Arkansas High Country Race

Arkansas High Country Race is an ultra-distance cycling event that departs from Hot Springs, Arkansas, on October 3, 2026. Three routes are offered: the full Arkansas High Country at 1,609 km (1,000 miles), the Arkansas High Country South Loop at 782 km (486 miles) and the Triple Crown at 298 km (185 miles).

These are multi-day distances for the two longer routes, and even the Triple Crown is a very long day in the saddle for most riders. The format rewards riders who can pace themselves for hours, manage food and sleep, and handle mechanical issues on their own, so the preparation looks nothing like training for a group road race. Build your weekly long rides progressively toward a full day out, then string two or three long days together on consecutive weekends to learn how your body recovers overnight. Test every piece of gear, from lights to bags to the bike fit, on those rehearsal rides. The Triple Crown is a reasonable first taste of this style of riding, while the 486-mile and 1,000-mile options are for riders with previous multi-day experience.