Barnburner 50k Festival
October 17th, 2026
Three words can describe the Barnburner 50k....
Challenging, fun and a must do race!
The Fonta Flora Barnburner 50K tests your endurance, skill and fortitude to press on as you race through the heart-pounding trails of Lake James State Park and the fun, sweeping single track of Fonta Flora Trail system.
The Barnburner is for everyone...race for the finish or enjoy our Party Pace class to take in all the mountain and lake views. The challenge is up to you.
Barnburner 50k
Event Details
Barnburner 50K Festival
October 16th - 18th, 2026
Developed by Overmountain Cycles in 2019, the Fonta Flora Barnburner 50k race continues to grow every year. For 2026 Overmountain Cycles is excited to bring you the Festival back with more bike racing, more activities and more fun!
The Barnburner, being the official cross-country mountain bike race of the Lake James and Fonta Flora Trail system, brings everyone together from season pros to first time participants. It’s an excellent race that challenges, inspires and is loads of fun.
Some highlights for this year include the return of the Night Burner, live ‘Burning of the Barn,’ and the first ever Electric MTB race…..The E-BURN!
Make sure you register early!!! This event has sold-out 5 years in a row!
Need some more convincing? Here’s some details of the trails that’ll get you excited….
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.
Registration details:
Each race features a unique t-shirt design included with your registration!
Beer token included per person and free camping all weekend long.
Finisher socks for all participants are BACK!
Barnburner 50k:
Field limit 500
Race start - 9am Saturday October 17th, 2026.
Traditional Start - please line up according to your estimated finish time.
Cutoff time 1pm at the Aid station.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/52634107
Night Burner: Ever raced Fonta Flora Trail at night?!
Field limit 200
Race Start is 6:45pm October 17th, 2026. Le Mans style start! We encourage you to practice!
No cut off time - just get your butt back.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53877087
E-Burn:
Field Limit 300
Race start 9am Sunday October 18th, 2026.
Traditional start - please line up according to your etimated finish time.
Cutoff time 12pm at the Aid station.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53853223
Aid Station: There is ONE aid station along the Barnburner and E-burn. It is roughly half-way through the race at the end of the Long Arm section of Fonta Flora Trail near HWY126. We encourage you to be prepared with your personal nutrition and hydration, but the aid station will be there for your convenience.
Cut-off time: Cut off time for both events, Barnburner and E-burn 1pm at the Linville River bridge off HWY 126 on the return trip from LJSP. Riders past this time will be directed to finish the race.
Race Notes: Night Burner is a Le Man style start! We encourage you to practice and be prepared. Both Barnburner 50K and E-Burn are traditional starts.
Event Schedule:
October 16th - Friday:
5pm Gates open to participants/public for parking
6pm - Food/Beer
7pm - Early Packet Pickup Opens
9pm - Early Packet Pickup Closes
10pm - Quiet Time!
October 17th - Saturday:
6pm - Packet Pickup
9pm - Barnburner 50k START!
12pm - Food/Beer
1pm - Awards
2pm - Afternoon Activities!
Sunset (6:45pm) - Night Burner START with special Burning of the Barn!
7pm - Bonfire and Music
9pm - Night Burner Awards!
10pm - Quite Time
October 18th - Sunday:
6pm - Packet Pickup
9pm - E-Burn Race START
1pm - Awards
5pm - All participants and guests must be clear of property
LOCATION:
Linville Adventure Pasture is located off HWY126 and the Linville river. It's a beautiful venue allowing space for all the activities! On site camping and more parking in the grass field.
We still ask that if you can carpool to please do!
Address: 5536 Hwy NC 126 Nebo, NC 28761
Directions:
From Raleigh: Follow I-40 W to exit 100 or Jamestown road. Follow Jamestown road (becomes independence blvd.) Turn left onto hwy 126 and follow for approximately 12 miles to Linville Adventure Pasture.
From Asheville: Follow I-40 E to exit 100 or Jamestown road. Follow Jamestown road (becomes independence blvd.) Turn left onto hwy 126 and follow for approximately 12 miles to Linville Adventure Pasture.
CAMPING:
Camping is allowed on site during the evening both Friday and Saturday night.
Parking is limited - tents or in vehicle camping allowed. No RVs or pull behinds.
All vehicles must exit venue by 5pm on Sunday, October 18th.
Awards:
Barnburner 50k: Top Three of each age group/category
Night Burner: Finisher prices for top three in each category
E-Burn: Top Three of each age group/category
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 receive outside support within 100' of official rest areas.
- 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 - only allowed in E-Burn race.
- E-bikes raced in E-Burn can be pedal assist only - no throttle equipped bikes.
- The Event Director reserves the right to disqualify any rider for any reason.
