Dave Easley Takes First in the 2025 Ozark Odyssey Singlespeed Category

Words and photos by Aaron Arnzen

With an official completion time of 1 day, 7 hours, and 35 minutes, Dave Easley was the first singlespeed rider to finish this year’s Ozark Odyssey, claiming a new FKT in the process. This Oklahoma City resident is no stranger to big rides in the Arkansas Ozarks with previous finishes at DOOM as well as his singlespeed FKT effort on the Central Loop of the ARHC last year.

Dave completed this challenging route aboard his trusty titanium Salsa El Mariachi, running a 36×20 gearing with 29×2.35″ S-Works Ground Control tires. Banking just half an hour of rest throughout the ride, Dave was just as surprised as anyone to learn that he dropped the SS FKT time by almost seven hours from last year’s winner Alex Kowalski.

Upon crossing the finish line, Dave was asked what he thought about the route, to which he could only reply with a long, eyes-closed belly laugh. Like most, he encountered several setbacks, namely one double puncture halfway through the first day. He was eventually able to get rolling again, but not after losing upwards of two hours over the course of a couple stops to work through issues with a faulty pump, valve core, and a brake rotor lock ring.

Alongside a myriad of local race supporters and family all ringing cowbells, Dave’s welcome committee included a handful of unexpected, yet passionate local musicians who took it upon themselves to join in the celebration with a microphone shoutout, followed by a Korn cover song—a fitting close to a truly epic ride from this Oklahoma City University Music Theory Professor.

Check out the 2025 Arkansas High Country Race Tracker page for updates, where you can follow along on the live tracking map and stay tuned in for more event coverage. Find it here.

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