Bentonado!

[@jnmasello]

My wife and I were camping at Coler in a rooftop tent. We took shelter in the Airship when the horns went off. Hunkered down in the restroom when the worst of it came through. We were trapped there for a couple of hours due to flash flooding and so many trees down. Eventually we made our way back to camp climbing through downed trees and wading through shin-high water. Luckily, we suffered no damage to our vehicle or gear. Total devastation in the park. We bugged out, back to NH, later that morning. Glad you’re ok.

[@SpokesmanMTB]

Oh damn!!!! I can't imagine only having the Airship to use as shelter! (The airship int he park, right?) I'm so glad you made it out! I bet Coler was a mess after the storm!

[@dansacco1964]

I was there for bikefest and got hit by the Rogers tornado while in a camper. Gas light was on and none of the stations were operating. 2 locals helped guide me to the other side of town around all the closed roads to get to a gas station. Without them me and my daughters would have been stranded there with no way home and a without the family vehicle. What an awesome community!

[@SpokesmanMTB]

So scary! But you are right, Bentonville has an amazing culture.

[@JasonFoxLCB]

Thanks for the tour. Was down there two weekends prior to Bike Fest. So sad to see places you recognize under a pile of ginormous trees. Thankful more casualties weren't involved and the community has really pulled together. Condolences on your ORP.

[@SpokesmanMTB]

It was a rough night for sure! I enjoyed Bentonville, but now I have a special place in my heart for that town because of the way that everyone responded after such a tragedy. Good people. I hope you enjoy your next trip out there.

[@beyond-x]

Glad you’re okay, even if your truck wasn’t. It’s great that you braved the streets on your bike checking on people- you embody that great spirit that you speak of! 👍

[@SpokesmanMTB]

Thanks dude, coming from you, I feel a lot better hearing that. We need to be there for each other. Even if these people aren't my neighbors, they are still my brothers and sisters and they deserve my time if I can give it.

[@brettk9265]

We just had an EF-1 a few days before this where I live. I feel their pain. Thank you for posting this. I couldn't find anything on the status of everything down there till this. Supposed to be visiting Bentonville in 2 months. I just wanted to let you know that as long as you could start your car, you could charge your phone in your car without running the battery down.

[@SpokesmanMTB]

It really blows my mind that there is such a large percentage of the population that just lives with the possibility of being extinguished at any moment by a tornado. I grew up in California and none of us were scared of earthquakes that way.

[@acebikemedia]

so fricken wild man. glad you're alright. nice meeting you the day before!

[@bikdav]

That was some damn good video that you captured. We experienced something like this last year, though not nearly as destructive. It was still scary.

[@WorldT]

Wow, looks like quite the storm for sure on this video you didm you do this video very. well, good commentary and its interesting for sure.

[@SpokesmanMTB]

We were caught in the middle of it all. I won't lie - it was scary! But we persevered and the town is healing. I urge all who can to donate and help out in any way possible. Thanks for watching!

[@danjones1365]

Every now and then Mother Nature reminds us who’s in charge. Glad you’re ok. I take comfort in realizing that shared struggles often bring out the best in humanity.

[@SpokesmanMTB]

This event really reestablished my confidence in humanity. Everybody was so good to each other. Bentonville is a pretty amazing place. Hopefully, just like every other place in America. Thanks for your reply.

[@onlysendsmtb]

Great coverage. Glad everyone seems to be OK.

[@SpokesmanMTB]

Thanks very much! It was quite an experience!

[@nathanwheelock3813]

I was there at a rental on NW A street not far From Slaughter Pen. I actually woke up and watched the storm until it was over. Power went out until Tuesday night. Was kind of like camping :). The sky was lit up like a big city with constant light from lighting. The wind was insane. Next day looked worse then any of our Houston area hurricanes.

[@SpokesmanMTB]

I had just left Houston the day before the tornado hit. Then I was in a small town in Mississippi a few days later when a hurricane hit, and then I was in Bentonville for this one. I have a lot of bad juju! It was pretty scary. Definitely. I've been through some pretty harsh storms, but this one really takes the cake. The most impressive part, in my opinion, was the way that the town came together at the end. It's a pretty cool community.

[@steve_exclamationpoint]

I was there at the end of April. Bad storms and tornados close to us in Tulsa cut our trip short. Nothing like this though. Wow!

