Wilmington Whiteface MTB Race

The Wilmington Whiteface MTB Race, also known as “the beast from the east,” takes place in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. The race has 50k and 100k distances that start close to Lake Placid in the nearby town of Wilmington, NY. The out-and-back course takes riders on varied terrain with a nice mix of pavement, gravel, dirt, and singletrack. Riders are treated to stunning views of the peaks of the Adirondacks and those in nearby Vermont/New England. Below you will find JB’s recap of the 2022 100k.

Background

Leadville Trail 100 MTB Affiliation

Let me provide some background as to why I chose to race the 2022 Wilmington Whiteface MTB Race before detailing the event. In 2022, the Wilmington Whiteface MTB 100k was a qualifying race and a part of the Leadville Trail 100 MTB Race Series. For those unfamiliar, the qualifying races in the series serve two purposes as they relate to the Leadville Trail 100 MTB (“LT100”). First, a race can gain riders entry into the LT100. Without going into great detail, entry at a qualifier is gained by either podiuming in your category or receiving a “golden coin” via a lottery that takes place at each event. Second, the qualifying races can be used to improve a rider’s corral position at the LT100. Riders that haven’t raced in a Leadville Race Series event start in the last corral. This can make it harder to get that coveted LT100 buckle.

Why I Chose the Wilmington Whiteface MTB Race

In 2019, I gained entry into the LT100 and deferred to 2022. Improving my corral position was a big motivation for me doing the 2022 Wilmington Whiteface MTB Race. It wasn’t the only one though. I caught sight of the Adirondack Mountains a few years prior when traveling to Vermont. The evergreens and glimpses of the Adirondacks in the distance took my breath away. I knew that I wanted to return to ride, vacation, or both. In addition, Dave Wiens, six-time winner and LT100 legend, lauded the course and described it as the closest replica of the LT100. Based upon these motivators, I was in!

Adirondacks and Lake Placid

My journey from Pittsburgh to the Wilmington Whiteface MTB Race started on the Thursday before the Saturday, June 4th race day. The plan was to make the nine-ish hour drive and set up camp at the Wilmington Notch Campground, which is really close to the start/finish. I wanted to get there in time to explore a little bit and catch the course pre-ride on Friday afternoon. Much of the first seven hours of the nine hour drive consisted of highway miles, although the scenery and glimpses of the Adirondacks get better the further you travel north on U.S. Route 81.

Scenic New York State Route 3

My route exited from Route 81 near Fort Drum, NY (an impressive and massive Army base) and soon onto the scenic New York State Route 3. Much of it is also known as the Olympic Trail in reference to the Lake Placid Winter Olympics (1932 and 1980). This two hour section was gorgeous and provides endless opportunities to stop and explore.

Olympic Trail and Ausable River

The Olympic Trail continued once I reached Lake Placid and turned onto New York State Route 86. This stretch makes its way to the campground, passes Whiteface Mountain, and continues to Wilmington. The views along the Ausable River are stuff movies are made of. You will find many road cyclists riding on Rt. 86. Some for leisure and others training for the annual Ironman triathlon or warming up for the Whiteface Mountain Uphill Bike Race that takes place the same weekend as the Wilmington Whiteface MTB Race. You will also catch glimpses of fly fishermen looking to hook a lunker on the mighty Ausable.

I will spare you the pictures of the Olympic sites, but make sure to take some time and explore this area. In 2022, Lake Placid was under heavy construction in anticipation of the 2023 FISU World University Games (college olympics of sorts). Although many of the facilities had been recently upgraded or were in the process, Lake Placid still had the old school 1980s feel. I am anxious to return and see what has been done. Hopefully some of the unique motor lodges and Swiss chalet feel remain.

Wilmington Whiteface MTB Pre-Ride and Rider Meeting

On Friday afternoon, Coach Patrick Carey, a multi-time winner of both event distances, graciously led a pre-ride. The ride explored the start, finish, and sections of the Hardy Road and Flume trails. The pre-ride calmed the nerves and allowed riders to take in some of the area sans race speeds and pressure. I would definitely recommend taking advantage of this opportunity.

The pre-race meeting took place soon after the end of the pre-ride at Whiteface Mountain Ski Area. Whiteface Mountain was the site of the alpine skiing events during the Lake Placid Winter Olympics (1932 and 1980). It was also the event headquarters and the location of the start/finish. The surrounding views here are stunning.

Wilmington Whiteface MTB Race Day

Start to Bartlett Road

The 2022 Wilmington Whiteface MTB at Whiteface Mountain was a mass start that climbed the paved drive out of the resort and onto Route 86. There was a screamer of a descent on Highway 86 toward downtown Wilmington. 

The course turned off of Highway 86 before making it to Wilmington and onto Fox Farm Road. Fox Farm turns onto Springfield Road for some rolling paved roads to the first climb. The 2023 event starts at Preston Memorial Field in Wilmington, which is actually further up Springfield Road and just beyond where the 2022 course passed. Springfield passes Hardy Road at about mile 3 of the 2022 course, which leads to singletrack the route takes later in race.

Bartlett Road Climb

At about mile five, the course makes a right onto Bartlett Road for the first of four primary climbs. Because of the out-and-back format, in actuality there are two primary climbs with accompanying descents done both ways. Hence, four primary climbs. 

The first on Bartlett is around three miles in length. It takes riders into the Bartlett Primitive Area near Cobble Mountain. At around mile eight, the Bartlett Road descent starts, which is close to two miles. The course continues the descent on Alstead Hill Lane, Lime Kilm Road, Lacy Road, and State Route 9N. Most of the course traverses very lightly traveled gravel/dirt roads. All of the more traveled paved roads were well marshaled and there were no worries with traffic.

