UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Happening Now at Snowshoe Mt. Resort

Perhaps you’ve noticed a lot of out-of-state cars hauling mountain bikes along Pocahontas County roadways, or heard about the Mountain Bike World Cup at Snowshoe Mountain Resort. Well, it is happening now -Thursday, September 5^th is an official training day for the racers at the Resort, and spectators are welcome to come out and watch them train. The races run from September 6^th through the 8^th. To learn more about this globally televised event, and its impact on the tourism industry in Pocahontas County, we had a conversation with Cara Rose, the Executive Director of the Pocahontas County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and you can listen in.

The World Cup is upon us!

“World Cup Week is here, Hallelujah” said Rose.

When does it run from?

“World Cup is September 5^th through the 8^th, so Thursday through Sunday, and it’s going to be bringing people from around the world to Pocahontas County. We’re estimating that around ten thousand guests will be travelling to the county, and a lot of them are already here!”

That’s exciting!

“It is…It is exciting!”

If someone in our listening audience would like to come up and watch the races, how much is it going to cost?

“Races will be taking place through Sunday. Spectator tickets are $50.00 for the whole time frame, so when you purchase your $50.00 ticket, it is for Thursday through Sunday, so you can access all the races, watch the fun and all the entertainment for the entire weekend.”

I guess you can come and go?

“You can come and go. You can purchase tickets on-line and you can also purchase tickets at the base of the mountain at the Inn at Snowshoe.”

If people do decide to come up there, will they have a problem finding a place to park? What do you suggest?

“They are recommending that all visitors park at the base of Snowshoe Mountain at the Inn At Snowshoe and also in the field between the bank and the Inn at Snowshoe, and there will be shuttle service running up and down the mountain. One thing I’ll mention, Tim, so that people can get the magnitude of what this event really means, the UCI is also the organizer for the Tour de France. So we can think of the world Cup as the Tour de France for mountain biking. And it is really that significant, and it is being held at Snowshoe Mountain, Pocahontas County, West Virginia.  And that says a lot! It means that we bring to the table an exceptional mountain biking experience.”

I assume most of these ten thousand people coming are mountain bikers themselves?

“Yea, I am not sure how many of these are going to be registered racers and team members, support staff and family. I am guessing, I think around four thousand packets were prepared for registration, so a significant part of them will be a part of this mountain biking community that goes around the world racing. It is also the first time it has been in the United States in several years. And, we are just so fortunate to be showcasing Pocahontas County and Snowshoe Resort to the world through this event.”

What kind of impact do you anticipate this will have on our mountain biking tourism area?

“Well, certainly it’s going to highlight our destination to the world, without question. the broadcast of this event is worldwide. So film crews and TV stations from around the world will be here broadcasting, for one thing, but from an economic standpoint, it will be a few million dollars impact to our county.”

That’s great, is there anything else you would like to add?

“Enjoy the world Cup; be friendly to our visitors. Many of them will be coming from around the world, so greet them, smile and that will bring them back.”

I guess we are likely to encounter a lot of bikers on the highway too.

“Yes, be aware there will be cyclers on the highways practicing and getting their exercise and getting ready for the races, yes.”

That’s it then, thank you.

“Thank you, Tim.,”