{"id":78389,"date":"2019-08-29T06:14:31","date_gmt":"2019-08-29T13:14:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/?p=78389"},"modified":"2020-05-22T12:57:10","modified_gmt":"2020-05-22T19:57:10","slug":"how-to-ride-snowshoe-like-the-world-cup-pros","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/cycle\/how-to-ride-snowshoe-like-the-world-cup-pros","title":{"rendered":"How To Ride Snowshoe Like the World Cup Pros"},"content":{"rendered":"

For the first time since 2015, the biggest event in mountain bike racing is coming back to the United States. Next month, some 10,000 people will converge on Snowshoe Mountain Resort in West Virginia to witness the final round of the prestigious 10-part <\/span>Mercedes-Benz Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Mountain Bike World Cup series<\/span><\/a>. The event will be a deciding moment for both the racers and the venue.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For riders, it\u2019s their last chance to battle for the downhill and cross-country World Cup champion titles. All eyes will be on longtime Snowshoe rider Neko Mulally and his fellow Team USA members, including five-time World Cup downhill champion Aaron Gwin and current cross-country world champion Kate Courtney, who currently sits at the top of the <\/span>rankings<\/span><\/a> and could very well secure another American <\/span>win<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although the first mountain bike World Cup Championships were held on American turf in <\/span>Durango in 1990<\/span><\/a>, Snowshoe is the only stop on this year\u2019s World Cup tour that\u2019s outside of <\/span>Europe<\/span><\/a>. Snowshoe has been priming itself for an event of this caliber for decades, hosting a number of elite races like the USA Cycling (USAC) mountain bike championships in 2017 and 2018. Still, the finals will provide a shot for the mountain resort to prove its place among legendary World Cup venues around the globe, like <\/span>Val di Sole<\/span><\/a> in Italy and <\/span>Albstadt<\/span><\/a> in Germany.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a marquee event,\u201d says Mikey Valach, director of Snowshoe rentals, outdoor adventure and activities. \u201cWe\u2019ll be hosting the most elite racers in the world. Not everywhere has hosted a World Cup, let alone the World Cup finals.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

At times rooty and rocky, in other places fast and loamy, the 300\u00a0<\/span>miles of backcountry singletrack at Snowshoe and in the surrounding <\/span>Monongahela National Forest<\/span><\/a> have an old-school flavor, one that has come to define West Virginia mountain biking. That rowdy zest is expertly woven into the World Cup courses, which utilize a blend of new and old trails.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s really going to take an all-around rider to be able to do well,\u201d says Sean Leader, Snowshoe\u2019s World Cup downhill track builder. \u201cIt has sections of jumps, old-school roots and rocks, steep spots, and flat spots that require riders to hold speed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For spectators, the World Cup is an opportunity to witness some of the fastest riders in the world tackle some of the best trails in the country\u2014trails they, too, can ride for the cost of a lift ticket. Split between two of the resort\u2019s three ski areas\u2014the Basin and Western Territory\u2014Snowshoe\u2019s bike park has nearly 40 trails of varying difficulty and style. The bike park season runs from Memorial Day weekend until October 13th (though it will be closed September 3-12 to accommodate the World Cup). Adult day passes are $30 during the week, $45 on a weekend or holiday. Helmets are required for all bike park riders. Downhill-specific bikes and protective gear (think full-face helmets and body armor) are highly recommended and available for rent at the Mountain Adventure Center.<\/span><\/p>\n

With help from two-time U.S. National downhill champion and World Cup rider Neko Mulally and some of Snowshoe\u2019s regulars, we\u2019ve broken down four of the resort\u2019s most iconic trails for downhill and cross-country riders of every ability level.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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