What Trans-Sylvania Epic is:

  • 7 Days of Pure Mountain Biking Bliss in Central Pennsylvania
  • America’s Longest Mountain Bike Stage Race Experience
  • A value priced event at a convenient location offering incredible trails and fun!

The Trans-Sylvania Mountain Bike Epic is a seven day mountain bike stage race scheduled for May 26-June 1, 2013.  The event is based out of the Seven Mountains Boy Scout Campground in Spring Mills, PA, very close to State College.

Five of the race’s stages will loop from the campground.  The other two stages will be within a one hour drive of the campground.

Full transport and food services are offered from the campground, in addition to multiple lodging options.

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Who would want to participate in an event like this?

The Trans-Sylvania Epic promoters have worked tirelessly to design courses that are fun and challenging for a wide range of riders.  While we hope to continue to attract the very best pro cyclists to our event, we want to keep the fun factor high for weekend warriors and mid-level enthusiasts.  If you can ride 3-4 hours at a steady pace and smile at the end, you will do just fine at Trans-Sylvania.  The longest courses should not take our slowest riders more than five hours to complete, and most of our courses are shorter than this.  Remember, you’re racing fully supported: aid stations are stocked with food and supplies and the courses are all marked and (modestly) groomed for your enjoyment.  Plus, you’ve got nothing to do all week but ride, party, and recover.

Remember: if you haven’t the time, motivation, fitness, or cash to spend the week racing solo, you can enter our EPIC TEAM category with your buddies.  Read more…

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The Trans-Sylvania Epic is the annual fund raiser event for The Outdoor Experience Organization, a non-profit Pennsylvania organization whose mission is to build and create, improve upon, and document forest trails in the state of Pennsylvania for the use of foot traffic, bicycles, cross-country skiers, equestrians and other user groups in order to increase interest in sustainable, healthy, and enjoyable outdoor oriented activities; build outdoor recreation tourism in Pennsylvania; and contribute to improved community health and wellness by increasing availability of fitness-related outdoor recreational activities and enhancing outdoor recreational opportunities.

The Outdoor Experience Organization was created by TSE race directors Mike Kuhn and Ray Adams.

A bit on the duo-

Mike Kuhn has been an important presence on the East Coast cycling scene for a long time.   His race promoting career started way back in college, running the successful Bucknell Rocktober Mountain Bike Challenge at RB Winter State Park.  Before long, he had a number of successful events under his belt at this and other venues in Central PA.  Several of these have developed into events which draw international competitors and huge exposure. Particularly noteworthy are: Iron Cross, America’s Longest Cyclocross Race The visitPA.com Stage Race and Fesival Weekend, The Rattlin 50 Mountain Bike Marathon,  and The International Intergalactic Global Open Mountain Bike Team Relay. Having competed across the country on the road bike for a few years and putting in a gig as an xc racer, Mike has more recently focused on ultra endurance mountain bike racing and, as a career, coaching endurance athletes for their athletic endeavors.  If you are wondering about the characteristics of a particular race course or how to prepare for your next XC or 100 miler (or road race or tri for that matter), Mike has the answers.  Currently residing in Bethlehem, PA, Mike is married to former XC Pro racer, Kristine (Oesterling) Kuhn.  Mike has made event promotion a family affair and it is likely that you’ll not only meet Kris and the newest additions to their clan, Braden and Ryan, but also Mike’s folks, Larry and Jean, who have been part of almost every event Mike’s ever pulled together. A big picture kinda fella, Mike paints in broad brush strokes and throws lots of ideas at the wall hoping something will stick – he needs this guy to make sure I’s are crossed and T’s are dotted.  This is where partner-in-crime Ray Adams comes in.

Ray has been a presence in the Mid-Atlantic for years as well.  Having partnered with Mike to establish the visitPA.com Mountain Bike Racing Team as well as the PAValleys.com Racing Team, Ray is known for pursuing challenging goals both on and off the bike.  In addition, he has logged thousands of miles touring North America by bicycle and winning numerous regional contests as a mountain bike “pro” before settling down in Harrisburg.  His proudest accomplishment and career highlight was besting State College local Ryan Leech for the 1995 Mid Atlantic Super Series Championship in the Expert Junior Category.  More recently, Ray and Ryan partnered for a podium finish at Trans-Rockies up north.  Keeping the family theme going, Ray’s wife Nancy is a key part of the TSEpic race staff as are Ray’s mom and pop.  It is likely you’ll find them all out and about at Trans-Sylvania giving you a helping hand somewhere along the way.

Ray and Mike wrapping up TSE 2010

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Sponsorship

The Trans-Sylvania Mountain Bike Epic has huge exposure within the USA and internationally as well.  As such, this is a great opportunity to garner lots of attention for your company or product!  Several levels of event sponsorship are available.    Call us or email us on our contact form.  We would love to talk more with you about this. Thanks!