which are vouched for by the owners as top-notch choices. If you love books as much as we do, come visit us at Crain Kia of Fayetteville to tell us your favorite novel. While you're here, we'll be happy to help you find the perfect Kia model for you! Image via pixabay.com by Kollinger

racket-6308994_1280

Make the Drive: 4 Free Things to Do Near Fayetteville, AR

The bustling and friendly city of Fayetteville, AR, is one of the state's most charming destinations. Whether you want to browse through some of Fayetteville's fine antique shops or stretch your legs on some of the trails that surround the town, you certainly won't run out of activities, including fun free things to do. Your 2023 Kia Sportage with a sophisticated navigation system can get you anywhere you would like to roam near Fayetteville. Make the Drive: 4 Free Things to Do Near Fayetteville, AR 1. Art Ventures Art Ventures, at 20 S. Hill Ave., is a free experience featuring cutting-edge artists and fascinating exhibitions and installations. Not only will you see the finished product, but you can even see the artists themselves in action on certain days. There are plenty of multimedia pieces, too, including sculptures and paintings, so plan to spend the better part of your day wandering through everything. Art Ventures has a robust calendar of events, including meet and greets with local artists, children's events, and places where you can purchase local art. It's a unique Fayetteville experience and a way to truly connect with the artistic community. 2. Wilson Park Visit Wilson Park at 675 N. Park Ave. to treat your family to a fabulous playground with a nearby castle and some great walking trails. Wilson Park is centrally-located and has tennis courts, swings, slides, and biking trails, along with its famous castle. It's a fun place to pass the afternoon, have a picnic, and enjoy one of Fayetteville's authentic, hidden gems. 3. Lake Fayetteville Lake Fayetteville, at 1330 E. Lake Fayetteville Rd., is an excellent place to explore, especially during the warmer months. You can rent a boat and head out to the lake or simply enjoy spotting wildlife and wandering around the trails that surround its perimeter. If you want to see wildlife, Lake Fayetteville is an excellent spot to go. Visitors see plenty of birds, turtles, and fish on their wanders. 4. Fayetteville Farmer's Market At 101 W. Mountain St., Fayetteville Farmer's Market is an excellent place to pick up some local fruits, vegetables, or flowers, but you can wander through the stalls for free. It's located right downtown, so you can always stop there with your morning coffee and admire all the local wares, like kombucha, homemade cheese, soap, jellies, and sweets. You don't need a lot, or any money, to fully enjoy yourself in Fayetteville. These top four free activities will keep you fully entertained and give you a glimpse into the local Fayetteville culture without breaking your bank account. If you're looking for an excellent vehicle to explore Fayetteville, visit us at Crain Kia of Fayetteville and test drive one of our top models today. Image via pixabay.com by IGfotojonas