WILMINGTON, N.Y. --- Hundreds of cyclists will hit the roads, back country roads and trails during Sunday’s, June 5, Wilmington Whiteface 100k (WW100) mountain bike race. Cyclists from throughout the northeastern United States and Canada hope that this event will qualify them for one of 70 to 100 spots in the prestigious Leadville 100 (LT100).

Beginning and ending at Whiteface Mountain the 69-mile long race pushes riders up, down, through and around twisting dirt, paved and gravel roads, back country trails and single track as well as climbs that measure more than 750 meters each.  That’s all before they return to Whiteface where a final 360-foot climb awaits them ahead of the finish line.

From the Olympic mountain, which was the site for the 1980 Olympic Winter Games’ alpine events, and known for having the greatest vertical east of the Rockies, the out and back race will take the cyclists to Route 86, the Fox Farm Road, Springfield Road, Hardy Road, Bartlett Road, Lacy Road and Limkiln Road before reaching Route 9N.

From 9N, the race’s most demanding and technical terrain and climbs await the field, as they peddle through Styles Brook Road and the Jay Mountain Road ahead of Carlott Road and Blood Hill Road.  From there, the field makes its way to Roscoe Road, Bronson Lane, Blueberry Hill and out to Lord Road before returning to the Flume Trails and Whiteface Mountain.

Aid stations will be located approximately every 20km along the course (20km, 40km, 60km, 80km, finish).  Each aid station will be stocked with Gu Energy Gels, Gu Chomps, Water, Electrolyte drink, fruit, and light snacks.

The race’s top-three WW100 finishers in each division will be awarded spots to the LT100, while the remaining spots will be distributed based on performance and a lottery system.  Racers who do come away with qualifications will have the opportunity to race in either this year’s LT100 or next year’s.

Cyclists who may not be ready for the full WW100 can also compete in the 50K event. In its fourth year, the 50K race is an excellent way for riders to experience the event without having to race the full 100K.  

Both the 100k and 50k races are a part of this weekend’s, June 3-5, seventh annual Wilmington Whiteface Bike Fest.  The bikefest is designed to promote and showcase cycling opportunities in and around Wilmington.

The uphill race will be contested on the morning of Saturday, June 4, which allows racers to compete in both events.  The course takes cyclist 11 miles up the Whiteface Veterans' Memorial Highway, a 3,500-foot climb to the summit of New York State’s fifth highest peak. 

You don’t need to be a “hard-core” cyclist to have fun and take part in the Wilmington-Whiteface Bike Fest. The three-day event welcomes everyone who just enjoys being out on a road bike, mountain bike, hybrid or even a unicycle. There’s something for everyone.

The Fest festivities begin Friday, June 3, in the Wilmington Town Park with the free jump jam and trials exhibition. This year’s show has expanded to include a larger performance by the Krushers Stunt Team from Montreal and back by popular demand Sam Perkins and friends.

Afterwards, the festivities will move over to Whiteface Mountain’s Cloudspin Lounge for the sixth annual Best Calves Contest and music provided by Good Time Tunes.

Saturday’s lineup includes the Poor Man’s Downhill and the Bike Fest Beach Party, at Wilmington’s Lake Everest Beach, with live music from Raisanhead.

And while the cyclists compete on Saturday and Sunday, families, friends and visitors can take in the fun at Whiteface Mountain to include the Adventure Zone and vendor expo.

For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/WilmingtonBikeFest?ref=ts&fref=ts, or www.WhitefaceRace.com. Twitter #WWBikeFest16.

Photos from the 2015 Wilmington Whiteface Bike Fest Weekend can be found HERE. Photos courtesy of ORDA/Whiteface Lake Placid

MEDIA DVISORY: Media interested in covering the Wilmington Whiteface Bike Fest should call Jon Lundin, WW Bike Fest Dir. Of Communications, Tel: 518-637-6885, email: JLundin@orda.org for credentials.

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