West Virginia Mountain Bike Association Starts Season in Philippi
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on April 06, 2026
The West Virginia Mountain Bike Association (WVMBA) kicked off its season on March 29 with the Race to Lil Moe’s in Philippi.
Lil Moe’s is a mountain bike and hiking trail system next to the Blue Gray Park/Philippi Covered Bridge and has been a work in progress for 20 years.
The namesake of the system and the race is John Mosesso, whose family owns the property that the trail runs through.
The trailhead also has a West Virginia Department of Natural Resources boat ramp that allows access to the Tygart Valley River and to the newly-designated Buckhannon Tygart Valley River Water Trail, which covers over 40 miles.
In a collaborative effort between the Mountaineer Trail Network, Harrison Recreational Trail, Save The Tygart, and City of Philippi, a trailhead and trail enhancement project is underway.
A new changing station, kiosk, trail mapping, and trail signage has been added, fully executed by volunteers utilizing grant funding.
The trail also hosts occasional practices for the HarCo Mountaineers, Taylor County Composite and Highlands teams and has been a popular ride destination for mountain bikers.
Other local events on the circuit in the future include the Upshur County Uprising on April 19, the Henry Clay in Morgantown on May 3 and the Minetana XC at Huttonsville on May 24.
