Weekend: Too Big To Be Contained here!

As is usually the case for spring weekends, there are more events scheduled than I can adequately cover, so I'm going to be link-dependent! This is an enviable problem for the cycling community and one that seems to be growing along with increasing numbers of cyclists. Here are a few events of note:

The Slobber Knocker MTB Endurance Race

Slobber Knocker, presented in part by CARVE and Chainwheel , is happening on Saturday, April 21, starting and ending in Perryville, AR.  The main event is 75 miles, and there is a 55 mile option as well. This is the third race in the Arkansas Mountain Bike Marathon Series, with the next event in the series coming up on May 19 with Syllamo's Revenge. While Slobber Knocker is mostly fast action on timber access roads, Syllamo is all about the single track.

Photo from Syllamo's Revenge site
The 65 Roses Tour: Searcy, AR

This 65 mile tour, with a 35 mile and 11 mile "Fun Ride" option, benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and starts from Spring Park in Searcy. On line registration is closed, but you may still register in person before 7:15 AM. Details may be obtained by following the link above.

CARTI Tour De Rock Training Rides: Saturday 8AM River Trail Station

The Tour de Rock has grown into arguably the second most popular event ride in Central Arkansas (the BDB100 is still the biggie!) and is a fund raiser for CARTI. While the event itself is popular, the Saturday morning training rides leading up to it could pretty well stand on their own as folks join in to build early season fitness and hone their group riding skills. In a change from recent years, you must be registered for the Tour de Rock in order to participate in the training rides. I think the training rides had become so popular that the numbers were stretching the resources of the volunteers and sponsors.
The training rides usually have three groups based on average speed so that everyone can find a comfortable spot. For those interested in throwing down a fast century, the Tour de Rock is the ride. The course is flat and it is easy to find a fast pack to work with; then it's up to you to hang on for 100 miles! The ride date has conflicted with vacation plans for us for the last couple of years, but my most recent TdR was by far my fastest 100 miler. That said, not everybody is interested in scorching the course so there are plenty of folks just enjoying the ride and making leisurely stops at the well-stocked aid stations.

Next week, Saturday April 28: Biking for Bigs
(OOPS! Date corrected to 4/28! JB )

Biking for Bigs is a 20 mile River Trail tour in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arkansas.  This is the first year for this event.

Biking for Bigs looks to be a nice family event or just a chance for riders to get the feel of an event ride. I know that many folks are a little intimidated at the thought of hitting the open road for events like the BDB in what they perceive as a mass of mad dog speedsters, so a smaller event and shorter distance can be helpful in gaining confidence for that first century.