Pisgah Forest, North Carolina · Saturday, October 3, 2026
The Pisgah 111 / 555 is a cycling and mountain biking event held on Saturday, October 3, 2026. It is located in Pisgah Forest, North Carolina.
The Pisgah Monster-Cross Challenge is the premiere all-road racing event in the region. Participants are challenged to complete a 69.2 mile course with 8,777’of climbing along scenic gravel and paved roads. The riders will be treated to some of the finest gravel roads in the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests, which is a one-of-a-kind opportunity in the racing world. Monster-Cross is a dream gravel endurance event where keen race tactics and strategy, along with overall fitness, proper gear selection, and sheer luck are key to success.
There will be three Rest Areas along the way that will be stocked with water, food (PB&J, fruit, salty snacks, sweet snacks, bars), first aid, and neutral mechanical support. Racers will be covering a lot of ground on the map, riding through some of the most quintessential Pisgah forest, not without brutal terrain and breathtaking scenery.
COURSE:
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MAP DOWNLOAD:
Pisgah Monster Cross Challenge -- Map (map is in zip file)
CUE SHEET DOWNLOAD:
Pisgah Monster Cross Challenge - Cue Sheet (cue is in zip file)
GPX DOWNLOAD:
Pisgah Monster Cross Challenge - GPX (gpx is in zip file)
RIDEWITHGPS.COM link:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49409140
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Friday – 5:00PM-10:00PM – Registration and sign-in open.
Saturday – 5:30AM-7:30AM – Registration and sign-in open.
Saturday – 7:45AM – Participant meeting.
Saturday – 8:00AM – Event Start.
Saturday – 9:00PM – Raffle drawing (You do not need to be present to win)
Saturday – 10:00PM – Event cutoff.
RULES:
Have Fun!
Riders must wear an approved cycling helmet at all times while on the bike.
Riders must complete the event on the bike they started on. No bike swaps during the event.
Riders may NOT receive outside support during the event.
Riders MAY receive support from other PARTICIPATING riders at any time.
Riders must stay in single-file except to pass.
Riders must obey all local traffic laws.
Electric-Assist bikes (E-Bikes) are prohibited.
The Event Director reserves the right to disqualify any rider for any reason.
SIGN-IN upon completion of the event (Please, this includes DNF riders).
VENUE:
Sign-in and Start/Finish will be in the field directly across US276 from Davidson River Campground in Pisgah Forest, NC.
DIRECTIONS:
1284 Pisgah Highway
Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
From Asheville, North Carolina, take I-40 West to I-26 East to Exit 40 (Airport Road/Asheville Regional Airport), onto State Highway 280. Continue south 15.5 miles on 280 to Pisgah National Forest. Turn right at the intersection of Highway 280/64/276. Go north on 276 for 1 mile. Follow signs to Davidson River campground.
From Spartanburg, South Carolina, take I-26 West to Exit 40 (Airport Road/Asheville Regional Airport), onto State Highway 280. Continue south 15.5 miles on 280 to Pisgah National Forest. Turn right at the intersection of Highway 280/64/276. Go north on 276 for 1 mile. Follow signs to Davidson River campground.
From Charlotte, North Carolina, take I-85 South to Gastonia and exit at U.S. Highway 74 West. Merge with I-26 West to Exit 40 (Airport Road/Asheville Regional Airport), onto State Highway 280. Continue south 15.5 miles on 280 to Pisgah National Forest. Turn right at the intersection of Highway 280/64/276. Go north on 276 for 1 mile. Follow signs to Davidson River campground.
OTHER:
We have VERY LIMITED PARKING at the START/FINISH. Please follow the signs and park at the Pisgah Ranger Station and Visitor Center overflow parking lot.
All roads used in the Pisgah Monster-Cross Challenge will be OPEN to vehicle traffic. The Transylvania County Sheriffs Department will be providing traffic controls at key intersections. IF THERE IS NO TRAFFIC CONTROL OFFICER AT AN INTERSECTION YOU MUST OBEY ALL TRAFFIC LAWS. THIS INCLUDES COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AT STOP SIGNS. Be safe. Please use common sense. The Pisgah Monster-Cross Challenge is a bicycle game. Don’t risk your life or others’ for the sake of a bicycle game. Stay to the right. Do not cut corners. Pass with care. Ride single file.
COURSE MARKING: All turns will be marked with LARGE ORANGE ARROWS. There will also be ORANGE Pisgah Productions branded tape as confirmation that you are still on-course at locations throughout the course.
Maps, cue sheets, and a GPX file are available for download here: https://www.pisgahproductions.com/events/pisgah-monster-cross-challenge
Please know the course before you start!
– Approved cycling helmet.
– Rain jacket or vest.
– MOBILE PHONE.
There will be three REST AREAS (At mile 19.7, mile 35.7, and mile 46.5). Rest areas will be very well stocked with fruit, snacks, ride food, electrolyte drinks, spare water bottles, and plenty of water.
There will be NO DROP-BAGS. There simply is not enough time to deliver the drop-bags from the start / finish to the rest areas. Please be prepared to carry any personal items you may need.
There will be NO SAG WAGON. In the case of a medical emergency use your required mobile phone and CALL 911. In the case of equipment failure make your way to a rest area or the start / finish. You may also TEXT THE RACE DIRECTOR at (828) 242-8250 and we will do everything in our power to assist. However, we cannot guarantee a ride out of the woods.
