New River Gorge, WV: Climbers, Paddlers and Now Mountain Bikers Flock to National Park

A NPS staffer from the New River Gorge National Park checks out IMBA's Trail Solutions book.

For years, outdoor enthusiasts have flocked to the New River Gorge (NRG) National Park to challenge themselves with the region's outstanding paddling and world-class rock climbing. Local cyclists and land managers recently agreed that the need for better recreational trail opportunities exists in the NRG.

Adam Stephens, owner of Marathon Bicycle Company in Fayetteville, WV, sees the area as a potential mountain bike destination. He asked the IMBA Trail Care Crew to meet with the National Park Service and a few dedicated locals to discuss trail opportunities in the park and the community of Fayetteville. The meeting opened a dialogue between recreational trail users, local recreation-based business owners, the National Park Service, and IMBA.

Questions and concerns in regards to land preservation, user conflict and resource management were addressed during the meeting, as well as new ideas about recreation in the New River Gorge. Anna Laxague and Jason Wells of the Subaru IMBA Trail Care Crew gave a presentation covering the many resources that are available to land managers through IMBA and local volunteer groups. The presentation also touched on ways that land managers can work with the local community to build relationships and gain support.

Stephens hopes to form a cycling advocacy group in Fayetteville to increase support for mountain bike trails, build a community around cycling, and educate volunteers who are interested in trailbuilding. Ideally this group will be able to work with the National Park Service in building and maintaining trails in the future.