Upshur County Uprising

Race 2 out of 9, Upshur County-Uprising, is the second event of the West Virginia Mountain Bike Association (WVMBA) Cross Country Mountain Bike Series. This race is part of one of the oldest mountain bike racing series in the nation, renowned for its challenging courses and vibrant community of riders.

Join us in celebrating the spirit of mountain biking and enhancing our trails by becoming a WVMBA member at: WVMBA Membership 2026, Membership not only supports the promotion and development of mountain biking in the state but also provides benefits such as discounts on race entries. 

All races start at 12 noon or shortly after, (unless otherwise posted). All participants must attend the pre-race meeting.

Race Categories:

Each WVMBA Series Race offers participants the opportunity to choose from three categories when selecting their race class. Your choice should be based on a combination of fitness level, skill, and the time you anticipate needing to complete the course.

• Pro/Cat 1: includes 17.8 miles with 2,370 in elevation gain. This category is designed for experienced riders who are prepared for a challenging course.
• Cat 2: includes 12.5 miles with 1649 feet in elevation gain. This category is suitable for intermediate riders, offering a balanced challenge.
• Cat 3/Beginner: includes 7 miles with 910 feet of elevation gain. This category is perfect for those new to racing or looking for a less intense experience.

Licenses/Membership:

WVMBA is pleased to announce that no USA Cycling license will be required this season. We encourage you to consider becoming a WVMBA member, as your support helps ensure the organization’s long-term future.

Annual members will receive a $5 discount code for each race entry. If you are not a member, the full cost of race entries will be included in your event registration.

WVMBA memberships can be purchased here: WVMBA Membership 2026.

Please note: You are encouraged to obtain an Annual WVMBA membership before registering for any race, as we cannot provide refunds for memberships purchased after registration.

WVMBA Category pricing: 

All races will have a consistent price point to maximize the prize purse and simplify race-day registration. Cat 1 Juniors will have full payout opportunities.

All Cat 1 race entrees are $50 (including Juniors) (+online reg fees)

Cat 2 and Cat 3 for all adult categories are $50, Monday before race $60. (+online reg fees)

Cat 2 and Cat 3 for all Junior classes are $30, Monday before race $40. (+online reg fees)

WVMBA Annual Members will be $25 and $45, Monday before the race, $35 and $55.

All race entrees will increase $10 Sunday at midnight on the week before your event. Online registration will end on Friday before your event.

Starting April 13, registration fees for all racers will increase by $10. Registration will close at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 17, to allow time to submit the final roster to our timing company, Miles of Smiles.

Same-day, on-site registration is available (cash or check only). Fees are $60 for adults and $40 for children.

Prizes:

Each category in the WVMBA Series is distance-based and offers unique prize opportunities:

Cat 1/Pro Categories: Competitors in this category will race for cash prizes awarded to the top three positions across all five subcategories. Notably, there is equal pay for both the men’s open and women’s open divisions, ensuring fairness and recognition for all athletes.

Cat 2, Cat 3, E-Bikes: Participants in these categories will compete for a prize table or special awards for the top three finishers in each subcategory. The specific prizes will be determined at the promoter’s discretion.

The Award Ceremony for Upshur County Uprising will take place after all racers have been accounted for on the course, and will take place at the Main Event Area at the Upshur County Park.

Rules:

Please review the updated WVMBA Racing Rules and Regulations available on our website. This comprehensive guide outlines all the necessary information for participating in our series.

Additionally, we are excited to offer E-Bike options for Class 1 pedal-assist e-bikes. You can find the specific rules for E-Bike participation in the same section on our website. Explore the details today to ensure you’re fully prepared for the race!

Course and Additional Information:

As Upshur County Trails is a new addition to the WVMBA circuit, we want to share some key details. This course benefits greatly from a pre-ride since it features tight, twisty sections, steep uphill switchbacks, and quick turns, without major rock gardens. You’ll encounter optional features and B-lines, so it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with these options beforehand. During the racer’s meeting, we’ll emphasize: if you haven’t ridden an orange-X-marked feature before, do not attempt it on race day! These features require full commitment and carry higher risks; please choose the B-line if you couldn’t pre-ride.

About 90% of the course is hand-built single track, so expect to navigate through fellow racers. Be prepared to communicate and execute safe passing during the race. All categories will start with a prologue of approximately 1.5 miles, followed by a main lap that varies by category.

The race course features several short, punchy climbs rather than sustained ascents, with a mix of rocks, roots, rollers, table tops, and small jumps that add excitement and challenges. Each challenging feature includes a ride-around line marked in blue, differing from the orange markings for technical features. There’s plenty of fun to be had, and we invite you to explore additional trails not included in this race course on a future visit!

For those eager to familiarize themselves with the trails, Upshur County Trails is offering a guided pre-ride (details to come). Join our group every Wednesday night at 6 PM, rain or shine, for a chance to ride together. We’ll announce an extra guided pre-ride Wednesday soon, but any Wednesday is a great opportunity to explore! If these dates don’t fit your schedule, please contact jjford304@gmail.com or juliabethkastner@gmail.com, and we’ll arrange for someone to guide you. We look forward to seeing you on the trails!