2024 USA Cycling Gravity Mountain Bike National Championships
2024 Gravity Mountain Bike National Champs

The 2024 USA Cycling Gravity Mountain Bike National Championships will be held in beautiful Henderson County, NC, from July 31st to August 4th, 2024. This will be the second year our scenic county will host this prestigious national event, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome back over 500 talented athletes to our trails as they compete for national titles.

Spectators, here’s some fantastic news for you: admission to this thrilling event is absolutely free! Prepare to witness adrenaline-fueled action as riders tackle the gravity-defying challenges of mountain biking. For a detailed event schedule and further information, please visit USACycling.org and be part of this incredible mountain biking extravaganza.

NEW for The 2024 USA Cycling Gravity Mountain Bike National Championships – The Red Bull Best Whip competition will be held on Saturday, August 3rd at 5:30pm (immediately following pro seeding runs) at the base of our new expert jump line, Rodeo! This is an invite only event and you must either receive an email inviting you to the competition from the event staff OR submit a wildcard entry. All the info can be found at the link below on the Red Bull Best Whip webpage. Spectators, here’s some fantastic news for you: admission to this thrilling event is absolutely free!

Where to stay

At the heart of every small, southern town is hospitality, and folks in the Blue Ridge Mountains have their own wonderful way of welcoming everyone. In Hendersonville, you are sure to be treated with kindness – and maybe even cookies. With so many activities to fill your day, you will want a comfy place to rest at the end of it.  Hendersonville has brand-name hotels, affordable motels, lavish resorts, comfortable B&Bs, RV & campgrounds, and any kind of vacation rental you can imagine (including cabins, cottages, tiny homes, downtown lofts, homes close to your favorite attraction, and even treehouses and geodomes)!

Preferred Lodging

WNC Mountain Rentals

WNC Mountain Rentals understand what makes a vacation home special for guests.  We make it our business to find vacation rentals of the highest standard, and, we go above and beyond in personal service to make every guest feel welcomed to the mountains of WNC.
 By providing clean, well cared for vacation homes, we can ensure that our guest’s vacation is one they will not forget, and will want to come back and stay year after year.

Local Lodging

At the heart of every small, southern town is hospitality, and folks in the Blue Ridge Mountains have their own wonderful way of welcoming everyone.

Echo Mountain Inn

Echo Mountain Inn is the perfect place for you to stay in Hendersonville North Carolina. Whether you need a break from everyday life, a stop on your journey, or a place to enjoy one of the many events and attractions in the area, we’d love to host you. Let us become your home away from home.

Cabins, Camp Sites & Rv Parks

Rock Creek Campground

122 W Rock Creek Rd, Zirconia, NC 28790

(828) 698-2581

Type: RV, Tent

Rate: Contact for rates

Amenities: Hookups, Water, Power, Bath house. 

Proximity: .6 miles

Cold Spring Base Camp

125 Cold Spring Base Road, Zirconia, NC 28790

828-817-5258

hartwell.carson@gmail.com

Type: Cabins, Tent

Rate: Starting at $40/night

Amenities: Each campsite has a picnic table, fire ring with grill for cooking over the fire, and a water filter for purifying drinking water from the creek. Cabins include, full equipped kitchen, eating area, bunk beds, stone fire pit, propane stove, solar lights, solar powered device charging station

Proximity: 5.9 miles

DuPont Bike Retreat

200 Glass Feather Dr Cedar Mountain, NC 28718

(828) 393-5655

Type: Cabins, Tent

Rate: Visit booking site for pricing.

Amenities: Hot tub, lodge porch, bike wash, outdoor shower, fire pits 

Proximity: 9.4 miles

Orchard Lake Campground

460 Orchard Lake Road Saluda, NC 28773

(828) 749-3901

mgr@orchardlakecampground.com

Type: RV, Tent, Cabins

Rates: Starting at $45/night

Amenities: RV sites include electric, water, sewer, picnic table, and fire ring. Tent sites include water, electric, picnic table, and fire ring.

Proximity: 14.4 miles

Wilderness Cove

3772 Green River Cove Road, Saluda, North Carolina 28773

(828) 749-9100

info@wildernesscovecampground.com

Type: RV, Tent, Glamping

Rate: Starting at $25/night

Amenities: Wifi, firewood, camp store, RV pads include potable water hookups, private firepits, outdoor seating, high speed Wi-Fi, and onsite bath-house.

