Having been running cycling events for over 12 years, Gran Fondo Hincapie has recently launched its latest event taking place in Bentonville, Arkansas. Set for September 6-8, 2024, the event features a weekend of riding, food, entertainment, and more.
Cyclists can choose to ride the paved roads of Northwest Arkansas on Saturday, Sunday, or both days, with each day offering multiple distance options. Gran Fondo Hincapie and the City of Bentonville are working together to grow Bentonville into a road cycling destination to complement the region’s existing gravel and mountain biking credentials.
The Bentonville event adds to Gran Fondo Hincapie’s line-up of other upcoming events taking place in Chattanooga, TN (May 3-4), Lehigh Valley, PA (May 31- June 1), Bangor, ME (Jun 21-22), Greenville, SC (Oct 18-19), and Merced, CA, which took place on Mar 16-17.
“Bentonville is a must-visit cycling destination that not only has top-tier roads, gravel, and trails to ride, but also a vibrant and fun city to explore, dine, and unwind in after a long day on the bike,” said Rich Hincapie.
“The best part will be waiting for you at the finish line in Downtown Bentonville where friends, family, and thousands of other cyclists will be waiting to cheer you on as you accomplish your riding goal. Grab a beverage and enjoy two days of food and friendship at our Family Fun Festival. Our events are designed for participants of all skill levels, giving everyone a chance to connect with other cycling enthusiasts and indulge their passion for cycling.”
Before the riding kicks off, the Hincapie team is hosting participants for an evening under the stars sampling culinary creations from top chefs, and enjoying each course with a glass of wine selected by a master sommelier. Riders get a chance to mingle with one another as well as with the chefs and Hincapie team.
The day one courses of the Gran Fondo Hincapie-Bentonville weekend have plenty of rollers with a course that runs west out of town and then heads north, just shy of the Missouri state line, with an overall elevation change of 6,000 feet for the 78-mile Gran course, 3,600 feet for the 53-mile Medio, and just 800 feet for the 14-mile Piccolo. All three routes feature scenery with a finish line right in the heart of downtown Bentonville.
On day two, riders are treated to a different set of road courses. The course on Sunday starts with a gentle warm-up heading north out of town, and travels through the countryside into the rolling hills of Missouri before heading back down into Arkansas, approaching Bentonville from the east. With only 5,000 feet of elevation gain for the 86-mile Gran and 2,900 feet for the 45-mile Medio, these courses (along with the 18-mile Piccolo) are a gentler option than the more aggressive hills on Saturday.
“We are excited to welcome the Gran Fondo participants to Bentonville in September,” said Jamie Cathey, Outdoor Recreation Events Manager at Visit Bentonville.
“Our incredible cycling culture, combined with our vibrant downtown, amazing restaurants, and world-class museums, give our city a chance to offer a signature Bentonville experience to those joining us for the ride. We know they will find so many reasons to love our city while they are here.”
