For many years now, West Virginia has been home to some of the country's premiere cycling events. One particularly popular race has taken a hiatus, but many are still going strong. Like the country roads and trails that wind their way through the mountain state, the race schedule in West Virginia grows longer each year.

The Kmart Classic
       A race that no longer exists today, but which has left a permanent impression on the sport of cycling is the Kmart Classic of West Virginia. This race was the state's premiere cycling event and one of the most prestigious road events in the country from 1992 to 1995. It was a multi-day "stage race" which attracted racers and teams from all over the world. Each year it toured 500-plus miles through West Virginia, showing off the state's natural beauty to the cameras and race fans as it rolled through another town and climbed over another mountain.
       The race was a tribute to the progressive thinking of former West Virginia Governor Gaston Caperton, who wanted a world class cycling event to showcase the state. During its short lifespan, fans were treated to the emergence of Lance Armstrong, one of this country's greatest cyclists. He won the Kmart Classic in 1993 as a 21-year-old neopro who later that year went on to shock the entire European racing community by winning the World Championships in Oslo, Norway.

24-Hour Racing
       Perhaps the most successful mountain bike event is the Newsweek 24 Hours of Canaan, produced by West Virginia native Laird Knight. Owner of Granny Gear Productions based in Davis. Knight also organizes two other 24-hour events: 24 Hours of Moab and, new for the 1998 season, the 24 Hours of Donner Pass in California. These are the original "24-hour races," and Knight was the first to use a team relay format similar to the 24 Hours of LeMans automobile race, in which teams try to accumulate the most number of laps in a 24-hour period.
       Knight says it is the team concept that makes his race unique and popular. Since its inception in 1992, the race has grown exponentially. Teams are turned away every year as the numbers accepted have been capped at 400. Even if you aren't the first to cross the line, everyone who races comes away feeling like a winner due to the sense of satisfaction and accomplishment from just completing this one-of-a-kind event. And for spectators, it is well worth a trip to the Timberline Four Seasons Resort in Canaan Valley to see what all those scantily clad bikers are doing up on that mountain at night.
       For more information about 24 Hours of Canaan, call Granny Gear Productions at 304-259-5533.

WVMBA and NORBA
       Another great racing event is the West Virginia Mountain Bike Association (WVMBA) points series, one of the longest running mountain bike race series in the country. Organized in the late 80s, this series has been pivotal to the state since the mountain bike boom began. Independent of any national sanctioning body, it remains the outlet for many regional races and recreational riders. For more information about WVMBA events, call Suzanne Goff at 304-259-5533.
       In recent years, however, several National Off Road Bicycle Association (NORBA) sanctioned events have popped up and gained popularity. In 1998, the third year of its West Virginia race series, the NORBA events are expected to attract hundreds of participants, including national caliber racers from all over the mid-Atlantic and mid-West regions. With both the WVMBA and NORBA race series, you can find a race on any given weekend between March and October (see calendar on page 00). For more information about NORBA events, call Mike Valache at 304-572-5531 or send him e-mail at wakeshack@neumedia.net.

A New Breed
       One of the new breed of mountain bike races that has made an impact on the state's racing scene is the Appalachian Classic. Included as a 1998 WVMBA points series race, the Appalachian Classic takes place on the weekend of West Virginia Day, June 20 and 21, at the Calhoun County Park grounds outside of Grantsville on the edge of the Mid-Ohio Valley and Mountain Lakes regions. The county park gives the race "a real down home feel" and provides an excellent venue," says race organizer and promoter Brian Sterns. Sterns has recognized, as have many new promoters, the importance of making his race spectator friendly, and of creating an event that is fun for the whole family. According to Sterns, "This is a community event. There will be great live music provided by local bands, as well as food and Appalachian crafts displayed by local artisans."
       The 6.5 mile course, designed in the shape of a clover leaf, combines single and double track trail with a short section of paved road. It requires participants to put in several laps before going the distance to the finish line, giving spectators plenty of opportunities to cheer on their favorite racers.
       On Saturday, there will be a pre-ride of the course, a pond jumping competition, and hot air balloon rides for those who want to get high in the hills. But don't let all this downhome fuzzy stuff fool you. Besides the county park providing a gorgeous venue for a mountain bike race, the promoters, who are wiley mountain bike race veterans themselves, have designed a course with steep, gnarly descents that have spawned names like Beaver Slide and Power Slide. The race offers free, primitive camping, and there is lodging available in Grantsville. The Appalachian Classic is just one of the new events on the 1998 calendar, and with more than 21 races on the schedule, there is bound to be one that will grab your knobbies.
       For more information about the Appalachian Classic, call Brian Sterns at 304-354-7948.

