Summary
On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Gary Vernon, a seasoned Sr. Program Officer at the Walton Personal Philanthropy Group. Gary, a key person behind OZ Trails, is the main reason for the explosion of the mountain bike trails in NWA. Throughout the episode, James and Gary discuss the large expansion of trails and what that has meant for the culture and economy in NWA, specifically Bentonville. 

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Show Notes:
(1:57) Introduction to Gary Vernon
(3:04) Walton Family Foundation vs. Walton Personal Philanthropy 
(4:31) The Rise to Mountain Bike Capital of the World
(7:22) About OZ Trails
(9:41) Specialty of the NWA Trails
(15:23) NWA’s E-bike Mentality
(18:09) Why Cycling Companies Are Moving to NWA
(24:45) About the Bicycle Industry Employers Association
(27:05) Economic Impact of NWA’s Trial System
(34:48) Changes in the NWA Region
(43:05) Where Bentonville Is Headed
(45:11) Final Questions
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‍Links
JAMES BELL‍‍
GARY VERNON
WALTON PERSONAL PHILANTHROPY GROUP
OZ TRAILS

Quotes
“I can do a nine-mile ride from work on a single track within a block of my house, which is amazing…I think the benefit that we really can’t measure is the mental benefit of being able to get active, and you don’t have to ride a mountain bike to be on [the trails].” – Gary Vernon, (29:35)

“I couldn’t tell you how many people I’ve met in the last year that have moved here, and they can work remote wherever they want and just wanted to be near the trail. The sense of pride in the region is definitely noticeable.” – Gary Vernon, (35:11)

“Sustainability is a big word in the trail building industry because weather and use and all that can wear on a trail and raise the cost of maintaining it. That’s the one thing that we’re always trying to solve is the maintenance conundrum.” – Gary Vernon, (43:10)‍‍
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How Bentonville Became the Mountain Biking Capital of the World with Gary Vernon
On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Gary Vernon, a seasoned Sr. Program Officer at the Walton Personal Philanthropy Group. Gary, a key person behind OZ Trails, is the main reason for the explosion of the mountain bike trails in NWA. Throughout the episode, James and Gary discuss the large expansion of trails and what that has meant for the culture and economy in NWA, specifically Bentonville.
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NWA: Mountain Bike Capital of the World
When it comes to labeling NWA as The Mountain Bike Capital of the World, some have questioned what makes this area so special. The Arkansas trail systems are exceptional because the majority have been built within the last decade, meaning the latest techniques are being employed, and the best trail builders are constructing them. Secondly, much of the top-tier trail-building talent has moved into the area and created healthy competition, ensuring that each trail-building company is only putting out its best work. On top of that, these companies are continuing to progress by learning and feeding off of each other.
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On average, two miles of new trails are built each week, allowing creative trail builders who understand the vision of NWA to build memorable features that people can’t wait to ride. Trail builders from all over the nation have traveled here to build trails, and they are pushing the envelope and trying new things like different trail surfaces. Whether it’s a technical natural stone surface or using a road-type surface that requires no maintenance, there’s a wide variety of different types of trails that allows for riders of all skill levels to enjoy riding here year-round.
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The Economic Impact of the NWA Trail Systems
‍Since 2017, the NWA trail systems have grown rapidly, resulting in more and more people using the trails. Tracking the number of people using the trails is difficult because of how many miles of trails there are, but there are trail counters around the region that capture every time someone passes in front of them. In 2019, trail counters indicated that 862,000 people used the trails, and 1.5 million people rode those same trails in 2020.

The growth of the trail systems could not have come at a better time, as the pandemic forced people to be inside more. The trails provided an exceptional mental and physical health benefit by allowing everyone to get outside during the shutdown. Furthermore, the trail systems have effectively connected neighborhoods, allowing residents to foster more relationships within their community. A hiking club in Bella Vista with over one hundred members loves hiking the mountain bike trails because they meet people from all over the country and the world. There are now trails that connect neighborhoods to waterfalls and lakes that people used to have to drive to. Ultimately, the trails have unlocked the hidden beauty of the region.

“I can do a nine-mile ride from work on a single track within a block of my house, which is amazing…I think the benefit that we really can’t measure is the mental benefit of being able to get active and you don’t have to ride a mountain bike to be on them.” – Gary Vernon, (29:35)
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Get Connected!
‍Thanks for tuning in to this episode of The Bentonville Beacon! Join us weekly for more stories from entrepreneurs and business leaders who are making a positive impact on Bentonville’s culture, community, and lifestyle. Don’t forget, Bentonville is a place where you can have more of what you want and less of what you don’t!