Making a Difference One Trail at a Time

Mountain Bike Tourism and Revitalization 

Anecdotally, the positive impact mountain biking has on communities from a fiscal and health perspective continues to be reported. However, there is an increasing number of studies being conducted using a variety of models to quantify benefits of mountain bike tourism.  Sources include State Government, Public Advocacy Groups, and Trade Associations. 

As industry and manufacturing companies, most with decades and some century old connections, pull the plug and leave, communities are often left with failing economies and sometimes the debris. There are success stories from across the country on how mountain biking has revitalized and reinvigorated these cities and towns. 

Following are some of the success stories, mostly chosen because I have visited the trails for mountain biking. I’ve also provided a brief overview of some of the benefits of bicycle tourism.

Singletracks.com conducted a survey of 1,400 mountain bikers from across the country. The survey found that 62% will travel to ride their bikes, averaging two trips per year, and the average tourist mountain biker will spend $382 per person. 

Adventure Cycling Association, an advocate of both road and mountain bike touring, reviewed state conducted bicycle tourism economic impact. In 2012 Oregon reported $400 Million; in 2013 Arizona reported $88 Million; and Michigan in 2014 had a $668 Million infusion of tourism from cyclists. 

East Burke, Vermont

Burke View Inn, Vermont

The poster child of how community involvement can transform a crumbling town into a tourist meca for mountain biking. A declining timber industry and a floundering ski area left the small town of East Burke with plenty of growth potential. Fifteen years ago, mountain bikers brought the town together and eventually created a network of over 100 miles of trails, most on private land. In 2016, they reported 103,000 visitors and brought in $8 Million to the local economy. The Kingdom Trails Association has recently expanded with more trails nearby in East Haven, Vt.

My wife and I typically make two to three trips per year to Kingdom Trails and stay with Joan Laplant at Burke View Inn. If not for the trail system Burke View Inn would most likely not exist. Multiple new restaurants have opened and there are two  thriving bike shops, East Burke Sports right in town and Village Sport Shop Trailside.

Oakridge, Oregon

Oakridge, Oregon

In 1990 logging was declining and eventually the sawmill closed down. Not much was going on for the next decade and the town was eroding. In 2004, they received a grant to develop a mountain bike trail plan. As of today, they have 380 miles of trails and in 2014 a study reported that mountain bike tourism generated $5 Million in direct spending. 

In 2016 my wife and I made a trip out to Bend, Oregon to visit friends. On the way, we stopped and visited friends in Colorado Springs, Colorado; Victor, Idaho; and Moab, Utah: all great mountain biking areas in their own. (Side note: Watch Victor, Idaho.  This place is ready to bust out as a mountain bike destination.)

Victor, Idaho

We eventually made it to Bend and were greeted by a welcoming party of local mountain bikers who mapped out their favorite local rides and along with our host made us feel incredibly welcome. We were in Oregon for a month, making side trips to Sisters and eventually taking four days and heading to Oakridge. The snow was still in up in the mountains but we managed to find more welcoming folks and spent two days bikepacking along the Middle Fork of the Willamette River. We definitely want to go back. 

Sisters, Oregon

Copper Harbor, Michigan

Cooper Harbor, population 108, is a former mining and port town, with 35 miles of purpose built mountain bike trails and 20,000 visitors per year. 

 You cannot drive any further north to Lake Superior in Michigan than Copper Harbor. It’s a long drive and I’ve done it twice. As other trails have grown up and expanded around Houghton and Marquette, MI, Copper Harbor trails have progressed at a slower rate and that’s okay. The trails are worth it and there is something for everyone, a common finding in purpose built mountain bike trails. Keweenaw Adventure Company estimates that mountain bike tourism accounts for 1/3 of the local economy.

Bentonville, Arkansas

Back 40, Bentonville, Arkansas

The home of Walmart and the Walton family, Bentonville has invested heavily in mountain bike tourism and it has paid off. The Walton Foundation has invested $74 Million over ten years constructing over 150 miles of trails in Northwest Arkansas. 

Rock Solid Trail Construction, Arkansas
(Photo Credit: Eli Glessman)

A study by People for Bikes reports $137 Million in economic benefits in 2016. Unique to the study, they have separated $86 Million in directly related health benefits and $51 Million in business revenue. 

