Central Arkansas has plenty of beautiful places to ride, but nothing quite matches the Big Dam Bridge 100. It is part cycling tour, part hometown celebration, and part personal challenge — built around one of the region's most recognizable landmarks.
The 2026 Big Dam Bridge 100 takes place on Saturday, September 26, 2026, and registration is open. Whether you are training for your first organized ride, chasing a 100-mile milestone, riding with friends, or showing visitors why Arkansas belongs on every cyclist's radar, this is the event to put on your calendar. Register online here.
More than a bridge
The Big Dam Bridge spans the Arkansas River and connects Little Rock with North Little Rock. At 4,226 feet, it is recognized as the longest bridge in North America built specifically for pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
That matters because this ride is not just a loop around town. The bridge connects riders to more than 40 miles of scenic riverside trail and helps link a vast network of city, county, state, and federal parkland throughout central Arkansas. You get river views, tree-lined stretches, open road, hills on the longer routes, and the kind of shared energy that only comes from riding alongside thousands of people who chose to spend their Saturday on two wheels.
Pick your distance
The name may say "100," but the event is built for more than century riders. The Big Dam Bridge 100 offers route options from 15 miles to 105 miles, including 15-, 26-, 50-, 75-, and 105-mile choices.
• 15 miles — families, casual riders, beginners, and anyone who wants the event experience without an all-day ride
• 26 miles — riders ready to move beyond a short recreational ride
• 50 miles — a strong personal challenge and a great endurance-building target
• 75 miles — experienced riders looking for a serious day in the saddle
• 105 miles — century riders and athletes ready for the full Big Dam Bridge experience
Longer courses include more of the region's rolling terrain and challenging hills. Every participant benefits from marked routes, aid stations stocked with food and liquids, volunteer support, an event shirt, a finisher medal, post-ride food and drinks, and a finish-line experience worth earning.
A goal worth training for
A September ride date gives athletes a clear target. That is useful whether you are beginning from scratch or already putting in regular miles.
For a newer rider, the goal might be simple: finish the 15- or 26-mile route feeling strong. For a regular cyclist, it might mean stepping up to 50 miles. For experienced riders, the 75- or 105-mile routes offer the kind of challenge that makes consistent summer training pay off.
The best part: you do not need to show up as an elite cyclist. You need a bike in good working order, a route that fits your current conditioning, and enough preparation to make the day enjoyable rather than miserable. Pick a distance that stretches you without turning the event into a survival exercise.
Make it a community day
The Big Dam Bridge 100 is also a perfect event for people who love cyclists, local events, and central Arkansas. Bring family members to the start and finish area. Cheer for a friend tackling their first long-distance ride. Share the event with a coworker, a riding group, or someone who has been talking about getting back on a bike.
Supporters matter. A long ride feels different when someone is waiting at the finish line, following the day's progress, snapping photos, or simply helping a rider celebrate the work it took to get there.
Businesses can join in too. Encourage employees to form a team, sponsor a rider, host a training ride, or make the event part of a workplace wellness challenge. Arkansas does not need another reason to get outside — but this is a very good one.
Register and start counting down
September 26 will arrive faster than most riders think. Registration is open now, which means now is the time to choose your distance, invite your riding partners, and put a training plan on the calendar.
Athletes: make 2026 the year you ride across the Big Dam Bridge and finish a distance you will remember.
Supporters: encourage someone to register, plan to cheer them on, and help make the weekend a celebration of cycling in central Arkansas.
