Gravel Grinder ride will raise money for Compassion's Foundation

Once the weather changes to comfortable fall temperatures, it will be time once again for the 2024 Pedals for Compassion Gravel Grinder.

The event will be on Saturday, October 5, 2024. It will begin at the Columbia County Fairgrounds at 200 Columbia Road 12. Those who would like to register may do so on the Gravel Grinder Facebook page.

Registration through August is $55. Beginning September 1, registration will be $65 per rider.

There are three routes from which to choose.

7:30 a.m. – 100-mile Pedal De Grindo

9 a.m. – 45-mile Dirt Eaters Express

10:30 a.m. – 15-mile A Taste of Gravel.

The routes include brine field roads throughout Columbia County, Ouachita County roads and Smart Oil Field roads around the Stephens area.

Originally the Pedals for Compassion Ride began in downtown Magnolia and continued off on different county roads depending on the mile lengths selected by cyclists, but this is the second year the ride has been held beginning at the fairgrounds so riders could get a taste of riding on gravel roads, a trend that is quickly taking over the cycling world, explained Lesley Thompson, Pedals for Compassion event coordinator.

This is the sixth year for a cycling event for the nonprofit overall.

“Gravel riding is growing like wildfire everywhere. Northwest Arkansas has become the mecca of mountain biking and that's overlapping into gravel options because of the influence of big sponsors and growing interest in getting off the main streets,” Thompson said. North Arkansas has beautiful views and the infrastructure to draw in more cycling minded industry and people.”

However, Thompson despite North Arkansas being a perfect setting for cycling, the interest in gravel rides spreads across the entirety of Arkansas and in bordering states in the Ark-La-Tex.

“The options are funneling down towards us in South Arkansas. There's a ton of gravel between Magnolia and Shreveport to be ridden. East Texas offers a multitude of excellent gravel rides, and I know of several in the central to north Louisiana area,” Thompson said. “If there's dirt and gravel on a few roads, there's events taken place in those areas. People are branching out and finding routes and communities are building the cycling infrastructure to attract riders.”

Pedals for Compassion Gravel Grinder cyclists will receive a complimentary grilled chicken sandwich lunch with chips and a drink and rest stops throughout the routes will offer snacks to help riders refuel and homemade baked goods are always listed as a perk of the Magnolia ride by cyclists after they complete the event.

In addition, there will be live music provided after riders cross the finish line to enjoy their lunches and desserts and to recuperate.