Proximity: 19.8 miles

on-site van/rv Camping

There will be no onsite camping/overnight parking permitted at this year’s event. Please refer to our lodging guide to book local.

USA Cycling Gravity Nationals Disciplines

Downhill

July 31- August 4, 2024 | Ride Rock Creek Race Finish Zone

A gravity time trial competition consisting of riders racing one at a time, against the clock, from the top of the mountain to the bottom. Downhill races are generally technically challenging with courses often featuring a combination of high speeds, jumps, dropoffs, and other technical features.

Enduro

July 31- August 4, 2024 | Across Ride Rock Creek’s Trail Network

Multiple timed descents in single or multiple stages over one or more days. The overall winner is determined by the fastest combined time from all of the stages.

Dual Slalom

July 31- August 4, 2024 | Ride Rock Creek Race Finish Zone.

A gated gravity competition where two competitors race head-to-head down two similar, but separate, courses. Following a qualification round, riders race against each other in an elimination format (heats) to determine a winner. Dual slalom courses often feature bermed corners, jumps, and other technical trail features

For more detailed event information including schedules and maps, please visit the USA Cycling 2024 Gravity Nationals Event Site.

Pit Space & Vendor Space

Pit spaces are available for race teams & riders to have a tent/support set up in the premium pit space area of the parking zone.

Vendor spaces are available for industry members, local businesses, or companies looking to promote their products, raise awareness, and have a front-row-seat to the action all week long. These spaces will be located in the area with the highest foot traffic.

  • From: $700.00 + tax

    Vendor spaces are available for industry members, local businesses, or companies looking to promote their products, raise awareness, and have a front-row-seat to the action all week long. These spaces will be located in the area with the highest foot traffic.

  • From: $200.00 + tax

    NEW for 2024! Pit spaces are available for race teams & riders to have a tent/support set up in the brand-new premium pit area located at the finish line of the downhill track and below the vendor area. We will also be offering a regular pit space area in the main parking field. This will accommodate smaller setups and overflow pits at a lower price. Only teams/riders with booked pit spaces will be permitted to leave setups up overnight.

Schedule

Volunteer

Volunteering for USA Cycling is fun and easy! Race directors are eager to get passionate individuals to help with this American tradition. There are several ways to volunteer for the 2023 & 2024 USA Cycling Gravity Mountain Bike National Championships. To volunteer, click the link below!

Spectating

What to expect

Attention all spectators of the USA Cycling Gravity Mountain Bike National Championships! Get ready for an exhilarating experience like no other. First and foremost, we’re thrilled to announce that this sensational event is free for all on-foot spectators, so gather your friends and family for an unforgettable day of mountain biking action. We are offering a pay-for spectator shuttle pass per day that will give you access to the spectator shuttle up to the top of the mountain. Safety is our utmost priority, which is why we have designated secure areas specifically for spectators to enjoy the races while maintaining a safe distance. Waivers must be signed by all individuals on the property. So come one, come all, as we extend a warm welcome to Rock Creek, where the thrill and excitement of gravity mountain biking awaits you!

National Championships Shuttle Spectator Pass

From: $25.00

Visiting Henderson County, NC

Escape life’s hectic pace with a getaway to Hendersonville in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Visitors love the beauty and southern hospitality of this vibrant town (and surrounding area) that welcomes all with possibilities as wide as its Main Street sidewalks. 

Hendersonville stands out with a pedestrian-friendly downtown, distinctive hiking trails, outdoor adventure, family activities, a thriving culinary scene, and a collection of wineries, breweries, and cideries that comprise the popular Cheers!

 

Henderson county Tourism

“Promoting travel to Henderson County for the economic benefit of all.”

 ______________________________

The Henderson County Tourism Development Authority is the official destination marketing organization for Henderson County, North Carolina. 

HCTDA is funded by the 5% occupancy tax collected in Henderson County from overnight stays at local lodging properties. HCTDA does not receive funding from the Henderson County Government general tax fund. 

Henderson County ranks 14th out of 100 counties statewide for visitor spending. This results in an annual economic impact of nearly $325 million and sustains more than 2,000 local jobs.

