Trans-Sylvania Epic Creates New Opportunities In Mountain Biking

The cycling community is big on fundraising and charity efforts but one of the most impressive organizations has to be the Outdoor Experience Organization (OEO) of Pennsylvania. In a short period of time the OEO helped to advance mountain biking throughout the state, create big events that help local economies such as the Trans-Sylvania Epic, a 7 day mountain bike race in central PA that generates tens of thousands of dollars for the organizations efforts.

“PA has some of the best mountain bike trails in the country but it wasn’t getting the recognition it deserved because we didn’t have the events or funding needed to promote the sport here. That’s the goal of OEO and with races like the Trans-Sylvania Epic we now have MTB racers from all around the country flying into our state to race. That’s money being put into our local economies, that’s money that creates new jobs and that’s money that helps us build new trails and make the sport even better in our beautiful state.” Spokesperson for OEO

Cycling is rapidly growing in popularity throughout the state with events in cyclocross, road and criterium racing, triathlons and much more getting bigger and bigger each year. The focus of OEO was to make sure that mountain bike racing wasn’t left out of the mix and thanks to the Trans-Sylvania Epic and other races, it hasn’t.

“Summers in PA are not only beautiful but they are perfect for attracting cyclists from all around the country. We are a short plane ride away from Canada and all four corners of the continental United States, low cost for tourists and great opportunities to promote the sport. Can you imagine the cost of flying to and getting a hotel during the summer for big races in Las Vegas, California, New York, Florida, Texas or anywhere else big? It would be too much for most to spend. We put the money back into the state and back into the sport where it belongs. That’s why each year this event is bigger than the last and we hope to not grow outside other types of cycling, we hope to help grow the sport of cycling throughout the state.”

Trans-Sylvania Epic (TSEpic) begins at the end of May and consists of multiple stages with dirt roads, big climbs, great sites and trails. It is a truly epic race to be a part of and cyclists from around the world have added it to their season schedule each summer. Find out more about TSEpic and learn how you can be part of the best mountain bike race of the year.