Area mountain bikers will descend upon West Virginia’s Canaan Valley Resort this weekend to participate in the “Revenge of the Rattlesnake” mountain bike race, which will be held between Canaan Valley State Park and Blackwater Falls State Park on Sunday, July 18 . This back country race, which will be offered in a 17- and 32-mile flavor depending on race class, starts at the Pendelton Point overlook in Blackwater Falls State Park and includes steep mountain grades and rocky single track trails before concluding at Canaan Valley.

Registration for the race begins at 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning. The race will start at noon. The registration fee is $25 for WV Mountain Bike Association members, or $30 for all others. A morning shuttle will be provided from Canaan to Blackwater at 9 and 10 a.m.

The total prize purse is $3,000. The top three finishers in fifteen classes will be awarded prizes.

Preceding the Revenge of the Rattlesnake race on Saturday is the Canaan Kid’s Series “Back Hollow Mountain Bike Race.” This race begins at 4:30 p.m., with registration from noon to four. The race is free.

John Northeimer, Recreation Directory at Canaan Valley Resort, says that “whether you’re an experienced mountain biker, a beginner or just a spectator, this promises to be a great weekend for biking enthusiasts as well as those trying to get away from the summer heat.”