A three-day mountain biking festival named after a Norse warrior will be held in November to help celebrate the one-year anniversary of the opening of Hot Springs’ new Northwoods Trail System.
The new three-day Gudrun Northwoods Mountain Bike Festival will combine a mountain bike expo, a group ride through downtown Hot Springs and the annual Attila the Hun Mountain Bike Race that has been a feature of Hot Springs sports activities since 1992.
“We are inviting everyone to join us November 15 – 17 as we celebrate the anniversary of the opening of the Northwoods Trails with a weekend of mountain biking fun for all ages,” said Traci Berry, trails coordinator for Visit Hot Springs.
“The genesis of the Northwoods Trails goes back to the early days of the Attila the Hun Mountain Bike Race, which began in 1992 where The Northwoods Trails are located today,” Berry said. Following the events of 9/11 in 2001, the race was moved to Charlton Campground and then eventually to Cedar Glades Park where The Attila has been held each year since.
So-what, or who is Gudrun? Gudrun is a Germanic heroic legend. A warrior. A Viking! Wife to Attila the Hun and later defeater of the Huns.”
The inaugural Gudrun Festival will incorporate these activities:
- Friday, Nov 15-The mountain biking community will join the Spa Running Festival Expo at the Convention Center with a day full of vendors and activities.
- Saturday, Nov 16-The Gudrun ride will start from the Spa Running Festival Start Line, proceed through downtown Hot Springs into The Northwoods and continue on to Cedar Glades Park. There will be vendors, demos, food, music and more.
- Sunday, Nov 17-The annual Attila the Hun Mountain Bike Race.
The Northwoods Trail System mountain biking facility is located in the northern section of Hot Springs. Visit Hot Springs began construction in November 2017 on Phase One of the Northwoods system, with assistance from Tom Walton, Steuart Walton and the Walton Family Foundation.
For more information contact Traci Berry at 501-321-2027.