- DNF riders must check-in and notify event timers
Barnburner 50k
Saturday, October 17th 9am Race Start
Your Classic Cross-Country race that's fun for pro level to beginners. You'll want to race it year after year.
Please see Event Details tab for detailed schedule.
Prizes: Top Three of each age group
Post Ride Beer: As usual, participants get a free post ride beer! Choose your favorite brewery and get your hand stamped for your toasty one.
Cut-off time: Cut off time is 1pm at the Linville River bridge off HWY 126 on the return trip from LJSP. Riders past this time will be directed to finish the race.
Rules:
1. Have Fun!
2. Riders must wear an approved cycling helmet at all times while on the bike.
4. Riders must complete the event on the bike they started on. No bike swaps
during the event.
5. Riders may receive outside support within 100′ of official rest areas.
6. Riders may receive support from other PARTICIPATING riders at any time.
7. Riders must stay in single-file except to pass.
8. Riders must obey all local traffic laws.
9. Electric-Assist bikes (E-Bikes) are prohibited.
10. The Event
Director reserves the right to disqualify any rider for any reason.
11.DNF riders must check-in and notify event timers
E-Burn!
Sunday, October 18th 9am Race Start
You love the Barnburner, why not race with a little electric fun!
We are excited to bring you the E-Burn!!! Come race your favorite race now on your E-bike. This race is held on Sunday the 18th so you can participate in both races.
This race is for pedal-assisted ebikes only. No ebikes with throttles allowed.
Please see Event Details tab for detailed schedule.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53853223
Prizes: Top Three of each age group
Post Ride Beer: As usual, participants get a free post ride beer! Choose your favorite brewery and get your hand stamped for your toasty one.
Cut-off time: Cut off time is 12pm at the Linville River bridge off HWY 126 on the return trip from LJSP. Riders past this time will be directed to finish the race.
Rules:
1. Have Fun!
2. Riders must wear an approved cycling helmet at all times while on the bike.
4. Riders must complete the event on the bike they started on. No bike swaps
during the event.
5. Riders may receive outside support within 100′ of official rest areas.
6. Riders may receive support from other PARTICIPATING riders at any time.
7. Riders must stay in single-file except to pass.
8. Riders must obey all local traffic laws.
9. Electric-Assist bikes (E-Bikes) are allowed only for this event.
10. The Event
Director reserves the right to disqualify any rider for any reason.
11.DNF riders must check-in and notify event timers
Night Burner
Friday, October 17th, 6:45pm
Have you ever raced the Fonta Flora Trail at night?
Here is your opportunity to participate in a fast, fun and adventure filled night race.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53877087
Le Mans start!!! - Everyone will run to their bikes at the start of the burning of the barn!
Fun prizes for the first three men and first three women back.
No official timing!
Please see Event Details tab for detailed schedule.
RULES:
1.Have Fun!
2. Riders must wear an approved cycling helmet at all times while on the bike.
3. Riders must burn FRONT and REAR lights at all
times while on the bike.
4. Riders must complete the event on the bike they started on. No bike swaps
during the event.
5. Riders must obey all local traffic laws.
6. Electric-Assist bikes (E-Bikes) are
prohibited.
7. The Event Director reserves the right to disqualify any rider for any reason.
8. DNF riders must check-in and notify event timers
Venue
Linville Adventure Pasture is located off HWY126 and the Linville river. It's a beautiful venue allowing space for all the activities! On site camping and more parking in the grass field.
We still ask that if you can carpool to please do!
Address: 5536 Hwy NC 126 Nebo, NC 28761
Directions:
From Raleigh: Follow I-40 W to exit 100 or Jamestown road. Follow Jamestown road (becomes independence blvd.) Turn left onto hwy 126 and follow for approximately 12 miles to Linville Adventure Pasture.
From Asheville: Follow I-40 E to exit 100 or Jamestown road. Follow Jamestown road (becomes independence blvd.) Turn left onto hwy 126 and follow for approximately 12 miles to Linville Adventure Pasture.
Lodging
LODGING:
Free camping at Race Venue Friday and Saturday night. Please refer to schedule for gate openings.
Your camping spot will be at your vehicle, no assigned spaces. There will a specific area for folks camping to park.
No RVs - only tent camping or in vehicle camping.
All vehicles must exit venue by Sunday 5pm.
Those not camping will also have a specific area to ensure good traffic flow.
Parking attendants will assist with this starting Friday.
Other places to stay:
The nearby Lake James State Park has two stellar lakeside campgrounds within 15 minutes of the start. More information can be found at the park website.
There are also multiple hotels in Morganton about 20 minutes drive from Linville Adventure Pasture. Airbnb and VRBO are excellent resources as well.
Food/Beer
Like previous years we will have Foodtrucks and Beer onsite!
Expect food trucks serving Coffee, breakfast, lunch and dinner through out the weekend.
We will have beer for purchase as well!