MON RIVER TRAILS Century Ride
Century Cyclists will be cycling 100+ miles in 1 day so you can enjoy the rail-trails at your own pace
The Mon River Trails Conservancy has a group of cyclists each committing to bike 100-105 miles in 1 day on the Mon River and Deckers Creek Rail-Trails, plus the connecting Marion County Trail and Sheepskin Trail, to raise funds for the upkeep of the Mon River Rail-Trails. Each cyclist will pick one day between Friday, September 27 and Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024 to ride 100+ miles, and your pledges and donations will keep them motivated and pedaling!
Imagine that MRTC represents Mud, Rocks, Trees, and Culverts, with active mud and rock slides, fallen trees, clogged culverts, grass to mow, and ditches to clear, and you get the picture of why MRTC needs your help!
Proceeds from MRTCentury will be used to maintain the Mon River Rail-Trails.
PLEDGE OR DONATE OPTIONS
You can choose to pledge $ per mile, donate a set amount, or make a general MRTC donation at http://go.rallyup.com/mrtcentury
Meet Our MRTCentury Cyclists!
Christiaan Abildso, Morgantown, WV- Christiaan is on the MRTC Board and knows the joys or riding but woes of maintaining rail-trails. He will be pedaling and checking out every inch for downed trees, clogged culverts, and wash outs along the way!
Adam Baus, Morgantown, WV- Adam has the long-distance vision, he is cycling for many generations to enjoy the rail-trail. He says “For me, the rail-trail represents time with family and friends. Seeing our children grow and enjoy the rail-trail more and more over the years is a gift. That sort of gift should be and remain available to everyone.”
Team CalaCain, Morgantown, WV- Stephen Cain, who has participated in the MRTC Century since 2021, will be joined once again by Melissa Calabrese, and their awesome 9-year-old, River. They are taking on this year’s 105-mile challenge as a family to preserve rail-trails for everyone. Steve will be riding the entire route, and Melissa and River will join him for ⅓ of the ride. Just like any typical family, they aim to balance work and family life, finding their greatest joy in spending quality time together outdoors. The rail-trail serves many purposes for their family, including safely commuting around Morgantown, as well as nurturing curiosity and awe due to the beautiful sights along the Monongahela River and Deckers Creek. Team CalaCain is driven to ensure these trails remain accessible and enjoyable for folks of all ages, abilities, and life experiences.
Josh Childs, Washington D.C, Josh was a kid when the train tracks beside his grandparents’ house were replaced with the rail-trail. He says “every generation of my family – from my great grandfather, to my nephews – have benefitted from the trail in so many ways. I am so grateful for the MRTC and the people who created it all those years ago and for the folks who continue to enhance & preserve the trails today.”
Team CRC Trailers, Morgantown, WV- Steve Knudsen, Marilyn Newcome, and Jennifer Previll make up this team. All avid cyclists from the Country Road Cyclists and they all share a love of the Mon River Rail-Trails. Steve, Jennifer, and Marilyn have traveled far and wide on rail-trail adventures but they love coming home to cycle their hometown trails.
Jacob Ferrante, Morgantown, WV- A Mainer living in Morgantown since late 2022. One of the main reasons my family and I moved here was to take advantage of the local trails & cycling. I am most known for my love of white park, single speed mountain bikes, and Greene County road rides.
Colin Dierman, Morgantown, WV- Colin is an avid cyclist that you may know from trailside business- Wamsley Cycles. Besides putting our community on bikes, he is also a big fan of cycling up mountains. He is committed to keeping the rail-trails in good shape by taking on the century challenge.
Marc Glass, Morgantown, WV- Marc can be found cycling curvy WV roads, skinny mountain bike trails, or beautiful rail-trails. He and his bike are ready to take on the century challenge for the good of a rail-trail cause. He says “I feel it’s important to help support the MRTC we all enjoy so much, and doing so on a bike doubles the pleasure.”
Nathan Harlan, Morgantown, WV- Nathan is a lover of all things bike. He fell in love with mountain biking when he came to WVU as a student and more recently has fallen in love with long gravel rides and tough mulit-day bike packing routes. When he can, he drags his three daughters and wife along for the ride. They respectfully declined to join him on this 105 mile adventure.
Gabe Holtzer, Morgantown, WV- Gabe says “I’ve been riding on the rail-trail for as long as I can remember. It’s a great, safe, peaceful place to exercise and have fun. I’m always looking for a challenge and I am super exited to take on the MRTCentury!”
Kemp Holtzer, Morgantown, WV– Kemp says “I have been riding MRTC trails ever since I learned to ride a bike. The rail-trail is a great place to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors and safely travel around our community. I love and support our trails!”
