Events like the recent WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series Finale bring athletes, spectators, and cameras. But behind the scenes they also deliver valuable benefits to our communities.
There’s much more to Lake Placid’s history than old stories and photos.
Like the roots of a great tree, our story anchors our community, supports our economy, and creates new opportunities. Ours is a powerful past infusing our region with a dynamic energy that continues to fuel our present and future.
More recently, this long legacy of winter sport delivered something new and extraordinary – our first non-winter World Cup. Hosting our first WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series in 2024 marked a historic move into the highest level of global competition in one of the world’s fastest growing sports.
Again this year, both Mt Van Hoevenberg and Whiteface Mountain hosted the three-day, high-speed culmination of the world’s elite mountain biking season. In addition to historic victories, spectacular finishes, and strong attendance, the three events held in Lake Placid since 2024 have brought global television audiences, world-wide social media engagement, and meaningful community benefits. Importantly, these World Cup races offered great opportunities for local youth.
“It’s incredible,” says Jacque Phelan, a mountain biking trailblazer with National Championship wins in three consecutive years – 1983 through 1985 – and an inaugural inductee in the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame. Still riding at 71 years old, Jacquie was eager to come all the way from northern California to see the World Cup Finale in Lake Placid. “I’m blown away at how well organized it is and how people are having so much fun. I love to see that the kids are included, too. It’s turning people on to how great Lake Placid is.”
YOUTH RACING & RIDING
The Grind Junior Cross-Country (XC) Race is one for youth at all levels. It gives them the unprecedented chance to experience the thrill of racing on the same courses during the same weekend as the best riders from around the world. Just like the pros, these young riders start off under the giant gantry on a two-mile course with some of the elites joining in to ride with them. Each young rider chooses to take between one and three laps on these fast, wide trails with two sections of twisty single track and a challenging climb.
Before The Grind, there’s also a free outing on bikes called Ride Like a Pro! This guided tour welcomes all youth from just five years old, whether they’re participating in the race or not.
“My favorite moment was seeing Savilia Blunk signing autographs for all the young girls who were here riding. That was amazing,” says Sarah Moran, who made the trip from Brooklyn for the second year in a row. Blunk is an elite mountain biker who raced for Team USA in the Paris Olympics. “One of the things I really love that we see a lot are young boys rooting for women cyclists. I see it all the time, and it’s just awesome. This is the best time of year to be here, and walking in this morning I was reminded just how special this place truly is.”
KIDS PRESS CONFERENCE
Even before the racing began, our Olympic Authority team organized something special for local students, inviting them to step into the shoes of journalists. At a kids press conference after school on the Wednesday before the races began, area youth and our UCI athletes assembled at the Olympic Center for a rare experience.
Athletes introduced themselves, followed by inquiries from an eager audience of kids of all ages. One by one, local youth spoke up and asked thoughtful questions with the athletes providing the same real answers they would have to any media. It was a genuinely educational and memorable way to connect our local youth with elite athletes right here at home.
BIKE JAM
Youth from across the region also celebrated the event and the sport at a Friday Night Bike Jam, hosted by the Barkeater Trails Alliance. Free admission offered everyone access to a skills park where young riders could practice and build confidence on two wheels. Professional BMX stunt performances, a vintage display of early mountain bikes, a live DJ, a drumline performance, and local vendors were also part of the fun, all taking place in downtown Lake Placid on our Olympic Speed Skating Oval.
While the world’s focus is trained on a huge international competition, activities like this add something special. By directly serving our region’s youth and families, they help sustain our Olympic legacy, bring energy to our communities, and inspire participation in outdoor sport and recreation for generations to come.
ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT
This year’s Mountain Bike World Series in Lake Placid also strengthened the athlete development pipeline, both regionally and nationally. Every part of the event – from the Bike Jam and youth races to the Kids Press Conference and World Cup competition – gave riders opportunities to learn, engage, and compete.
Our community welcomed an extraordinary concentration of elite riders. Over several days, 456 athletes representing 35 countries raced their hearts out, inspired up and coming riders, and connected with people across our communities.
Local youth and others from across the state had the chance to race alongside the elites. Emerging riders from the U.S. and around the world competed in the junior categories, showcasing their talent right here on our trails. The Olympic Authority, USA Cycling, and regional clubs all collaborated to promote our region as a hub for mountain biking create opportunities for riders of all levels.
Lake Placid High School’s Nordic ski coach Bill Frazer says, “It’s always great being here and working with kids, and this is good incentive for young people to be out mountain biking. The local kids, too. It’s great for them to be able to show up and see the best in the world. We have the facilities now, and we’re really lucky to have ORDA bringing in these big events. I love it, and it’s good for the community.”
DIRECT ECONOMIC IMPACTS
The 2026 event drew nearly 17,000 in total attendance over three days. Athletes, coaches, team staff, sponsors, vendors, entertainers, and international media also came to Lake Placid to support the competition and share the region’s story with audiences around the world.
The economic benefits extend into surrounding communities. A recently completed economic impact study measured visitor spending associated with the 2025 UCI Mountain Bike World Series, including spending at local restaurants, hotels, retail establishments, and recreation and entertainment businesses.
Over three days, visitors spent $7.0 million at area businesses. The event generated $1.4 million in state and local taxes and $129,100 in lodging taxes, contributing to an estimated total economic impact of $11.1 million.
Andrew Pastoral, a 2026 spectator from Los Angeles says, “We haven’t been here in many years. Everything is so new and so fresh, but it’s still just like the very first time. It’s beautiful here with the colors, and everybody around is so nice and friendly. We’re enjoying it so much, I hope now we come back every year.”
VOLUNTEERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE
This year’s 2026 UCI World Series brought together 341 volunteers from area communities and beyond. They filled wide-ranging and essential roles, working 652 total shifts across the entire three days at Mt Van Hoevenberg and Whiteface. Their efforts helped the competition run smoothly and supported visitors, athletes, and organizers in countless ways.
Along the way, volunteers contributed their time, skills, and energy to something larger than themselves. Their dedication also helped our communities benefit from the economic and social opportunities these events create.
LIFE IS SHORT
While our Olympic legacy is long, we all know time is precious. That’s why this event’s heart pumping action and excitement are so meaningful to the many thousands of visitors who travel here. At this and many other Lake Placid events, people make memories that last well beyond the competition.
Our communities offer a rich history of sport and recreation, set against a naturally beautiful mountain landscape. Together, these qualities create meaningful experiences and benefits for spectators, volunteers, athletes, coaches, race organizers, and local residents alike.
Experiencing these events in Lake Placid means becoming part of our continuing legacy, each in our own way, helping our roots grow deeper and our communities grow stronger.