Climb Near Jay and Saddleback Mountains

The second major climb commences at around mile 13 on Styles Brook Road. This bad mama jama is near seven miles long. It starts on pavement on Styles Brook and then turns into gravel, taking riders in or around the Jay Mountain Wilderness and Saddleback Mountain. The scenery on this part of the course is awesome. Although it’s hard to hear much over your heartbeat or see past the eye glaze, try to take in the tranquility of the singing birds and sights of the surrounding foliage. It may help take your mind off the pain. Probably not, but still take it in!

The “road” on this climb changes names a few times. It also narrows and widens at different points and is more of a trail than road at times. By the top you are on Wells Hill Road.

Wells Hill Road

Buckle up at around mile twenty. The dirt road turns downward for a screaming descent. Be careful as the road is washed out, rutted, and rocky in many places. Don’t end your day here. Also, at mile twenty-fourish, the road makes a hard right onto Carlott Road. There are marshalls warning you here, but be aware nonetheless. Again, at around mile twenty-five, you make another hard right onto Burpee Road, which ends the sweet descent.

Blueberry Trail System

The course remains on gravel as you jet up for a short .3 to .5 mile ascent and then trends down for the next three or so miles with some pavement mixed in before hitting the Blueberry Trail System. It was somewhere on this stretch that the leaders began passing by me on their way back. The Blueberry Trail System is the first singletrack on course, and it is really nice. It is my understanding that the system (or at least parts of it) is relatively new. The trails are approachable with some roots, turns, and switchbacks. Some of the trails were loamy, but that may just have been because they were new. Definitely some sweet singletrack.

The course exits the trail system at about mile thirty-two. There was an aid station soon after the exit. I planned on stopping once and this was it. This aid station also served as a bag drop. The volunteers were super. I had my bag in no time, pulled out my drop items, a volunteer quickly topped my water bottles and hydration pack bladder, and I was off. 

Do It All in Reverse

Now, you do everything in reverse up to mile 49.5. There, the course takes a gravel road that wasn’t in the out portion of the course. It is just under a mile and is the beginning of the climb back up Bartlett Road. The Bartlett in-bound climb ends at mile 52.6. Here, the course gives riders a nice three-mile descent back to the Springfield Road pavement. The next three miles from Springfield to the Hardy Road singletrack is rolling.

Hardy Road Trails

At mile 58.6, the course hits the Hardy singletrack. These trails are bomb! On race day, they were firm and fast. They contain tight turns and interesting trail features. Although these trails come later in the day, there is no doubt you will enjoy this section. It is what every mountain biker craves!

At around mile 61, the trail exited back onto Hardy Road. The next three miles or so were on pavement back to Route 86. For me, this stretch seemed like it took forever. It trends up every so slightly, but there was a slight headwind that sapped the energy out of my already tired legs.

Flume Trail System to Whiteface Mountain

Once at Route 86, the course made a right instead of going left back toward the resort where riders came from hours earlier. Riders were on Route 86 for about .4 of a mile before busting a left onto the Flume Trail System. The course was very briefly on some singletrack before hitting doubletrack. This doubletrack started a mile climb, which took riders back onto resort property. It opened up part way through the climb and passed ski lifts and outbuildings that serviced the resort.

At mile 66.3, the course dumped riders onto loamy, rooty, and off chamber singletrack. Much of this singletrack was reworked to add into the course. It was less than a mile long, but was taxing that late in the day. 

The singletrack relented and sent riders on an open stretch downhill to the finish where an announcer, race officials, volunteers, racers, and racers’ families greeted finishers. The energy here was electric!

Afterparty

The afterparty took place at the ski area. Each rider got a free beverage and barbecue-style meal. It was a glorious afternoon with sunny, bluebird skies. Racers, faimilies, and friends gathered, mingled, and shared stories. Podium awards and LT100 entries were handed out to podium finishers interested in racing the LT100. A lottery occurred after the podium ceremonies where the lucky recipients whose names were drawn got to choose whether they wanted to take the LT100 journey as well. It was awesome to see the happy faces of those lucky enough to get a coin! There was also live music that everyone got to enjoy to celebrate a great day on the bike!

Route

Conclusion and 2023 Updates

The 2022 Wilmington Whiteface MTB Race was amazing! The precipitating factor in my participation was the LT100. After 2022, there is no doubt that I will go back at some point in the future. In addition to a top-notch event, there is so much to explore on the way to Wilmington and in and around the Wilmington-Lake Placid region.

Unfortunately, the Leadville Race Series decided to eliminate Wilmington Whiteface as a qualifier. My understanding is that Wilmington Whiteface was owned/produced by Youphoria Productions and not by Life Time, Inc. (who owns the Leadville Race Series). Life Time decided to focus on the qualifiers it owns.

Fortunately for riders, the Adirondack Sports Council (“ADKSC”) has taken the reigns and is producing a similar event. To any causal observer, the ADKSC was instrumental in making the 2022 event happen. It was also much of the reason that 2022 was so top-notch. There is no doubt that the 2023 event and those in the future will just get better. Again, no question I would do the Wilmington Whiteface MTB Race again! Upon a quick look, the 2023 course appears to be very similar to 2022, but for changing the location of the start/finish, eliminating the sections beyond the Fox Farm and Springfield split, and making some tweaks to the Hardy Road and Blueberry singletrack sections.

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