Registration Open Now
Get the best prices by signing up early at BikeReg. Registration closes at midnight Thursday, June 18!
Fisher Farm Shootout
First Race Thursday, May 14! Registration now open for all six races in this fun new Thursday night series.
For the Love of the Sport
The 2009 US Cup, presented by Specialized, features the Kenda Cup East and the Kenda Cup West Series.
Our mission: "to establish a national mountain bike series that creates synergies between race organizers, and its pro/amateur athletes. These mountain biking events will showcase our nations finest riders while fostering the development of new talent in a way that makes economic sense for organizers and participants alike." It's an exciting year, and we're happy to be a part of it. Check out all the great races in the 2009 Kenda Cup East:
May 3: SERC #5, Ducktown, TN
May 31: Bump & Grind, Birmingham, AL
June 5: The Hoo-Ha!, Massanutten, VA
June 21: Cowbell Summer Solstice
Aug 7-9: Snow Shootout, Mt. Snow. VT
Aug 14-16: Yankee Clipper, Windham, NY
The 411 on 2009 Cowbell Challenge Race Weekend
June 20-21, 2009, Davidson NC
Here's some of the key info you need to participate in this year's
Cowbell Challenge. As we finalize more details on special competititions,
prizes, sponsors and so on, we'll post it here.
There's always plenty to do in and around the Lake Norman area. Check out Visit Lake Norman for event calendars, directions, and general info on restaurants, tourist attractions, places to play and places to stay. Bike, hike, fish, boat, swim, tour, shop.... you can do it all at Lake Norman.
Directions
Follow Interstate 77 North to exit 30/Davidson. Turn right at exit,
follow to end of road and turn right at Main St. Turn left at the
next stoplight-Davidson/Concord Road. Follow Davidson/Concord Road
to Grey Road and turn left. Follow Grey Road until it runs into Shearer
Road and keep straight on Shearer. The park is about 1.5 miles on
right. To Google or Mapquest directions, use the following address: 21215 Shearer Rd,
Davidson, NC 28036
Packet Pick-up/Check-In
If you plan to wait until the very last minute to register, or plan to
pick up your race packet early (highly recommended!) come by Homewood Suites hotel in Davidson on Friday, June 19, between 10 am and 9 pm. The hotel is on the way out to Fisher Farm Park, so you can set up your pit and do some pre-riding. Onsite check-in for the Marathon runs from
7 am to 9 am on Saturday morning at the park. We will have shuttles for athletes only to take you to the race start at South Street in Davidson. Spectators and support crew members may drive and park at designated areas near the start, and return to the park after the marathon begins.
You will be able to purchase one-day USAC-MTB licenses for $5 and you must sign
the USAC-MTB/NORBA waiver prior to receiving your timing chip. Save money by registering in advance and save time at check-in!
Packet pickup and check-in for the Cowbell Summer Solstice Cross-country will be available from 11 am to 7 pm at Fisher Farm park on Saturday, and again from 7 to 9 am on Sunday. See the schedule page for more details on start times, etc.
Parking
One weekend parking is included in your race registration fees. Additional parking passes can be purchased for $5 at the registration tent and are good for the whole weekend. Pit area parking will be limited to one vehicle per team, and you
MUST have your parking pass displayed at all times. We will have an unloading
area available while you check in and receive your pass. All additional vehicles
can be unloaded and then will be directed to overflow parking. Parking fees are used to defray park and trail maintenance costs.
Race Start/Course
If you're a veteran of previous Cowbell Challenge races, you know Taylor doesn't
finalize the course layout until the last possible moment, but we'll help you
prep some...Visit Davidson's
Parks and Recreation pages for more information
on the trails. And remember, the Marathon race starts in downtown Davidson on Saturday morning. Check back soon for maps of the marathon and cross-country courses.
Pits/Feed Zone & Timing
Solo and team pit areas will be marked, and volunteers will be on hand to
direct you to the right spot.
Timing services will be provided by WAMEvents.
Awards
Marathon race awards will be presented on Saturday afternoon, actual time to be determined (it all depends on how fast you can go!). Equal payout cash awards to Men's and Women's Pro Open winners, plus supremely cool merchandise prices for all other categories.
Summer Solstice Cross country awards on Sunday afternoon include equal cash payout for Men's and Women's Pro categories, very cool US Cup trophies and merchandise prizes for all other categories.
Accomodations
Homewood Suites in downtown Davidson serves as the Cowbell Challenge Headquarters Hotel. Lots of great amenities:
- Spacious One Bedroom King Suite ( pullout sofa in living room) with fully equipped kitchen
- Complimentary Full Hot Buffet Breakfast Every Morning
- Complimentary Wireless Access in all suites
- Complimentary Outdoor Bike Washing Station (Feel free to keep cleaned off Bikes in your suite)Complimentary Ice
- Use of our Fitness Center, Indoor Swimming Pool and Putting Green
- Complimentary ticket to Saturday showing of "Freedom Riders" the movie.
The Cowbell Challenge Rate is $89.00 per night, and it's available from 6/17/09 – 6/22/09. This rate can be booked by calling (704) 987-1818 or on-line at www.davidson.homewoodsuites.com , and use promotion code: CBC.
Reservations must be made by Friday, June 12, 2009.
Address: 125 Harbour Place Drive, Davidson, NC 28036
Phone: (704) 987-1818 / Fax: (704) 987-2325
Packet pickup and late registration will be at the Homewood Suites from 10 am to 9 pm on Friday, June 19.
Days Inn Lake Norman (Exit 28 in nearby Cornelius) is once again a Host Hotel for Cowbell Challenge. The room rate is $54.95 per night, bikes are allowed in room. Continental breakfest each morning, and late checkout. Reservations must be made by Friday, June 12, to receive the Cowbell Challenge rate. You must call the hotel directly at 704-892-9120 (sorry the Cowbell rate is not available with online reservations).
Charlotte-Douglas International Airport is relatively close by... just a 30-40 minute drive to Davidson. We are working on host and overlfow hotel accomodations now, so check back soon for more information on reserving roooms.
No camping on the grounds of Fisher Farm Park, but camping is available at Lake Norman State Park and in the Statesville area (approximately 20 miles from the venue).
Interested in volunteering at the race, or helping us organize the 2009
event? Contact us today at organizers@cowbellchallenge.org.