Traveling from out of the area one needs quite a bit of time to experience all NW Arkansas has to offer and it’s pretty awesome. 

Western North Carolina 

DuPont State Forest, North Carolina

Brevard and Bryson City are the two hubs of mountain biking with Brevard having the greatest mileage and variety. They are the gateways to Pisgah and Nantahala National Forest with Brevard also boasting DuPont State Park. DuPont State Park has plenty of buffed flow trails but does not lack for adventure in any way. Pisgah is old school rocks, roots, and more miles of trail. Mountain bikers visit at about 435K/ year and spend about $30.2 Million. Western NC residents add another $18 Million. Overall, mountain bike tourism supports 366 full time jobs and $9 Million in job income. 

In 2012 Oskar Blues Brewery of Lyons, Colorado opened a satellite brewery in Brevard. The draw was not just the clean clear mountain water but also the mountain biking. They employee about 65 full time employees. 

Crosby, Minnesota 

In 1970 iron mining companies pulled the plug and left, leaving behind a scarred landscape and a collapsing economy. Over the next 20 years the area became an illegal dumping ground. 

In 1993 the state came in and cleaned up, designating it a state recreation area; no one came. Mountain bikers from Minneapolis, 125 miles away, lobbied the state to create their first mountain bike focused park. The state hired a professional trail building crew to construct 25 miles of trail opening in 2011. A study has shown 25,000 cyclists have generated $2 Million annually to the local economy.  Since 2011 fifteen new businesses have opened, and once the planned expansion reaches 75 miles of trails the impact is estimated to reach $21 Million annually. 

Plan for the Future: Peck Forest, Fulton County and the Adirondacks

There is one intangible commonality among successful mountain bike communities, the all-inclusive vibe that welcomes mountain biking tourists to the area.

The potential for communities to reap the benefits, both health and economic, is nearly limitless. One such community with exceptional potential is the Johnstown- Gloversville area in Fulton County, NY. Currently three local state forests are undergoing review of their Unit Management Plan (UMP). Public hearings have already concluded. The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has included mountain biking in the UMP. 

The area was once an industry leader in leather goods. Those jobs have left as well as jobs from a closed correctional facility. Not many manufacturing jobs remain and most of the well-paying jobs are a significant commute. 

Three core variables are essential to success: resources, volunteerism and buy in from the community.

Fulton County State forest is a 5,000 acre resource.  Peck Forest encompasses 2,700 acres and is closest of the three forests to Johnstown and Gloversville. The foundation of resource is immediately available. 

Single Track Trail, Peck Forest, New York

The Adirondack Velo club has a Volunteer Stewardship Agreement with DEC and has already laid out nearly 4 miles of perimeter trail in one parcel of Peck Forest. The potential for collaboration with Fulton County Trail Blazers, a snowmobile club, also exists. 

Peck Forest Single Track

Matt Sherman, owner of Stump City Brewing, is a vocal proponent of building trails in Peck forest. His brewery is across the street from the forest and has recently expanded their brewing capacity. Likewise, Neil Auty, owner of The Bike Works in Johnstown, has reported an uptick in mountain bike sales, especially noting an increase in sales of higher end mountain bikes.

Community support is essential for success. Local leadership from government, business and community stakeholders combined can develop a plan to link a trail system with Gloversville and Johnstown. Economic support in the way of grants and state funds would accelerate the building of trails. Further study, supported by grants, could also determine if professional trail builders are feasible. 


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I haven't figured out the comment reply.....

Reply to comment from March 28, 2019 at 5:08 PM:

"any year round impact on the towns and communities ? ty"

Like any seasonal sport I would presume there is a lean time of year. Depending on other recreational resources will smooth out the year. But even with Burke Mountain Ski Area and Fat Tire Biking in East Burke, winter is a lean time for the Burke View Inn. Areas that have more of a year round climate for riding obviously will do better, for instance Bentonville. Also towns that have drawn business to the area, Oskar Blues in Brevard, have a year round impact. I was also reading that a tech company in Vermont who was looking for technical expertise placed help wanted adds in a mountain bike magazine and was successful recruiting.