On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Gary Vernon, a seasoned Sr. Program Officer at the Walton Personal Philanthropy Group. Gary, a key person behind OZ Trails, is the main reason for the explosion of the mountain bike trails in NWA. Throughout the episode, James and Gary discuss the large expansion of trails and what that has meant for the culture and economy in NWA, specifically Bentonville. 

Thanks for tuning in!

(1:57) Introduction to Gary Vernon

(3:04) Walton Family Foundation vs. Walton Personal Philanthropy 

(4:31) The Rise to Mountain Bike Capital of the World

(7:22) About OZ Trails

(9:41) Specialty of the NWA Trails

(15:23) NWA’s E-bike Mentality

(18:09) Why Cycling Companies Are Moving to NWA

(24:45) About the Bicycle Industry Employers Association

(27:05) Economic Impact of NWA’s Trial System

(34:48) Changes in the NWA Region

(43:05) Where Bentonville Is Headed

(45:11) Final Questions

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“I can do a nine-mile ride from work on a single track within a block of my house, which is amazing…I think the benefit that we really can’t measure is the mental benefit of being able to get active, and you don’t have to ride a mountain bike to be on [the trails].” - Gary Vernon, (29:35)

“I couldn’t tell you how many people I’ve met in the last year that have moved here, and they can work remote wherever they want and just wanted to be near the trail. The sense of pride in the region is definitely noticeable.” - Gary Vernon, (35:11)

“Sustainability is a big word in the trail building industry because weather and use and all that can wear on a trail and raise the cost of maintaining it. That’s the one thing that we’re always trying to solve is the maintenance conundrum.” - Gary Vernon, (43:10)