Mountain biking is a uniquely exhilarating sport. Muscles, mind, and machine blend seamlessly, working as one, going up and down rugged, rocky, winding paths, escaping the busy concrete world for quiet forests where it’s just you, your bike, and the trail.
“I love the nature part of it, but I love the technical aspects, too, navigating the roots and rocks,” says Sarah Conboy of Latham, NY. “I just stay in the moment and enjoy the scenery and keep it safe one pedal stroke at a time.”
At the North Creek Ski Bowl’s recent mountain bike marathon known as the 4-6er, riders came together to test their legs and minds. But the event is far more than a competition. Riders choose between four- and six-hour races, either solo or in teams, on challenging Ski Bowl trails as part of a full weekend of activity. One that includes a formidable endurance challenge in the forests of Gore Mountain, along with a cycling film festival the evening before at the Tannery Pond Center in downtown North Creek, plus plenty of opportunities for connections, conversations, music, family, and food.
“This really makes me appreciate the trail access through these beautiful forests we have here,” says Jenny Liu, an event participant who serves as a sustainability executive with the Nature Conservancy. As she prepares her bike for the six-hour ride, she says, “I feel very fortunate we have these beautiful areas to ride in, and I love being able to get way back into the woods. Along with being outside, there’s also the camaraderie and fitness. I’m very grateful for it all, and the Ski Bowl is a special place.”
The weekend is organized by Unify Cycling with partners that include the Upper Hudson Trails Alliance, the Gore Mountain Ski Patrol and Olympic Authority, the Tannery Pond Center, Nutritional Revolution, and the Town of Johnsburg. With values firmly rooted in community, service, and inclusivity, Unify Cycling’s goal is simple: to organize fun, safe, and entertaining bike races while giving back to the community, the sport, and the environment.
A regional organization, Unify Cycling operates in a world in which mountain bikes and the adventure that comes with them are increasing in popularity. Here at home in North Creek, mountain biking offers an opportunity for residents and visitors alike to enjoy healthy access to the area’s natural resources, trails, and activities designed for a range of abilities, while also supporting economic activity in the surrounding community.
Indeed, studies demonstrate that mountain biking generates economic benefits for rural communities while contributing to quality of life.
This second year of the 4-6er Mountain Bike Race brought a diverse group of riders and their families to the area, some of whom had never before been to the Ski Bowl and some of whom knew it well.
“I was actually just here last weekend,” said rider Thierry Blanchet. “It’s only about an hour and a half from home, so we get here several times a year. I’ve always favored longer endurance races, and the Ski Bowl’s got an exceptional network of trails that are really well built.”
Chris Richard of Pittsford, Vermont is another regular at the Ski Bowl. “I really like the trails here, especially that one that goes all the way to the top,” he says. “There’s a great variety and a nice mix of technical trails, roots, and rocks but also plenty of smoother sections where you can go faster.”
In addition to the trails, participants offer a variety of reasons the event is a strong draw.
“I’m not here to race,” says Sarah. “I do it for the enjoyment and the social aspects and for nature. I’m also grateful to have friends in the sport. When it comes to mountain biking, I’m almost always with someone or a small group. I have many wonderful friends and mentors, and I like the social part of it.”
The Ski Bowl trails and its North Creek 4-6er race are part of a larger worldwide movement. More people are discovering the sport of cycling as a way to improve fitness, spend time outdoors, and connect with others. That makes places like the Ski Bowl, with its variety of trails, welcoming for newcomers and experienced riders alike.
“For new riders, I recommend finding groups that can take you under their wing and show you trail systems and give you all the little tips on how to ride,” says experienced race participant Jenn Dean of Albany. “There are a ton of kids groups these days, which is amazing, and it’s really cool to see so many young people getting into the sport. But it’s not like there’s just one type of group. I started with a group for women, and every group I ride with is very different.”
“Whatever you do,” says Jenn, “Don’t take it for granted. Give back to the people and the trail systems. There are a ton of ways to volunteer.”
For many newcomers, mountain biking may seem intimidating, but learning and growing in the sport with a group can offer an easier, safer path forward. With experience, what may at first seem daunting can turn into joyful adventures full of friends and memorable experiences in nature.
And events like the North Creek 4-6er, whether one really enjoys competing or just wants to have fun, are opportunities to improve one’s fitness and cycling skills while discovering the connections and camaraderie that are such an important part of the mountain bike community.