Almost Heaven Adult Bike Camp
What could be better than dropping your child off at our NICA Adventure Camp and staying for the weekend too? The kids will head off into the woods to camp; you will be based on our campus..
We will pair daily skills sessions with iconic WV coaches Sue Haywood and Jason Cyr and 2-3 hour rides with relaxing evenings filled with good food and beverages, campfires, and guest speakers. Stay in yurts, dorms, or tents at the Spruce Knob Mountain Center and enjoy our mountain cooking, scenery, and cool summer weather.
Riding will be mountain bike focused with mixed gravel, backcountry trail, and rugged old road with options for more advanced singletrack routes.
Note: You do not have to be affiliated with NICA to attend this camp. It is open to all participants 21 and older.
Also includes:
Food – Hot dinners and breakfasts, trail lunches, and locally sourced beverage options (may include beer, hard cider, and/or spirits)
Lodging – Dorm room, camping options available, private yurts available for an additional charge.
Support – Shuttles, route plans and maps, local trail info, emergency response, onsite mechanic for basic repairs.
Sue Haywood started mountain biking in 1991 with friends while a student at West Virginia University (WVU). She quickly took to racing the West Virginia Mountain Bike Association (WVMBA) Series for years, before pursing her professional racing career. As a pro, Sue raced for the powerhouse Trek/Volkswagon Team traveling to the National Series races and World Cups. She was a national team member, a two time Pan-American Champion, a six time National Champion and of course West Virginia State Champion. Sue was named to the 2004 Olympic Mountain Bike Team, but in a wrenching twist of fate, wasn’t able to go and her journey is chronicled in the movie “Off Road To Athens”. Sue expanded her cross country career to race 24 hour solo races, 100 milers and more recently enduros. After a broken leg and retiring from professional racing, Sue learned to teach others to mountain bike with more confidence and skill. She has been teaching through clinics, festivals, and private lessons. Mountain biking has given Sue not only a career, but a belief that physical challenges on the bike help us to develop mental grit and resilience for the trials of life. She thinks being outside and moving our bodies is a key part to living a healthy lifestyle. Sue enjoys sharing her love of trail riding especially on the technical, slippery, rocky conditions of West Virginia trails. She lives in Davis, WV, organizes the Canaan Mountain Bike Festival, is a NICA coach supporter, PMBIA instructor, president of Blackwater Bicycle Association, works at Blackwater Bikes, and makes HaySue’s Spicy Salsa.
Jason Cyr is a professional trainer and coach for all levels and formats of cycling. He is certified as a USA Cycling Coach, NICA Level 3 Coach, PMBIA skills Coach, IMBA Member. He is also a competitive cyclist having competed in several disciplines such as Enduro, Cross Country, Downhill and Cyclocross with a few championships (see list below). Jason gets his commitment and discipline from his career as an Army Ranger and Special Forces Green Beret. He was also a special operations medic and has a fundamental understanding of exercise physiology and human performance. He operates from Davis, WV because of the great training terrain, cool summer climate and popular mountain biking scene.
Jason is married and has a young son who is a BMX racer. He also trains with motocross and skiing.
PMBIA certified Coach
USAC Level 3 Coach
NICA Level 3 Coach
Paramedic, Outdoor Emergency Care technician
Ski Coach
Professional Ski Patroller
Race History:
2020 WV Enduro Masters Champion
2018 Enduro National Champion
14-time West Virginia State Champion Elite and Masters (XC, Cyclocross, Enduro).
Former member of Team Novo Nordisk (TNN) Professional Cycling Team
- You will need to bring your own mountain bike and spare parts. We will have some basic tools and a mechanic available for basic maintenance needs.
- Plan to bring along your preferred snacks for mid-ride breaks, as well as a water vessels.
- Lodging will take into account needed COVID-safe protocols at the time of the camp. See our COVID-proof page for our general summer camp policies. Please pack along your own pillow and bedding if sleeping in the dorms, toiletries, and one mask/day.
What Folks are Saying:
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I learned about who I am as a person and that if I look within myself I can find some of the strength and courage that I’ve felt was missing from me. – Summer Camper, Leadership Camp
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The staff were terrific helping us coordinate what camp would fit us best. So patient and understanding. My daughter had a wonderful week and learned so much and made memories and friends. Great experience! – Kristin Potts
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That was the best experience of high school and allowed me to flourish in my further experiences in high school. Absolutely transformed my idea of my own physical, social, and mental capabilities and made me feel much more confident!!!! I couldn’t recommend it more. ~Former Summer Camper
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I learned so many interesting facts about the world around us that I will definitely take with me, but I also learned how wonderful it can be to be a part of a group in which everyone gives their all and wants to have a great time no matter the challenging situations or the rainy days. – camp participant
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We are free to have fun and learn in our own ways while still effectively accomplishing the goals of the program. – 2019 Summer Camper
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In this program I was able to be my own leader, which has allowed me to see the ways in which I can improve myself and the ways in which I am strong. – Summer Camper, Leadership Camp
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Through living and working alongside all the different people that come to this camp I was able to experience many different and new ideas, perspectives, and skills that shaped me as a person. – 2019 Summer Camper
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That was the best experience of high school and allowed me to flourish in my further experiences in high school. Absolutely transformed my idea of my own physical, social, and mental capabilities and made me feel much more confident!!!! I couldn’t recommend it more. ~Former Summer Camper