Dam Zombies 

On a cold winter morning at Arcadia Lake, riders line up at the base of the dam, braced for the chill and the miles ahead. The wind cuts across the water. The clouds hang low. And somewhere between hour two and hour six, nearly everyone will start to feel it. Fatigue. Doubt. Hunger. That unmistakable zombie shuffle on two wheels. 

Welcome to Dam Zombies. 

Now entering its third year, the six-hour cross-country mountain bike race has become one of Edmond’s most distinctive endurance events. Hosted on the Arcadia Lake Dam Trails, Dam Zombies draws 100 to 150 racers, ranging in age from 14 to riders well into their 70s. 

“This race will turn you into a zombie,” said Joe Miller, Arcadia Lake Trail Manager through the Oklahoma Mountain Bike Association. “That’s not just a name. That’s a promise.” 

The race format is simple but demanding. Riders can compete solo for six hours or team up with a partner to alternate laps on an approximately eight-mile loop. Top competitors can log more than 80 miles. A three-hour solo option allows newer endurance riders to join the fun, starting later but finishing alongside the six-hour racers. 

Winter conditions add another layer of challenge. Riders must balance warmth and breathability while managing nutrition, pacing, and mental fatigue. “If you feel comfortable at the start line, you’re probably overdressed,” Miller said. 

Proceeds from Dam Zombies are directed back into trail maintenance and expansion at Arcadia Lake, supported by community partners such as Visit Edmond. “As trail manager, I want to showcase how special these trails are,” Miller said. “This race pushes people, builds community, and helps us keep growing.” 

Miller has managed the lake’s natural surface trails since 2019, a period marked by massive growth. What was once a modest 1.5-mile trail system has expanded to more than 15 miles, with usage surging alongside it. “The lots are full on weekends now,” Miller said. “That’s pretty awesome to see.” 

Miller shared a few additional developments coming soon to Arcadia’s trails: 

• More than 70 new metal trail signs are being installed, clearly marking routes and trail names, including the popular Outer Space section with space-themed trail names. 

• A 100-yard boardwalk is in development, designed for intermediate to advanced riders. It builds on earlier beginner-friendly features while expanding technical options. 

• A new pavilion will feature a built-in bike element with a steep, rideable drop-in designed to help riders generate speed as they enter the trail system. 

• In 2025 alone, 3.5 miles were added in the Outer Space area, featuring rocky outcroppings, jumps, berms, drops, and steep g-outs that quickly launch riders back uphill – and more is coming in 2026. 

For more information, visit rideomba.org.