Nebo, North Carolina · Friday, October 16, 2026
The Barnburner MTB Festival is a cycling and mountain biking event held on Friday, October 16, 2026. It is located at 5536 NC-126 in Nebo, North Carolina.
The Old Fort Fifty will be held on the rugged, legendary trails that have made the area famous in the mountain bike world while also incorporating some newer trails recently built by the G5 Trail Collective. While the 30.9 mile distance is on the shorter side for an endurance race, don't fool yourself into thinking this is going to be a walk in the park. You will be served up a heaping helping of elevation gain, climbing 4874 feet and descending an equal amount over fast and technical chunky terrain as well as some super omega flow. There will be two rest areas along the way (Mile 13 and 23.5) stocked with plenty of water and snacks.
The Old Fort Fifty will be open to cyclists AND runners!
Starting and finishing at Camp Grier, racers will first head over to the Gateway Trail System, an incredibly well-built network of modern, flow-heavy trails. From there, you’ll head up and over to the raw goodness of Star Gap and its infamous Heckle Rock. Finally, you’ll have a couple “gotta get up to get down” climbs before being rewarded with descents down both Bernard Mountain and the ear-to-ear grin-inducing Kitsuma Trail.
There will be plenty of affordable indoor lodging and camping options at Camp Grier the night before and also after the event with plenty of room for the family to make a weekend out of it. You can stay Friday night and wake up close to the start line, and if you decide to hang out Saturday night, you can race or spectate the Pisgah Enduro on Sunday! During your stay, you’ll have access to the lake, showers, a post-race cookout, and refreshments provided!
Both the Old Fort Fifty and the Pisgah Enduro will be part of the King of Pisgah Series.
COURSE:
[Old Fort Fifty MAP and CUE REST AREAS.png] [Old Fort Fifty PROFILE.png]
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Friday – 2:00pm – Camping/Bunkhouses Open.
Friday – 5:00pm-10:00pm – Sign-In Open.
Friday night – Have fun at Camp!
Saturday – 5:30am-7:30am – Sign-In Open.
Saturday – 7:45am – Pre-Race meeting.
Saturday – 8:00am – Race Start.
Saturday – 8:00pm – Race Cutoff.
Saturday night – Have fun at Camp!
Sunday - Have fun at Camp!
Monday - 12:00pm - Camping/Bunkhouses Closed.
RULES:
Have Fun!
Cyclists must wear an approved cycling helmet at all times while on the bike.
Racers may receive support from other participating racers while on course.
Racers may NOT receive outside support while on course.
Racers must stay in single-file except to pass.
Racers must obey all local traffic laws.
Electric-Assist bikes (E-Bikes) are prohibited.
Racers must use a front light (250 lumen minimum) after 7:00PM.
The Race Director reserves the right to disqualify any racer for any reason.
SIGN-IN upon completion of the event (Please, this includes DNF racers).
VENUE:
Camp Grier, 985 Camp Grier Rd, Old Fort, NC 28762https://www.campgrier.org
OTHER:
REQUIRED GEAR:
Every racer will be required to carry the following at all times while participating in the event:
Mobile phone.
Rain jacket.
DOWNLOADS:
Old Fort Fifty MAP and CUE
NEW! REVISED AUG 2025 - Old Fort Fifty GPX
NEW! REVISED AUG 2025 - RIDEWITHGPS.COM LINK:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/52118116
LIVE RESULTS:
We will be using ITSYOURRACE.COM for live results. Download the IYR App or visit:
https://2025OldFort50.itsyourrace.com/ for live results.
COURSE MARKING:
Flagging.jpg
LODGING:
-Tent / Car Camping passes are available for $20 per car, per night, up to four people, and include: A grassy patch with room to park one car and to pitch a few tents plus access to drinking water, toilets, and showers. Multiple nights are available. Please reserve your spot during registration.
-Bunkhouse passes are available for $20 per person per night and include a roof over your head, a bunkbed, and access to community kitchen, power outlets, bathrooms, and showers. Bring your own pillow and blankets. Multiple nights are available. Please reserve your spot during registration.
-Small RV Camping passes are available for $30 per vehicle, per night, up to four people, and include: A grassy patch with room to park one vehicle and to pitch a few tents plus access to drinking water, toilets, and showers. Multiple nights are available. Please reserve your spot during registration.
---Class B and Class C vans/ Travel trailers (max 27' total length) are welcome.
---Class A motor homes and 5th wheel trailers are prohibited.
---RV hookups are NOT available.
---Dogs must be leashed and under control at all times. No dogs in buildings.
If your RV is not permitted or if you require a hookup we recommend reserving a spot nearby at the Asheville East KOA in Black Mountain, NC.
When the weather turns chilly, the critters quit crawling and your usual hardtop running routes are getting a bit tired and boring......its time to veer off the road and kick up some dirt on the trail! It's time for The Third Annual Dirty Santa Trail Run!
This 5 mile race is the fifth and final event in The Foothills Run Series Presented By UNC Ortho.
The course starts / finishes at the Lenoir Rotary Soccer Complex and is made up of almost 3 miles of single track trail (Zack's Fork Mountain Bike Trail), nearly 1.4 miles of natural field / gravel trail and around .6 mile of hardtop just for some variety!
*Early Packet Pickup: Friday (12/12) - 5:30pm - 7:30pm Liquid Roots Brewing (1048 Harper Ave, Lenoir, NC)
Race Day Schedule (12/13):
7:30am - Race Day Registration / Packet Pick-Up Opens
8:45am - Race Day Registration / Packet Pick-Up Ends
9:00am - Start Of The Third Annual Dirty Santa Trail Run
Enjoy some post race snacks featuring a Smores Station and Hot Cocoa!
Stick around for post race awards and the top winners selecting their gifts Dirty Santa Style!
The Third Annual Dirty Santa Trail Run Individual Awards
Top 3 Overall Male / Female (Winner - Dirty Santa Trophy + Gift/Award, 2nd - Custom Silver Finished Medal + Gift/Award, 3rd - Custom Bronze Finished Medal + Gift/Award)
Top 2 Male / Female Master (40 - 49) (Winner - Dirty Santa Trophy + Gift/Award, 2nd - Custom Silver Finished Medal + Gift/Award)
Top 2 Male / Female Grandmaster (50 & Up) (Winner - Dirty Santa Trophy + Gift/Award, 2nd - Custom Silver Finished Medal + Gift/Award)
*Top 3 Male / Female Age Groups (Winner - Custom Gold Finished Medal, 2nd - Custom Silver Finished Medal, 3rd - Custom Bronze Finished Medal) 14 and under; 15 - 19; 20 -24; 25 - 29; 30 - 34; 35 - 39; 40 - 44; 45 - 49; 50 - 54; 55 - 59; 60 - 64; 65 - 69, 70+
Every runner registering by Midnight on December 1 will be guaranteed their size in the Official Third Annual Dirty Santa Trail Run Hoodie!
EVENT CAPACITY
Registration for each event will only be available online. There is NO ONSITE REGISTRATION. Race registration will close at 11:59pm thursday night before the race. Number plates/timing chips will be available for pickup at rider check in.
For all other event details https://www.gravitycarolinas.com/downhill
***Please email [email protected] for other Gravity Carolinas sponsor opportunities.
Presented by Dialed Events