CHIP TIMING / NUMBER PLATES.
Please mount your number plate to your handlebars and in front of your cables. The timing crew must be able to see your entire number plate as you cross the finish line. Your number plate has a RFID timing chip on the back. If your number plate is not displayed correctly your FINISH TIME WILL NOT BE RECORDED. If you lose or damage your timing chip please tell the timing crew your number when you finish.
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LODGING:
The Sunset Motel
Davidson River Campground
Hampton Inn Brevard
Holiday Inn Express Brevard
REFUND POLICY:
Sorry, No refunds.
Update on 7/10/26
Due to low registration number, we have decided to change this to an informal pop-up event which means we will NOT be covering the cost of anything. All transportation, bike rentals, and hotel/camping will be at your discretion. We believe that many of you still want to show up and ride given your love and passion for mountain biking! Camping/hotel recommendations remain the same. We will leave the orginial program up for ride group and schedules. We will NOT be providing guides and we remind you to prioritize saftey when you're out riding.
Campgrounds will not be provided at this event, but we have some recommendations below:
For this year’s bikeboom event, we will not be providing campsites; however, below are some recommendations that we have gotten from locals; we encourage you to network with others and please do let us know where you plan on staying. If you will be flying in, please let us know and we will do our best to work out transportation for you!
Hotel/Campsite
Address/ Information
Distance from The Hub
Additional information
Hampton Inn Brevard
275 Forest Gate Dr., Pisgah Forest, North Carolina, 28768 Phone: 1-828-436-0206
10 minute walk; 3 minute drive
To get a 12% discount call the hotel and ask for a brevardnc.com rate; they have bike storage and we are allowed to bring our bikes in the hotel room as long as they are clean; they have specific washing areas behind the hotel to clean bikes. Be sure to ask them for bike specific towels to use.
Davidson River Campground
1 Davidson River Cir, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
Website: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/231993
3 minute drive; 7 minute ride; 29 minute walk
Campground is currently closed, but reservations can be made for the September 24th weekend now.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Brevard- City Center
185 Old Hendersonville Hwy, Brevard, NC 28712
Website
15 minute bike ride on the town bike path to the hub
Closer to downtown Brevard
Pilot Cove
319 Gateway Junction Drive, Pisgah Forest NC 28768 website
Cabin rentals just behind The Hub
Primitive and Roadside camping
https://explorebrevard.com/stay/camping-rv/
Various locations
First come first serve and please follow leave no trace.
Airbnb
If preferred; feel free to find airbnb for yourself and your peers in the area! Enjoy!
Please let us know where you are staying so we can make sure you’re able to access shuttle services
As for everyone else who is not Deaf or Hard of Hearing, you are welcome to mingle with us and you will not need to register. Show up and your support is MUCH appreciated.
FAQ
What are the registration categories and pricing?
Cyclist Admission: $0
Non-Cyclist Admission: $0
What does registration include?
What Airport do I fly in?
Name of Airport
Length to/from The hub
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL)
25 minute drive
Greenville Spartanburg International Airport (GSP)
1.5 hour drive
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
2 hour drive
Bikeboom 2026 Event Program
Pisgah, North Carolina
Program subjected to change
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Please note: Keep in mind that everything in Pisgah National Forest is fairly advanced. Some are more intermediate, but all trails there require a lot of climbing and there are no “easy” options. They are all raw old hiking trails full of steep narrow off camber, roots and rocks. It’s GREAT riding for many riders, but if riders are looking for something more mellow the trails in DuPont state forest (15min away) are much more beginner and intermediate friendly, with a lot of flowy trails that aren’t as steep as Pisgah with lots of berms and rollers.
Thursday September 24th
8am-3pm: everyone arrives and gets settled at their hotel/campground
5:30pm and beyond: socialization with drinks and such at the Hub, but make sure you hydrate!
Friday September 25th
9:00am: Meet at the Hub to car pool to different trailheads (if preferred; meet at at trailhead)
9:45 am and beyond: group rides based on your preferred option below
Option 1: The nice ride to do from the shop, is to cross the pedestrian bridge across the street from the shop onto the Estatoe trail, ride that up to the Black Mountain Trailhead. Then go up Thrift cove trail, down lower black mountain trail, up grass road trail, and then do upper sycamore. Here is the route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3411377589740628078
Option 2: A longer version of a ride from the Hub is to do “Clawhammer, Maxwell, Middle Black, Lower Black”: https://www.strava.com/routes/3488534309014522952
Option 3: An easier trail option in Dupont State Forest is this one: https://www.strava.com/routes/3488534309018805320
3:00pm and beyond: socialization at the Hub and a food truck will be there for you to purchase meals (https://www.saboratoflavor.com/)
Saturday September 26th
9:00am: Meet at the Hub to car pool to different trailheads (if preferred; meet at at trailhead)
9:45 am and beyond: group rides based on your preferred option below
Option 1: Avery Creek Avery Creek which can be ridden from the shop or start at the “Horse stables”: https://www.strava.com/routes/3488536193094461168
Option 2: Avery Creek and Bennett Loop (https://trailone.bike/blogs/the-trail-one-list/pisgah?srsltid=AfmBOorjWqor9D75AXsbM5nL9wzZwBrsbNDz7vdwIrOUd0JvzgS-B5MW)
Sunday September 27th
Free for all!