CATA recently applied for a Blue and You Foundation grant to launch the Maumelle Charter School Mountain Bike Program. This proposed program represents a partnership between CATA and the Maumelle Charter School that would provide students with access to mountain bikes and introduce mountain biking into the school’s physical education program.

The grant application is a result of ongoing conversations and collaboration between CATA and Maumelle Charter School administrators.

CATA is excited at the prospect of working with the Maumelle Charter School to introduce mountain biking to a new generation of riders and trail stewards. Be sure to watch the CATA website and Facebook page for updates on the grant and Mountain Bike Program.

On October 3rd, CATA and ArkansasOutside.com will host the second annual Big Rock Mountain Bike Festival at Cooks Landing in North Little Rock. The festival is an extension of IMBA’s annual Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day that’s been held at various locations in central Arkansas over the past 4 years. The festival will include a kids obstacle course, easy trail rides on the Pfeifer Loop trail led by experienced mountain bike leaders and other events such as a women’s mountain biking clinic, a bunny-hop clinic and other games and contests.

The festival is family-friendly event designed for riders of all ages and abilities, and is currently scheduled to run from 9 am to 3 pm. Food and refreshments will also be available.

The 2014 festival was a tremendous success, with riders of all ages enjoying the trails and camaraderie of the central Arkansas mountain biking community. This year’s festival promises to be even bigger and better with new events and a few surprises - be sure to mark your calendar as you will not want to miss Big Rock!  

CATA will work on the Pfeiffer Loop trail in preparation for the event and will post information on upcoming trail work days as the festival approaches. Watch the CATA Facebook page and website for updates.

This Thursday, August 27th, Central Arkansas Water (CAW) will host a public workshop to discuss a proposed recreation plan for Lake Maumelle, Lake Winona and adjacent CAW property. 

CAW is seeking input and recommendations in order to “evaluate the water quality compatibility of current and potential recreation activities.”

This meeting represents a significant opportunity for mountain biking in central Arkansas as the section of the Ouachita Trail along the north shore of Lake Maumelle is currently closed to mountain bikes. 

CATA has met with CAW and requested that mountain bikes be permitted on this section of the trail, but to date, these requests have been denied. 

However, CAW representatives  assured us that there would be an opportunity to make a case for opening the trail to mountain bikes - this meeting is that opportunity.

Strength in Numbers
This is a call to action to the central Arkansas mountain biking community - we need your help in urging CAW to reconsider its position and include mountain bike access in its recreation plan for Lake Maumelle. Join us this Thursday from 6 to 8 PM at the Winfield United Methodist Church.

Details
The public workshop will occur on Thursday, August 27, from 6-8 pm at the Winfield United Methodist Church located at 20100 Cantrell Road, Little Rock 72223.

For more information about the Recreation Plan workshop and to RSVP, please contact Amanda Fleming at 205-588-4612, [email protected].