‘Get Your Degree in Dirt’: Named a Top U.S. College for Mountain Bikers

Miles of single track, dual slalom and downhill courses only minutes from campus were just a few of the reasons why Lees-McRae received a top spot on Singletracks.com’s list of best colleges for mountain bikers.

The online publication, which specializes in mountain bike specific guides, reviews and information, factored in elements such as the proximity to trails, quantity of high-quality single track trails, quality of the collegiate cycling team and quality of academics.

Though the college was the smallest in student body on the list, “Lees-McRae has had a major impact on the sport of mountain biking over the years,” wrote author and Singletrack Editor-In-Chief Greg Heil. “For one, it has managed to consistently rank as one of the best USAC Division I mountain biking schools, capturing the fourth place Mountain Bike spot in the 2016 rankings and the eighth spot overall.”

Not only does Lees-McRae continue to grow its cycling program, but also continues to expand its trail system.

“To help their athletes train, Lees-McRae has a single track trail right on campus, as well as a short track and dual slalom course,” Heil said.

For downhill, students can travel five miles to Beech Mountain Resort, “which has hosted the Gravity National Championships several times!”

“Despite being such a small school, Lees-McRae still offers ‘traditional majors like Biology, English, and Psychology, as well as pre-professional majors like Nursing, Business and Education.’ But they also offer specialized programs that are tough to come by, such as Wildlife Rehabilitation, Cycling [Studies], Creative Marketing  and Performing Arts Studies,” Heil said.

The ranking also included Boise State University, Colorado Mesa University, Fort Lewis College in Colorado, Northern Arizona University, University of California at Santa Cruz, University of Montana at Missoula, University of New Mexico at Albuquerque, University of Utah at Salt Lake City and Virginia Tech.