In the Spring, when weeks upon weeks of rain make the ground muddy and sloppy, you’re guaranteed some messy and slippery cross country dirt bike races. Until summer, the lack of leaves on the trees in these forests that are the home of the races in West Virginia create a stark contrast next to bright colored graphics and flashy riding gear; until they’re all covered in mud. Here are a few shots from an SNCC race last year in Summersville, WV.
The rolling hills and mountains of West Virginia aren’t just for dirt bikes. In June I was at Big Bear Lake near Bruceton Mills, WV for the WVMBA 2×12 and there was no echo of B-R-A-A-P to be heard. This race was for die hard mountain bike racers. I hiked most of the 12 mile loop backwards after leaving the hill in which the riders climbed right at the start. It was a very hot and muggy June day and even in the shade of the forest at Big Bear Lake, the humidity had my dew rag soaked and sweat was burning my eyes. You can only imagine what the racers were dealing with. Check out some of the shots below. Serious devotion these riders have.
