Later this month, Hendersonville, N.C., will be filled with fat tire action at the 2024 USA Cycling Gravity Mountain Bike National Championships. For the second year in a row, Ride Rock Creek, a 300-acre downhill mountain biking park, will host the event from July 31 to August 4.
The five-day event will include top bikers from across the country competing for national titles in various categories including downhill, dual slalom, and enduro. Over 700 professional and amateur male and female mountain bikers are expected to tow the line this year, including Hendersonville local Luca Shaw, who won the men’s downhill competition last year.
“It was incredibly exciting to see Luca Shaw, a local rider, take top honors,” Dave LaMond, co-owner of Ride Rock Creek, said of last year in a press statement. “His win brought a lot of pride to the community and highlighted the talent that comes from this area.”
Spectators can attend for free, and, according to LaMond, this year the event will be improved with additional vendor space in the rider village, a Red Bull jump contest, more food options, and better viewing areas.
According to BlueRidgeNow, Anna Newkirk of Salt Lake City, Utah, will also return to defend her title as the women’s downhill professional champion. There is also excitement about the return of Ride Rock Creek’s trail designer and co-owner, Neko Mulally, who finished ninth in the pro division last year.
“Neko’s expertise, reputation and connections have been crucial in attracting high-profile events and competitors to our park,” LaMond added. “We foresee an even greater impact this year with more visitors expected and an expanded event schedule that will encourage longer stays and more spending in the local area.”
For more info, visit www.USACycling.org.
All Photos Courtesy of Ride Rock Creek
