Natural State Bikes

Amelia Neptune, Director of the Bicycle Friendly America program for the League of American Bicyclists joins host Anya Bruhin to share her story of commitment and persistence that shaped her career with the League. 

Marley Blonsky, co-founder of All Bodies on Bikes, talks with Jen Brazil with Women of Nebo and Arkansas NICA about empower women through biking regardless of their size.

Diane Jenks may be the Host and Producer of The Outspoken Cyclist podcast, but her career in the biking world is far more encompassing. From shop owner, to bike builder, author and advocate - Diane is truly a biking icon. Diane shares her story with Traci Berry in honor of Women's Month.

Fayetteville, AR was recently designated gold status as a bike friendly community by the League of American Bicyclists. Amelia Neptune (League of American Bicyclists), Dane Eifling (city of Fayetteville), and Brannon Pack (Experience Fayetteville) join NSB to talk about why gold status is important and what it takes to get there.

Johnny Brazil owns Jackalope Cycling in Russellville and is very involved in his community. He also takes his knowledge of bicycles to the Ivory Coast as part of his bike mission trip with 1040i. Be sure and put Russellville on your list of places to visit and stop by and see Johnny when you're in town. 

The Rule of 3 and the two events leading up to the Rule of 3 have quickly become signature events on the NWA biking scene and kick of the biking season in NWA. Andy Chasteen and Lauren Pickman, the wizards behind RO3, talk about how it all started, why it's so popular, and what participants can expect at an RO3 event.

Mic takeover as Joe Jacobs, Owner/Publisher of Arkansas Outside, talks with me about the Arkansas Gravel Series. The series features 8 gravel events across the state from April through November. Each event will also partner with a non-profit in the local community to raise awareness of food insecurity and mental health awareness. Get all the details at arkansasgravelseries.com

Big Mountain Enduro is the premiere enduro series in the country and is beginning their 2023 season at Mt. Nebo. Robert Herber, Event Director for BME, joins NSB to share the history of BME and the thought process for bringing the series to Arkansas - the only stop east of the Rockies for the 2023 series.

Traci Berry, Northwoods Trails Coordinator for Visit Hot Springs, talks all things biking in and around Hot Springs. There's biking for all ages and abilities in the spa city!

Jason Morgan is legally blind but he doesn't let being visually impaired stop him from achieving his biking goals. Never complaining or quitting, just pedaling.

The Arkansas gravel scene in north central Arkansas may just be the next hot spot on the gravel scene in the state. Bobby Finster is doing what he can to make that happen and the Sandtown Shuffle could be the event of the year in 2023.

Arkansas native Katherine Andrews shares insight into her role as Director of Outdoor Recreation for the state of Arkansas. Katherine's perspective is unique in that her office is one of less than 20 across the country.  While Arkansas has a myriad of outdoor recreation opportunities, biking is among the top and continues to grow.

Rebecca Davies, City Ratings Director, joins NSB to talk about how cities can improve their city rating score with PFB. And, John Paul Shaffer, Bike Innovation Director for PFBNWA, provides updates on what's going on in Bentonville and how Shift22 will shape bicycle advocacy going forward.

Martin and Kara Smith, residents of Birdeye, Arkansas, share their vision of revitalizing the Arkansas Delta through a network of gravel bike routes along Crowley's Ridge and throughout the delta region. Cultural immersion by bicycles and backroads.

The secret is out on the gravel roads climbing through the Ozark Mountains of northwest Arkansas. Bentonville is the host city for Big Sugar Gravel and the final stop in the Life Time Grand Prix. Aimee Ross and Amanda Boyer give us all the deats!

Bikepacking Roots is all about promoting bikepacking experiences and has teamed up with Experience Fayetteville for The Fayetteville Gathering. Kait Boyle and Brannon Pack share their thoughts on bikepacking and all details for the upcoming event. (Photo Credit: Bikepacking Roots)

A fun time talking with the McGraw family - John, Traci, and Beckett - about Beckett's BMX racing and what he likes to do when he's not racing.. Also, Andy Strecker (owner of NWA BMX in Lowell, Arkansas) shares more info on growing the sport of BMX.

Cyclo-cross returns to Centennial Park in Fayetteville, Arkansas October 14th thru the 16th. OZCX is a family and spectator friendly event culminating with the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup. The event partners with Arkansas Children's Hospital - Northwest to raise funds and awareness for pediatric care across NWA.

