FAST New Year's Day Ride and Chili Cook-Off

Name: FAST New Year's Day Ride and Chili Cook-Off
Start: 2026-01-01T10:30:00-06:00
End: 2026-01-01T15:00:00-06:00
Location: Gear Garden

Schedule

Thu Jan 01 2026 at 10:30 am to 03:00 pm

UTC-06:00

Location

Gear Garden | Bella Vista, AR

Kick off the New Year with a ride and great community vibes with Friends of Arkansas Singletrack!
This event is open to all!
Date: January 1, 2026
Location: Blowing Springs - Gear Garden Park Pavilion
Time:
10:30 AM: Drop-off dishes/setup
11:00 AM: Group Rides Depart
12:30/1:00 PM: Social
Event Details:
Depart the Blowing Springs Gear Garden park area at 11:00 AM for a 1.5–2 hour ride, followed by post-ride fun back at the park!
Bring your best crockpot of chili to share with the group and enter the cook-off competition. Winner gets a prize!
There will be plug-ins available to keep your dish warm and ready to enjoy.
Check out the Sign Up Genius to let us know how you would like to get involved: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054CA4AC2DAAF5C25-60617601-newyears
Parking will be available near the Gear Garden pavilion or at the Blowing Springs entry parking lot.
Group Ride Guidelines:
New to the ride? Opt for a lower level if you're unsure. We aim to provide an option for multiple skill levels—beginners to experienced riders! Communication is key! If you need to split from the group, tell another rider, so they can share it with the entire group at the next stop.
It’s every rider’s responsibility to help create a fun, safe, and inclusive environment for everyone!
Two important rules:
Always let someone know if you need to split off from the group.
Be aware of where the rider is behind you.
A Group (e-bike): “High” paced and challenging group ride, with minimal stops. These are the faster of our group rides; 9.5-10+ mph average for the entire ride. Be prepared to push your physical limits & technical skills.
B Group: “Above average” paced and somewhat challenging group ride, with regrouping as needed. Average pace on flat terrain: 11-12mph, with an average pace of 9-10mph for the entire ride.
C Group: Average paced ride, the ride will regroup often. Average pace on flat terrain: 9-10mph, with an average pace of 7-8.5mph for the entire ride.
Par-D-Pace Group: Average paced ride with frequent regroups at tops of climbs and features for rest and shenanigans. Average pace on flat terrain: 7-9mph, with an average pace of 6-8mph for the entire ride.
E-Z Group: This ride is perfect for 1st time FAST group riders and for those that are newer to the sport of mountain biking. Expect frequent stops while your ride leader strives to ensure everyone is comfortable with the terrain and pace. This is a no-drop ride.
***New Mountain Bikers please make sure to introduce yourself to the Ride Leader & Sweeper***
Every rider within each group is responsible for knowing where the rider behind them is and communicating forward if there are issues during the ride. The slowest rider is the most significant rider of any group.