Bike Racing Is Good For Something: We had a sneaking suspicion mountain bike racing is good for the community as well as participants. We've just never bothered to quantify it. The Boone Mountain Times recently reported a significant boost to tourism as a result of the Magic Cycles American Mountain Bike Challenge on Beech Mountain, North Carolina. We're excited someone took the time to study this. We're even more excited about the findings. Here's what they had to say:

by Staff Reports

This week, Pirate Race Productions released the economic impact analysis of the inaugural Magic Cycles American Mountain Bike Challenge (AMBC) Race Weekend. The event was held on the public trails of the Beech Mountain Adventure Park in the town of Beech Mountain and consisted of three races - Short Track, Super-D and Cross Country - on June 18 and 19. 

Thanks to the generous support of Magic Cycles, Archer's Mountain Inn, Black Cat Burrito, Emerald Mountain Realty and Rentals, MaguraDirect.com and Cane Creek Cycling Components the race attracted 309 racers and their guests from eight states. Participants traveled from as far as Georgia, Ohio and Massachusetts, despite severely inclement weather and the Father's Day holiday.

An economic impact analysis based on a participant survey executed June 20 to 25 demonstrates that racers spent approximately $24,880 while in the High Country, contributing $1,218 to local tax revenue.

According to the survey, the event generated 184 room/nights at area hotels and rental properties, and the average participant spent more than $60 in restaurants and $45 in other shopping.

Significantly, 64 percent of respondents indicated that, as a result of their experience at the event, they are "likely" or "highly likely" to return to Beech Mountain for non-cycling related travel or activities.

Furthermore, of the 28 percent of respondents who indicated that this was their first time visiting Beech Mountain, 71 percent indicated that they are "likely" or "highly likely" to return for non-cycling related travel or activities.

"These data demonstrate that not only did the event make a positive impact on the local economy on an otherwise slow weekend, but Pirate Race Productions again created new tourists who will return to the area and support local businesses for years to come," a Pirate Race spokesperson said.

Survey results, including a list of local businesses where racers spent money, are available at www.pirateraceproductions.com/local/2011magicambc.

Pirate Race Productions is hosting three more major races in 2011: The Mile High 6 & 9 Hour Mountain Bike Challenge July 30, Three Peaks USA UltraCross Sept. 25, and the Speedway National Cyclocross Series Race Dec. 10. Sponsorship opportunities are still available.

Pirate Race Productions stages more than 40 cycling events every year and operates Team PRP/Alpha Facilities Solutions, a national amateur cycling team. In 2010, 2,300 racers from 22 states and Canada attended Pirate Race events, raising more than $4,000 for its charitable partners.

For more information, contact Andrew Stackhouse at info@pirateraceproductions.com or visit www.pirateraceproductions.com or www.facebook.com/pirateraceproductions.