Ronald Jarrett, Morgantown, WV– Carpenter/mechanical engineer that has loved riding bikes since I was 3 years old. I grew up in the DC area, discovered the beauty of West Virginia via camping trips to Doly Sods in the 1980’s, and moved here in 1989. I love road, rail-trail, and single track riding with friends or by myself, and love helping others discovering the joy of bike riding.
Joshua Lohnes, Morgantown, WV- The Mon River and Deckers Creek Rail-Trails have become an intimate part of Josh’s life since moving to Morgantown in 2011. Essential to both his commute to work and his escape from it, he has found countless hours of solace, adventure and friendship along its 105 miles.
Team Mars, Morgantown, WV- is Scott Brylow and Ryan Hansen. Both are active rail-trail cyclists and met while mentoring high school robotics students on the Morgantown-based world-class Mountaineer Area Robotics (MARS) team in FIRST Robotics. Ryan is a math/stats/data science professor at WVU and Scott is a retired electrical engineer who now volunteers at Positive Spin. They both love Morgantown and the rail-trails.
Rebecca Marshall, Morgantown, WV- I moved to Morgantown 2 years ago and having access to the Mon River Rail-Trails really gave me the boost of confidence I needed to branch out in my cycling endeavors. I am excited to participate in MRTCentury to help support these wonderful trails!
Julia Miller, Morgantown, WV- I’m a connoisseur of bikes found on the side of the road who is now spoiled by being surrounded by cool bikes as a Positive Spin bike collective volunteer. I teach Sociology at Fairmont State, and riding keeps me from melting into a puddle when I get questions that are answered in the syllabus. Some of my fondest memories are riding the rail-trails with my grandparents where I grew up, and I’m supporting our trails to ensure other families have a place to get out on two (or three… or one!) wheels together.
Arthur Otieno, Morgantown, WV- Arthur is an IT expert in the Morgantown area. Born and raised in Kenya, Arthur immigrated to Morgantown after winning a green card lottery in 2007. He finished his computer science degree at WVU in 2010 then started his repair business that same year. As a technician, Arthur’s vast knowledge has earned him the name “King.” To take a break from fixing stuff at his repair shop, Arthur enjoys long peaceful rides on the rail-trails.
Seth Powers, Morgantown, WV- Seth first enjoyed the rail-trail for access to fishing locations while in college and now enjoys cycling with his children and taking time to clear his head and focus on his health while riding the Deckers Creek Rail-Trail.
Jacob Rex, Morgantown, WV- I will be riding my shredpacker, the Otso Fenrir. I sold my car to ride bikes more and the rail-trails are my lifeblood to do that, so I want to give back!
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Morgantown, WV- Jonathan has lived in Morgantown all his life and has been cycling seriously and for fun since the 70s. For the past 12 years, he has managed Positive Spin, helping to empower cyclists from all walks of life, many of whom benefit from the rail-trail system for transportation, exercise, and recreation. Jonathan is excited to ride 100+ miles in support of this vital community resource and hopes to inspire others to take up the challenge.
Robynn Shannon, Morgantown, WV- My husband Dale and I found the Mon River Rail-Trails almost immediately upon moving to West Virginia 12 years ago and have been riding them regularly ever since. I am grateful to be able to do the MRTCentury ride just two years after undergoing treatment for breast cancer. I will be riding my beloved, “vintage,” Motobecane Mirage, fueled by PAYDAY candy bars and Cheetos!
Coby Sovel, Morgantown, WV- Coby has a love for the rail-trails. His mantra on the 105-mile challenge and through life is “Just Keep Spinning!”
Team Trillium, Morgantown, WV- is Robin Barnett, Colleen Harshbarger, and Fran Toro, a trio of friends who are in their 7th decade of life and have been riding together for the last two. They believe in spreading joy through friendship and bike rides, preferably both. They appreciate your financial support for the stellar Mon River Rail-Trails. Donate what you can and head to trail for some fun!
Chad VanDenLangenberg, Masontown, WV- Chad got into cycling 6 years ago and has started doing it competitively. He says “the rail-trail system has helped me connect my routes safely. It’s helped me stay healthy. I’m riding to preserve one of the things that make Morgantown and the surrounding areas great.”
Andrew Walker, Morgantown, WV- Andrew interacts with rail-trails in a variety of different ways. As an avid cyclist for over 20 years, as the executive director for the Mountaineer Trail Network, as president of the Morgantown Area Mountain Bike Alliance, and as a long time employee of Pathfinder of West Virginia. Andrew utilizes the trail for work, training, social rides, and to commute to many of Morgantown’s amazing mountain bike areas. With the rail-trail being central to Andrew’s work and personal life, he’s excited to join the team and aid in this year’s century ride.