Chewacla State park
124 Shell Toomer Pkwy
Auburn, AL 36830

USA Cycling - Marathon Mountain Bike National Championship

Auburn-Opelika Tourism is proud to be be hosting the USA Cycling - Marathon Mountain Bike National Championship on Saturday, June 15, 2024 at Chewacla State Park! Here's everything you need to know:

SPECTATOR TICKETS:

Click HERE for general admission tickets. "Search your Organization" will be USA Cycling.

Tickets are $20 per person, plus service fee. Anyone ages 18 and over, who are not rider participants, must purchase a spectator ticket to get into the park.

Gate admission covers park fees for Chewacla and also supports the Central Alabama Mountain Pedalers (CAMP) and the Alabama Cycling Association (ACA).

WHEN:

Date: June 15, 2024
Race Time: 8:00AM
Gate Opens: 6:00AM

WHERE:

Chewacla State Park | 124 Shell Toomer Pkwy, Auburn, AL 36830 | www.alapark.com/parks/chewacla-state-park

Pronounced "chuh·waa·kluh," our lovely state park is a hidden gem! In the southern-most foothills of the Appalachian Trail, you find 696 beautiful acres perfect for rest and relaxation. But who wants that?! Load up your bikes and get ready to tear up some of the best single track the state of Alabama has to offer. Chewacla State Park offers a wide variety of trails: 30 miles ranging from beginner-friendly with progression built in, to hand-built trails with texture and options, along with a small skills area and the state’s only wall ride: a 15-foot-high arc with a 70-degree angle known as The Great Wall of Chewacla.

The system’s latest addition is the uber-advanced, double-black diamond Forbidden Zone, featuring a large number of man-made free ride features, including dirt and wood jumps, a qualifier skinny, step downs, hips, transitions, and other features. The trail has the largest gap jump (33ft.) in the Southeast.

The Central Alabama Mountain Pedalers (CAMP) is responsible for the thousands of hands-on volunteer hours that went into building these trails, and the group offers open instructional rides for all skill levels.

REGISTRATION, PACKET PICK-UP & RIDER MEETING:

WHEN:

Friday, June 14th, 2024

WHERE:

The Rane Room in the Auburn Athletics Complex
392 S Donahue Drive, Auburn AL 36849
Click for Downtown Auburn MAP! *****need to add map******

TIMES:

12:00PM - 5:00PM Registration & Packet Pick-Up
5:30PM Rider Meeting

PARKING:

For Registration/Packet Pick-Up and the Rider Meeting, parking is available in the S Donahue Parking Deck (top level is open air access and is accessible at the top deck) as well as in front of Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum.

ALSO:

3:15PM-4:15PM RAPTOR CENTER - Get your photo with Auburn University's iconic golden or bald eagle, also known as War Eagle VIII. The Auburn Univesrity Raptor Center, a division of Auburn's College of Veterinary Medicine, is given permission by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to house, care for and showcase birds of prey in its educational mission.

FRIDAY NIGHT SOCIAL:

Come enjoy an evening in downtown Auburn immediately after the rider meeting concludes at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Just a short drive or bike ride from the Stadium:

HEY DAY MARKET (211 S College St.) - One of Auburn's newest gathering sports, where campus and community come together! A vibrant, bustling multi-concept food hall in the heart of Auburn. Nine vendors serving thoughfully creative and delicious menus, plus a full service bar, coffee roastery and newly opened taproom.
SESSION COCKTAILS (157 E Magnolia Ave.) - Focused on pre-Prohibition and modern classic cocktails. Stiff Drinks. Fancy glassware. Funky Atmosphere.

PARKING - Public parking is available at the street level along College Street. Nearby public parking decks in Downtown Auburn are also available. Complimentary parking is available on floors 2 and 3 in the South College Street Parking deck AFTER 5:00PM on Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday.

RACE DAY:

The main gates to Chewacla will open at 6:00AM.

FOOD TRUCK - Enjoy food and cold treats from The Chill Spot food truck. From their Chicken Street Tacos, Carnitas Tacos and gourmet hot dog combo to frozen lemonades, ice-cream and popsicles!
COFFEE - One Bike Coffee - Coffee with a cause! Enjoy locally brewed coffee from a business who gives 100% of profits to local charities and provides bikes to individuals in the community living with Multiple Sclerosis, through the One Bike Foundation.
WATER SPORTS - Canoeing, kayaking and pedal boats are available to rent throught The Chill Spot. Life vests and paddles are provided, with a range of sizes from kids to adults. Call The Chill Spot for more info (334) 703-6286. All vessels are rented on a first come first serve basis. No reservations are offered and there is not a waitlist. For rental requirements and restrictions CLICK HERE.

Canoe/Kayak

$20 per hour

$50 half day (3 hours)

$100 full day (7 hours)

Pedal Boat

$25 per hour

$65 half day (3 hours)

$110 full day (7 hours)

POST-RACE SOCIAL & AWARDS CEREMONY:

WHEN:

4:00PM - 8:00PM on Saturday, June 15th, 2024
6:30PM - Awards

WHERE:

Downtown Opelika - N. Railroad Avenue between 7th and 8th Streets AND at the Bottling Plant Event Center

Come celebrate YOU! Head to North Railroad Avenue, between 7th and 8th Street, in downtown Opelika to enjoy yard games, a 360 camera booth, pinball machines, food trucks, and live music!

Don't forget to stop by John Emerald Distillery (a small batch craft distillery) and Red Clay Brewing Company (a brewery and taproom) for some delicious libations!

At 6:30PM head to the Bottling Plant Event Center for the official awards ceremony. The first 200 riders at the awards ceremony will get a commemorative bike chain bottle opener. Must provide confirmation of being a rider in the event!

CABINS, CAMPING & GLAMPING:

The cabins at Chewacla State Park offer lodging for up to four people in our small cabins and up to six people in the large cabins. The small cabins are laid out with a main room that serves as a bedroom/living area. It has a queen size bed and a couch with a pull-out full-size bed. The room also offers a wood burning fireplace and breakfast nook. Off the main room there is a bathroom with a stand-up shower and all linens are provided. There is a kitchen with oven/range, refrigerator, toaster, microwave, coffee maker, and basic cookware/eat ware. The large cabins are laid out just like the small cabins with the addition of one bedroom. Cabin Two offers a queen bed in the bedroom, while Cabin Four is furnished with two full size beds. For cabin and campground reservations, please call the park office at 334-887-5621.

Glamping is camping plus glamour, or glamorous camping. In other words, upscale camping. While the regular thing may be a simple tent and a sleeping bag, glamping typically involves more comfort and luxury. Check for glamping availability here.

HOTEL INFO:

Please click HERE for hotels in the area who are offering special rates for race participants and spectators.

DINING:

Click here to view the list of Best Bites in Auburn-Opelika. This isn’t just any ol’ list. These independent restauranteurs and talented chefs have created exceptional establishments with specialty dishes you won’t find anywhere else. And they have to earn their way onto these pages: selected for our visitors and by our visitors, these are our GOATs, our tried and true, those that have achieved a superior and unparalleled level of yumminess!

Among these pages, you’ll find something suitable for every taste and budget - whether it’s a downtown student haunt or a white tablecloth dining room with a 300-bottle wine list. From Iron Chef and the James Beard Foundation to Garden & Gun, Southern Living, and Wine Spectator, the whole world is figuring out what we already know.

EXPLORE:

Be sure to check out the official community calendar for a full list of all the events taking place during your stay! Our calendar of events is extensive and gets updated with new happenings daily. From live music to poetry readings, there's something for everyone to enjoy before and after the race.