Big Sugar, Good Coffee and Gravel: A Few Days in Bentonville

There are some places that just get cycling. Bentonville, Arkansas, is definitely one of them.

We headed to Bentonville for Big Sugar Gravel, a firm fixture on the gravel calendar and a great excuse to catch up with the cycling community on the other side of the Atlantic.

Big Sugar is about more than just racing. It's a chance to catch up with athletes, reconnect with friends across the industry and spend a few days surrounded by people who share a passion for riding bikes.

Race Day Build Up with Charlotte Clarke

Flying the Parcours flag at Big Sugar was Charlotte Clarke, who earned a wildcard entry into the Life Time Grand Prix this year, putting her amongst some of the strongest gravel riders in the sport.

Charlotte got off to a strong start, looking well placed for a good result, at one point being 30 seconds up the road, before a badly timed puncture disrupted her race. Despite the setback, she battled through to finish 24th.

Not quite the result she'd been hoping for after such a promising start, but a solid effort against a competitive field and another valuable experience racing at the highest level of gravel.

Charlotte said of her race, “My day was sweet and sour. I felt really good at the start and anticipated - going up the road solo. When the bunch caught me, it had reduced quite a bit and I’d been able to clear most of the technical stuff with clear air. The pace went on but I bit down and managed to hang in there! Unfortunately I then flatted on one of the small descents. I rode for a while with barely any air, trying to make it back to the group, but eventually I had to stop and inflate it. 

I ended up in a small group who I rode with to the finish and I won the bunch kick for 24th.”

More Than Just a Race

One of the best things about heading to events like Big Sugar is the opportunity to spend time with the people behind the sport.

From catching up with Charlotte to conversations with other brands, media and familiar faces in the industry, there's always plenty happening beyond the start and finish lines.

It's these conversations, whether over a morning coffee, out on the trails or with a post-ride beer, that make trips like this so worthwhile.

Coffee, Beer and Plenty of Trails

Bentonville has built a reputation as a cycling destination, and it's easy to see why.

There's an impressive network of trails right on the doorstep, a thriving cycling culture and no shortage of good places to stop for coffee or a beer.

The town seems to revolve around bikes, with riders everywhere and plenty of opportunities to explore on two wheels. Whether it's getting out on the gravel roads, exploring the local trails or simply soaking up the atmosphere downtown, there's a lot to enjoy.

Until Next Time, Bentonville

Big Sugar was another reminder of what makes the cycling community so special.

Of course, we're always excited by the racing and seeing athletes like Charlotte take on some of the biggest events in the sport, but it's just as much about the people, the conversations and the experiences that happen around it.

A few days of bikes, good coffee, great company and some excellent trails. Not a bad way to spend a week.

Thanks to everyone we caught up with along the way. Bentonville, we'll be back.