Points of Interest

Ride Kanuga Bike Park is brought to you by the creators of Ride Rock Creek. Ride Kanuga opened in 2020 as a pedal access bike park. The park and shop are open for riding 7 days a week with e-bike rentals available. The wide variety of trails, dirt jumps, skills park, and hangout area means there is something here for everyone.

Located in the heart of Western North Carolina, the Riveter boasts a full-service rock climbing gym, outdoor dirt jump lines, tap room, fitness studio, infrared-heated yoga studio, retail shop, community workspaces, youth programs, special events, and outdoor seating with epic views of the Blue Ridge.

DuPont State Recreational Forest is an outdoor lover’s dream with many waterfalls and 86 miles of mountain biking and hiking trails on protected 10,000 acres. Located between Brevard and Hendersonville.

The Pisgah National Forest is a land of mile-high peaks, cascading waterfalls, and heavily forested slopes. Comprised of over 500,000 acres, the Pisgah is primarily a hardwood forest with whitewater rivers, waterfalls and hundreds of miles of mountain biking and hiking trails.

Jump Off Rock is a scenic overlook, which provides a panoramic view of rolling pastures, the Blue Ridge and Pisgah mountain ranges.  Jump Off Rock also holds an Indian legend that has been passed down for many, many years. Jump Off is located about 5 miles from downtown at the end of Laurel Park Hwy. The park is open daily, sunrise to sunset. No admission charge.

Hendersonville’s curvilinear Main Street is accented by sitting areas, flowering planters, sidewalk dining and public art. It’s been called one of the nation’s most attractive small-town shopping districts. Extra wide sidewalks make it a welcoming place to spend an afternoon strolling, shopping, dining and discovering. You’ll love how historic architecture blends seamlessly with modern stores, restaurants and artwork.

Where to eat

Flat Rock Wood Room

Competition BBQ and wood cooked pizzas, hamburgers ribs, burgers, pork, brisket, and more.


Campfire Grill

A neighborhood bar and grill created by the community behind Hubba Hubba Smokehouse, dedicated to good food, and committed to the spirit of what makes our hometown so great.

Mike's Chuckwagon

Located just off Exit 3 on Route 25 behind Rosco's Gas Station. A food truck with some of the best tasting food around. Serving breakfast and lunch sandwiches, sides, meals, and more from 7am-7pm Mon-Sat.

Umi Japanese

Umi has been continually voted for one of the BEST RESTAURANT IN HENDERSONVILLE -12 years in a row! So, come in and enjoy our authentic Japanese entrees, fresh sushi, popular bento box with our wide range of organic and special sakes.

West First Wood-Fired

Enjoy a sophisticated, dynamic dining experience while watching your food freshly prepared in our open kitchen or dine alfresco on our beautiful deck. Our full service bar offers martinis, local brews and eclectic wines. We feature whole-wheat thin crust pizzas, organic pastas, rustic salads and soups, desserts and breads. Fresh, local, authentic, gluten free and vegan options.

More from USA Cycling

USA Cycling is the national governing body for the sport of cycling in the United States and oversees the disciplines of road, track, mountain bike, cyclocross, and BMX.  With a mission to develop the sport of cycling in the United States at all levels and to achieve sustained international racing success, USA Cycling supports cyclists from enthusiasts just beginning in the sport to seasoned professionals. We may be best known for the identification, development, and selection of cyclists to represent the United States in international competition, but equally important is our support of amateur bike racing through grassroots development programs and the provision of critical infrastructure to run organized racing. Recently, we have broadened our mission to support enthusiasts and the events in which they participate like gran fondos and fun rides. 

USA Cycling’s headquarters is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at the center of US Olympic movement with peer institutions such as the United States Olympic Committee, US Anti-Doping Agency, and dozens of other US national governing bodies. USA Cycling began in 1920 as The Amateur Bicycle League of America and evolved through the decades to become United States Cycling Federation in 1975 and ultimately USA Cycling, Inc. in 1995. USA Cycling’s  roughly 60,000 membership is comprised of racers and cyclists of all ages and abilities, coaches, officials, mechanics, and race directors. 

USA Cycling is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation which funds it operations from a combination of member generated revenue, sponsorship, US Olympic Committee funding, and donations from the USA Cycling Foundation. USA Cycling receives absolutely no government funding. In 2016, USA Cycling reported roughly $15 million in revenue.

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