Registration is now open for the Second Annual Güdrun Mountain Bike Festival, a three-day celebration November 13 – 15 of Hot Springs’ internationally acclaimed Northwoods system of bike trails.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, preregistration is required. Registration will be online-only until November 12. To register now, visit the brand new Northwoods website: https://www.northwoodstrails.org
Competitive events will take place on the Northwoods Trails starting at the Cedar Glades Trailhead, and there will be noncompetitive events in the downtown area, including a “creepy” nighttime Slow Roll Ride through the downtown area on Friday The Thirteenth.
About 500 riders — some from as far away as Canada — took part in the initial Güdrun Festival in 2019.
The Güdrun Festival traces its origin to the early days of the Attila the Hun Mountain Bike Race, which began in 1992 where the Northwoods Trails are located today. Following the events of 9/11 in 2001, the race was moved to Charlton Campground on Highway 270 west of Hot Springs and then eventually to Cedar Glades Park where The Attila has been held each year since.
The Attila the Hun competitive race to be held Sunday, November 15, will be the final race of the season for the 2020 Arkansas Mountain Bike Championship Series. There will be plenty of places for spectators to see the racers and cheer them on.
“We are excited to celebrate the second birthday of the Northwoods Trails with the Second Annual Güdrun Mountain Bike Festival,” said Traci Berry, trails coordinator for Visit Hot Springs.
“Hot Springs is all about fun,” she said, “so who wouldn’t want to put Vikings and bikes together?
“After the year we have had so far in 2020, having fun is much needed. What better way than to be riding bikes? We know we can put on a safe, fun event for all ages following the proper COVID-19 social distancing protocols.” Berry outlined some information about the 2020 Güdrun Festival:
- Registration will be on-line only until November 12, the day before the event
- There will be “mandatory-mask zones” in effect during the festival
- Events will include the nighttime Slow Roll Ride; the Mini-Enduro race; the Full Enduro race; a Jump Jam competition, and the Attila the Hun XC MTB Race
- The full and mini-enduros will be facilitated by Slaughter Trail Guides
The Güdrun Festival was named after a Germanic heroic legend, Berry said. “Güdrun was a warrior. A Viking! Wife to Attila the Hun and later defeater of the Huns,” she said.
For more information contact Traci Berry at 501-321-2027.
