Much like most of our trails, Allied Cycle Works bikes, the brand made at HIA Velo in Little Rock are Handmade In Arkansas. This past Tuesday night, CATA members and guests were treated to a tour of one of the most remarkable businesses in the area. Thanks to Barrett and Chris for giving us a tour of the production facility where state-of-the-art carbon bikes are being hand built for clients around the world.

Beer was provided by another local company excelling in handmade product, Flyway Brewing who offered up their recently canned Free Range Brown Ale. We had somewhere around 60 people there for the tours, beers and conversation. Save the date on your calendars for another social at another new spot in February on the second Tuesday of the month. 

The morning of Sunday January 7th was the warmest wake up in days. There were a few women who were very happy to know that the temperatures would not be below freezing all day because they had plans to work in a new, 1/4 mile section of trail at the Boyle Park Mountain Bike Trails. Nine women gathered in the parking lot and began unloading tools, loppers, shovels, pick axes, saws, and rakes. In a couple of hours, a brand new entry trail took shape by the removal of privet, low branches, a few small trees, lots of vines and five bags of garbage. The new trail will allow riders to enter the trail (Grilled) on the east side of the parking lot and crossing the street at the section that is now closed to traffic.  There is still work to be done removing a large tree, smoothing out the bumps of fresh new trail, and correcting some off camber sections, but it’s already rideable. 

This new entrance will allow trail users to enter and exit the trail directly from the parking area instead of crossing the road . Maps will be available soon.

Following the trail work we headed over to Core Brewery in North Little Rock for well earned beverages and food.

There will be more ladies only work parties, more work parties at Boyle and work parties all around Central Arkansas. Check our calendar for the next fun day creating, fixing or even just enjoying the trail.
- Lisa Mullis