_ The 25th Annual Burnsville Metric:

The Burnsville Metric is a fully-supported metric century bike ride open to riders of all ages. This ride is not a race but a beautiful spring ride, suitable for riders of all levels above beginner. A timer will be running for the curious.

The ride is organized by The Yancey County Chamber of Commerce along with a small group of volunteers to promote bicycling and our beautiful mountain countryside, as well as support a long list of nonprofits that also volunteer during the ride. In the last seven years, the Burnsville Metric Bike Ride has raised over $35,000 for our local Volunteer Fire Departments, Rescue Squad, Hospice, Toe River Valley Watch, Short Bus Studio, Graham Children’s Health Services, Mountain Heritage Eco Club and others.

Annually held on the last Saturday of April, the Burnsville Metric is a great way to start off your cycling season. It is casual but well-supported and comprises some of the most scenic roads in Yancey and Mitchell counties. Burnsville’s Town Square makes a dramatic location for the registration/start/finish/meal proceedings and is also the highest elevation of the ride, a modest 2,821 feet.

For the first 36 miles, the Burnsville Metric route is mostly flat and follows the Cane River through the small communities of Higgins, Lewisburg, Egypt, and Ramseytown with picturesque vistas of the river and the surrounding mountains. Then, proceeding upstream beside the wide Toe River, the route passes Huntdale, Pigeon Roost, and Green Mountain. There are moderate hills to climb between miles 36 and 52, providing stunning views of Mt. Mitchell, Roan Mountain, and other nearby peaks. Of course, there is the final climb back up to the town square. Not much to do about that but ride it.

AGAIN THIS YEAR! 

We will offer an alternative 43.2 mile, shorter ride for cyclists who feel a metric century is a little more than they care to attempt.   The alternate/shortened course starts with the Metric riders and follows the same course until intersecting with Jacks Creek Rd., returns to 19E, and back to the Burnsville Town Square - 43.2 miles and 1,890 ft. of ascent.

Feel the support provided by 3 well-supplied rest stops, roving SAG vehicles and ham radio communication by MARC (Mayland Amateur Radio Club).

Take advantage of an inexpensive early spring ride. This is the fourth year we're adding food and beverages after the ride that are included in the ride fee. 

Details for the meal and drinks are forthcoming - stay tuned to our Facebook page for updates.

When you pre-register you can order extra food & drink vouchers for family or friends accompanying you to the ride. Please provide that information on your registration form.

Stay tuned here, BurnsvilleMetric.com or on our Facebook page for additional details.

Event details and schedule

Helmets are mandatory! All riders must sign a waiver; riders under 18 must have a parent co-sign the waiver. All riders must obey rules of the road – we are sharing these roads with motorists. Cyclists under 14 must be accompanied on the ride by a parent or guardian for the entire ride. 

This year with your registration you will receive a custom Burnsville Metric water bottle. These will be available for the first 400 registrants picking up their packets on the day of the ride - first come, first served.

Early registration fees last until April 13th. After that date, the fee for everyone is $55.00

Online registration ends April 24th at midnight to allow for registered riders' packet preparation.

On-Site Registration & packet pick-up at Burnsville Town Center - 6 S Main St. - 7:15 am – 8:45 am

The ride begins promptly at 9 a.m.

Food and beverage service is from noon until 3:00 pm