Real Riders Wear Pink (Ribbons)

Anyone interested in having some fun in the sun while helping out a great cause in the process should plan to hit the trails on Saturday August 9.

The trail system will be hosting a benefit poker run for Teresa Adkins of Logan and her family. Teresa, age 47, was diagnosed with breast cancer in February of 2004. The cancer went into remission until May of 2007, and it has now spread into her lungs, liver and bones. The fee for the poker run is just $15. All proceeds will be going to help offset medical costs for Teresa, who is a lifelong resident of Logan.

The poker run starts at both the Rockhouse (Man) and Bearwallow (Logan) trailheads at 9 a.m. on the 9th and your $15 gets you a free 1-day trail permit, a chance at some great door prizes, and a cookout lunch. Thunderblast Park will be holding additional activities starting at 6 p.m., including a D.J., games, mud pit, and putt-putt.

For more information on the poker run or to find out other ways you can help the Adkins family, go online at www.trailsheaven.com or call 1-800-592-2217 for more information.

Welcome to Hatfield-McCoy Country

The next time you head to the trails down Route 119, be sure to stop by the brand new Hatfield-McCoy Visitors Center. I'll leave it to a better wordsmith than myself to give you the rundown on the center, so read below for a full report from Walt Williams of the WV State Journal:

"The inside is decorated with several game trophies, including two black bears that look down on visitors from alcoves above each of the hallways. A central fireplace sporting a stone in the shape of West Virginia above the mantel dominates the main room.

The center itself is at the trailhead of the Little Coal River Trail system, which runs through some 65 miles of rugged countryside.

The center will serve as a ranger's office and public information office for trail permits and brochures. It also will serve as a headquarters for the systems souvenir sales. The center will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week, staffed by one full-time director and by part-time employees."

Back in Black

One question most new Hatfield-McCoy riders ask is, "Just what are the black trails really like?" The best way to put it is that you have to an experienced rider, confident in your ability, have the right machine, and maybe be just a little crazy before tackling the blacks (and new EXTREME red and blacks). Check out the video below for a sample: