06/10/2026
Wow, what an incredible day out at the Sac River mountain bike trails! Everyone absolutely crushed it on the dirt Sunday—the energy was high, the racing was fast, and the community vibes were unmatched.
We want to give a massive shoutout and thank you to one of our amazing race sponsors, Dr. Chase Kelly and the team at Kelly Dental, for making this event possible.
Dr. Kelly shared his thoughts on why supporting the OMBA Caramba and our local trail community means so much to him:
"Mountain biking has been a part of my life for more than 20 years. The first off-road trail I ever rode was Sac River Trails, and to this day it remains one of my favorites. Like many Springfield riders, Sac is where I learned what mountain biking was all about. It has a little bit of everything—rocks, roots, climbs, drops, and flow. It's rugged, technical, and rewarding. In my opinion, it remains one of the most complete trail systems a rider could ask for.
While I enjoy riding throughout Northwest Arkansas and spend a lot of time at Fellows Lake, Sac River will always feel like home. It is the original trail system that helped shape so many riders in our community, myself included.
What I love most about mountain biking is the opportunity to disconnect from the everyday hustle and reconnect with what matters. When you're on a trail, you're focused on the next turn, the next obstacle, and the next stretch of dirt in front of you. The noise of daily life fades away. Sometimes the best ideas and inspiration come when you're deep in the woods and fully immersed in the ride. It's one of the few activities that challenges your mind, improves your health, and provides adventure all at the same time.
Over the years, mountain biking has become more than a hobby. It has become part of who I am. It has introduced me to an incredible community of people who share a passion for the outdoors, personal growth, and pushing themselves to be better. Today, it's also becoming a family activity. Our eight-year-old is beginning to discover the sport, and I look forward to the day when our rides and adventures together continue to grow.
As my appreciation for the sport grew, so did my appreciation for the people who make it possible. Many riders enjoy the trails without ever seeing the countless volunteer hours, planning, fundraising, and maintenance that go into building and preserving them. I've been a member of MORC for more than ten years and have served on the TrailSpring Board for approximately five years, currently as President. Through those experiences, I've gained tremendous respect for the individuals and organizations that work behind the scenes to create opportunities for people to get outside and enjoy our natural spaces.
One project I'm particularly excited about is the new pump track at McDaniel Park, which is scheduled to break ground this August thanks to the generosity of several amazing sponsors. Projects like these create opportunities for riders of all ages and skill levels to experience the sport and build confidence on a bike.
Looking ahead, my hope is that Springfield continues investing in outdoor recreation and trail connectivity. Imagine a future where our community has a network of connected trails similar to Northwest Arkansas—where students can ride from school, professionals can ride from work, and families can access miles of trail without needing to load bikes onto a vehicle. A connected system of 50 to 100 miles of trails could transform how people experience our city while improving quality of life, health, and community engagement.
When MORC and I spoke about supporting the OMBA Caramba, it was an easy decision. This race has been a tradition for many years on one of my favorite trail systems, and I've had the privilege of participating in it myself. It's an event that brings riders together, attracts visitors to Springfield, and celebrates the trail that helped launch mountain biking for so many of us in the Ozarks.
Supporting the race helps reduce the burden on MORC, contributes to rider payouts, and helps ensure this tradition continues for future generations. More importantly, I hope young riders who line up at the start line see it as an opportunity to challenge themselves, build confidence, and discover a lifelong passion for cycling and the outdoors.
I'm proud to support this event through Kelly Dental. Since opening our practice in Springfield in 2013, our goal has been to create an environment where people feel cared for, respected, and confident that we will always act in their best interests. Today, our team includes two doctors and a dedicated group of professionals committed to providing comprehensive care with integrity, advanced technology, and a patient-first approach.
Just as organizations like MORC and TrailSpring work to create meaningful experiences for our community, we strive to do the same within our practice. Springfield is our home, and giving back to the people and organizations that make it such a great place to live is something we deeply value." -- Dr. Chase Kelly https://kelly-dental.com/
Thank you to Dr. Kelly, Kelly Dental, and all the volunteers, sponsors, organizers, and riders who continue to invest in our trails and our community. I'll see you at the next race.
