Every day, at trailheads and parks around this region, folks head off on outdoor adventures. Some hike, some run, some bike (both trail and road). Others skate, ski, or ride horses. Whatever the mode, each and every one of these folks is putting down their devices for a while so they can get outside and have a real experience.
There is a whole community of folks in this area who know that a little time outside can bring some serious benefits to their lives. This goes beyond the exercise and fun (although those are very important aspects) that people get while out on the trail. There is also a wonderful sense of camaraderie, especially here is Happy Valley.
I know about this firsthand. The wonderful trail community here has been nothing but open and welcoming to me as I have grown from a newbie on the trail to a certified (I mean, I write this column; that has to count for something) outdoor adventure enthusiast.
Over the years, I have learned that the outdoor adventure community in this region is out there for everyone, and that sentiment was on full display this fall over at Tussey Mountain during the inaugural Happy Valley Town Series.
The first-of-its-kind offering in Centre County sought to bring together the area’s outdoor community over the course of three Wednesday evenings in October (the best time of the year to be outside, in my opinion) with short-course trail running and biking races for all ages, along with a vibrant tent expo with local vendors, live music, and food, all under the glowing lights of Tussey Mountain.
Of course, I had to check it out. Before writing this story, I went out for the first day of the series, not quite sure what to expect. It was a rainy, overcast day, and I was really hoping that the weather did not put a damper on things.
After all, I knew that the event organizers, the Happy Valley Outdoor Collective, had put a lot of work into an event that would bring the community together.
“We’re excited to bring Happy Valley together for this unique event,” says Josh Stapleton, event organizer. “The Town Series celebrates outdoor adventure, health, and community spirit, with races and an expo that welcomes all ages to connect through friendly, competitive racing and have fun under the lights.”
I have known Josh for a few years now because of his dedicated work to help bring the Harvest Fields Community Trails to our community and make mountain biking more accessible to kids in the area. The multi-use trails at Harvest Fields are a pathway for people interested in hiking, mountain biking, and trail running to learn the ropes and practice their skills.
Now, to keep that momentum going, he has teamed with many of our other outdoor organizations and supporters — such as Nittany Mountain Biking Association, the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, Nittany Valley Women’s Cycling, Nittany Track and Field, Nittany Valley Running Club, and Boal City Brewing — to bring the adventure community together for this fun series.
All I can say is that, once I got there, I was overjoyed by the fruits of those efforts. Right away I could tell that I was in the right place. On the slopes of Tussey Mountain were booths and tents with representatives of just about every outdoor adventure group, store, and association in the area.
It was cool to see all of these like-minded folks together, and the rainy weather didn’t dampen the fun one bit. I found some trail friends I had not seen in a while, and it was nice to catch up. There was a food truck, beer tent (maybe that is why I fit in so well with outdoor adventure type people — we like our beer), and fire pits where people gathered.
Beyond that, at center stage, was the short course, where bikers and runners of all ages set off in various heats to take on the landscape around the base of Tussey Mountain with the ski slopes overhead.
Here are a few things I saw that made me smile:
- The camaraderie shared between the mountain biking and trail running/hiking community. We all love adventure; let’s celebrate together.
- A group of young men gathered on the far side of the course, near a downhill section of the women’s bike race, cheering loudly for every rider, fast or slow.
- The joy of parents who cheered their kids as they ran the course.
- A mom who ran with her kiddo, to encourage them along the way. And the big hugs after.
- Event organizer Josh Stapleton blowing a vuvuzela horn, cheering everyone on.
- Encouragement for riders who were struggling with some of the difficult sections of the course.
- How the rain didn’t stop the fun.
- The feeling that everyone was welcome.
- The sunny skies that showed up on the second and third days of the series.
And there was so much more goodness to be felt. Perhaps a kiddo had his first taste of outdoor adventure and learned to love a new sport. Maybe someone who has been a little intimidated to try mountain biking connected with members of Happy Valley Women’s Cycling and learned about their empowering group.
Of course, there are many bike and trail running races offered throughout the year in this area, and they all have their own sense of community that is great. But this series brought so many people together, young and old, newbies and pros, bikers and runners, all to share the love of the outdoors, week after week. That is how you build an even greater community, by bringing everyone together and sharing something that we all love. Next year, don’t miss out. T&G
Vincent Corso loves exploring the outdoors in Central Pennsylvania and beyond.
