Ever since Granny Gear Productions called off the 2010 West Virginia’s 24 Hours of Big Bear, many of us may have been wondering how to fill the void for the weekend of June 12th.

Well wonder no more! The Big Bear Lake Mountain Fest will get down on Saturday, June 12 at the exact same site where the 24 Hours of Big Bear was to be held: Big Bear Lake Family Camplands in Hazelton, West Virginia. This jewel of this festival is the Big Bear 2×12 race, which is a cross country duo team relay race:

Racing will be on a 12 mile technical single track loop in which duo teams compete in a relay style race. Expert classes will compete in duo teams and will ride 3 laps each. Sport classes will compete in duo teams and will ride 2 laps each.

Of course since this is called the Big Bear Lake Mountain FEST, there’s more to do than just racing bikes. In addition to a kid’s race, the event also promises “live foot stomping mountain music and micro brew tasting.” Bikes, beer and music. Now who can argue with that?

Morgantown Brewing Company will provide the suds, and the tentative line up of music includes:

  • East Run Band – Bluegrass with a twist.

  • The Woodticks – Our own West Virginia brand of string band

  • Staggering Cardoons – Celtic rock and traditional bluegrass with some rockabilly

If you’ve ever raced (or ridden) the  24 Hours of Big Bear course, you’ll know this surely promises to be a fantastic event. Thus, we suggest you register right now. Mail-in registration must be post-marked by June 4th, and online registration closes June 10th. If you miss all that, you can register on-site on June 11th.

More information and links to registration can be found on the Big Bear Lake Mountain Fest web site.

Are you heading down to Big Bear Lake Mountain Fest? Leave a comment below, and we’ll meet up!