WILMINGTON, N.Y. --- Hundreds of cyclists will hit the roads, back country roads and trails during Sunday’s, June 7, 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).

The 69-mile race both begins and ends at Whiteface Mountain, in Wilmington.  But in between the grueling race will take the fields through some of the region’s most challenging cycling terrain that include twisting jeep and gravel roads, back country trails and demanding hill climbs that measure more than 750 meters each.

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.  Organizers hope that the 31-mile long race will attract more racers, who might someday race in the full 100K.

Both the 100k and 50k races are a part of this weekend’s, June 5-7, sixth annual Wilmington Whiteface Bike Fest.  The bikefest is designed to promote and showcase cycling opportunities in and around Wilmington.

The uphill race, which is part of the northeast Bike Up the Mountain Points Series (BUMPS), will be contested on the morning of Saturday, June 6, 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 5, in the Wilmington Town Park, when the Krushers Stunt Team, from Montreal, Quebec, return for the free jump jam and trials exhibition. Other events Friday evening include Sam Perkins and Carsinn Wilson, both performing bike acrobatics.

Afterwards, the festivities will move over to Whiteface Mountain’s Cloudspin Lounge for the fifth 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 In Cahoots.

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 Vendors’ Village.

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

. Twitter #WWBikeFest.

-- ORDA --

Established in 1982, the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) was created by the State of New York to manage the facilities used during the 1980 Olympic Winter Games at Lake Placid. ORDA operates Whiteface, Belleayre and Gore Mountain ski areas; the Olympic Sports Complex at Mt. Van Hoevenberg; the Olympic speed skating oval, Olympic jumping complex and Olympic arena. As host to international and national championships, the Authority has brought millions of athletes, spectator and participants to the region, resulting in significant economic development.