Family Bike Night Coming to the Natural State Criterium Series in Downtown Springdale with More Fun & Prizes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 13, 2024 

Contact: Jill Dabbs, Executive Director  

Downtown Springdale  

jill@downtownspringdale.org / (501) 425-0478  

Family Bike Night Coming to the Natural State Criterium Series in Downtown Springdale with More Fun & Prizes 

Three weeknights of  family-friendly bike rides, bike races, community bike donations, music, a glow ride & more. 

Springdale, AR – Family Bike Night is coming to Downtown Springdale! The community can expect three weeknights of family-friendly bike rides, community bike donations, music, crit bike races and a glow ride following the race. The Family Bike Nights take place during the Natural State Criterium Series. The crit races have been presented by Tyson Foods for 4 years, and this year will be bigger than ever. Thanks to generous sponsors including Tyson Foods, Buffalo Builders and Ozark Foundation, the cash prizes over the three races total $10,000. 

The crit races take place on April 17, May 15 and June 12 inside the Downtown Outdoor Dining District making it easy for the community to spectate. “We’re thrilled to bring the Natural State Criterium Series back to Springdale for another summer of fast racing and free family fun,” says Jill Dabbs, Executive Director of Downtown Springdale Alliance. “If you haven’t experienced this series before, imagine NASCAR but for cycling, and each year the crowds get bigger & louder. With $10,000 in prizes, we expect even more crowds, more cyclists and faster times!”   

WHAT THE COMMUNITY CAN EXPECT: 

• Pedal Kids USA and Lisa Academy will host a Cargo Family Bike Ride departing at 6PM from the Lisa Academy parking lot. Riders will go to the Jones Center to ride on the Runway Bike Park and ride back to Lisa Academy.  

• Pedal It Forward will donate bikes to the community at 5PM at the starting line on Emma Ave.  

• A DJ presented by Smoothman Music Productions will be playing tunes throughout the night.  

• Following the last race, the community can jump onto the race course for a glow ride from 8-9PM. This is a free family-friendly bike ride. We encourage all to light up their bikes!  

• Racing takes place inside the Outdoor Dining District so spectators can purchase a to-go drink from participating bars and restaurants and enjoy the race. 

• Restaurants and bars will serve up bike specials to cyclists & spectators. 

RACE DETAILS:  

Races take place on April 17, May 15 and June 12. Racing begins with a beginner-friendly, coached clinic that teaches basic skills. This is followed by three levels of racing from beginner to the final event which has local pros racing. Also included is a Phat Tire race which includes 2 fun laps for mountain bikers. 

Each race starts at 4:30PM. Riders compete for $10,000 in cash prizes. Racing will be chip timed with live results. These are USA Cycling-sanctioned criterium races. Events will be held rain or shine. Registration fees range from $10-30. There is no charge to watch the races. Registration is available at https://bit.ly/434oTQd.  

Criterium Clinic, led by pro road cyclists and coaches   

4:30 PM -- 20 minutes   

Women (Cat 3, 4 & Novice)  

5:00 PM -- 25 minutes  

Level C (Cat 4 & Novice Men & Women)  

5:30 PM  -- 25 minutes    

Fat Tire   

6:10 PM -- 2 laps   

Level B (Cat 3 & 4 Men & Women)  

6:30 PM  -- 35 minutes   

(Cash payout to the top 3 males and top 3 females)  

Level A (Open Men and Women)  

7:15 PM -- 45 minutes   

(Cash payout to the top 5 males and top 5 females)  

The Natural State Criterium Series is presented by Downtown Springdale and Tyson Foods. The series is supported by more than a dozen local businesses including Buffalo Builders, Ozark Foundation, Explore Springdale, Hugg & Hall, Northwest Arkansas Naturals, Equipment Share, Central State Manufacturing, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Black Apple Hard Cider, Social Project Brewing Co., Springdale Chamber of Commerce, Pedal It Forward, Pedal Kids USA, Banco Si, Springdale Bike Club, Dentistry of the Ozarks,  Cram-a-lot, Rein Hibachi & Sushi, The Jones Center, NWACC and Lisa Academy. Bike Arkansas is the media sponsor.  More information can be found at downtownspringdale.org.  

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ABOUT DOWNTOWN SPRINGDALE ALLIANCE:   

Downtown Springdale Alliance is a nonprofit that was formed in 2011 with a mission to create a vibrant downtown Springdale. More information at downtownspringdale.org. 

ABOUT TYSON FOODS:   

Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN) is one of the world’s largest food companies and a recognized leader in protein. Founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson and grown under three generations of family leadership, the company has a broad portfolio of products and brands like Tyson®, Jimmy Dean®, Hillshire Farm®, Ball Park®, Wright®, Aidells®, ibp®, and State Fair®. Tyson Foods innovates continually to make protein more sustainable, tailor food for everywhere it’s available and raise the world’s expectations for how much good food can do. Headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas, the company has 139,000 team members. Through its Core Values, Tyson Foods strives to operate with integrity, create value for its shareholders, customers, communities and team members and serve as a steward of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it. Visit tysonfoods.com to learn more.