[@Getoutside2day]

Dang Steve , you got some great footage after the tornado . Sorry to see your truck was damaged in the mix. Thanks for sharing and it was great to meet you at the festival. Safe travels and hope you get things worked out with your auto insurance claim.

[@SpokesmanMTB]

Thanks very much. Let's all pitch in and help out with the aftermath of this crazy storm in anyway that we can. In the meantime, get out there and keep riding! 👍

[@Getoutside2day]

@@SpokesmanMTB i’ve been for sure,, working minimum of 14 hour days two days straight 💪

[@AdventureAwaits4u]

Great video! I had some friends out there but I wasn’t sure how bad it really was. Thanks for sharing. Good luck on your 4Runner.

[@in_10z]

Yep tree missed the place I was staying in by a few feet as well. Great time except for that last night. Super scary.

[@MTBTank]

Love the intro, great audio. So tragic glad you're safe.

[@MTBQandA]

So glad we made it out ok. And then breakfast! So sorry about your car!

[@SpokesmanMTB]

I can't thank you enough for your help the morning after the tornado! It makes a huge difference to have friends and to be able to ask for a helping hand. I owe you a big one, brother!

[@XCBen]

That's wild. Mother nature is a force not to mess with.

[@TheAngryHusky]

Great footage. Can’t believe the rental folks trying to gouge you.

[@SpokesmanMTB]

The real tragedy is that I'm not surprised at all that it happened. Thanks for your kind words.

[@trailmonster]

That was good footage you got showing the destruction from the storm, sorry about the 4Runner.

[@SpokesmanMTB]

Thanks! It was quite the night. Not something I'm looking forward to ever doing again.

[@douglaskaye1395]

The green light at central was operating? I guess there was some power

[@SpokesmanMTB]

There is still no power in certain parts of downtown. Even now. I can't speak to why a certain stoplight might have power or not. It was very sporadic.

[@ThePedalingGamer]

Seeing this 2 moths later, I can’t believe how hard cleanup is. They still need to clear Hobbs State Park.

[@SpokesmanMTB]

Yeah, they are nowhere near finished, but it's coming along!

[@ThePedalingGamer]

@@SpokesmanMTB For sure! Glad Coler opened up again!

[@BIKINGWITHBOBO]

Love that intro 🤘

[@SpokesmanMTB]

Love the dancing

[@BIKINGWITHBOBO]

@@SpokesmanMTB I got moves 💩

[@BIKINGWITHBOBO]

@@SpokesmanMTB is it cool if I do a screen grab of Jess reeling me in for my edit?

[@SpokesmanMTB]

@@BIKINGWITHBOBO absolutely! I could give you the footage if you would like it. Hit me up on Instagram p.m.

[@UpHillWill]

You were close to where I was. I was on 2nd and B street. Don’t know how I didn’t see you. We literally rode the same streets at the same time.

[@RunBikeMike]

Oh that was your vehicle. Jonnie from MTB Q&A messaged me that

[@SpokesmanMTB]

Yeah Johnny saved my butt. He picked me up and took me to the rental car shop.

[@aFra109]

Our vehicle was in similar shape. Did you get an estimate yet? The body shop mine is at is still without power from my understanding.

[@SpokesmanMTB]

Got the windshield replaced at my own expense so that I would have the ability to drive back with all the stuff I brought with me. Bike rack, two bikes, a full load. The insurance company will take a look sometime this week or next. I'm not optimistic.

[@aFra109]

@@SpokesmanMTB you were so close to filming our disaster as well, we were on 5th by the cemetery lol. I’d like to share photos with you. Not sure how.

[@SpokesmanMTB]

Sorry to hear you went through the same thing. All the best to you and yours.

[@jessthemaker]

I’m so sorry about your 4Runner man! In looking at the footage my dance moves didn’t help your experience.

[@SpokesmanMTB]

But they helped my spirit! Thanks so much for all of your wonderful hospitality in an amazing town! I will be back, I promise! Looking for a new truck…

[@senderoni5oh]

We got lucky af

[@SpokesmanMTB]

We really did!

[@RydenDirty]

So insane bro. Sucks about your car

[@SpokesmanMTB]

Gotta take the bad with the good. Overall, it was an amazing trip. I got to ride with you, Mark, and the rest of the boys. What a freaking great time! Even knowing how crazy it got, I would do it again.

[@phillippitts6294]

I believe I’d build a shelter underground