New Trails Under Construction At Buffalo Mountain
March 8, 2010
Lyburn, WV – A new 20 mile section of trail is scheduled to begin construction starting mid March, 2010. Agreements are in place and the mapping has been completed for the new riding area which will be part of the Buffalo Mountain System. The new trail section is located in the Lick Creek area of Mingo County near Matewan, WV. The new trails are planned to be a mixture of both multi-use and single track trails. With this new addition of trail complete, the Buffalo Mountain trail may even surpass the Rockhouse trail system for the most overall trail mileage in the Hatfield-McCoy Trail network. Riders can anticipate this new trail addition being completed and opening to the public in the next few weeks.
More information will become available once trail construction is complete.
Hatfield-McCoy Trails Presents Action Sports Arenacross Championship
Huntington, WV – The Hatfield-McCoy Trail System will be the exclusive off-road trail sponsor of the 2010 Action Sports Arenacross Championship. “This is one of the most exciting and competitive indoor motocross racing events in our area,” said Jeffrey Lusk, Executive Director, Hatfield-McCoy Regional Recreation Authority. “We are really excited to be part of bringing this opportunity to Huntington,”
The event takes place Friday and Saturday night February 12 and 13, 2010, at 7:30 p.m. at Big Sandy Superstore Arena. The Huntington event always draws over 500 mini, amateur, and pro riders and nearly 10,000 loyal motorcycle racing fans.
Competitors beginning at 5 years old on 50cc mini bikes along with amateur riders of all ages and skill levels and talented professional riders will compete both nights. “Many of the professional riders are seeking stardom on the National racing circuit,” said Mike Pinkerton, Director of Marketing for Hatfield-McCoy Trails. “They will be competing for over $6,000 in prize money, so it’s pretty serious in there. People come to ride, and ride their best.”
The race track is described as “a thrill-seekers dream,” double, triple and tabletop jumps promise to “keep the riders flying over 60 feet through the air all weekend long.”
Doors open Friday and Saturday night at 6:00 p.m. for the 7:30 p.m. show. The race usually lasts 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Advance tickets are available at ticketmaster.com and the Big Sandy Superstore Arena Box office, or you can charge by phone at 304-696-4400. Tickets will also be available at the door on the day of the show. Kids’ tickets are half price, and all seats are reserved.
For more information go to http://www.bigsandyarena.com/nm/publish/news_114.html
All About Bikes Magazine - January 2010
-click here for actal pdf article-
Riding With Freedom- Hatfield-McCoy
By Julian V. Taylor
With the laws changing in the United States and rules and regulations stopping bikes and ATV’s from riding on open land, the ability to use organized trails like Hatfield McCoy in West Virginia is priceless, as MasterCard would say.
With over 500 miles of trails split up into six different locations spread across the mountains of southern West Virginia, Hatfield McCoy is a playground for anything dirt.
West Virginia’s tourist board introduced me to the trails a couple of months ago while touring around the state. Some of the stops on the way were the Governor’s mansion in Charleston, Mountainfest in Morgantown, Snow Shoe ski resort, and Songer Whitewater rafting. But the highlight of the trip was the ability to ride the Hatfield McCoy’s Little Coal River trail system on a dirt bike.
Just off route 119 near Danville and Madison, this 65-mile trail system is a combination of small loops that blend into one larger loop. This structure enables you to leave at 9 in the morning and not ride the same trail twice before arriving back at 4 o’clock that same afternoon. The plan of action in time for Hatfield McCoy is to link together as many of the trail systems as possible to let you ride across all the locations.
My transport was a 08 Husaberg FE450 and FE550 from a local dealer, which I have to say were the smoothest, most powerful dirt bikes I have ever ridden. The suspensions were remarkable, they held up to everything we threw at them. Bearing in mind there was some challenging trails with rocks, steep climbs and heavy mud and water. They didn’t miss a beat. The single-cylinder engines were bullet proof, never coughing or misfiring in the conditions and had enough power to pull you out of any situation.
We set off from base camp around 10 a.m. with two of us leading on dirt bikes and the rest either on ATVs, UTVs or RTVs. There were some single-track, one-way trails that merged into larger two way tracks; everything had arrows and signage that helped with directions. Because the trails are so vast and expansive I would recommend either a compass or GPS if you are alone without a tour guide. We were lucky enough to have a couple of guides who made sure we were always on the right track.
