DAVIS, W.Va. — Canaan Valley Resort State Park will further solidify its status as a mountain biking destination this weekend when more than 100 middle and high school students shred the park’s newest trail during the West Virginia Interscholastic Cycling League’s 2019 Rally in the Valley Race.
The race is part of a two-day event that starts on Saturday, Sept. 14 and highlights Canaan Valley’s new six-mile mountain biking trail. The race is on Sunday, Sept. 15 and hundreds of visitors, including racers and their families, are expected to visit and stay at the park this weekend.
“This race is bringing a lot of attention to Canaan Valley and we’re excited to showcase our new trail as we welcome the West Virginia Interscholastic Cycling League,” said Stan Beafore, superintendent at Canaan Valley Resort State Park. “This time of year can be slow for tourism in the area, but this event is going to bring in a lot of new people who can enjoy our park’s beautiful facilities and the gorgeous views you can only find in Tucker County.”
Built for beginner and intermediate mountain bikers, the new trail is a loop and features rollers, bank curves and s-curves and meanders through wooded areas and open meadows. It meets International Mountain Bicycling Association standards and the National Interscholastic Cycling Association’s criteria for racing events. It’s also a multi-use trail and can be enjoyed by cross-country skiers.
“With hundreds of miles of trails, the Canaan Valley area is the mountain biking mecca of east,” said Beafore. “But a lot of the trails can be difficult. The flow on this new trail is incredible and meets a need for something that families, older bikers and beginners can enjoy. We’re excited to finally open it up so people can get out and enjoy it.”
Registration for the race opens Saturday at 11:30 a.m. Racers will be able to pre-ride the trail on Saturday and Sunday morning. The race starts at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday. The Canaan Valley Resort is providing food service for the event and lodging is available in the lodge and the park’s campground. The park has also created a temporary field camp for the event. To book a room, visit wvstateparks.com.
For more information about mountain biking at Canaan Valley Resort State Park and other West Virginia State Parks, visit wvstateparks.com/things-to-do/biking-trails.
About West Virginia State Parks
West Virginia’s state parks and forests are the vacation destination of choice for more than 7 million people each year. Made up of 35 parks, 9 forests and two rail trails, the West Virginia State Parks system provides endless opportunities for family fun and adventure. Make memories that last forever. Book your adventure at www.wvstateparks.com.
West Virginia State Parks is managed by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, a division of the West Virginia Department of Commerce.
