There are 4 BRB Ride options: 100, 70, 50, or 25 miles. The start and finish point for all Rides is the Museum of Ashe County History (see ride location below). Details of the routes and elevation gains for each Ride can also be found under route maps. While challenging, each of the rides travels through some of the most beautiful scenery in North Carolina.
All proceeds from the Blue Ridge Brutal are used to provide scholarship funds for graduating seniors through the Ashe Advantage Project (501c3).
Read about the 2012 Ride, written by Aaron West.
Registration for 2025 opens on March 1, 2025
Packet pickup will be Friday, August 15, 5-8 pm and Saturday, August 16, 6-7:45 am at Jefferson United Methodist Church, 115 East Main Street, Jefferson, NC 28640.
The Ride is limited to 500 participants, regardless of which ride length you choose.
The start location will be in front of the Museum of Ashe County History (1904 Courthouse), 301 E Main Street, Jefferson, NC 28640. All rides start at 8 am and will end at this same location.
There is parking available at various locations around the packet pick-up area. Please see the parking map below for specific locations, or Click Here for a PDF version of the map.
All riders are required to wear a cycle helmet at all times. It is also each rider's responsibility to ensure their bike is in good working condition and capable of completing whichever Ride they attempt.
All the routes are clearly signed. Where possible there will be volunteers at major turns.
In addition, each Rider will be provided with a map showing all 4 routes and listing all turns with distance between each and cumulative total. See route maps here.
There are 7 Rest Stops and these are marked on the map. For each route there are:
The SAG volunteers will provide assistance as much as they can but they are not trained mechanics. While there may be some, limited, basic spares available (e.g. inner tubes), we can not guarantee they will be where they are needed. As such, we recommend all riders carry whatever they think they might need, especially if you have special requirements (e.g. special chain). Also, please be aware that cell phone service may be sporadic so please come prepared.
All riders are required to obey North Carolina traffic laws and keep a careful watch for motor traffic.
All Riders will be provided with a chip supplied by Start 2 Finish, LLC. These will need to be attached to the bike (details to be provided at registration). The finish times will be published on this website very soon after the ride. Please note that riders exceeding 9 hours will not receive a finish time. E-bikes will be chip timed separately.
Also, if a Rider changes the route cycled from the route registered, they must let a volunteer know when they cross the Finish line.
All Riders will receive a goody bag prior to the ride. To guarantee a free rider t-shirt included in your packet pickup bag, all rider registration must be received by August 1. Free rider t-shirts are not guaranteed for registrations received after that date.
The Blue Ridge Brutal is not for the faint of heart. All of the Rides—100, 70, 50 or 25 miles—take you through the Blue Ridge mountains and over many hills. However, you can mix the pain with the joy of riding through some of the most beautiful scenery in North Carolina.
