RISON - The third annual Cruisin’ Cleveland County Bike Ride is set to roll Saturday, June 14.
Co-organizers Darren Austin and Rison Mayor Charles Roberts, join the latest episode of Free Range Conversations to talk about the ride and share some exclusive news regarding the event!
The ride itself begins at 7 a.m. at Rison’s Pioneer Village. After checking in at 6:30 p.m., riders will take off on one of five routes with lengths at 21, 29, 44 and 65 miles.
New this year, a 20-mile gravel route has been added for riders who prefer the extra grind of a gravel ride.
The cost is $50 per rider, regardless of which route they choose.
Also new this year, will be a post-ride celebration that is open to the public beginning at 1 p.m.
After all riders have returned, the public is invited to come out to the Pioneer Village for food from Taco Shellz, a popular food truck that sells out at the Rison in the Fall Festival each year.
Cleveland County native and rising star across the state, Laura Caroline, will perform country music during the afternoon party.
Additional activities during the event include a touch-a-truck opportunity for kids and families to explore ambulances, police cars and even a helicopter.
The Rison Farmers Market will offer free vendor space for anyone wishing to sell produce or items. Anyone wishing to set up at the market should email risonshines@gmail.com to be added to the list.
During the podcast, which is streaming now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and ClevelandCountyHerald.com, Austin and Roberts join hosts Britt Talent and Douglas Boultinghouse to give a little background on how the event came together.
As mayor Roberts said he had ideas for events he wanted to bring to Rison, one being a bike ride after seeing the success of others across the state.
While eating at a restaurant in town, Roberts spotted Austin eating catfish and wearing a t-shirt with a bicycle on the front.
Never being one to shy away from starting a conversation, Roberts approached Austin to ask about his shirt.
What happened next was considered fate on two wheels.
Austin is a county native from the Woodlawn community who works for Arkansas Parks and Recreation with 30 years of experience in event and activity planning. Aside from that, Austin is a bike enthusiast who has been riding his bike since childhood.
Together, the two launched the event with volunteers from the Pioneer Village, Rison Shine and the Extension Homemakers Clubs in 2023.
The ride has been growing each year with around 30 participants in 2024 drawing people in from neighboring states of Texas and Louisiana.
Now in its third year, the organizers are hoping for a bigger turnout.
To register, visit RunSignUp.com for more details. Enter "Cleveland County" in the search option under "Find A Race."
Registrants will receive a t-shirt, goodie bag and meal ticket for Taco Shellz food truck.
A portion of each registration fee will also be donated to the Pioneer Village, the Rison United Methodist Food Pantry and Cleveland County Cares.
The 2025 ride is sponsored by Martin Orthopedics, FBT Bank, Entergy Arkansas, Cleveland County Auto Parts Bumper to Bumper, Rison Pharmacy and Wellness, Gateway Bank, Wilson Bros. Lumber Co., Rison Grind Gym, Absolute Health, My Berry Patch, Green House Cottages of Southern Hills, Jefferson Regional, Arkansas Patriot Coalition, EASI Ambulance Services, Arkansas Maritime Contractors, Bowlin Farms, Terry Renovations, Pickle Juice and Cleveland County HAM Radio.
Throughout the podcast, Austin also shares his thoughts on the explosion of interest in gravel riding, what makes this event at the historic Pioneer Village so unique, and tips riders can use to prepare for the ride that touches all parts of Cleveland County.