Experience the Lost River State Park Mountain Bike Trail System
Recently awarded a Trail Accelerator Grant by the International Mountain Bicycling Association, and with the support of WVU’s Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative and other partners, LRTC will continue working with Lost River State Park to bring mountain biking trails to Hardy County, trails that are accessible to all who wish to experience the exhilaration of the sport.
Importantly, this trail system will be the only purpose-built system designed to accommodate standard mountain bikes, hand-cycles, and e-bikes. The proposed LRSP trail system fills what is currently a blank spot in the mountain biking landscape with a much-needed trail system in Hardy County. Lost River State Park sits at the heart of a network of legendary mountain bike trails with the Lost River Valley located just 2 hours outside of Washington DC and poised to become a central destination for riders exploring the region.
An AmeriCorps member will be working with LRTC beginning in February 2023 to assist with the items listed below.
Goals and concerns for 2023:
- The primary goal of LRTC is to establish a youth cycling group with the intention of forming a local National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) team. The East Hardy High School unused cross-country track is being explored to create a training course to use while the trail system is being designed and built at the park. Volunteers are needed to support this activity.
- Working with the National Park Service: Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program, LRTC will be building a strong volunteer base. Starting with a small group meeting at LRSP, LRTC now has approximately 15 members involved in trail workdays and event planning, monthly meetings, and the Facebook group page (240 members). Volunteers are needed to strengthen and actively support the organization.
- LRTC hosted the inaugural Lost River Classic, a four-route gravel-ride fundraising event. 100 participants were supported by volunteers who contributed their time, as well as numerous sponsors who contributed to the success of the event. LRTC volunteers have been repairing the existing MTB trails at the park and will be working to clear the winter damage from the trails for the Trail Run in May. The 2023 Lost River Trail Run is scheduled for May 6 and the 2nd annual Lost River Classic will be held on August 12. Volunteers are needed for regular trail work and to support events.
- The uniqueness of this trail system has the potential to open small business development opportunities throughout Hardy County including lodging, bike rentals and maintenance, restaurants, etc. But most importantly, the very nature of the trail system should open opportunities for new and existing businesses and organizations to consider their facility and program designs in meeting the needs of visitors with a range of abilities. Universal design should be incorporated into not only environments but also services and products, assuring access to all who wish to participate.
- A GoFundMe account, the Jay Moglia Fund, was created in memory of the person who initiated the trail effort and who believed strongly that this project would greatly benefit the sport and Hardy County. The donations from the fund, and the grants from Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area, International Mountain Bicycling Association, and the Hardy County Commission, will go toward the completion of the Lost River State Park Mountain Bike Trail System. Fundraising and grant writing will be absolute necessities for this project to be realized (design, engineering, building), for on-site training for youth and riders of adaptive equipment, for ongoing trail maintenance, upgrades, etc.