Sponsorship

The Lost River Trails Coalition (LRTC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded to promote the development of a sustainably and universally designed mountain bike trail system in Lost River State Park in  Mathias, WV, for both the local community and tourists to Hardy County alike. A fundamental part of our mission is to steward the Hardy County Cryptids, a local youth mountain bike team.

Event Sponsorship

Lost River Trail Run

The Lost River Trail Run takes place in early May on the trails of Lost River State Park. Established in 2023, the event is growing, attracting 50-60 runners, mostly from Hardy County and the Shenandoah Valley. We are working to promote the event on the West Virginia trail running calendar and expect increased turnout.

Lost River Classic

The Lost River Classic is an adventure gravel bicycle race in August of each year that follows paved and gravel roads throughout eastern Hardy County. Established in 2022, it has grown from 90 cyclists in its first year to 180 in 2023 and 2024. Part of the West Virginia Gravel Series, it attracts riders from the mid-Atlantic, from North Carolina to Pennsylvania, primarily from the Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Richmond metro areas. It also attracts many gravel enthusiasts from all parts of West Virginia. Post-event surveys indicate more than 50% of riders stay overnight in Hardy County, visit restaurants, and local stores. This has increased every year. Riders circle the Lost River Classic on their calendars as a weekend family vacation and is having a positive economic impact on the local community. The Lost River Classic raises almost $10,000 for LRTC (and a further $1,600 donated each year to the Mathias Community Center for their support). Half of our net revenue is allotted to the youth mountain bike program.

With the generous support of local business sponsors to help offset operating costs (such as timing, insurance, food, portapotties, etc.), much of the registration revenue from these events goes directly to supporting our mission. 

Sponsorship Tiers

Sponsorship tiers are split between both events. Businesses can choose to sponsor one or both events at different levels. In exchange for sponsorship, Lost River Trails Coalition will promote the business according to the table below. Note that each tier includes the benefits of the tiers listed before it. For example, the Platinum tier also includes the option to sponsor a category, have a logo on the event T-shirt, and promotion on social media. Sponsorship can be made in a combination of cash and in-kind contributions (donations of prizes, discounts for food or lodging, etc.).

Every sponsor has the opportunity to be part of the vendor/farmer/craft market at the Mathias Community Center during the Lost River Classic.

TierDescriptionLost River ClassicLost River Trail Run
BronzePromotion on social media and listed on event websiteUnder $150Under $150
SilverCategory on registration site named for sponsor with increased promotion of podium photos$150N/A
GoldLogo on event T-shirt$250$150
PlatinumLogo on banner and bib plate$500$250
Title SponsorCentral logo placement and event carries the sponsor name$3500$1500

The Lost River Trails Coalition has a social media presence on both Facebook and Instagram. There is also a Lost River Classic Facebook and Instagram account. These pages have hundreds of followers and appeal to different audiences (Instagram trends 40 and below). Trail Run sponsors will be promoted by the LRTC accounts while Lost River Classic sponsors will be promoted by both LRTC and Lost River Classic through cross-posting.

Special Lodging Package

Hardy County is the most popular location in West Virginia for road cycling, according to the ride app, Strava, attracting hundreds of cyclists per year, owing to the promotion of Jay Moglia, the founder of the Lost River Barn / Raw Talent Ranch vacation rental.

LRTC is beginning to curate and promote a variety of cycling routes throughout Hardy County. These routes can be populated with Points of Interest for locations to stop for food and drinks at convenience stores (necessary for long rides through the county), but it is also possible to insert points for sponsoring hotels, vacation rentals, or restaurants. See https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49050089

Lodging Sponsorship – $250

Lodging Sponsors will have their locations (with website links) inserted into all of our curated maps on ridewithgps.com and we will create two unique routes (one 25-40 miles and one 60+ miles) starting and ending at the lodging address, as long as it is safe to design such a route. The routes will be organized under a heading for the Lodging Sponsor on LRTC’s cycling routes web page and be promoted on social media. For an additional fee, we will place your logo onto our event T-shirt at a rate of $50 per event. Lodging Sponsorship will be included in any $500+ package listed above.

Cryptids Sponsorship – Hardy County Youth Mountain Bike Team

The Hardy County Cryptids is a mountain bike team composed of private, public, and homeschool student-athletes grades 6-12 in and around Hardy County, West Virginia. The team is organized under the West Virginia Interscholastic Cycling League (WVICL), a league of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA). 