Keith Jordan from Conway, Arkansas shares his story about conquering The Tour Divide. Along the way he realized he was conquering more than just a bike race. 

Andrew Onermaa, Race Director for the High Country Race, has completed the race and has tons of experience riding Arkansas Gravel. He shares his personal knowledge as well as what he's learned from many others in this episode about the rigs, equipment, and gear of the Arkansas High Country Race.

Starting and ending in Hot Springs this year, year 4 of the Arkansas High Country Race includes the same grueling long course as past years PLUS 2 new routes: The South Loop and The Triple Crown. Plans are well under way for October 8th!

Bob Barnes and his bike SB2 biked to all 50 state capitals. A solo ride of over 16,000 miles in 359 days while raising awareness for blood and platelet donations.  This episode picks up where we left off when Bob passed through Arkansas in February.. Bob shares his thoughts on his journey and we learn how he made it to Juneau, AK and Honolulu, HI. Aloha Bob!

Jason Strohbehn, Director of Operations and Marketing for Gravel Worlds, talks about the history of the Pirate Cycling League and how that began Gravel Worlds. Influencing and shaping the gravel scene for over a decade and getting better every year. (

Ben Glenn, Director of the Bicycle Technician Certification Program at Northwest Arkansas Community College, recaps the inaugural year of the program and offers a sneak peak at what year two will look like.

Syllamo, Womble, RO3, around the US, and all the places in between - Heather Hankins has a great biking story. Never one to turn down an adventure and not afraid to bring others along on her biking experiences.  Keep it fun!

Kim Seay and Derek Brooks take over as hosts for this episode and are joined by Harry Hill and and Shane Coverdale. The group talks about the growth and challenges minority mountain bikers experience in mountain bike riding and racing. Bentonville, AR hosts the group for their 2nd annual trip to the Mountain Bike Capital of the World!

Lilly Outten's biking story is a great one. From helping others achieve their goals and reaching her own, the right attitude is important to making things happen. Ride your bike and be like a duck!

Andrea Nevel's biking story started when she began riding her bike to school back in elementary school. Fast forward to today and she's well known in the Springdale biking scene from leading group rides to working part-time  at Phat Tire bike shop. She has a great story with great insight. Be sure and meet her when you get the chance!

Kathryn Taylor and Aimee Ross along with Anya Bruhin as host, kick off the 'Women of Biking in Arkansas' series in honor of Women's History Month  and talk about how Girls Gone Gravel started and ending up with the inaugural Gone Gravel event hosted in Bentonville at the end of April. The benefits such as empowerment, confidence and community go beyond riding a bike. Be sure and tune in for other episodes in the series and hear from Andrea Nevel, Lilly Outen, and Heather Hankins. 

NEA Trailblazers and Bike NWA have joined forces as one non-profit with two teams. Erin Rushing and Paxton Roberts lead each respective team as the teams continue shaping the NWA bike scene and really the entire state. 

Bob Barnes is on a mission to bike to all 50 state capitals and work in some volunteer opportunities along the way. Bob shares about his ride as he has passed the halfway mark in both number of capitals and miles (by the way, his ride will be close to 16,000 miles). Be sure and follow his Facebook page - Bibbery Travels - where he does a great job of documenting his experience.

The Arkansas Delta is a network of gravel and farm roads weaving through some of the most fertile farmland in the world and Crowley's Ridge ascends on the Delta's western edge. Both together create a relatively untapped biking experience waiting to be inhaled. Martin Smith, owner/principal of Ecological Design Group along with Joe Jacobs, owner/editor of owner/editor of Arkansas Outside and Revenue Director at Arkansas State Parks, share plans for the area and talk about their recent bike ride from Jonesboro to Clarksdale, MS.

Leaders from across the state discuss the positive impact of biking to Arkansas. This impact includes the health, recreation, livability and bike tourism considerations this group is working hard to promote. (Photo Credit: Rock City Outfitters. You can get this cool image on a shirt at rockcityoutfitters.com. I love mine!)

