RISON - While the number of riders was down this year, organizers behind the Cruisin’ Cleveland County bike ride held Saturday are already looking at ways to improve next year’s event with some new paved routes and expanded gravel routes. “I thought it went well, but the weather scared some people off,” said Rison Mayor Charles Roberts, who is a co-organizer of the ride along with Darren Austin, a Cleveland County native who is the parks and recreation director for the City of Sherwood.This was the third year for the Cruisin’ Cleveland County bike ride. The first two events had more than 30 riders, but only 22 took part in Saturday’s ride. Roberts blamed the drop in riders to the weather forecast, which was calling for a 90 percent chance of rain that never materialized.More than half of those who did show up Saturday were repeat riders, some taking part for the third time. Roberts said the ride once again had good reviews, with some willing to help promote next year’s event through their contacts in the biking community.Roberts said he and Austin, as well as some of the other volunteers, visited after the ride about ways to improve it next year. Some of the suggestions were to add a longer gravel route next, perhaps taking advantage of the network of gravel roads north of Kingsland for the extended route. There was also discussion about changing up some of the paved routes as well.Another suggestion was to have the ride serve as a training event for the Big Dam Bridge 100, which is held in September. It was pointed out that the Big Dam Bridge 100 has a series of smaller rides leading up to the big ride in September.Roberts said some riders from the Central Arkansas area volunteered to promote the Cleveland County ride through their fellow riders at home as well as the bike shops they use.A meeting to begin planning next year’s ride will be held Aug. 4 in Rison. ...
To access content, please login or purchase a subscription.