L to R: Steve Ware, Doug Wayne, Governor Wise, Cai Clothier, Greg Moore, Bryan Fawley, Michael Haid
West Virginia Governor Bob Wise has declared June as West Virginia's Mountain Bike Month at a ceremony in Charleston. After reading the proclamation, the Governor presented it to Cai Clothier, the youngest member of Team Bon Jovi/West Virginia. Governor Wise also took the opportunity to recognize Steve Ware and Doug Wayne, founders of Clay County School's Mountain Mudmasher Bike Club, and WV Mountain Bike Association's Executive Director Greg Moore.
Wise remarked how mountain biking in West Virginia continues to be a positive mainstay of the state's tourism product. The International Mountain Bike Association ranked only one state above West Virginia for creating a friendly mountain bike state. Wise also noted that state rail trail groups continue to secure Transportation Enhancement (TEA 21) federal grants to enhance and expand the state's rail trails. Three West Virginians were selected for the U.S. World Mountain Bike team in the September 2003 world championships in Switzerland.
Wise praised the many mountain bike enthusiasts in the private and public sector who work hard at promoting and maintaining the state's lofty mountain bike destinations.
"Mountain biking continues to be a key component of our outdoor recreation tourism," Wise said. "Many individuals have worked hard to help West Virginia earn its reputation as a world-class mountain bike destination. Research shows that outdoor recreation, including mountain biking, is one of the top activities for visitors to this state."
June is the state's busiest month for high profile mountain bike events. The Tour de Canaan mountain bike races begin the first week of June followed by the NORBA national races at Snowshoe Mountain and the 24 Hours of Snowshoe at the end of the month. The prestigious West Virginia Mountain Bike Series has events from June through September.
A year ago, Gov. Wise proclaimed June 2003 as Mountain Bike Month and in March, the West Virginia Legislature passed a resolution calling on the Governor to "take suitable public notice each year" to recognize June as Mountain Bike Month in West Virginia.
The proclamation reads as follows:
Whereas, West Virginia has established itself as a premiere mountain bike destination providing hundreds of miles of picturesque trails and rail trails for mountain bike enthusiasts; and,
Whereas, mountain biking is an integral part of the state's tourism industry and provides quality-of-life recreation for state and non-residents alike; and,
Whereas mountain bike racers from across the country and around the world travel to West Virginia for events like 24 Hours of Snowshoe, the National Off-Road Bicycle Association (NORBA) National Championship Series, the West Virginia Mountain Bike Association races and the Fat Tire Festival; and,
Whereas, West Virginia is home to some of mountain biking's most notable racers, promoters and advocates who tirelessly promote the state's great destinations while making the sport better for everyone;
Now, Therefore, Be it Resolved that I, Bob Wise, Governor of the State of West Virginia, do hereby proclaim June 2004 as:
Mountain Bike Month
In the Mountain State and encourage all citizens to experience the enjoyment of mountain biking and recognize all our state has to offer.
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