Bikers participate in the 2019 Wilmington Mountain Bike Festival. (Photo courtesy – ROOST)
WILMINGTON – Now in its seventh year, the Wilmington Mountain Bike Festival promises an exciting three-day celebration of biking, community and outdoor adventure – August 30 through September 1 at Wilmington Recreation Park.
The festival is aimed at mountain bike fans of all ages and skill levels.
This year’s event features on-site camping, live music, local food and drinks, group trail rides, shuttles, and a mountain bike race for kids. With over 25 miles of singletrack, participants can explore the area’s natural beauty while enjoying a variety of activities.
The festival offers group rides throughout Wilmington, Lake Placid and Keene, including options for beginners, intermediates and pros, as well as special rides for youth and women. Those interested in participating can register for a discounted rate and view the full event schedule at wilmingtonmtbfestival.com/registration. Participants can also purchase their festival tickets on-site.
The festival kicks off at nearby Twisted Raven, formerly Pourman’s Taphouse, with a suckling pig dinner and Zero Gravity beer tasting. Bike festival participants and volunteers can enjoy special pricing by showing their festival wristband, included in their registration package.
Saturday’s entertainment includes two bands performing live on the festival grounds. Spring Street plays from 4-7 p.m., followed by St. Vith from 7-10 p.m. Spring Street offers a distinctive blend of old and new rock, blues and strong vocal harmonies, ensuring a diverse musical experience for attendees. St. Vith is an eclectic indie rock band from the Finger Lakes region that offers a unique blend of psychedelic jams, art rock and time-honored American styles. Attendees can enjoy lawn games and snacks from the Waffle Cabin in the afternoon, while Island Vybz and Two Jerks BBQ provide dinner.
On Sunday, festival activities shift to BETA’s newest trail system, the East Branch Community Trails in Keene, a 15-minute drive from Wilmington. The East Branch Trails offer a variety of options for riders of all skill levels, including the Downriver Trail with its berms, undulations and jumps. Participants can relax between laps on the large field at the trailhead, perfect for lawn chairs and games. The nearby Monday Tuesday Grill serves food and drinks.
The Wilmington Mountain Bike Festival is a major fundraiser for the Barkeater Trails Alliance, with all proceeds going to local trail maintenance and development. This community-driven event offers a unique opportunity to explore the region’s natural beauty while supporting a great cause.
“We are delighted to once again be able to offer an event that offers so many opportunities for cycling enthusiasts, new riders, experienced experts and anyone interested in mountain biking to get involved,” Said Glenn Glover, CEO of BETA. “But we didn’t just want to appeal to mountain bikers, we wanted to make sure it was a festival that the local community could participate in. The bands, food trucks, vendors and other activities will appeal to anyone who wants to be part of a fun community festival.”
BETA builds, maintains and supports a system of community and backcountry trails throughout the High Peaks region of the Adirondack Park. BETA maintains more than 200 miles of trails on state conservation lands and on municipal and private lands. Most trails are designed specifically for mountain biking or backcountry skiing, but are also suitable for other human-powered activities. The organization works with public agencies, including the state Department of Environmental Conservation, the Adirondack Park Agency, nonprofit environmental groups, cities, villages and private landowners.
