From One Ride to Thousands: The Story Behind Let’s Ride Arkansas
If you’ve spent any time riding in Arkansas, there’s a good chance you’ve come across Let’s Ride Arkansas. Whether it’s a photo that made you stop scrolling or a road that made you think, I need to go there, the group has become something special for riders across the state.
Recently, we had the chance to meet the man behind it all, Rickey Kelley, when he stopped by Heartland Honda here in Springdale. And like most things in the riding world, what started small turned into something much bigger than anyone expected.
How It All Started
Back in February of 2015, Rickey started Let’s Ride Arkansas for a simple reason. He didn’t feel like he quite fit in anywhere else.
At the time, he was riding mostly sport bikes. A lot of the other groups leaned heavily toward one style of riding, and it didn’t always feel welcoming. So instead of trying to fit into something that wasn’t quite right, he created his own space.
A few friends joined. They rode together. Shared photos. Talked about the places they’d been.
That was it.
No big plan. No expectations.
Just riding.
The Ride That Changed Everything
For a while, the group stayed small. Around 1,000 members by 2020. But that year brought something that changed everything.
After the loss of a close friend, Jeff Davis, Rickey and the group organized a memorial ride out of Drasco Trading Post to help support Jeff’s wife, Michelle.
Around 150 bikes showed up.
And if you’ve ever been part of something like that, you know it’s more than just a ride. It’s community. It’s showing up. It’s people coming together for something bigger than themselves.
After that day, Let’s Ride Arkansas started to grow.
And it hasn’t slowed down since.
Everyone Is Welcome Here
One thing that stands out about Let’s Ride Arkansas is simple, but important.
It doesn’t matter what you ride.
Sport bike, cruiser, touring bike, dual sport. It doesn’t matter if it’s brand new or something you’ve had for years. If you ride, you belong.
Rickey built the group around that idea. No gatekeeping. No picking favorites. Just people who love to ride.
It’s also why he’s always allowed dealerships like Heartland Honda to be part of the group. Because at the end of the day, it’s all connected. Bikes, riders, experiences. It all comes back to the same thing.
Getting out and riding.
The Roads That Bring Us Together
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This moment from the Let’s Ride Arkansas Fall Ride in 2020 says a lot about what the group is built on. A stop along Highway 7 near Dover, Arkansas, honoring a friend and sharing the ride with others who understand what it means.
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If you’ve ever ridden Highway 341, better known as Push Mountain Road, you already know. It’s one of those roads that sticks with you. This shot from the Push Mountain Bash meet and greet is exactly what Arkansas riding is all about.
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Leading a group through Highway 9 between Melbourne and Sylamore. Long stretches of road, rolling hills, and that feeling you only get when you’re riding with a crew that just gets it.
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One of Rickey’s favorite stops, Highway 43 north of Ponca. If you know, you know. And if you don’t, it’s probably time to find out.
It’s About More Than the Miles
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This one tells the story better than anything else.
Rickey shared this from a ride with his son-in-law, Will, during a trip to the Smoky Mountains. It was Will’s second trip there, and the goal wasn’t just the miles. It was the experience.
The view. The moment. That feeling when you see something for the first time and realize why people chase roads like this.
That’s what Let’s Ride Arkansas is really about.
Not just riding.
But sharing those moments with people.
From Arkansas to Anywhere the Road Leads
Rickey mentioned that some of the best stories don’t even fit into a single post. Like the 1,000-mile day ride from Jonesboro to the Smoky Mountains and back. For some riders, that sounds crazy. For others, it sounds like a challenge.
But that’s the thing about riding. There’s always another road. Another destination. Another story waiting.
Why It Matters to Us at Heartland Honda
Meeting Rickey here at Heartland Honda in Springdale was a reminder of why we do what we do.
It’s not just about motorcycles, dirt bikes, or ATVs.
It’s about the people who ride them.
Groups like Let’s Ride Arkansas are what keep the riding community in Northwest Arkansas and across the state alive and growing. It’s riders supporting riders, sharing experiences, and making sure everyone has a place.
Let’s Ride Arkansas Today
What started as a small group between friends has turned into something that connects riders all over Arkansas and beyond.
From daily cover photo features to group rides and shared experiences, it’s become a place where riders can be part of something.
And the best part?
It’s still about the same thing it was in the beginning.
Just riding.
If you’re not part of Let’s Ride Arkansas yet, you’re missing out on some of the best roads, views, and people this state has to offer.
And if you are already part of it… you already know.
