My family members are novice mountain bikers. My daughter is just managing to be able to switch the gears of her new bike without popping off the chain. That said, we still love to get out, ride our bicycles and go a"bit off road." We may not be ready to hit the Wilmington Dirt Jump and Skills Park quite yet but we are able to take a few trails and leave the paved roads behind.

This weekend is the Wilmington Whiteface Bike Fest. This event has a little something for everyone. For those families similar to my own there is a free beginner "Fun Not Fear" mountain biking workshop along the Flume Trails on 

Thursday with High Peaks Cyclery.

The main event will kick off with registration for the 11th annual Whiteface Mountain Uphill Bike Race and 2nd annual Wilmington/Whiteface 100K. That last event is a qualifier for the Leadville (CO) 100 MTB Race. Whew! There will also be free stunts, jumps and tricks with Sam Perkins and Taylor Wright-Sanson at the Wilmington Dirt Jump and Skills Park.

The Whiteface Mountain Uphill Bike Race starts at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday with over 400 riders expected to start at the Whiteface Ski Center, continuing on Route 86 to Route 431 and up the Veteran Memorial Highway to the summit of Whiteface. Spectator passes will be sold during the Friday registration for $5 per person. If you aren't interested in watching bike racing the drive up Whiteface Memorial Highway opens at 10:00 a.m.

Downhill Mike has arranged some slamon races for kids as well as adults. In the afternoon there will be a parade starting at Santa's Workshop to Lake Everest, Wilmington's public beach. The parade will feature costumed riders and decorated bikes. Join in at the Bike Fest Beach Party with many activities on the roster.

So check out the schedule and if you can't make the Wilmington Bike Fest, try to fit in a few of the Wilmington trails. This is just one of the many fun activities happening this weekend around Lake Placid. So join in the fun and see you outside! 

Diane Chase is the author the Adirondack Family Activities™ guidebook series, Adirondack Family Time™.