Northwest North Carolina Mountain Bike Alliance
A SORBA Chapter promoting land access, trail preservation and new trail development on the federal, state & local lands of Northwestern North Carolina Sign Me Up!Where to rideThe best mountain bike trails in North Carolina
Northwest North Carolina Mountain Bike Alliance (The Alliance) is building and maintaining some of the best MTB trails in North Carolina, tucked away in the Northwestern part of the state. We build, ride and protect single track mountain bike trails in towns of Boone, Conover, Glen Alpine, Hickory, Lenoir & Wilkesboro and the Grandfather District of The Pisgah National Forest. If you’re just looking for the most recent trail status or a whole new place to ride, we’re here to help connect you to the best mountain bike trails around.
Great trails rely on members
The Alliance is a chapter of the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association and relies on membership, volunteer hours and donations from mountain bikers to operate. Members continue the mission of making mountain bike trails accessible and sustainable through our core values: Speak, Build, Respect, Ride!
Ride!
Whether you’re an experienced rider or just starting out, we’ll connect you with the MTB scene.
Trail Status Reports
Trail status is updated by our local trail stewards, but you should always check with each trail’s website or Facebook page if conditions are suspect. Most trails close for a minimum of 24 hours following rain.
= Open | 
= Caution | 
= Trail Closed
Upcoming Events
The Alliance holds regular work parties, socials, board meetings and other events throughout the calendar year. Be sure to subscribe to our calendar below to keep up with the latest happenings.
August 21, 2021 @ 7:00 PM
Join us for a Saturday evening run on the streets of Lenoir followed by Awards and an epic post-
race party hosted by Liquid Roots Brewing Project! The course will take you by amazing public art,
through charming neighborhoods and past iconic factories. In only its third year, Southern Sundown 4 Miler has become known for cool swag, unique awards, solid beer and great live music.
You don’t want to miss it!
1048 Harper Avenue NW
Every registered runner (21+) for the Southern Sundown 4 Miler receives a full pour of a Liquid Roots brew after the race!
Registration:
(Now – July 31) – $30
(August 1 – August 20) – $35
(August 21 Race Day) – $38
The primary purpose of SS4M is to promote a positive active lifestyle, to use running
to foster a sense of community and healthy competition and to introduce the joy of
running to people who have never considered it.
Because of that purpose, 2021 Southern Sundown 4 Miler will mark the debut of our
Team Challenge!
Each team consists of no less than 5 but no more than 10 members. (If there are
more than 10 participants from one organization, additional teams may be entered)
Each team must include the following (4) member categories:
1 – At least (1) male
2 – At least (1) female
3 – A master (40 and over) male OR female
4 – A first time male OR female racer (has never ran a timed running event)
*The remaining spots on the team can be filled with any registered participant
Each team’s score of record is the average time of their top (5) finishers
*Team members are eligible for all individual awards
The winning team will receive a special team award and a $100 Check to their non profit or
organization designated at sign in!
* Top 3 Overall Male / Female (Winner – $50 Gift Certificate + Liquid Roots Pint Glass, 2nd – $30 Gift Certificate + Liquid Roots Pint Glass, 3rd – $10 Gift Certificate + Liquid Roots Pint Glass)
* Top 2 Male / Female Master (40 & Up) (Winner – $50 Gift Certificate + Liquid Roots Pint Glass, 2nd – $30 Gift Certificate + Liquid Roots Pint Glass)
*Top 3 Male / Female Age Groups (Winner – Custom Gold Finished Medal, 2nd – Custom Silver Finished Medal, 3rd – Custom Bronze Finished Medal)
19 and under; 20 – 24; 25 – 29; 30 – 34; 35 – 39; 40 – 44;
45 – 49; 50 – 54; 55 – 59; 60 – 64; 65 – 69; 70+
The Silver Streak (Male) and The Four Mile Flash
(Female). Custom trophy + $100 Cash for overall male/female winner that also sets a new overall course
record!
Better Than Most Award – Unique award + $20.21 for
runner that finishes one spot better than the last half
of the finishers.
Join the Alliance for National Public Lands Day at Kerr Scott. We will be meeting at the Visitors Assistance Center at the main OVT trailhead. From there we will divide into groups and cover several maintenance items along the OVT and adjacent trails. Bring sturdy footwear, work gloves, and a lunch. Tools will be provided. A ride is scheduled shortly after lunch, at 1pm.
Join us for a Pisgah Workday at Boone Fork. We will be meeting at the Spencer Branch Trailhead (2826 Roby Martin Rd, Lenoir, NC 28645). Bring sturdy footwear, work gloves, and a lunch. Tools will be provided. A ride is scheduled shortly after lunch, at 1pm.
