PITTSBURGH (BRAIN) — West Virginia's Big Bear Lake Camplands was the scene for the Dirt Fest West Virginia mountain bike festival earlier this month. The event attracted more than 900 riders from 20 states and Canada.
The West Virginia event was the second Dirt Fest this year, joining the Dirt Fest Pennsylvania event, which is held in May. Pivot Cycles was the title sponsor for both events, which are produced by Rotating Mass Media.
"We've been discussing a second Dirt Fest location for years, and we couldn't have asked for better partners than the Big Bear people. The trails are incredible, and the stage, communal fire pit and giant pavilion kept the vibe super mellow," said Maurice Tierney, the founder of Dirt Rag magazine and Rotating Mass Media.
"Not to toot our own horn, but for a first year event, Dirt Fest West Virginia was nothing short of excellent," said Trina Haynes, associate publisher. "Evan Gross, RMM's event coordinator, is proving himself to be the right choice to expand the events side of our business," Haynes added.
The event was staged on a huge backcountry airstrip, ideal for the expo and camping. Vendors included Pivot, Maxxis, Five Ten, Yakima, Giro, Bike-tube.net, Erra Creations, Handup Gloves, Mulberry Gap, BikeFlights.com, Shimano, Scott Sports, Ibis Cycles, Salsa Cycles, Trek Bicycle, SRAM, Red Bull, DIRT Components, Genuine Innovations, SR Suntour, Industry Nine Componentry, KHS, Vee Tire, Pro Gold Lubricants, KMC Chains, VeloFix, Wicked Girl, Massanutten Resort, Quick Service Bike Shop, Proudfoot Cycles, Stan's NoTubes, Fox Racing Shox, Oskar Blues, and Pathfinder of WV.
Women accounted for over 23 percent of attendees, much higher than the industry average for such events, according to the event organizers. The event included group rides and skills clinics, and live music all weekend.
RMM has one more festival in 2017: The Bicycle Times Adventure Fest, Oct. 13-15 at Stokesville Campground near Harrisonburg, Virginia.
