1. Is the Mountain Ride good for beginner riders?
The Mountain Ride provides you with a weekend full of local entertainment, beautiful mountainous landscapes, mouthwatering craft brews, an eclectic variety of cuisines to satisfy your taste buds, camaraderie, great memories and much more. Not to mention the top notch cycling that the area has to offer. It's a great way to close out the summer with a good balance of mountainous cycling, local entertainment and family fun.
The routes are fully supported, meaning, we have SAG vans patrolling the routes in case you break down or need assistance. Rest stops are set up approximately 10-20 miles apart to offer refreshments, snacks and a chance to rest. Bike mechanics are ready to repair and get you back on the road to finish out the day. Routes are marked for easy navigation from start to finish. Varying distances will be offered for most levels of cyclists. Routes will range anywhere from an scenic 15 mile around town to a challenging, but satisfying 65 through some of the most picturesque areas of Western NC.
If you are looking for a great weekend full of route options, great entertainment, great food, drink and friendships, then the Mountain Ride is your go to event.
The routes are fully supported, meaning, we have SAG vans patrolling the routes in case you break down or need assistance. Rest stops are set up approximately 10-20 miles apart to offer refreshments, snacks and a chance to rest. Bike mechanics are ready to repair and get you back on the road to finish out the day. Routes are marked for easy navigation from start to finish. Varying distances will be offered for most levels of cyclists. Routes will range anywhere from an scenic 15 mile around town to a challenging, but satisfying 65 through some of the most picturesque areas of Western NC.
If you are looking for a great weekend full of route options, great entertainment, great food, drink and friendships, then the Mountain Ride is your go to event.
2. What does my registration fee include?
Official Mountain Ride Participant Shirt
Indoor and Outdoor Camping Facilities
Electronic Cue Sheets & Maps
Access to Ride with GPS Premium Membership features such as voice commands and GPS downloads
Rest Stops with a Variety of Snack & Beverages
Clearly Marked Routes
SAG (Support and Gear) Support
Catered Meal at the Mountain Ride Social
Beverage Gardens and Local Entertainment & Activities
Portable Restrooms at Rest Stops and Camp
Shower Facilities
Mechanical Support at Rest Stops & Camp
CNC Mobile App
Indoor and Outdoor Camping Facilities
Electronic Cue Sheets & Maps
Access to Ride with GPS Premium Membership features such as voice commands and GPS downloads
Rest Stops with a Variety of Snack & Beverages
Clearly Marked Routes
SAG (Support and Gear) Support
Catered Meal at the Mountain Ride Social
Beverage Gardens and Local Entertainment & Activities
Portable Restrooms at Rest Stops and Camp
Shower Facilities
Mechanical Support at Rest Stops & Camp
CNC Mobile App
3. Do I need to reserve indoor/outdoor camping space?
No reservation is necessary for indoor or outdoor camping. Space is based on a first-come, first-served basis. Indoor camping is typically in a gymnasium where you provide your own sleeping bag and pad. Outdoor camping can be done on your own where you bring your tent, sleeping bag, etc. and set it up for the weekend.
4. What if I plan to bring an RV, trailer or pop-up camper?
If you are planning on brining your personal camper, trailer or RV, you must indicate that when registering. Water, sewer and electricity is not provided so you must come self-contained. You may use a generator during the hours of 7am to 10pm. All generators must be off from 10pm to 6:59am. If you need water, sewer, electricity or want to run your generator all night, you can check out one of the local campgrounds listed on our Accommodations Page.
5. What food does CNC provide at the Rest Stops?
CNC rest stops are spaced out approximately 10 to 20 miles and feature a variety of snacks and drinks. For sanitary reasons, most snack items are prepackaged. Below is a list of typical items you will find at our rest stops.
BODYARMOR Sport Water with electrolytes (dispensers and bottled)
BODYARMOR Sport Drink
Fruit (apples & bananas)
ClifBars (assorted flavors)
Kind Bars (assorted flavors)
Pickle Cups
Fig Bars
Kind Bars
Sodas (coke and diet coke)
Sweet and Salty trail mix
PB&J sandwiches (at select stops)
BODYARMOR Sport Water with electrolytes (dispensers and bottled)
BODYARMOR Sport Drink
Fruit (apples & bananas)
ClifBars (assorted flavors)
Kind Bars (assorted flavors)
Pickle Cups
Fig Bars
Kind Bars
Sodas (coke and diet coke)
Sweet and Salty trail mix
PB&J sandwiches (at select stops)
6. What time do the routes open each day?
Routes open at different times each day. There is not a mass start for this event so you can access the routes at any time during the stated route hours. If you leave before the routes open or you are still on the routes after they have closed, we cannot provide you with support services. The first rest stop on the routes will open approximately 15 minutes after the rotues officially open. Refer to your route cue sheets and maps for the open/close hours of each rests stop.