Overmountain Cycles is excited to bring you the Fonta Flora BARNBURNER!
The Fonta Flora Barnburner is a 50k mountain bike race that will test your endurance, skill and fortitude to press on as you ride through the heart-pounding trails of Lake James State Park and the Fonta Flora Trail.
Each trail system has unique features to enjoy, but here’s a little taste. LJSP is tight, fast and flowy, with ripping berm sections and did we mention feel the flow? Next the Fonta Flora trail opens up, but stay on your game. It’s fast, fast, fast with tight corners, wide open sprints and enough flow to get the wheels well off the ground. Gorgeous lake views abound on this race along with mountain views that will inspire you to ride harder.
The Barnburner will start and finish at Fonta Flora Brewery’s Whippoorwill Farm in Nebo, NC. After finishing this beautiful race, plan to enjoy a hand-crafted pint at the brewery with your fellow racers. Proceeds from the event will benefit further maintenance & development of the trails around Lake James!
Multiple ways to be scored!
We’ve got plenty of categories to choose from this year, so you can sign up for the one that fits you best. Here’s a list of categories and how they’ll be scored:
- Compete against your age group. The following categories will allow you to compete against racers in your age bracket on a variety of bike types. Each category will have a men’s and women’s division.
- Juniors: 17 and Under
- Open Category: 18-49
- Masters: 50+
- Compete against riders on the same bike type. The following categories will allow you to compete against racers of any age, but everyone must use the same bike type. Each category will have a men’s and women’s division.
- Single Speed
- Gravel Bike
- Compete in the Party Pace category! This category will still be professionally timed, but it’s for the non-competitive rider who just wants to have a good time and test themselves on the trails. This category will not group riders by gender, age, or bike type.
Questions on which event is best for you? Contact Overmountain Cycles and ask Mike for advice!
828.413.1357
General Info
Parking:
Parking attendants will be onsite at 7am to direct traffic and parking. If you arrive before this, we might kindly ask you to re-park so everyone fits, nicely.
Start time is 9am!!!
Registration Cut-off: We are limited to 300 participants. It’s important to register early!!!! Barnburner registration will be CLOSING on 10am Wednesday October 13th, 2021 so we can get everything squared away. There WILL be same day registration for the Barnburner, but event t-shirts and socks cannot be guaranteed.
What bike to ride: Not sure which arrow in the quiver to bring? The Barnburner is more of an endurance race than technical challenge, so we would recommend few different bikes. It’s very common to see hardtails, short travel full suspensions and even gravel bikes on these trails! Long travel is not recommended, unless you just roll that way. Join one of the prerides to find out what the trail is like! Preride details are on the Overmountain Cycles Facebook Page.
Cut-off time: Cut off time is 3pm at the Long Arm Access off HWY 126 on the return trip from the Fonta Flora Trail. Riders past this time will be directed to finish the race on HWY 126 back to the finish line.
Food: Single Wyde will be supplying food for participants and spectators. Vegan/Vegetarian options will be available. Little Guatemala will be supply coffee to keep you amped.
Bathrooms/Shower: Fonta Flora Brewery is equipped with bathrooms in their tasting room for your use. An outside shower will be provided for post-race clean up as well. Be courteous and clean up after yourself please!
Neutral support: Overmountain Cycles will be providing neutral support for race day participants. They will have limited tools and supplies, so bring the gear you need and please be prepared.
Post-race: Yeeeeehaw, you did it!!! Get yourself a Fonta Flora beer (one free with registration), some tasty food and hang with us.
Event schedule
October 16 7:00 AM EDT – Registration and check-in opens
October 16 8:45 AM EDT – Racer Meeting
October 16 9:00 AM EDT – RACE START
October 16 1:00 PM EDT – Awards
News
Mortimer Trails Project Update: June 2021
Big things are happening in the Grandfather District of Pisgah National Forest! The dirt is really flying around, and we want to provide some updates on the Mortimer Trails Project.
Photo Gallery: Yancey Ridge Trail Renovation
Photos from the volunteer and contracted machine work on Yancey Ridge Trail (TR 259), starting in late 2020 and continuing through the first half of 2021!
USFS: Trails in the Mortimer Area of Wilson Creek improved through partnerships
The public should use caution in the area and avoid active work zones.
Chapter Partners
The Alliance recognizes the following organizations for their partnerships and contributions to furthering the sport of mountain biking in Northwest North Carolina.