The views and scenery are really quite remarkable and to be able to ride across such large areas without having to worry about trespassing or accidently going into an unauthorized area really is remarkable. The other benefit of riding these trails is the cost. At $50.00 per year for a non-resident and $26.50 for a WV resident, the permits won’t break the bank.
So even as the winter fast approaches pack up the ATV or dirt bike and get out and ride in the dirt at Hatfield McCoy in West Virginia. Believe me, you will love it.
Article written by the Wall Street Journal-
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124831007584074147.html
News segment-
HatfieldMcCoy Trails West Virginia's Eyewitness News
Hatfield-McCoy Expands Trails Just in Time for Summer
May 8, 2009
LYBURN, WV _ Just in time for the summer riding season, Hatfield-McCoy Trails has added 15 miles of new trails on two of its six systems.
“We’ve opened 10 miles on the Buffalo Mountain system, including five miles exclusively for motorcycles,” said John Fekete, Hatfield-McCoy’s deputy executive director. “Buffalo Mountain now has a total of 15 miles of single track trails, more than any other system.”
Buffalo Mountain also added five miles of trails for ATVs and UTVs. The 76.4-mile system, located between Williamson, Delbarton and Matewan, is the most historic of the six systems and has three community connectors.
The Pinnacle Creek system, near Pineville, received a new five-mile stretch of “Extreme Difficult” trails, Fekete said. This trail system is known for its breathtaking scenic views and is located less than one hour from world class whitewater rafting. “Extreme Difficult” trails, designated by black and red markers, combine the aspects of the “Most Difficult” trails, along with stipulations barring riders under 18, machines under 200cc’s, and two-wheel drive machine. (“Most Difficult” trails can be extremely steep, with larger rocks and more obstacles on the sometimes overgrown paths.)
“Folks shouldn’t have any trouble negotiating these new trails,” Fekete said. “We have one of the best and easiest trail mapping and signage systems in the country.
“Our maps are easy to understand for just about anyone and our signage – including specifying difficulty level – is such that people can easily get around without getting lost.”
Additional trails are scheduled to be opened during the remainder of the year, including a one connecting the Fountain Place area near Logan.
The Hatfield-McCoy Trial System was created by the West Virginia Legislature to generate economic development through tourism in nine southern West Virginia counties. It currently operates six systems with more than 500 miles of trails. Each system is open 365 days a year to ATVs, dirt bikes, select utility vehicles (UTVs), mountain bikes, horses, and hikers. Many of the trail systems also offer community connecting trails that allow visitors to access “ATV-friendly towns” to experience the charm of southern West Virginia.
Hatfield-McCoy Trails Selects New Logo Reflecting Its Roots
May 4, 2009
LYBURN, WV _ A new logo identifying the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System will soon be sprouting throughout Southern West Virginia, and wherever off-road enthu
siasts are looking for a good ride.
At its recent quarterly meeting, the Hatfield-McCoy Regional Recreational Authority approved a new logo for the Hatfield-McCoy Trails, and work will begin immediately to roll it out on trail signage, merchandise and billboards.
Beverly Wellman, from Mercer County and chair of the Authority’s Marketing Committee which recommended the change, noted the new logo features the major users of the Trails – ATVs, UTVs and dirt bikes – and its colors and design represent the wood and coal for which the region is known.
HMT Executive Director Jeffrey T. Lusk said the logo would be rolled out over the next six to nine months as it replaces the current “sunburst” design.
The logo was chosen from a series of designs created by Progressity Inc., a Charleston consulting firm providing marketing, design and strategic planning services.
Also at the meeting, Lusk reported on the first quarter financial performance, noting that permit revenue is up 18 percent over the same period last year. “We’re very happy with where we are right now,” he said.
The Authority also welcomed Christy Laxton, executive director of the Wyoming County Economic Development Authority, as a new member filling an unexpired term.
Hatfield-McCoy Trails was created by the West Virginia Legislature to generate economic development through tourism in nine southern West Virginia counties. The system comprises more than 500 miles of off-road trails in six systems scattered over southern West Virginia. Each system is open 365 days a year to ATVs, dirt bikes, select utility vehicles (UTVs), mountain bikes, horses, and hikers. Many of the trail systems also offer community connecting trails that allow visitors to access “ATV-friendly towns.”