Mountain bikers begin the 2025 Challenge at Mountwood on April 26 at Mountwood Park on U.S. 50 east of Parkersburg. This year’s race, part of the West Virginia Mountain Biking Association cross country race circuit and Ohio Mountain Bike Championship, will be held on April 26. (File photo)

VOLCANO – The 31st annual Challenge at Mountwood returns on April 26 when about 200 cyclists are anticipated to race in West Virginia’s largest mountain bike competition.

This year, the race will be part of the West Virginia Mountain Biking Association cross country race circuit and also again part of the Ohio Mountain Bike Championship, said Vince Nedeff, a race organizer. Nedeff also is vice president of the River Valley Mountain Bike Association, the sponsors of the Challenge at Mountwood.

“This is now a dual-point series race,” he said.

Twenty-six of the 50 miles of trails at Mountwood Park are featured in the race and are of different levels of abilities for experienced to beginner cyclists, Nedeff said.

The Challenge at Mountwood is divided into three levels: Expert, Sport and Beginner courses. The Expert course is about 19 miles, Sport is 14 and Beginner is 6, Nedeff said.

Sully Daft, 5, of Elkins cleans his bike at the 2025 Challenge at Mountwood mountain bike race. The 2026 run is on April 26 at Mountwood Park east of Parkersburg. (File photo)

The Expert trail is exactly what it means for its difficulty and challenge to seasoned mountain bikers, according to Nedeff. The Boot Bridge Trail at Mountwood is among the difficult sections, he said.

The Expert course has an overall vertical climb of 2,600 feet, the Sport has a 1,750-foot elevation climb and the Beginner a 900-foot climb.

“This is the reason it’s called the Challenge at Mountwood,” Nedeff said. “Mountwood Park is just a really great place to race bikes.”

More cyclists are anticipated this year with the Challenge at Mountwood becoming part of the West Virginia and Ohio circuits, Nedeff said. It makes the race even larger than previous years, he said.

“I’m expecting upward of 200 racers this year,” Nedeff said.

Former Parkersburg resident Steve Worden of Morgantown in his racing gear at last year’s Challenge at Mountwood. The annual race includes beginner heats and will be held on April 26 at Mountwood Park. (File photo)

Included in the festivities will be free clinics for youth to learn about mountain biking and to sharpen their skills, he said. Members of the River Cities Singletrack Serpents, which is part of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association Youth Mountain Bike Program, will provide the instruction, Nedeff said.

“This will help them learn the skills of mountain biking,” Nedeff said.

Races begin at noon. Participants can register at https://www.rvmba.com/events/ and fees are from $30 to $50.

Admission is free, and the kids events which start at 10 a.m. also are free, Nedeff said. Among prizes for the Pro and Expert classes are coffee mugs made by local potter Jennifer Eisenmann of J.E. Creations.

The Challenge at Mountwood is race No. 3 in the West Virginia race circuit.

Race categories for Beginners are: Beginner Men Open, Beginner Women Open, Beginner Boys 10 and Under, Beginner Boys 12 and Under, Beginner Boys 14 and Under, Beginner Girls 10 and Under, Beginner Girls 12 and Under, Beginner Girls 14 and Under, Just For Fun/Ride Buddy. Sport: Men Open, Women Open, Girls 18 and Under, Boys 18 and Under, Women 35+, Masters Men 45+, Masters Men 55+, Clydesdale (over 200 pounds). Expert: Pro Men Open, Pro Women Open, Men Veteran 35+, Boys 18 and Under, Single Speed.