The ski season may be a quickly fading memory as temperatures climb ever higher, but many local resorts have headed straight into the mountain biking season. In the coming months, several high-profile races will be held at resorts throughout the region.
Wisp at Deep Creek Mountain Resort kicked off its mountain biking season this past May with the Inaugural 12 Hours of the Wisp mountain bike race. The event, held on May 17, 2003, drew 30 single riders and 30 3-person teams to compete in an endurance race. Their endurance was tested: the 12-hour race included climbs on rocky terrain and some challenges by Mother Nature in the form of cold, rainy, foggy weather. The weather did not deter the racers, or over 500 spectactors who turned out to cheer the racers on at the Maryland resort.
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Cold and wet weather didn’t stop 120 racers from competing in the Inaugural 12 Hours of the Wisp race in May. Photo provided by Wisp at Deep Creek Mountain Resort.
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“This unique 12 hour event format has the potential for becoming a premier mountain bike event in the Mid-Atlantic,” said Brian Glotfelty, co-owner of High Mountain Sports, which sponsored several winning teams. “All of the ingredients bikers expect are here: a host who is interested in the event, natural terrain which lends itself to mountain biking, and great housing options,” he added.
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A rider tackles the terrain at the 12 Hours of the Wisp race. Photo provided by Wisp at Deep Creek Mountain Resort.
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Wisp will be hosting three of six Toyota X-Treme Mountain Bike Challenges throughout the course of the summer, with races scheduled for July 12-13, August 30-31, and September 27-28. Pennsylvania’s Blue Knob resort will host three of the races on June 28-29, August 2-3, and October 11-12. This National Off-Road Bicycle Association (NORBA) race series is open to riders of all skill levels, and is expected to attract 50 of the sport’s top professionals.
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A downhill competitor on course for the NORBA Nationals, set to take place this weekend at Snowshoe. Photo provided by Snowshoe Mountain Resort.
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A rider heads downhill at the 24 Hours of Snowshoe race last June. Photo by M. Scott Smith.
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Hour one of the 2002 24 Hours of Snowshoe race. Photo by M. Scott Smith.
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M. Scott Smith is the founder and Editor of DCSki. Scott loves outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, kayaking, skiing, and mountain biking. He is an avid photographer and writer.
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