For 20 years Jim Thorpe was host to Mountain Bike Weekend, one of the country’s premiere bike festivals. MBW was put on by Dave Bucher and a host of volunteers. The event was held at Mauch Chunk Lake Park on Father’s Day weekend and was a mainstay of the east coast scene. Many groups of friends camped and rode together each year, sometimes for decades. Each year Dave organized live entertainment, trials demos, vendor areas, wildlife demonstrations, and great group rides. From small beginnings the event grew to attract thousands. 2005 was the 20th, and final, MBW. After years of strained relations with the park management, over issues like the time of year the event was held, Dave decided it was time to let the event go. In 2006 the park held their own event in the fall and attracted 11 attendees. There has been repeated interest in reviving this event, anyone with event organizing experience who is interested should contact me.
Some great pictures of the last event are posted here: http://www.soeast.com/MBW%2005%20Pic%20Gallery.html
This should definitely come back. We use to go every year, great riding, music, and lots of amzainf riding. The vendors were great with the swap meets. I miss it very much and I do not think it is fair to us mountain bikers to not be able to enjoy this event anymore. Nothing but good times.
Yes it should be revived! Could get a bunch of people from the NY Metro area to come!
I used to go to this festival toward the late 80′s.
What a neat place to go riding. The coal cracker trails
make for epic rides. I love the character of the town.
I live in North Carolina now and just want to see
that this festival could not have been any better.
Super fantastique. I used to ride there on my
hard tail non suspension bicycle Bridgestone MB-3. Talk about
spaghetti arms.
I hope Jim Thorpe never turns into a honky tonk
tourist trap. Great antique stores and fabulous
people. Particularly enjoyed the parade on the last
day.
I went to MBW BACK WHEN I TURNED 50 YEARS OLD IN YEAR 2002.WENT TWO YEARS IN A ROW.It ws great
TOO BAD IT CAN,T GET STARTED AGAIN
I promote a fishing show.It seems you need a place,a private peice of land,an ins liabilty policy.Admission pays for the land rental and ins.I had no problems with my fishing show.
The park and town didn,t realize what they had untill Dave pulled out,then it was too late.They made money that week end.
Howard Wagner