This is backcountry MTB racing at its finest with a shorter course and still all the amenities of a long distance endurance race. The Annual Jerdon Mountain Challenge will run on some of the same trails as the ever popular Off Road Assault on Mt Mitchell in Old Fort, North Carolina. Racers will tackle 3,600′ of climbing over 26 miles as you hit some great trails like Kitsuma, Star Gap and Jarrett Creek. Celebrate with a huge after party on the picturesque Gateway Museum grounds.
THIS RACE IS LIMITED TO 300 PARTICIPANTS.
Date: Saturday, July 24, 2021 (Rain or Shine)
Time: Mandatory ride meeting at start line at 7:50 am. Ride starts at 8:00 am.
Packet Pickup: Registration packet pickup begins race morning at 6:00 am. Early packet pickup will be available on Friday from 4:00-9:00 pm at Hillman Brewing; I.D. Required
Fee: $80 until 6/20/21. $90 until 7/17/21. $100 on race day.
Amenities: Chip timing with instant results, categories, awesome rest stops, Upcountry Brewing beer at finish with Pasta (Meat or Vegetarian) Feast, well-marked route, restrooms, wicked NC singletrack and so much more.
T Shirts: T-shirts are optional to all who preregister before June 28th
For 2021, all of Blue Ridge Adventures’ races help support the Bread of Life.


Directions to Start/Finish at the Mountain Gateway Museum
GPS Address For START: 24 Water St. Old Fort, NC 28762
From Asheville – Highway 40 heading East:
Take Exit #73 – Old Fort
Turn LEFT onto Catawba Avenue towards downtown
Travel for 0.6 mile
Turn LEFT onto Commerce St.
Follow signs for parking in a large lot on left
VENUE is across Catawba Ave at the Mountain Gateway Museum
From Charlotte – Highway 40 heading West:
Take Exit #73 – Old Fort
Turn RIGHT on Catawba Avenue towards downtown
Travel for 0.5 mile
Turn LEFT onto Commerce St.
Follow signs for parking in a large lot on left
VENUE is across Catawba Ave at the Mountain Gateway Museum
We have a NEW Parking setup this year. Please do not park in the old lot. Parking is available on Commerce St.
- Catawba Falls Campground: 828-668-4831 – Serving the Biking Community since 2004. Offering RV, Tents, & Cabins
- Old Fort Chamber of Commerce: 828-668-7223
- Greybeard Rentals-Havencrest: 855-688-9574
- Hampton Inn: 828-652-5100
Friday
- 4:00pm–9:00pm – Registration Packet Pickup at Hillman Brewing
Saturday
- 6:00am – Registration Packet Pickup – Start/Finish – Mountain Gateway Museum
- 7:50am – Racer Meeting at start line – All racers must attend
- 8:00am – Race Start – Mass Start led out by Old Fort Police Department
- 10:15-10:30am – First Finisher expected
- 12:00pm – Awards Ceremony for all categories with Top 3 Finishers
Cutoff for Rest Stop 1
Shuttled items from Rest Stop 1 expected back - 1:00pm – Industry Nine & FOX Auction Winner Announced
Shuttled items from Rest Stop 2 expected back*
Awards Ceremony for all other categories - 2:00pm – Cutoff for Rest Stop 2
*Rest Stop 1 & 2 are easy to locate on your way out of town if you need your shuttled items sooner.

Jerdon Spectators
We encourage your friends and family members to cheer you on during the race and have maps available for them at the registration area.
We have had issues with parking in the past at the rest stop locations, so there will be enforcement of parking guidelines to ensure a safe event for all involved.
Rest Stop 1
- Spectators will need to park in the back of the Brookside Baptist Church parking lot. Follow signage and parking assistant.
- Please do not park on the road! There is plenty of parking in the grassy field behind the church.
MAP OF AREA
DIRECTIONS TO RS 1
From the Gateway Museum in Downtown Old Fort:
- Turn LEFT on Highway 70/W Main St.
- Turn RIGHT on Old US Highway 70 towards Andrew’s Geyser.
- You will travel for a few miles and eventually see the Kitsuma Picnic Area on your left.
- Turn RIGHT onto Mill Creek Road.
- You will travel for another 2.5 miles or so passing Andrew’s Geyser. Mill Creek Road will turn left into gravel.
- Stay STRAIGHT onto Graphite Road.
- Continue past the rest stop.
- Follow signage to park in the back of the Brookside Baptist Church parking lot.
JERDON MOUNTAIN CHALLENGE REVIEWS
- “2016 Jerdon Mountain Challenge Report” – mtbracenews.com 8/10/2016
- “Race Report: 2015 Jerdon Mountain Challenge” – singletracks.com 8/5/2015
- “Jerdon Mountain Challenge 2015 – Results and Report” – mtbracenews.com 7/28/2015
- “Racing and Volunteering at ORAMM and The Jerdon Mountain Challenge” – Voice of the Blue Ridge 7/24/2012

- 2020 Jerdon Mountain Challenge Results
- 2019 Jerdon Mountain Challenge Results
- 2018 Jerdon Mountain Challenge Results
- 2017 Jerdon Mountain Challenge Results
- 2016 Jerdon Mountain Challenge Results
- 2015 Jerdon Mountain Challenge Division Results
- 2015 Jerdon Mountain Challenge Overall Results
- King & Queen of the Black Mountains
- 2014 Jerdon Mountain Challenge Results!
- 2013 Jerdon Mountain Overall Finish List
- 2013 Jerdon Mountain Age Group Results
- 2012 Jerdon Mountain Age Group Results