Joe Manchin III, Governor

Frank Jezioro, Director

News Release : March 15, 2005

Hoy Murphy , Public Information Officer (304) 558-3380 hoymurphy@wvdnr.gov

Contact: Pipestem Resort State Park (304) 466-1800 parks@westvirginia.com

Pipestem Challenge Mountain Bike Race April 3, 2005 

  Pipestem Resort State Park in Summers County will host the Pipestem Challenge Mountain Bike Race on Sunday, April 3, 2005 . Approximately 200 racers are expected to compete. Race registration begins at 9 a.m. Sunday across from McKeever Lodge. Entry fee is $25 per racer. The race begins at noon .

  This event is the first sanctioned “points” race of the 2005 WV Mountain Bike Association race series. Racers will compete not only for cash and prizes, but also for WV Mountain Bike Association race series “points,” which will eventually determine the series champions.

  The race promoter for the Pipestem Challenge Mountain Bike Race is Ride N Slide Sports in Beckley , WV . Ride N Slide Sports is also the promoter for the Little Beaver Chain Ring Challenge to be held Sunday, July 31, 2005 at Little Beaver State Park near Beckley . This event is also sanctioned by the WV Mountain Bike Association.

  A portion of the proceeds from both the Pipestem Challenge and the Little Beaver Chain Ring Challenge will be donated to the newly created scholarship fund of the WV State Parks Superintendents Association. This fund was established to help provide educational opportunities for children of the employees of WV State Parks.

  Rooms at McKeever Lodge at Pipestem Resort State Park are still available for the race weekend at $69 per night plus tax for single or double occupancy. Vacation cottages and camping are also available.

  For additional race information racers may contact Ride N Slide Sports at 304-253-5202. For lodging reservation information contact Pipestem Resort State Park at 304-466-1800 or 1-800-CALL WVA.

**DNR**