Kyla Templeton (Founder and former Director of the Arkansas NICA League) and Nat Ross (MTB Hall of Fame) have joined forces to offer mountain bike skills training to kids (and adults in the near future). Bike School Bentonville offers classes to teach mountain bike skills based on a ski school model. Trail Kids is designed for kids ages 7 to 13 while The Academy is for kids at least 13 years old.

Faculty and students at Northwest Arkansas Community College completed the first semester of the bicycle technician certification program. In this episode of NSB, instructor Ben Glenn and student Biviana Romero share their stories and experiences about the program. 

Olivia Barraza hosts this episode as she talks with Biviana Romero about her biking story and experience in the bike technician program at Northwest Arkansas Community College. 

Karl Kroll is on an epic bike journey from the northern most point of Alaska to Costa Rica to complete the route he rode from the southern most tip of Argentina to Costa Rica. An amazing story of the community that biking builds and transcends all borders.

Biking to work has a lot of benefits and can be a lot of fun. People for Bikes along with representatives from Walmart and JB Hunt share about the recently launched bike to work programs for both companies. 

Lindsay shares about her racing to become the Arkansas High Country Race Women's Single Speed Record Holder. We also get into the other 17,000 miles of her ultra-distance racing/riding career including: The Tour Divide North and South bound, The French Divide, and the American Trail Race among others. Lindsay has a super laid back vibe and shares how this benefits her racing style. And to top it off, she's also a full-time van lifer which adds to her cool scale. (pc Kai Caddy)

Don't let cold weather keep you from riding or stay stuck inside on the trainer. Check out the latest episode of NSB as Olympic Cycling Coach and Author Gale Bernhardt shares cold weather riding tips! 

Luke Hall talks about his racing season and what it was like coming home for Big Sugar and the 5th place finish and friends/family waiting for him at the finish. 

Paul Alexander shares all the details for the Arkansas Cyclo-Cross State Championships p/b SHAM Events. Be sure and follow SHAM Events on Facebook to get all the latest event details. Coming soon from SHAM the Ouachita Gravel Grind.

Mat Stephens, of Dallas, TX, adds to his list of victories as the men's record holder for the Arkansas High Country Short Circuit Race completing the course in 17 hours and 36 minutes. (Photo Credit: Kai Caddy) 

Annie Davis shares the story of her record setting pace to become the women's record holder for the Arkansas High Country Short Circuit Race. (Photo Credit: Kai Caddy)

By cyclists for cyclists, Natural State Rock and Republic owned and operated by professional cyclists Ernie and Scotti Lechuga, has everything you need to improve your biking life. From training to biking expeditions and everything in between, Ernie and Scott can help you whatever your riding ability.  Check them out at naturalstaterockandrepublic.comAnd, Dave Neal, owner of Mojo Cycling, offers a productive review for Deity pedals. Go to deitycomponents.com for more info.

Brannon Pack, cycling coordinator for Experience Fayetteville, and Tiffany Dixon, founder of Breakaway Cycling and All Cross, join this episode to share all the details on the upcoming cross season including the UCI World Cup leading to the World Championships in January 2022.For more information go to:cyclocrossfayettevillear.com ANDallcross.org

Todd Sadow and his staff from Epic Rides have been putting together top quality mountain bike events such as 24 hours in the Old Pueblo for just over 20 years. And, on October 15, 2021, they are returning to Bentonville for the 3rd year of Oz-Trails Off-Road. There's something for riders of all ages and abilities as well as professional racing. You don't want to miss this year's event. 

Ashley Korenblat, CEO of Western Spirit Cycling and Founder of Outerbike, shares all things Outerbike and how an event such as this is helping make real change in the biking world. (Photo credit: Outerbike.com)

The Arkansas NICA League is entering its 6th season and is home to almost 750 student riders and about 350 coaches. The 2021 racing season features 3 new racing venues. Co -League Directors, Kyla Templeton and Terry Coddington, join NSB to share all the info on the upcoming season.

Whether you love Mt. Nebo and can't get enough or still on your list of places to go, mark your calendars for October 8th, 9th, and 10th for the Arkansas River Valley Bike Festival. Rides, races, and events for all ages and riding abilities. 

Cayden Parker, only racing for 5 years and at age 17, was selected to be a team member of the US Mountain Bike Team to race at the UCI MTB World Championships in  Val di Sole, Italy August 25th through August 29th. Cayden has a great story that started in Arkansas for which he credits hard work and a close relationship with his family.