Pisgah Mountain Bike Adventure Race

Race Overview

The Pisgah Mountain Bike Adventure Race (PMBAR) is the absolute pinnacle of MTB Adventure Racing. A mix of brutal and beautiful, this test of spirit and camaraderie tasks teams of two racers to reach 4 of 5 checkpoints, in any order, and return to the start/finish as fast as possible. The team with the lowest overall time wins. Checkpoint locations remain secret until start-time and there is no suggested route. Routes vary between 50-80 miles, include 9,000-15,000 feet of climbing, and take 7-14 hours to complete.

PMBAR is held deep in the Pisgah National Forest, one of the most beautiful, rugged, and unforgiving areas in the nation. There will be little to no water or food support on course. Once you leave the start/finish you are on your own. There will be no drops, sag wagons, or other outside support available. Be prepared for any circumstances you may encounter including, but not limited to: medical emergencies, navigational errors, inoperable equipment, wild animals, and stinging/poisonous insects and plants.

Schedule of Events

• Friday: 5PM-10PM – SIGN-IN OPEN
• Saturday: 5:30AM-7:30AM -SIGN-IN OPEN
• Saturday: 7:45AM – Mandatory Racer Meeting
• Saturday: 8AM – Race Start
• Saturday: 10PM – Race Final Cutoff

Rules

• Fun: Have Fun!
• Knowledge: READ and UNDERSTAND the RULES. Ignorance of the rules is no excuse.
• Teamwork: Team members must stay together at all times.
• Equipment: Teams must have their bikes and all other required gear at all times.

Approved cycling helmets must be worn at all times while riding. Checkpoints may be reached in ANY ORDER. Teams must reach FOUR (4) out of FIVE (5) checkpoints TO FINISH. Teams that reach FIVE (5) checkpoints will be awarded a TWO (2) HOUR time bonus. There will be required gear checks on course. Teams will receive a TWO (2) HOUR time penalty for each piece of missing required gear. The team with the LEAST OVERALL TIME (after bonuses and penalties) WINS!!! USE of OFF-MAP and HIKING-ONLY trails is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. Racers are required to use the Pisgah Map Company – Pisgah District map. Racers may NOT use other online maps or applications (i.e. Trailforks). NO BUSHWHACKING. Stay on approved trails and roads. Electric Assist ('E') Bikes are prohibited. RACE CUTOFF TIME: 10:00PM. SIGN-IN and return your TIMING CHIP upon completion of the event. PLEASE, THIS INCLUDES DNF teams. The Race Director reserves the right to disqualify any team for any reason.

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.
• 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.
• 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.

Other Information

• Difficulty: PLEASE DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE EXTREME DIFFICULTY OF THIS EVENT.
• Parking: We have very limited parking. Please consider leaving your car someplace other than the start/finish. For example, there are a few very large lots at the intersection of NC276 and NC280. We will also be directing half of all vehicles that arrive to the Ranger Station. Please be prepared for that possibility. Please show up early.
• Gravel Roads: All gravel roads used in the Pisgah Mountain Bike Adventure Race will be OPEN to vehicle traffic. Please use common sense while on gravel roads. Stay to the right. Do not cut corners. Pass with care. Ride single file.
• Permit: This event is under special use permit with the U.S. Forest Service.

Required Gear

There WILL BE required gear checks on course. Teams will receive a time penalty for each piece of missing gear:

• Helmet: (1 per racer)
• Mobile Phone: (1 per racer)
• Rain Jacket: (1 per racer)
• Water Filter or Iodine: (1 per team)

Emergency blanket – (1 per racer), First Aid Kit w/ Gauze, Tape, Ace Bandage, etc. – (1 per team), Whistle – (1 per racer), Lighter – (1 per team), Compass or GPS unit – (1 per team), Red ‘Blinkie’ rear light – (1 per racer), Handlebar or Helmet mounted light source (500 lumen minimum) – (1 per racer), Pisgah Map – (1 per team). We will use the Pisgah Map Company, Pisgah Ranger District map for all trail names, off-map vs. on-map trails, and for all protests.

Note: DO NOT USE TRAILFORKS OR OTHER SOCIAL MAPS. USE OFFICIAL MAPS ONLY. Use of off-map trails will result in disqualification.

We recommend downloading the free Avenza Maps app and purchasing the Pisgah Map Company – Pisgah Ranger District map for the digital version of the official map.

Lodging

• The Sunset Motel
• Davidson River Campground
• Hampton Inn Brevard
• Holiday Inn Express Brevard

Refund Policy

Sorry, No refunds.

Sponsors