Author Bios (50 Words for each Author)

Brian Abernethy is a PhD candidate at Trent University. His research focuses on community-based recreation, social and health outcomes of physical activity, and physical activity among aging populations.

Dr. Anthony W. Dixon is a Professor in the School of Hospitality, Sport and Tourism Management at Troy University. His research focuses on the economic valuation of sport and tourism, consumer behaviors, participant and spectator preferences, and event management.

Dr. Patrick J. Holladay is an Associate Professor in the School of Hospitality, Sport and Tourism Management at Troy University. His research focuses on sustainability, resilience, and community development. His work is conducted largely through the lens of tourism.

Dr. Gi-Yong (Win) Koo is a Professor and Sport Management Ph.D. Coordinator with the School of Hospitality, Sport and Tourism Management at Troy University. His research focuses on sport sponsorship/endorsement effect derived from the consumer schematic information process and understanding the psychological basis of sport consumer decision making behavior.

Abstract (150 Words)

An increase in mountain bike participation has been accompanied by growth of mountain bike-specific travel. However, little is known about the site preferences of Canadian and US mountain bike tourists or the role that activity involvement might have on travel motives and attraction to destination pull attributes. An online questionnaire consisting of a 21-item scale to measure travel motives, a 41-item scale examining the importance of destination attributes and an adapted Modified Involvement Scale to establish one’s level of activity involvement was completed by 527 Canadian and US mountain bikers. Based on the mean involvement score of each involvement dimension, the sample was segmented into two groups: highly and moderately involved. Exploratory factor analysis revealed the presence of five push factors and seven destination pull factors. Involvement with mountain biking was found to influence one’s travel motives and attraction to destination pull attributes. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

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The influence of enduring involvement on travel push motives and attraction to destination pull attributes among US and Canadian mountain bike tourists

An increase in mountain bike participation has been accompanied by growth of mountain bike-specific travel. However, little is known about the site preferences of Canadian and US mountain bike tourists or the role that activity involvement might have on travel motives and attraction to destination pull attributes. An online questionnaire consisting of a 21-item scale to measure travel motives, a 41-item scale examining the importance of destination attributes and an adapted Modified Involvement Scale to establish one’s level of activity involvement was completed by 527 Canadian and US mountain bikers. Based on the mean involvement score of each involvement dimension, the sample was segmented into two groups: highly and moderately involved. Exploratory factor analysis revealed the presence of five push factors and seven destination pull factors. Involvement with mountain biking was found to influence one’s travel motives and attraction to destination pull attributes. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.