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Cycling

Creating the Safest and Most Connected Community

In this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Jessica Pearson, Manager of the Bentonville Moves Coalition, a vibrant alliance of more than five hundred community organizations, local businesses, schools, institutions, civic leaders and engaged residents working together to make the Greater Bentonville Area the safest and most connected city in the Heartland by 2027. With a commitment to creating a mobility network that is equitable to all users, the Bentonville Moves Coalition supports increased transportation choices for Bentonville’s bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, plus policies and initiatives that improve prosperity, health and quality of life.

As a visionary leader, Jessica previously oversaw the development of twenty-five miles of natural surface trails in Springfield, Missouri. She now leads the Bentonville Moves Coalition to keep the Greater Bentonville Area community informed about projects headed by Trailblazers and the City of Bentonville.

Throughout the episode, Jessica expands on how the Bentonville Moves Coalition’s is bringing their vision to life, emphasizing tactical urbanism, protected routes, and clear road rules to further bolster Bentonville’s amazing quality of life. Additionally, Jessica highlights how upcoming projects, active committees, and a mini-grant program are accelerating Bentonville’s transportation and mobility innovations.

Pedal-Powered Tales

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell sits down with Scott Fitzgerald, Founder and CEO of Buddy Pegs, for a captivating conversation about how Buddy Pegs is shaping the future through cycling programming and community engagement. For two years, Scott took his passion for cycling education and programming to Thaden School, where he served as the Wheels Program Specialist and inspired junior high and high school students to get on bikes and discover their own passion. Throughout the episode, James and Scott discuss Buddy Pegs’ cycling programming, Bentonville’s unique cycling and entrepreneurial opportunities, Scott’s time at Thaden School and how he uses storytelling to inspire the next generation of riders.

Shifting Gears: Living Life By Bike

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell sits down with Tom McMullen for a rousing conversation about Rapha’s role in Bentonville’s exceptional bike culture. Tom is the Managing Director for North America at Rapha, the world’s finest cycling clothing brand, which relocated its North American headquarters from Portland, Oregon, to Bentonville, Arkansas, a few years ago. Throughout the episode, Tom and James discuss Tom’s recent move from London to Bentonville, Rapha’s expansion into mountain bike apparel and living life by bike in Bentonville.

Creating a More Sustainable Future in Cycling

In this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell sits down with Elysia Contreras Springer and Zach Springer for an inspiring conversation about Gnargo Bike Co., which they founded in 2022. Gnargo Bike Co. is a trailblazing e-bike startup that seamlessly blends the charm of classic frames with modern electric functionality. The brand is reviving the timeless allure of vintage bikes, transforming them into state-of-the-art electric cargo bikes, while maintaining a commitment to a regenerative supply chain and prioritizing upcycling and sustainability. With a mission rooted in reducing waste, celebrating nostalgia and promoting eco-conscious transportation, Gnargo Bike Co. is more than a brand—it’s a movement towards a more sustainable future in cycling. Throughout the episode, the trio discusses Gnargo’s innovative and sustainable business model, the benefits of living and working in Bentonville, and Zach and Elysia’s experience with local entrepreneur support organizations, including the Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program (GORP), Builders+Backers Northwest Arkansas and more.

Making the Wild More Accessible to All

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Jeremy McGhee, Founder of The UNPavement, a movement that’s helping everyone get off the pavement and into the wild to heal our hurting culture of Nature Deficit Disorder. Jeremy is also Founder of JPM PRO, the US distributor of Sport-ON, off-road handcycles, providing adaptive mountain bikes and accessories to disabled riders, including options for paraplegics and quadriplegics. Additionally, Jeremy is a pro athlete, YouTuber, blogger, podcaster and consultant that partners with public, private and nonprofit land managers to design safe and fun universal trail systems. Throughout the episode, James and Jeremy discuss his business venture distributing off-road handcycles, his mission of ensuring disabled athletes have full access to the outdoors and how he is pioneering trails for everybody.

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Nurturing and Celebrating Diversity in Mountain Biking

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell shares the studio with Harry Hill, Founder of Minority Mountain Bikers (MMB), an organization dedicated to increasing and highlighting diversity in mountain biking. This episode spotlights the third annual Minority Mountain Bikers Bentonville Bike Week, comprising several days of rides, skills clinics, cultural events and community activities. Throughout the episode, James and Harry discuss the genesis and evolution of Minority Mountain Bikers, riders’ experiences during MMB Bentonville Bike Week and the wide range of support received from Bentonville and numerous people and organizations across Northwest Arkansas.

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Highlighting the Spectacular Rise of Bentonville

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, regular host James Bell takes a seat in the guest chair to be interviewed by his intern Allie Johnston, who was matched with Bentonville Economic Development through the University of Arkansas’ Venture Intern Program. The Venture Intern Program connects undergraduate students from the university with startups, entrepreneurs, support organizations and investor networks for semester-long internships. Throughout the episode, Allie and James discuss James’ current role as Vice President for Economic Development at the Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce, how Bentonville is a place that punches above its body weight and the exciting things in store for Bentonville’s future. 

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Celebrating Bentonville’s Thriving Cycling Economy

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Kenny Belaey, Founder and CEO of Bentonville Bike Fest, a festival that celebrates and champions everything bike related in Bentonville. Originally from Belgium, Kenny is a globetrotting mountain biker who holds the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) record for most podium spots at a world championship in the discipline of trial. Since his career started in 1996, Kenny has been nicknamed the Magician for his ability to clear seemingly impossible obstacles. He has been featured on the Extreme Sports Channel and is a Red Bull ambassador. Throughout the episode, James and Kenny discuss the motivation behind establishing the Bentonville Bike Fest, Kenny’s travels across the world and the exponential growth of the biking industry in Bentonville. 

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Accelerating Outdoor Industry Startups – Part 2

This Bentonville Beacon episode is part two of a bonus series that highlights the third cohort of the Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program (GORP). James Bell is joined by Brent Robinson, Founder of Greenway Bike Co., Alex Huesing from Cloud Pad, Marley Blonsky, Co-founder of All Bodies on Bikes and Eliot Jackson with Reggy. GORP is a Bentonville-based business incubator focused on the development of innovative solutions within the outdoor recreation industry. Its third cohort features a mountain climbing startup and five cycling companies that have access to team mentoring, workshop training and dedicated product/service development to help them launch, build and scale globally. Throughout the episode, James, Brent, Alex, Marley and Eliot discuss the intent behind each of their companies, how they’ve benefited from participating in GORP’s third cohort and how the Bentonville community is helping them build and expand their businesses.

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Accelerating Outdoor Industry Startups – Part 1

This Bentonville Beacon episode is part one of a bonus series that highlights the third cohort of the Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program (GORP). First, host James Bell is joined by Phil Shellhammer, who was recently appointed by Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders to the Natural State Advisory Council. Phil is Director of Business Incubation for the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Arkansas, and he is responsible for GORP. GORP is a Bentonville-based business incubator focused on the development of innovative solutions within the outdoor recreation industry. After speaking with Phil, James sits down with co-founders of two companies in GORP’s third cohort, including Michael Burton and Clayton Woodruff, CEO and COO of UNCL Co, and Tracy Byrd from Best Ride of Your Life, b-royl. Throughout the episode, James, Phil, Michael, Clayton and Tracy discuss these companies, how the GORP experience is advantageous to founders and why the diversity of GORP’s mentors is important.

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