The mission of NICA, WVICL, and the Hardy County Cryptids is to get “More Kids On Bikes” and to build strong minds, bodies, and character for all student-athletes. Our team goal is to develop a future generation of lifelong cyclists in Hardy County. We do this through core values of Inclusivity (no bench-warmers, every finish counts), and Equality (no tryouts, everyone rides). The Cryptids offer opportunities for student-athletes to race, and  while racing is encouraged, it is not required. There is a place on our team for everyone. 

TierDescriptionCost
BronzeWVICL “scholarship,” registration fee for one rider$175 for half-sponsor or $350
SilverPurchase one loaner bike with sponsor logo on it$650
GoldSmall logo on team jersey and sponsor wall$1000
PlatinumLarge logo on team jersey and sponsor wall$2000
Title SponsorPremier logo placement on team jersey and sponsor wall sponsor name included in all media, “Hardy County Cryptids p/b Your Name Here”$4000

Racing PitZone Opportunities

Title Sponsor – Pit Zone – $4000 

Be the center of attention at every race! As our exclusive Title Sponsor your generosity will support and maintain the PitZone tent at every race (there are 6 races a year).  The tent will be used at every race and will provide student-athletes with shelter, food, and a place to congregate before and after races and during other non-racing Cryptids events. There will only be one Title Sponsor a year.

Title Sponsor Benefits
  • Company name or logo will have premier placement and largest sizing on our “sponsor wall” that accompanies the canopy tent for the 2025 season.
  • Company name or logo will have premier placement and largest sizing on the team race jerseys for the 2025 season.
  • Company name, logo, and website will be promoted on Cryptid social media platforms.
  • The “sponsor wall” will be highly visible to all in attendance at races and Cryptid events.

Team Race Jersey Opportunities

Sponsors at one of the two jersey levels (Leader or Varsity – see below) will have their business logo or name printed on our team jerseys. Maximize the bang for your buck by considering one of our Jersey sponsorships.

Platinum Sponsor – Team Jersey $2000

Your company will stand head and shoulders above the rest at the top of the podium when you choose our Platinum sponsor package.

Platinum Sponsor Benefits
  • Company name or logo will be placed on our “sponsor wall” for the 2025 season.
  • Company name or logo will have prime placement and sizing on the team race jersey for the 2025 season..
  • Company name, logo, and website will be promoted on our social media platforms.
  • The “sponsor wall” will be highly visible to all in attendance at races and Cryptids events.

Gold Sponsor –  Team Jersey $1000

Ride with the best of them when your company chooses the Gold Sponsorship.

Gold Sponsor Benefits 
  • Company name or logo will be included on our “sponsor wall” for the 2025 season.
  • Company name or logo will be printed in small size on the team race jerseys for the 2025 season.
  • Company name, logo, and website will be promoted on our social media platforms.
  • The “sponsor wall” will be highly visible to all in attendance at races and Cryptids events.

Loaner Bikes Opportunities

Silver Sponsor – $650

Here is the chance to provide a loaner mountain bike for a student-athlete in need. In the 2024 season the team provided six student-athletes with loaner mountain bikes.

  • Company name or logo on a team loaner mountain bike and your company can name the mountain bike!
  • Company name or logo will be included on our “sponsor wall” for the 2025 season.
  • Company name, logo, and website will be promoted on our social media platforms.

Student Athlete Scholarship Fund Opportunities

Bronze Sponsor – $350

The Hardy County Cryptids, WVICL and NICA are dedicated to inclusivity and equity. We believe no child  should be turned away from our program due to the inability to pay for equipment or fees. Therefore, all  teams in the WVICL offer scholarship opportunities and the Hardy County Cryptids are no exception! Your contribution to  the scholarship fund will aid in expenses for student-athletes, such as league and team fees, the purchase and maintenance of team loaner bikes, helmets and water bottles.

All Student-Athlete scholarship sponsors will get recognition on our social media platforms as well as  their name listed on our “sponsor wall” for the 2025 season.

Full Scholarship Sponsor – $350.00 Partial Scholarship Sponsor – $175

Please note: The Hardy County Cryptids team reserves the right to use funds for other team expenses in the event that all scholarship requests have been fullfilled. Any of the above amounts can be a donation vice a sponsorship.

PitZone sponsor wall and sponsor logos on Cryptids jerseys