Road Racing
       Picture this: Climbing the last 30 minutes on a hot summer day and descending a steep mountain road at speeds that will bring you to tears, or careening through switchbacks that would make your mother close her eyes and scream if only she could see you now.
       For those of you who find road racing the ultimate challenge, then West Virginia is your kind of place. The Mountain State Road Association (MSRA) points series races provides a season full of events, such as the Mountain Road Classic in Barbour County and the Heritage Day Classic, each offering nearly 50 miles of mountainous terrain with fields of up to 75 racers.
       Without a doubt, West Virginia has some of the coolest and most challenging road racing on the eastern seaboard. When you get tired of your regular races where some weekend warrior from the big city, half as fit as you, sucks your wheel all day while you pull him around only to have him sprint by you with his arms raised, as if he has actually accomplished something-then it is time to come race in one of the many MSRA races and drop his.
       You may not get rich by winning any of these events, but then you're not doing it for the money. You do it because you remember seeing Greg Lemond win one or all three of his Tour de France victories, or seeing Lance Armstrong win the Kmart Classic or Tour duPont, or just for the satisfaction of giving it all you had that day and finally dropping that guy from the big city.
       For more information about MSRA events, call Mike Holt at 304-572-2616.

West Virginia and Team Go Mart
       The state of West Virginia is fully committed to the development and promotion of its cycling outlets. For 1998, this commitment is no more evident than in the Division of Tourism's unprecedented decision to sponsor its own pro-am road racing team. Joining forces with the Go Mart corporation, a private West Virginia-based convenience store chain, Team Go Mart is the only road team based in the state. The Division of Tourism will rely on the momentum and recognition built by this successful team to carry the message that West Virginia is the cycling destination on the east coast.
       Go Mart has been sponsoring bicycle racing teams and events since 1992. Last year two members of the team struck gold at the the US Amateur National Championship, the pinnacle of an amateur's racing career. Earning the coveted stars and stripes jerseys were Clevelandnative Paul Martin, who won the senior men's national road race championship, and Will Frischkorn, the team's junior member from Charleston. Frischkorn not only won the age 15-16 national criterium championship, but was half a wheel from winning the road race championship in that same age category. Team Go Mart West Virginia has replaced Martin, who was recruited by the professional Navigators' squad, and Frischkorn, now a US National Team member, with a combination of veterans and promising new racers. The new Team Go Mart West Virginia will race in many of the state's races, as well as others across the country. Look for the team at races near you and ask them about their favorite places to ride in the mountain state.

A Buffet of Racing Opportunities
       Whether you are looking for road or off-road challenges, the race scene in West Virginia is a virtual buffet. Between the season's offerings through the West Virginia Mountain Bike Association, the National Off Road Bicycle Association, the Mountain State Road series, and the non-point series races, West Virginia has plenty of racing opportunities for a recreational rider or serious racer. Consider joining in one of the race series, or just pick and choose the races that appeal to you. Regardless, you will not want to miss racing in West Virginia in 1998.

Greg Cook is a veteran road racer and former Bicycle and Trails Coordinator for the West Virginia Division of Tourism. He is part owner of the new Ridge Rider Bicycle Company in downtown Charleston, where he will offer road tours and espresso along with equipment sales, service and rentals.