LAKE PLACID — New research commissioned by the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism shows that the Adirondack region is becoming a destination for mountain biking enthusiasts, and is especially popular with those from other regions within the state.

ROOST commissioned a survey during the summer and fall of 2021, partnering with the region’s villages and various mountain bike organizations throughout the Adirondacks, to complete the survey. The survey uncovered information about trip planning, types of trails preferred, lodging preferences, additional activities, and overall spending habits.

The survey collected 3,649 total completed responses, of which 1,003 were mountain bikers living outside of the Adirondacks, according to the results.

Key findings indicate that mountain bike enthusiasts from other regions within New York state travel to the Adirondack region to take advantage of the area’s growing networks of mountain bike trails. Of those surveyed, roughly 70% of mountain bikers that visit the region travel from Albany, New York City, Syracuse, Utica, or Rochester.

Survey results also indicate that mountain biking isn’t the only outdoor activity that this group enjoys. Those who travel to the region for mountain biking take advantage of other outdoor activities such as hiking (85%), kayaking/canoeing (67%), and fishing (36%) while they are in the area.

Mountain bike trails are often used for other activities at different times of the year. Respondents reported using mountain bike trails in the winter for cross-country skiing (34%) and snowshoeing (28%). Trail running, likely throughout the year, is another popular use of the trails (29%).

Those surveyed tend to have different lodging preferences compared to other travelers; camping, whether in an RV or tent, is a particularly popular activity among mountain bikers (24%). Although lodging expenditures were typically less, average daily expenditure per person is $412 for mountain bikers, compared to approximately $350 for other travelers to the region.

According to Michelle Clement, director of marketing at ROOST, it’s important to learn about this segment of travelers — including the types of trails they prefer, lodging preferences, when they visit and their length of stay.

“Due to the increasing popularity of mountain biking and the creation of so many trails throughout our region by local mountain bike groups in recent years, we wanted to learn more about the needs,” she said. “Understanding the impact that the sport has on our region allows us to develop, specifically targeted and data-driven promotions, while supporting the local communities and businesses that welcome these travelers.”

ROOST and its survey partners learned that mountain bike enthusiasts from areas outside the region accessed trails in various communities and regions including: Lake Placid (54%), Wilmington/Whiteface region (44%), Old Forge (40%), North Creek (22%), Elizabethtown (12%), and Keeseville/AuSable Chasm (9%). This differs slightly from mountain bike enthusiasts residing within the area. Mountain bike enthusiasts who live locally report visiting trails within Elizabethtown (35%) and Keeseville (29%) more often than visitors to the region, but they visit the Old Forge region (16%) less.

Full results of the assessment can be found at https://www.roostadk.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/MountainBikeSurveyFINALv2.pdf.