Lost River Classic

Lost River Classic: Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 9 AM

The Lost River Classic returns for its third year on August 17, 2024! Registration opens Christmas Day 2023 at an early bird rate of $65 before going up to $85 on January 2 and $100 on August 1.

The Lost River Classic presented by the Lost River Trails Coalition is a gravel race to support the development of multi-use and mountain biking trails in Lost River State Park, Hardy County, West Virginia. Our immediate aim is to build our IMBA-designed 3 mile beginner and intermediate loop in the park and subsidize a portion of the operating cost of the Cryptids, Hardy County's new NICA youth mountain bike team.  This event is inspired by Jay Moglia, the founder of Raw Talent Ranch and the first President of the Lost River Trails Coalition. Jay once ran a road race in Mathias by the same name, and we thought it was a fitting tribute to recast his race as a collection of some of the most challenging and beautiful roads we can string together in Hardy County. The premier Lost River Classic route has something for everyone: gravel, pavement, singletrack, doubletrack logging roads, and private farm tracks we have been granted special permission to use.

This is a very challenging event. The long and medium route feature several miles of manageable singletrack and a couple of brief hike-a-bike spots. We recommend gravel bikes with low, almost mountain bike gearing and 38mm+ tires for most riders.

The Lost River Classic is part of the West Virginia Gravel Series. Qualifying participants across many categories for long, medium, and short routes can win additional cash or prizes. See the WVGS website for rules.

For updates and information, follow at https://www.facebook.com/LostRiverClassic and https://www.instagram.com/lostriverclassic/

 

Routes and Prizes

The Lost River Classic consists of a 73 mile, mostly gravel route primarily in Hardy County, WV, with some segments in Virginia. There are four challenging gravel climbs and 9,000 total feet of elevation: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39803913.

Men's and Women's Open: $1000/8All other categories: prizes

The Two Ridge Loop joins the 73 mile bike race for the first half of the ride and returns through Lost River State Park to the Mathias Community Center from the top of South Branch Mountain at the Lost River Barn. This is still timed as a race with prizes (no cash purse), but still very challenging: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39764661. It is about 45 miles long.

Men's and Women's Open: top finisher prizeMen's and Women's 40+: top finisher prizeMen's and Women's 50+: top finisher prizeMen's and Women's 60+: top finisher prize

The Cove Mountain Loop (https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43630063) is a 28 mile circuit departing with the rest of the cyclists, but turns left toward Middle Cove Road and Aid Station 1 without crossing over Basore Road into Virginia. This is still a challenging route on beautiful roads, but without the sufferfest of the major climbs. There is still one gravel climb and descent on this route. 

The Lost River State Park Family Ride (https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39638479) departs shortly after the gravel rides and heads in the opposite direct to Lost River State Park, where families can enjoy hiking in the park, swimming in the pool, or other activities planned by park employees for the day. The $25 registration fee for the family ride includes the entire family (up to 6 individuals)! Please contact the Event Director for additional participants.

 

Bail Outs and Time Cuts

The 73 mile route is a very challenging course that can take some riders almost all day to complete. For the sake of our volunteers, we are implementing time cuts this year so that we can aim to have all riders return to the finish line by 5pm. This is a roughly 10 mph pace with 45 minutes of stopping time. Below is a diagram of various bail outs in case you are tired or encounter the time cut at the first two aid stations or the bottom of the final climb up Helmick Rock Road. The very first climb is very challenging, so don't be discouraged if you find yourself out of your comfort zone. You can bail out by following the short course to aid station 1 and rejoin either the 45 or 73 mile route there. Please inform the officials at the finish line of any changes you've made to your route.

click for larger image.

 

Aid Stations

Aid stations are placed roughly 20 miles apart:

Mile 24: The intersection of Lower Cove Road and Mill Gap - Orkney SpringMile 46: Baker Rescue SquadMile 64: Lost River Barn

Aid stations will be relatively minimalistic: water, HEED by Hammer Nutrition, and Coke and snacks like pretzels, chips, trail mix, peanut butter and jelly, fruit, pickles, etc. 

 

Event Details

Package pick-up and same day registration will be available beginning at 7:30 AM on August 17.

All event categories will depart from the Mathias Community Center at 9 AM on August 17, with the family ride a few minutes later.

There will be a post-ride meal and party at the Mathias Community Center. A meal ticket is included for every category except for the family ride. Additional meal tickets can be purchased separately in the event registration for $15. One free T-shirt will be given to every participant of every route except for the family ride. Additional T-shirts can be purchased in the online event registration.

The event will be held rain or shine, although we may be course changes for heavy rain. 

 

Fundraising

Optional additional fundraising is possible through Bikereg’s partner site, Pledgereg. Upon registering for the event, you will have an individual fundraising page. You can also create or join a fundraising team.

The fundraising team that raises the most money for the Lost River Trails Coalition will receive a free weekend in the Lost River Barn, which can accommodate up to 18 individuals.

 

Equipment

All riders must wear a bicycle helmet.

The Lost River Classic route features more than 50% gravel. Some of this can be relatively rough and we recommend gravel bikes with tires at or above 36mm width. We do not recommend road bikes. Any type of bike is suitable for the family ride.

There are aid stations every 25 or so miles, but you should bring with you two full bottles (it can be hot in August).

 

Transfers and Changes

Registration transfers can be made from person to person and route changes may be made online until August 16 at 5pm. After this, only route changes may be made by informing the registration table a check-in before 9AM on August 17. These changes can be made in your Bikereg account.

 

Accommodations

There are several hotels and bed and breakfasts nearby, ranging from Lost River to Wardensville. Guesthouse Lost River is among the most popular hotels in the area. Lost River State Park features a variety of cabins. These are in high demand, so we suggest booking them well in advance of the event weekend. Adjacent to the park is the private Big Ridge Campground that can accommodate both tents and RVs. Please see the Hardy County Convention and Visitors Bureau for more information about lodging.

Sponsors

Without the generous support of our sponsors, we would not be able to host this event:

EA Hawse Health CenterGuesthouse Lost RiverLost River Trading PostLost River Trading Post RealtyAmerican WoodmarkSheetzMathias Community CenterHardy County Convention and Visitors BureauHammer NutritionHardy TelecommunicationsLost River BarnCutaway USAKing Technical Apparel