Routes open at different times each day. There is not a mass start for this event so you can access the routes at any time during the stated route hours. If you leave before the routes open or you are still on the routes after they have closed, we cannot provide you with support services. The first rest stop on the routes will open approximately 15 minutes after the rotues officially open. Refer to your route cue sheets and maps for the open/close hours of each rests stop.
7. Do I have to finish riding by a certain time each day?
The routes have a closing time each day. At that time, all services including rest stops and SAG support will end.
8. What is there to do when I'm not riding?
At the Cycle NC Mountain Ride, we plan just as many off the bike events as we do on the bike events. Each day offers a wide range of activities or entertainment options that will keep you busy. Local activities may include optional fly fishing trips, zip line opportunities, Brewery Tours, kayak paddling trips, mountain bike trail rides on some of the best trails in America, walking tours, shopping, excurisions to see some epic water falls (some near and far), local beer gardens and live musical entertainment. In addition to the local activities, both Friday and Saturday night will feature a CNC Social with a beverage garden and live music. On Saturday night, we'll have a catered meal for all registered participants.
9. Are pets allowed?
If you are interested in bringing a pet, please click here to complete our Pet Permission Request Form.
10. Are stoves, grills and/or fire pits allowed?
Small propane camping stoves (i.e. Coleman) are allowed. All other flames (i.e. large grills, fire pits, etc) are prohibited.
10. Are stoves, grills and/or fire pits allowed?
Small propane camping stoves (i.e. Coleman) are allowed. All other flames (i.e. large grills, fire pits, etc) are prohibited.
11. What kind of bike is best for this ride?
The Mountain Ride is a perfect match for most styles of bikes. In recent years, we have seen tandems, trikes, Bike Friday's, recumbents, road bikes, e-bikes, touring bikes, triathlon specific bikes, mountain bikes and even hand cyclists. Make sure your bike is tuned up and ready before arriving in town. Visit your local bike shop to have your bike looked at to make sure it's in good working condition. Bike mechanics will be available throughout the weekend at camp and along the routes. If you are bringing an e-bike, make sure you review the N.C. E-Bike Laws before attending the event.
12. What Safety Tips, Videos and/or articles can you suggest for cycling in NC?
Below are a few links to resources such as our CNC Safety Tips, WalkBikeNC videos and articles on how to be a courteous cyclists.
Watch For Me NC Safety Resources
Cyclist Safety In NC - Part I
Cyclist Safety In NC - Part II
Cyclist Safety In NC - Part III
What is a courteous Cyclists?
How to Cycle in Bad Weather
13. Can a non-rider come with me on the ride?
Yes, family members and friends are welcome to the ride. Anyone wishing to spend the weekend with you camping and using the CNC Services (showers, portable restrooms, beverage gardens, socials, etc.) MUST be registered as a non-rider. This is a discounted fee that includes all the benefits of a full registration minus access to the routes. We also encourage all non-riders to help assists CNC by volunteering.
14. Will I have phone/email access during the ride? Will there be a way for me to charge electronic devices?
Cell service can vary both at camp and along the route. Charging stations will be available throughout the weekend should you need to give your phone, tablet or electronic device a boost.
15. What if someone needs to reach me in case of an emergency?
Should someone need to reach you in case of an emergency, they may call the Rider Services number at 919-361-1133. Additional emergency numbers will be listed on your route cue sheets and on the route maps.
16. How do I cancel my registration?
If you wish to cancel your registration, you must submit a written request through email at cyclenc@ncsports.org. To determine if you are eligible for a refund, see this year's Cycle NC Mountain Ride Refund policy which can be found under the Fees drop down at the top of this page.
17. How can I volunteer?
Cycle NC can always use volunteers. We encourage all family members, guests and locals to volunteer during the ride. We are always looking for enthusiastic individuals or groups to help assist us during Check-in and at our Rest Stops. If you are interested in volunteering, know someone that is willing to volunteer, needs community service hours or know a local group that might be willing to help, check out our Volunteer webpage for a list of opportunities.
18. How do I access the routes and when are the routes released before the event?
18. How do I access the routes and when are the routes released before the event?
The offical Cycle NC routes are released the Monday before the event starts. The routes will then be posted in Ride With GPS and made available via PDF cue sheets also. You will need to be a registered rider to access the routes and will need to use the email address you registered with to login to the route page.
19. Do you allow e-bikes and e-assist bikes on the Mountain Ride?
19. Do you allow e-bikes and e-assist bikes on the Mountain Ride?
Yes, e-bikes are allowed on the Mountain Ride. However, you are not allowed to charge your bikes at the Cycle NC charging station. If you are staying at the campsite, you can add "e-bike charging" to your registration. You will see this option in the registration form.
Have a question that you still haven't found the answer to? Send us an e-mail at cyclenc@ncsports.org and we will be glad to help you!
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