The Skyway Epic is an endurance mountain bike race in the Talledega National Forest in Alabama. The 280-miler will be a semi-self-supported bikepacking race…

When

Start: April 7, 2018 @ 7:00 am

End: April 9, 2018 @ 5:00 pm

Details

Cost: $60

Event Website

Where

Talladega National Forest

Boat Dock Ln
Sylacauga, AL 35150 United States

The race will have THREE options-60/100/280 miles long and feature enough climbing to satisfy a mountain goat, enough rolling forest service road to satisfy a roadie, enough crazy descending to scare the timid and satisfy the unstable. The race will begin and end on some of the finest flowy, grin-enducing singletrack in the southeast via the Sylaward trail.

The format for the 280 will be a SEMI-self-supported bikepacking option that will cover the Sylward Trail, the Skyway, plenty of gravel and some asphalt.

  • The long race will begin at 7am.
  • The long race will span multiple days.
  • The race clock starts when the gun sounds and stops when you cross the finish line.
  • The race will be mostly self-supported. “Mostly” meaning that you will pass all of the aid station for the 60/100 on the way out. You can use these stations for refill. Once you pass the 100 turnaround station you are on your own. We will highlight water fill areas on the final race map. We will retrieve you if required.
  • No drops are allowed for food/water/repair supplies, etc.
  • You will need to filter or treat water.
  • No outside assistance is allowed for anything – you must be self sufficiant.
  • You must either provide a spot tracker or rent one from trackleaders.com.

The route

The race route is based on the Alabama Skyway, a 123 mile bikepacking route connecting the TNGA to Flagg Mountain, the southern terminus of the Pinhoti Trail and the last stage of the Southern Highlands Traverse. The Skyway is a southern red dirt road bikepacking route crossing the Talladega National Forest and winding through rugged pine forests, shady gaps, and along ridge tops that offer panoramic views of the Alabama countryside.

Camping: There will be onsite camping available at Lake Howard Boat Dock area (Race HQ) Friday and Saturday night. Camping will $5 per tent (or truck, camper, etc.) with all proceeds going to COGS and the Sylaward Trail System. This is a primitive camp set up with no bathrooms, only portolets. The camp site is a boat launch facility we are allowed to use for this event only. There is a bike wash, but that is the only running water available. The camp spots are in a large open field with no electricity for campers/rv’s.

We will have race packet pickup available from 4pm-8pm Friday Night.

There are several hotels to choose from in Sylacauga within a short drive of the race venue.

Follow the event below: