MMB 1ST Annual Gravel Bike Institute: Bentonville, AR May 3 - 7

MMB 1st Annual Gravel Bike Institute in Bentonville with optional Intro to Mountain Biking day

With two highly successful years of mountain biking events, The Minority Mountain Bikers (MMB) will conduct their 1st Annual Gravel Bike Institute in Bentonville, Arkansas. This institute is for the beginner and intermediate level BIPOC gravel cyclist interested in receiving classroom and on-the-bike training to develop techniques, skills, tips and tricks on becoming a confident gravel cyclist. All of this developed and led by experienced and certified gravel biking coaches from across the country. To further the fellowship amongst the participants, each day will end with an evening gathering with beverage and food provided at a local restaurant.

Experience the sport of gravel riding in Bentonville, AK in an intimate setting. Limited to 40 cyclists, participants will be fully immersed from start to finish with daily gravel rides and detailed classroom instruction on all things gravel. Upon completion you will understand what gravel riding is all about, ideas on how to train and recover, how to be prepared for things you’ll encounter in gravel riding, and you will have discovered the beauty of Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas (NWA).

On Monday, May 8, we will hold an optional introduction to mountain biking for those who would like the experience. You will be provided with a rental mountain bike for the day. We will start with a morning clinic in a safe setting, followed by on-the-trail guided riding with hand-on lessons.

Institute Workshops will include

• Choice of fitted jersey, tech tee, or gravel short and shirt
• Hands on repair class
• Guided and supported rides
• Training tips
• How to prepare a training calendar led by USA Cycling Certified Coach Milt Sharp
• In depth look at recovery. Tips and tools to aid the recovery process.
• Pre-ride, ride day nutrition and hydration
• Bike packing trip essential knowledge

This 5-day event will include outdoor rides ranging from 10 to 50 miles, and a casual group recovery ride on the last day. Daily lunch will be provided.

Participant Equipment Requirements

• Bike helmet
• A bike that can be ridden on gravel (MTB, Cyclocross, gravel, etc.)
• Bike tool kit
• Water bottles or hydration pack
• On bike nutrition

Schedule (subject to change)

• Wednesday, May 3 - Meet and Greet: Opportunity to meet your fellow riders, event organizers, coaches, and to learn about what Bentonville has to offer. Your chosen event riding attire will be distributed along with other materials.
• Thursday, Friday and Saturday will consists of a morning ride, provided lunch, afternoon classroom-style clinic and an evening gathering.
• Sunday will start with a "social" recovery ride, which local Bentonville and surrounding area residents will be invited to join. Lunch and afternoon classroom-style clinic will follow the ride, and then later in the day will be the evening gathering.
• Monday, for those that choose the Intro to Mountain Biking option ($50 and maximum of 10 participants), will start with a skills clinic on a flat open field, followed by an afternoon guided mountain bike ride with on-trail lessons and feedback.

Release of Liability Agreement

Please click on this link to review the agreement. Purchase of a ticket confirms your agreement.

Please find below our video from the 2022 Bentonville Mountain Bike Week. We will have as wonderful time on and off gravel bikes. Join us!

For additional information please contact Harry Hill at hill8harry@gmail.com