Sweetest Week Challenge
October 10–18, 2026 | Hosted by Arkansas, The Natural State, in partnership with Life Time Big Sugar Classic
Check In. Explore. Win a Sweet Getaway.
Life Time Big Sugar Classic is about more than racing. It’s your chance to experience everything Arkansas has to offer while earning entries to win some seriously sweet prizes.
From October 10–18, 2026, check in at qualifying Big Sugar Classic activities throughout the Sweetest Week for your chance to win an incredible Arkansas getaway, 2027 race entries, and more.
How It Works
1. Find a Qualifying Activity
Explore the Big Sugar Classic schedule and find Sweetest Week activities where you can check in.
2. Scan & Check In
Look for Sweetest Week signage at qualifying activities and scan the QR code to submit your entry.
3. Earn More Entries
Every valid check-in counts as one entry. You must check in at at least three distinct qualifying activities to be eligible to win.
The more qualifying activities you attend and check in to, the more entries you earn!
Limit one check-in per person per activity.
Big Sugar Classic Schedule
Sat, Oct 10
Sun, Oct 11
Tue, Oct 13
TNT Group Ride
Get ready for a special-edition of the recurring TNT group ride with this fast, spicy gravel ride, averaging speeds of ~17-20mph.
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Wed, Oct 14
Day at the Bike Park
Life Time
Free day at the bike park for all Big Sugar Classic participants.
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SHIFT Opening Reception
People for Bikes
Kick off SHIFT’26 with an evening at the OZ Trails Bike Park, bringing together industry leaders, community builders, and rising voices for an informal start to the summit.
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Thu, Oct 15
SHIFT Conference
People for Bikes
A full day of candid conversations exploring the ideas, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of the bicycle industry and the communities we serve. Hear from leading voices across cycling, business, community development, and beyond, with a focus on practical ideas that can move from conversation to action.
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Ride with Team USA
USAC
Join the USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Team for a ride starting from the Rapha Clubhouse. This will be a moderate-paced ride. Gravel bikes or mountain bikes are preferred.
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No Sugar. All Momentum. Shakeout Ride with Kenetik
Kenetik
This will be a no-drop ride to shake out the legs, see a preview of the course, and drink Kenetik with friends.
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Sundown DoubleDown
OZ Trails Bike Park
Sundown DoubleDown is a low-pressure downhill race series built around fast laps, friendly competition, and a good excuse to ride late. You’ll get two race runs with your fastest time counting. Come throw down, chase your fastest run, or just line up and see what you’ve got. All ages. All skill levels. Good times guaranteed.…
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Neversecond Shakout Ride
Neversecond
Join Neversecond, USWE, HydraPak, Tifosi, and Panaracer for a pre-race shakeout ride! First 20 riders to arrive will receive a goodie bag packed with gear and giveaways from all five partners. Stick around after the ride for a chance to win an even bigger prize package featuring goodies from each brand. Come ride, hang out,…
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SHIFT Conference Reception
People for Bikes
Come together with fellow SHIFT’26 attendees for an evening of conversation, connection, and celebration. This casual gathering creates space to build relationships across companies, communities, and disciplines while reflecting on the ideas shared throughout SHIFT’26.
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Fri, Oct 16
SHIFT Conference
People for Bikes
Get out into the community and see the ideas behind Bentonville’s bicycle ecosystem in action. The study tour offers a firsthand look at the infrastructure, businesses, programs, and partnerships that have helped shape the region into a leading bicycle community.
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Kodiak Shakeout Ride with Keegan Swenson + Christopher Blevins
Kodiak
Love pancakes? You’re in for a treat. Join us for a fun shakeout ride supported by Kodiak, and ride alongside Keegan Swenson and Christopher Blevins.
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Sat, Oct 17
OZ Kids Crit Championship Series Finale
Ozark Foundation
REGISTER HERE
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Big Sugar Gravel 50mi Awards
Life Time
UNBOUND Gravel Qualifier Lottery to follow.
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The Gravel Rave
Life Time
A night where the world of gravel cycling collides with electrifying beats. This isn’t just any event, it’s the world’s greatest cycling after-party. GET TICKETS
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The Prizes
Three winners will be selected at random from all eligible entries.
Grand Prize
Arkansas Tourism Travel Package
Sponsored by Arkansas, The Natural State
One lucky winner will receive a three-night trip for two to Arkansas, including:
Round-trip flights
Lodging
$500 Visa gift card
Total prize value: $3,500
Choose your destination and discover your own Arkansas adventure in The Natural State.
Second Prize
2027 Big Sugar Classic Race Entries
Sponsored by Life Time Big Sugar Classic
Get ready to do it all again in 2027! The second prize winner will receive:
One complimentary registration for the 2027 Life Time Little Sugar MTB race
One complimentary registration for the 2027 Life Time Big Sugar Gravel presented by Kenetik race
Third Prize
Big Sugar Classic Merchandise Package
Sponsored by Life Time Big Sugar Classic and USA Cycling
The third prize winner will receive a Big Sugar Classic merchandise package plus a replica USA Cycling team kit, including a jersey and bibs.
Official Rules
October 10, 2026 at 12:00 a.m. CDT through October 18, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CDT
All entries must be submitted during the official entry period.
The Sweetest Week Challenge is open to anyone who:
- Is 21 years of age or older
- Is a legal resident of the 50 United States or District of Columbia
- Submits a valid entry during the contest entry period
- Attends and checks in at a minimum of three distinct qualifying activities
No purchase is necessary to enter or win.
Each valid check-in counts as one entry. Each additional qualifying activity check-in earns another entry and increases the number of entries you have in the random drawing.
Limit one check-in per person per activity.
Employees of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism (ADPHT) and their families are prohibited from winning this contest.
All winners will be selected at random from all valid eligible entries.
Winners will be contacted by phone and/or email by October 30, 2026.
If a selected winner does not claim their prize within 48 hours, another winner will be randomly selected until the prize is awarded.
Prizes are awarded “as is” and may not be substituted for another prize or exchanged for monetary value.
By entering the Sweetest Week Challenge, participants agree to the contest’s official terms and conditions, including applicable release and publicity provisions.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, entrants release and hold harmless Arkansas Tourism, ADPHT, Life Time, the giveaway vendors and suppliers, affiliates, employees, agents, judges, prize providers and related entities from claims arising from participation in the contest or use or non-use of a prize, including claims related to personal injury, property damage, publicity, privacy, intellectual property and other applicable claims.
Participation in the contest also constitutes consent, except where prohibited by law, for the sponsor to use an entrant’s name, likeness, voice, opinions, biographical information, hometown and state for promotional purposes in any media worldwide, in perpetuity, without additional payment or approval.
Life Time, Inc. and Big Sugar Classic do not sponsor or endorse this promotion and do not bear any liability for this promotion. You agree to hold harmless Life Time, Inc. and Big Sugar Classic from and against any claim or cause of action that arises as a result of your participation in this giveaway. Winners must complete the registration process and pay the associated registration fee for the 2027 Big Sugar Classic. Winners are subject to any and all terms and conditions set forth by the race organizers of the Big Sugar Classic.
By entering the Sweetest Week Challenge, you consent to Arkansas Tourism (a division of ADPHT) and Arkansas State Parks (a division of ADPHT) sharing the contact information you provide with their partners and destinations.
You also consent to Arkansas Tourism, Arkansas State Parks, their partners and destinations using your provided contact information to send you marketing communications and information about travel, destinations and related offerings.
Ready to Make It Sweet?
Check in. Explore Sweetest Week. Earn your entries. And you could be on your way to The Natural State.