Oktoberfest + Oak Mountain = Oaktoberfest

It's Simple Math:

Question 1:

Oak Mountain + Oktoberfest = Oaktoberfest

Question 2: 

Mountain Biking + German Festival = 1 awesome weekend at Oak Mountain

Now Show Your Work:

However you write the equation, the answer comes out the same : Oak Mountain is the place to be on October 3 & 4, as Oktoberfest and Oaktoberfest Rider Appreciation Weekend collide!

Oaktoberfest Rider Appreciation Weekend

First Let's Talk About the Trails...

Did you know that the Adirondacks is home to one of the best kept secrets when it comes to mountain biking?  It's actually in Speculator, NY, where  Oak Mountain is home to a fairly new, and pretty sick, mountain bike park

Oak Mountain, NY Mountain Biking Trail Map (Adirondacks)
Oak Mountain, NY Mountain Biking Trail Map (Adirondacks)

The park currently offers 9 trails, with plans to continue to add additional trails each year. Suitable for beginner to advanced riders, the trails incorporates a combination of flow, natural and manmade features, as well as technical roots and rocks as they run down the mountain through mixed hardwood forests and ski trails. 

Bike Trails at Oak Mountain
Bike Trails at Oak Mountain

Next, the wicked low prices...

The lifts & trails at Oak Mountain are open to mountain bikers every Sunday from 10am-4pm. Lift tickets start at $10 for one ride or $35 for a full-day pass. There arealso half-day options, trail-only packages, and season ticket discounts.

Oak Mountain Chair Lift - Mountain Bike
Oak Mountain Chair Lift - Mountain Bike

However, the best deal of all comes on Rider Appreciation Weekend (October 3-4) when the mountain opens for two-days of riding, all for one low price of $40. To sweeten the deal even more, your two-day lift ticket comes with free camping & entertainment. 

Mountain Biking the Lupin Trail at Oak Mountain
Mountain Biking the Lupin Trail at Oak Mountain

Now, Let's Get to How This All Comes Together... Rider appreciation Weekend!

This isn't Oak Mountain's first rodeo... they have done this event before with great success, as dozens of mountain bike riders flocked to the mountain in 2014 for one of the best weekends of mountain biking. Oak Mountain Rider Appreciation Weekend is two days of riding, food, races, competitions, live music, and the chance to take home some awesome prizes and more! 

2014 Mountain Bike Winners
2014 Mountain Bike Winners

But what really makes this weekend stand apart is the atmosphere. According to Oak Mountain's "Important Bike Guy," Eli Glesmann (yes, that's the title they use for him on their website), "The atmosphere is a blast! It usually consists of taking fun laps with friends all day - taking some photos or video, and having some food and drinks post-ride as we talk about the day. Follow that up with free camping on site, live music, a campfire and typical camping activities... and it really is an awesome weekend at Oak!"

Live music at Oak Mountain during the 2014 Oaktoberfest Rider Appreciation Weekend
Live music at Oak Mountain during the 2014 Oaktoberfest Rider Appreciation Weekend

But even if you are not a mountain biker yourself, or you want to give downhill mountain biking a try for the first time, The Oak Mountain Rider Appreciation Weekend still has something to offer.

  • First, let's talk about non-riders. During Rider Appreciation Weekend there is plenty to see and do. Bring your noise-makers along for a great "show" and cheer on the action from the sidelines. Ride the chairlift to the top and take in the views before you hike your way back to the bottom, or stay right at the base and enjoy a free game of disk golf and live music from Seventh Hill.
  • For those who own a mountain bike and want to learn to downhill ride, Oak Mountain has a great starter trail which is suitable for beginner-level riders. It offers gentle grades with a smooth, even riding surface - perfect for learning to navigate downhill terrain. Who knows, maybe you will get hooked and next year you will be riding with the more advanced riders.

Oktoberfest

Fall views from the top of Oak Mountain in Speculator
Fall views from the top of Oak Mountain in Speculator

In addition to Rider Appreciation Weekend, this year Oak Mountain will simultaneously host their Oktoberfest. The event will take place on Sunday, October 4 from noon until 3pm. It includes a lineup of activities for families including bounce houses, disk golf, and lift rides. There will also be fun Oktoberfest-themed happenings like the keg roll, German costume contest, and live music. But I won't lie, what I am looking most forward to at this Oktoberfest is the German menu that Chef Lou from the Mountain's Acorn Pub & Eatery will be whipping up. It will make your mouth water!

Make a Weekend of It!

Oktoberfest at the Oak Mountain - Acorn Pub & Eatery
Oktoberfest at the Oak Mountain - Acorn Pub & Eatery

Whether you are a mountain biker and want to take advantage of the killer weekend at Oak, or you are looking for a nice getaway to celebrate the end of the fall foliage season with your family, Oak Mountain is a great place to incorporate into your plans for October 3-4. Book a cozy room to retreat to, plan to get in an end of the season hike, paddle, or bike ride... then cap the weekend off with some spectacular views, great German Food,  and a nice cold beer during Oktoberfest at Oak Mountain.