Mountain Mama Bike Challenge This Weekend in Highland
The roadways of the Allegheny Highlands with be filled this weekend with colorful outfits and whizzing bicycles, marking the Highland County Recreation Commission’s 16th Annual Mountain Mama Bike Challenge. The event has become a large draw for novice and serious bikers alike, and features 4 routes suited to individual skills, ranging from the shortest of 27 miles to a century route of over 100 miles, encompassing two states, 3 counties nine mountains, and over 13,700 feet to climb.
Kenny Hiner, recreation director for the county, explained more.
“It starts Saturday, August 1st, it’s a mass start, and it starts at 8:00, and there will be bikes on the road all day long.
“The 100 milers will go towards McDowell, they’ll go across Bullpasture, then down into Sugar Grove, then back through Sandy Ridge. They’ll come out at the Hanover Shoe Factory, then they’ll come up and hit Snowy Mountain, go to Snowy Mountain Road, and then they’ll go hit 28 and come up to 250, back across into Virginia, and back to Monterey.
“The 70 mile and 50 mile pretty much go the same way, except they’ll come up through Blue Grass and down through Meadowdale.
“The 27 milers will leave the school, will turn left up here at the school road, and go down 220 towards Blue Grass, and go up the Blue Grass Valley Road, down through Meadowdale, back to 84, and then back up 220 to the school.
Registration for the event is $75, and includes a t-shirt and post ride activities.
“There’s going to be an after ride meal. It will start at 1:00 this year. The pool will be open until 9:00 Friday and Saturday nights. There will be camping out here in the ball field.
“Right now I’ve got 170 signed up so far. People are waiting to find out what the weather is like, and I’m getting slammed with registrations.
“They can register on our website at www.highlandcountyrecreation.org. We also offer PayPal, they can pay with PayPal, then go down and click onto the registration form, fill it out, and e-mail it back to me.”
Check in and registration will also be held at the Highland High School gymnasium Friday evening from 5:30 to 9:00, and Saturday morning from 6:00 to 8:00.
Hiner had a word of caution for area residents and motorists.
“Everybody be very mindful that there will be bikes on the road, practically all day. There’s a lot of them that stay over and ride on Sunday, they’ll go back and ride again on Sunday, so just be aware, there will be bikes on the road.”
For more about the event and the routes, visit the Recreation Commission’s website.
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