Word on the street is Granny Gear has canceled the 2010 24 Hours of Big Bear Race, which also happened to be the 24 Hour National Championships!
For the first time in 19 years, Laird Knight has decided not to run the 24 hour races in West Virginia, and he’s also canceled 9-Mile (WI) event, too, leaving only the 24 Hours of Moab on his calendar. Originally held in Canaan, then Snowshoe (ugh!), the event settled in Big Bear (Hazelton, WV) in 2005 and was scheduled for June 12 – 13, 2010.
Spokes Magazine reports in an interview with Knight that the economics and registration numbers just weren’t high enough to support the events this year, adding that many participants are older now and have to juggle families with race schedules (what, no one under 30’s racing anymore?). Although 2010 dates are listed on their homepage, Granny Gear’s website does not have updated info on the 2010 events or registration available. If you’ve already paid to register or sponsor, now’s the time to start freaking out.
As of this publishing, USA Cycling has not announced an alternate venue or any official news.