Riding the Mountain Wave: West Virginia's Cycling Renaissance
West Virginia is doubling down on a new national identity: a cyclist's heaven.
I've paid close attention to the growing presence of world class biking in the mountain state out of hopeful curiosity. It’s now very clear to me that a robust cycling culture will serve as a significant economic driver in the long run, while also promoting a healthy activity for the people of West Virginia.
In Pocahontas County, the UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Cup just concluded at the beginning of October, drawing international attention to West Virginia's crown jewel of outdoor recreation, Snowshoe Mountain. Just before the Downhill World Cup, Snowshoe hosted its first XC marathon race on September 27th. The race had both Pro and Amateur fields, and is now West Virginia’s longest bike race.
Snowshoe Mountain Instagram account
“The mountain became somewhat infamous for its technical rocks and roots, earning it a reputation as a 'hardcore' rider's mountain. In recent years, Snowshoe has added plenty of fun and flowy trails to help introduce new riders to the sport and now boasts trails for every ability level. Today, Snowshoe is a staple of the World Cup circuit and home to one of the East Coast's only Silver level IMBA Ride Centers. A trip to 'The Shoe' is a must for any mountain biker's bucket list."
A few weeks ago, there was significant cycling news out of Charleston:
"Charleston Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin, along with Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau officials and local cyclists, announced the arrival of the USA Cycling Pro Road National Championships, set to be held in the city from May 15 to 19, 2024. This marks the first of a series of yearly championships as part of the USA Cycling national event, expected to continue until 2028." Katherine Sheldon of WV Metro News reported
WV Metro News
Local avid cyclist Ted Armbrecht joined the city and the CVB in making the announcement:
"I hope people understand that these are the best cyclists that the United States have to offer coming to Charleston, West Virginia," Armbrecht told MetroNews. "These are pro cyclists racing in the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia; these are the best of the best that we have to offer coming here."
Armbrecht highlighted that it's not only an opportunity for the local community to witness professional road racing but also to showcase the terrain and what West Virginia has to offer in cycling.
Hosting these major events attracts tens of thousands of new visitors who spend money in coffee shops, restaurants, and search for West Virginia souvenirs from local craftsmen. Additionally, it boosts revenues for hotels, Airbnb accommodations, and our beautiful State Park Resorts.
Here at Mountaineer Media, we have a deep rooted passion for West Virginia small businesses. Which is why we love to see the emergence of more independent bike shops throughout the state. For example, Blackwater Bikes in Davis, West Virginia, has expanded their footprint and appears to be thriving.
Blackwater Bikes in Davis, WV.
Great local shops are also popping up in the capitol city. Since its opening in 2020, Elk City Cycles has been committed to providing Charleston with a full-service bicycle shop.
Elk City Cycles
The hosting of professional cycling events has had a ripple effect in West Virginia, inspiring locals to embrace the trails. Having grown up in Mink Shoals and cycled through the hills of Knollwood, I'm thrilled to witness the development of the Elk River Rail Trail.
What excites me about the mountain state cycling movement is that small communities can feasibly manage the investment and infrastructure upgrades themselves. They do not have to wait on major legislation or heavy capital investment from large companies.
Often, volunteers maintain these trails, instilling a sense of pride in everyone for playing their part. It's a healthy activity that encourages people to explore their own neck of the woods. Biking also has a low impact on our landscape, wildlife, and noise pollution.
This comes at a time when the state is going all in on the development ATV trail systems, which I also fully support. The Hatfield-McCoy ATV Trail System is one of the best on the East Coast. Earlier this summer, the Mountaineer Media team headed down to the New River Gorge and spent the day touring Thurmond, WV with guides from New River ATV.
To me, this is West Virginia economic development at its absolute best. We’re leveraging our world class outdoor recreation, empowering local leaders and supporting small businesses.
If you have a great bike trail recommendation, drop them in the comments below!