Buffalo Headwaters Challenge celebrates 20th anniversary
From Jan. 24 to 26, the Buffalo Headwaters Challenge (BHC) — what has become the premier mountain bike event of the winter season — celebrates its 20th anniversary. Cyclists travel from as far away as Colorado to attend the annual event, hosted at Headwaters School in Red Star, located in Madison County.
Rob Reno, president of Ozark Off-Road Cyclists (OORC), said, “You really don’t want to miss this year’s platinum anniversary event. We have added trails that have never been included, and we will have some huge mountain-bike-related news to share that everyone will be very interested in.” This will include details about Phase II of the Buffalo Headwaters trail system.
This three-day, all-inclusive “off the grid” festival offers a fun-filled weekend for everyone. It includes five meals, libations, primitive/RV camping, two bands, fantastic mountain biking, and a “gravel grinder.” There’s a trail run for outdoor enthusiasts who choose sneakers over knobbies. There is even a nonrider entry pass for all the festivities except for cycling.
Says Michelle Williams of Fort Smith, who attends to support her spouse, “I love going as a nonrider because it’s such a fun event. I like to drive to the Firetower Rest Stop for some soup and a sandwich and to cheer my husband, Andy, on.”
Day 1
The first day of the event is “nesting” day, as everyone settles in for the weekend ahead. Participants head to the registration tent to collect wristbands and a goodie bag. Then, after locating the perfect place to pitch a tent, they can wander about, visiting with old friends and making new ones. Come evening, the community of cyclists will feast on heaping helpings of Phat Tire Bike Shop’s famous chili with all the fixings. Day 1 will wind down as everyone with full bellies gathers under a tent canopy to listen to the hillbilly-techno vibes of Spooklights.
Day 2
At the break of day, cyclists peek their heads out their tent doors to see what Mother Nature has planned for the day. There is no cellphone service, so even if they have been monitoring the forecast, no one ever knows what to expect until the morning of the event. Besides, the Ozark Mountains have a weather pattern all their own.
Whatever the weather conditions, don’t expect Reno and OORC to cancel the event. Since OORC launched the event in 2005, it has endured torrential rains, freezing temperatures, ice storms, a global pandemic, and other assorted calamities.
Appropriately dressed for weather conditions, it is time to carb load with a big breakfast inside the schoolhouse. Next, a stop at the Trailside Coffee Trailer for a mug of steaming hot brew.
At 9:30 a.m., riders will gather in front of the school’s bandstand, where Reno will present awards for the outstanding efforts of select trail volunteers, share important cycling-related news, and give last-minute safety announcements. Then, with 200 to 400 pumped-up mountain bikers whooping and hollering, the 20th Headwaters Challenge will officially begin.
The “Challenge” is a 40-ish-mile, semi-supported backcountry mountain bike adventure through the mountains of the Buffalo River headwaters area. The course changes yearly, but rest assured it will include screaming mile-long, roller-coaster descents, followed by long thigh-burning climbs. Between the ups and downs, riders pedal through creek crossings that can be waist-high. In keeping with the spirit of this being a ride and not a race, many riders will often pause after a particularly tricky stream crossing to cheer on their fellow cyclists and provide beta on the best route across the stream.
Don’t be surprised to hear music while pedaling deep in the backwoods of the Ozark mountainside. OORC often arranges for DJs to pump music through the forest to add a festive atmosphere. And there is the Firetower Rest Stop, serving up the famous grilled cheese and hot tomato soup.
For those not up for the full 40-ish mile route, there are marked bailout routes throughout, so riders can adjust their own route.
At the end of the day, after leapfrogging with fellow riders while cranking up the long climbs and sharing snacks along the route, a unique bonding takes place. Participants have become family, Buffalo Headwaters Challenge Family. During the evening dinner, socializing and hanging around the bonfire, there are no strangers.
When New Orleans-style funk band Crescent City Combo hits the stage to close out the evening, people expel the last ounce of energy to dance the night away.
Day 3
OORC provides several options for enjoying the final day of the event. There is a vigorous gravel ride across the Boston Mountains, a free shuttle service for Buffalo Outdoor Center’s challenging downhill mountain bike trail system (including a 1,300-foot screaming descent), and a trail run on the Headwaters trail system. Or there is option four: Sleep in, sip on a mug of coffee, and reflect with friends on the beautiful adventure that was had over this epic weekend.
For more information on the Buffalo Headwaters Challenge, visit bikereg.com/67489.