Lake Placid to Host Mountain Biking World Cup
Right after racing for Olympic gold in Paris, the world’s best riders will converge on Mt Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid this September 27-29 for the WHOOP UCI (International Cycling Union) Mountain Bike World Series.
At this most prestigious competition in the sport, we’ll see three race formats to challenge riders in different ways: Cross-country Olympic, Cross-country Short Track, and the Cross-country Marathon, all of them giving spectators a forest full of action-packed excitement.
Riders who know the Adirondacks know we’re home to exceptional mountain biking at all levels. Mountain biking officially began at Mt Van Hoevenberg in 1989, and even with its incredible history of athletic competition in winter sports, a cycling event at this level and this scale is a first for Lake Placid. Hosting this event will inspire a whole new generation of mountain bikers to come visit and enjoy the splendor of the region.
The sport made its Olympic debut in 1996 at the Atlanta Games and has been part of each of the six Summer Games since. A mid-season break is scheduled in the 2024 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series this year to allow riders to compete at the Paris Olympic Games. Shortly thereafter, we will see those Olympians and other elite riders in Lake Placid for that same Cross-country Olympic race and the two other disciplines.
Get Involved
Since Lake Placid’s first international competition – a ski jumping event in February 1921 – teams of enthusiastic volunteers have supported and strengthened our events as well as the experiences of the athletes and spectators from around the world. Our enduring legacy and much of what our community has achieved through the last century would not have been possible without the dedicated support of volunteers, and that fact remains true to this day.
For many volunteers, the motivation is their love for the Adirondacks or love for their community. For others, it’s being close up to these extraordinary events and playing a part in their success. Regardless of their own unique reasons for joining the event team, volunteers are a vital part of the remarkable Olympic Legacy in Lake Placid.
To find out more about the rewards of volunteering or to get involved at the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, visit the Olympic Authority’s volunteer web page and fill out the online form. Or reach out with questions to volunteer coordinator Eric Paul (volunteers@orda.org). Perks include free passes to watch the action.
Enjoy The Trails
In addition to world class racing, spectators can also enjoy the equally world class (and FREE) local mountain bike network built and maintained by the volunteer driven Barkeater Trails Alliance (BETA). Not only does the region feature over 125 miles of trails for riders of all abilities, but BETA is also planning a very cool Community Bike Jam featuring bike demos and a BMX stunt show in downtown Lake Placid to kick off the weekend on Friday, September 27.
If you'd like a sneak peek of the BETA goods without the added tires that will come to town for the World Cup, definitely do not miss the Wilmington Bike Festival slated for August 30-September 1.
The Fest is 3-day celebration of bikes and community with on-site camping, live music, local food & beer, group rides for all abilities, shuttles, a kids MTB race, and miles and miles of beautiful Adirondack-style single track riding in Wilmington, Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Keene and Elizabethtown. Proceeds support the trails!
World Cup Tickets
Tickets for this first-ever mountain bike World Series at Mt Van Hoevenberg are on sale now!
- Single day passes are available, or get a package deal on access to the full three-day event, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
- Even better yet, an extra discount is all yours if you buy now through September 1st.
- VIP tickets are available, too, and include endless food and beverage as well as unique access to venue areas, parking, and more.
Click here for full event details and to get your tickets today.
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