Century Rides in North Carolina
The comprehensive 2026 directory of 100-mile centuries, metric centuries (62 miles), and endurance cycling tours across North Carolina.
Cycling in North Carolina: Terrain & Route Overview
North Carolina is a premier cycling powerhouse, offering some of the highest and most revered mountain passes in the Eastern United States. The Blue Ridge Parkway winds along the crest of the southern Appalachians, treating century riders to sweeping valley vistas, cool mountain air, and iconic ascents like Mount Mitchell—the highest peak east of the Mississippi. Famous century rides like Bridge to Bridge and the Blood, Sweat & Gears century challenge riders with thousands of vertical feet of climbing. Eastward in the Piedmont and Sandhills, rolling agricultural roads provide fast, rhythmic touring, while the Outer Banks coastal route offers flat, breeze-swept seaside riding. Supported by an energetic cycling culture, southern hospitality, and world-class scenery, North Carolina is a bucket-list destination for every serious century cyclist.
Terrain Characteristics: Blue Ridge & Great Smoky Mountain summits, rolling Piedmont hardwood forests, and Outer Banks coastal shores.
Riding Season & Weather: April through October (Mountains); March through November (Piedmont/Coast).
📍 North Carolina Century Rides Map
7 Plotted EventsAssault on Mt. Mitchell
MayOne-day challenge that takes riders from Spartanburg, SC to the top of the highest peak in the East, Mt. Mitchell.
Blood, Sweat & Gears
JuneDemanding mountain century tackling steep climbs around Snake Mountain and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Blue Ridge Escape
SeptemberJoin us for the Blue Ridge Escape, a 6-day fully supported bicycle tour through the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina.
Blue Ridge Parkway Century Challenge
SeptemberScenic high-elevation tour climbing iconic overlooks, viaducts, and ridge passes along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Bridge to Bridge Incredible Challenge
SeptemberEpic 102-mile mountain challenge climbing over 8,000 vertical feet to the summit of Grandfather Mountain.
Carolina Tarwheels BikeFest Century
AugustPiedmont classic touring scenic rural roads, historic farms, and rolling hills of Orange and Person counties.
Cycle North Carolina (Mountains to Coast)
OctoberThe Cycle North Carolina “Mountains to Coast” Tour is a fully supported cross-state bicycle tour of North Carolina. The event began its inaugural trek in 1999 and has attracted participants from all 50 states and 8 countries, stopped overnight in over 100 North Carolina towns, traveled more than 5,000 miles on the scenic back roads of North Carolina and passed through nearly 700 North Carolina communities.