Gary Vernon on Arkansas’ Trail Revolution🎙️ Free Arkansas Podcast – May 16, 2025Gary Vernon helped turn a small bike trail experiment into a $150+ million-a-year economic engine. In this episode, he joins Andy McNeill and Rep. Matt Duffield to talk about how mountain biking changed Bentonville — and how it could change the rest of Arkansas too.🛤️ What You'll Hear:The Bentonville Origin Story — How a 5-mile trail idea sparked a global model for outdoor livingOz Trails & Monument Trails — What's the difference, and how did they both shape the state?Economic Impact — $157 million a year in NWA alone — plus a peek at trail counters, Airbnb spikes, and trail-driven tourismFrom Walmart to Trail Boss — Gary’s unique career journey building bikes to building ArkansasLift-Access Bike Parks — Major new investments in Bella Vista and Mena ⛷️🚴‍♂️E-Bikes for All — How electric bikes are changing access for everyone from 8th graders to retireesNational & Global Attention — Why Japan, Norway, and Olympians are studying Arkansas trailsWhat’s Next — Horseshoe Canyon Ranch, rural community trails, and a call for local leaders to embrace the trail economy🧠 Takeaway Quote:"We always say you do three trips and then you buy a house." – Gary Vernon📢 Like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of Free Arkansas — where open ideas drive a better future.