Road Cycling Competitions Race Through the Mountains
Why World-Class Cyclists Choose to Ride in Brevard
Last Updated February 23, 2026
Brevard, North Carolina, is a not-so-hidden gem for cyclists around the globe. Just a few years ago, BIKE Magazine chose Brevard and Transylvania County as headquarters for their annual gear guide tests because “Brevard is ground zero for some of the best riding in the nation.”
The variability in elevation is the key to Brevard’s cycling appeal. From the level streets of Downtown Brevard at approximately 2,200 ft. in elevation to the steep inclines along the Blue Ridge Parkway around 5,300 ft. in elevation, and 125+ miles of dedicated road cycling routes, cyclists of all abilities will find a pathway that challenges and excites them. This might be why Brevard College is home to a 10-time national champion cycling team.
However, college athletes aren’t the only ones who take advantage of Brevard’s cycling prowess. Cyclists from across the country make their two-wheeled pilgrimage to the Land of Waterfalls each year for events like Assault on the Carolinas, hosted each year by the Brevard Rotary Club in early April. When spring warms the hillsides, hundreds of cyclists take to the road to compete in 100k and 50k races. The WNC Flyer is another much-anticipated road race that’s held each year in late spring, and the Blue Ridge Bicycle Club hosts rides for all ability levels several times a month.
Matthew Busche, a former professional road racing cyclist with three grand tours (including the Tour de France) under his belt, says that Transylvania County has some of the best road cycling anywhere in the country. “One of the things I love most about this area is the accessibility to roads and trails,” he says, noting that the ability to access both national forests and high-quality cycling routes is unbeatable.
Busche has raced all over the world and is a two-time US National Road Race Champion. Leveraging what he learned during his racing days, he now coaches cyclists of all levels in Brevard and Transylvania County.
Though the roads in and around Brevard regularly see elite cyclists spinning through, the area is friendly to cyclists of all stripes. At over six miles long, the Estatoe Trail connects Downtown Brevard to Pisgah National Forest, and is the perfect route for families, kids, or folks who just want to get on their bikes and ride. In Brevard, you don’t have to be a world-class athlete to enjoy access to world-class road cycling. Strap on a helmet, bring your bike (or rent one from a local bike shop), and see why the road cycling community can’t get enough of Brevard and Transylvania County.
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About THE TCTDA
The Transylvania County Tourism Development Authority (TCTDA), through its Explore Brevard brand, supports a sustainable and thriving tourism economy in Transylvania County, NC. The organization contributes to the broader elements of tourism in the county through investment in the community’s natural resources and tourism infrastructure. Funding for the TCTDA is provided by a 5% occupancy tax on overnight visitors to Transylvania County accommodations. The TCTDA office is located in downtown Brevard at 175 East Main Street on the second floor. To learn more, view our Media Kit or contact our media team at [email protected].