Fonta Flora Barnburner 50k Fesitval
This is year FIVE….and with that we are growing the event! The Barnburner 50k will be
held at a new venue that will allow more parking, CAMPING, more breweries,
music, vendors and THREE events over the weekend. See details below!
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 Festival
Event Details
Overmountain Cycles is excited to bring you the Fonta Flora Barnburner 50k Festival this year with THREE bike fun events to choose from.
Night Burner 10 miler / Wilson Ramble Bikepacking Grand Depart / Fonta Flora Barnburner 50k
Weekend Schedule:
Friday, October 20th:
3pm - Gates Open for Parking and Camping Setup
5pm - Food Trucks and Breweries Open
5pm- Packet Pickup for Night Burner, Barnburner and Wilson Ramble
7pm - Check in closes
7:10pm - Race meeting for Night Burner
7:15pm - Night Burner Start
7:45pm - Music Starts
8:30pm - Night Burner Awards
10pm - Quite Time!
Saturday, October 21st:
6am – Packet Pickup For Barnburner and Wilson Ramble
6am - Little Guatemala Coffee Truck
8am - Wilson Ramble Bikepacking Grand Depart
8:30am - Packet Pickup Closes
8:50am – Racer Meeting for Barnburner 50k
9am - Fonta Flora Barnburner 50k Start
12pm – Music Starts
1pm – Barnburner 50k Awards
3pm – Music Stops
4pm – Onewheel Race
7pm Bonfire
10pm – Quite Time
Sunday, October 22nd:
11am – Check out and all cars must be moved (does not include Wilson Ramble
participants.)
Night Burner 10 Miler
Friday, October 20th 7:15pm
Have you ever raced the Fonta Flora Trail at night?
Here is your opportunity to participate in a 10 mile fun, check-point filled race along one of our favorite trails.
What to expect:
Le Mans start!!! - Everyone runs to get their bike at the sound of the horn.
3 mandatory check points along the course
Fun prizes for the first three men and first three women back.
No official timing!
Official Night Burner Course - Strava
Official Night Burner Course - Ridewithgps
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 anyreason.
8. DNF riders must check-in and notify event timers
Wilson Ramble Grand Depart
The Wilson Ramble. You’ve heard of the bikepacking route and maybe even daydreamed about exploring the sometimes infamous and always demanding gravel roads of the Wilson Creek area. Now’s your chance. Overmountain Cycles and BIKEPACKING.com are teaming up to bring you the best reason to saddle up and explore the “Other Pisgah.”
We’re hosting the Wilson’s Ramble group start for the second year, but from a new venue, the Linville Adventure Pasture in Nebo, North Carolina. Bring your pals and come challenge yourself on this demanding yet gorgeous 133-mile route with nearly 15,000 feet of elevation gain. For more details of the route, find the route guide here. Note that the route will be changing a little bit prior to the group start; we’ll send details to folks who have registered.
Participating riders are required to be self-sufficient. This is not an official event. There will be no aid stations or sag vehicles, and we are not responsible for your safety or location. People are welcome to do the ride at their own pace whether that’s two or three days (or five days for that matter), but we’re starting together for fun. This group start is not a race, either. However, the first finishers should expect some exciting high fives and goodies at the finish.
Please see Event Details tab for weekend schedule.
NOTE: Wilson Ramble participants will park in a designated location on site. Vehicles will be allowed to stay until participants return.
Barnburner 50k
Saturday, October 21st 9am Race Start
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.
Official Barnburner 50k 2023 Map - Strava
Official Barnburner 50k 2023 Map - Ridewithgps
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
Venue
This years festival will be held at the Linville Adventure Pasture near Lake James and Linville River!!!
Our new venue will provide 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.
Venue will open at 3pm Friday.
Your camping spot will be at your vehicle, no assigned spaces. There will a specific area for folks camping to park.
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
We know y'all will be hungry and thirsty!!!
Food trucks will be on site Friday evening and Saturday.
Fonta Flora Brewery, Hillman and Micatown will be setup Friday and Saturday evening!
Participants in the Barnburner 50k race are allotted a free beer post race from their brewery of choice.
Music
Shortly after the Night Burner starts on Friday. We will have live music till 9pm.
Saturday live music will start around noon until 3pm.
Please stay and hang out! Breweries and food trucks will be setup for your enjoyment.
This is an excellent opportunity to take advantage of free onsite camping.