West Virginia 2008 Official State Travel Guide - (Page 57) West Virginia is consistently ranked one of the top mountain biking states in the country. Big Bear Lake Campground/ Coopers Rock State Park Two favorite mountain biking hot spots are just a short drive from West Virginia University and the town of Morgantown. Big Bear Lake Campground, home of the popular 24 Hours of Big Bear Race, has made it easy for off-roaders by creating four loops (ranging from eight to 21 miles) from which to choose. At Coopers Rock State Park, bikers find another 50 miles of trail riding. Both locales are known for their tight switchbacks, off-the-saddle downhills and rocky sections. whitewater rafting, rock climbing and a swimming beach with “aqua jump” trampolines. Relax after a long day of riding at one of Ace’s cabins, complete with a hot tub on the deck. its double-black-diamond Black Bear Trail, the park also features plenty of moderately technical rolling single-track. Additional State Park Gems West Virginia’s newest resort state park, Stonewall Resort in Roanoke, is the place to go for beginners wanting to hone their skills and for families with young children. The trails, just a short ride from the magnificent resort, are well marked and require little experience. Twin Falls State Park in Mullens is another beginner-friendly locale that is becoming increasingly popular among mountain bikers. With more climbing than Stonewall Jackson’s trails, the rides require a moderate level of fitness. Kanawha State Park in Charleston offers intermediate-advanced riding within minutes of the capital city. Known for Rail Trails West Virginia’s most popular rail trail, the 79-mile Greenbrier River Trail, winds its way through the Greenbrier River Valley in Pocahontas and Greenbrier counties. The packed-gravel trail runs along the beautiful Greenbrier River and passes through the Monongahela National Forest, Cass, Watoga and Droop Mountain State Parks and Greenbrier and Seneca State Forests. Riders traverse 35 bridges and two tunnels along the way. Just slightly shorter, the 72-mile North Bend Rail Trail is a favorite among mountain bikers largely because of its 13 tunnels. The trail, which is part of the 5,500-mile coast-to-coast American Discovery Trail, runs from Parkersburg in Wood County to Wolf Summit in Harrison County. New River Gorge For awesome scenic views, the mountain biking at Ace Adventure Center in the New River Gorge can’t be beat. Great for recreational or more serious mountain biking, Ace is a playground for adventure enthusiasts with top-notch riding, IF YOU GO: Big Bear Lake Campground, 304-379-4382, www.bigbearwv.com. Blackwater Bikes, 304-259-5286, www.blackwaterbikes.com. Canaan Valley Resort State Park, 800-CALL WVA, www.canaanresort.com. Coopers Rock State Forest, 800-CALL WVA, www.coopersrockstateforest.com. Greenbrier River Trail, 800-CALL WVA, www.greenbrierrailtrail statepark.com. Kanawha State Forest, 800-CALL WVA, www.kanawhastateforest.com. New River Gorge/Fayette County Convention & Visitors Bureau, 800-927-0263, www.newrivercvb.com. North Bend Rail Trail, 304-643-2931, www.wvrtc.org. Snowshoe Mountain Resort, 304-572-1000, 877-441-4FUN www.snowshoemtn.com. Stonewall Jackson Resort & State Park, 888-278-8150, www.stonewallresort.com. Twin Falls State Park, 800-CALL WVA, www.twinfallsresort.com. Top left to bottom right: Mountain biking at Snowshoe , Wild Cat Trail in Kanawha State Forest , ACE Adventure Center at the New River Gorge , and a beautiful morning along the Greenbrier River Trail . h g b g W W W . C A L L W VA . C O M 57 http://www.bigbearwv.com http://www.blackwaterbikes.com http://www.canaanresort.com http://www.coopersrockstateforest.com http://www.greenbrierrailtrailstatepark.com http://www.kanawhastateforest.com http://www.newrivercvb.com http://www.wvrtc.org http://www.snowshoemtn.com http://www.stonewallresort.com http://www.twinfallsresort.com http://www.callwva.com
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