Mars Hill is a 6-day overnight youth road and gravel cycling camp in Western North Carolina for riders ages 10–18 who want to build fitness, improve skills, and become stronger, smarter cyclists. Campers ride the mountain roads and gravel of the Blue Ridge, from quiet Madison County routes to long climbs, fast descents, and an unforgettable ride to the summit of Mt. Pisgah.
Our professional coaching staff gives riders individualized instruction throughout the week, from group riding, climbing and descending to fitness, race strategy, fueling, recovery, bike fit and equipment. Riders gain confidence riding in a group, learn to make better decisions on the road, and put their skills to work over plenty of challenging miles.
Road + Gravel: The Best of Both
Our road & gravel camp gives riders the best of both. Gravel riders spend more than half their riding time on gravel, with dedicated coaching and training, then rejoin the group for select road days and camp activities. Riders can swap wheels or bikes for road days if they choose.
For gravel sessions, riders need a gravel bike with at least 40mm tire clearance and disc brakes.
Road & Gravel Coaching and Athlete Development
For 15 years, Mars Hill Cycling Camp has helped young riders develop skills, fitness, confidence and character in a fun, challenging camp environment. Our campers have gone on to podium at national championships, join major teams, race internationally and professionally, and earn opportunities with USA Cycling and other development programs.
Whether a rider is chasing race goals or simply wants to become stronger and more capable on the bike, we provide the coaching, support and environment to help them keep progressing.
Housing: Single (add-on) and double occupancy dormitory rooms, community bathrooms with separate wings for men and women. We are the only group occupying Dogwood Hall.
Cost: $1,735 includes housing, 3 meals/day, endless snacks, Cognative camp tech-tee, fun!
Required: USA Cycling license in order to participate
First time campers must complete this application.
When accepted, we email you a code for BikeReg to register and complete payment. The application let's us get to know your camper and ensure they have the requisite equipment and experience to have fun at camp.
Returning campers can register right away with your existing code.
When applying and registering, please use parent/guardian email, not your camper's.
REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Register on BikeReg with code:
June 14-June 19 Road & Gravel Camp Register:
Paying for Camp:
1. The Most Direct: Follow the instructions above and register on BikeReg. They charge a reasonable transaction fee of about $70.
2. The Least Expensive: You can pay via check, which avoids the BikeReg transaction fee. If you'd like to go this route, email one of the directors on the contact page and we'll give you the mailing address. Once we've received payment, we'll send you the BikeReg code to so you can complete your registration there.
Drop Off: Mon, June 14, 1-2pm Pick Up: Sat, June 19, 11am
Where: Home base is Mars Hill University's Dogwood Hall, 20 minutes from Asheville, North Carolina.
Address:
Mars Hill University
Dogwood Hall
155 Townhouse Drive
Mars Hill, NC 28754
2026 ROAD & GRAVEL SCHEDULE
TBD by weather conditions
2027 schedule similar but TBD
Monday: Arrival / Intros / Bike Checks / Ride
1:00-2:00pm Rider Registration and move-in
2:00pm Introductions, bike safety/fit checks
4:00pm 1hr easy ride
5:30pm Dinner
7:00pm: Discussion: camp schedule, expectations, Q&A
8:00pm Prep bikes for tomorrow. Relax, games, bike TV
10:00pm Quiet time
Tuesday: Skills & Drills / Uphill Time Trial / Optional Add-On Ride
7:30am Wake up
8:00am Breakfast
9:30am Skills and Drills, bike handling, cornering, TT starts, turnarounds. Gravel skills split off.
12:00pm Lunch
1:30pm California Creek uphill TT/Optional add-on ride
6:00pm Dinner
7:00pm Evening Meeting
7:30pm Relax, games, bike TV
10:00pm Quiet time
Wednesday: Mellowdrome Track or ?/ Gravel Morning Ride / Industry Nine
7:30am Wake up
8:00am Breakfast
10:00am Road @ Mellowdrome: pacelines, attacking, bridging. Gravel camp on Pisgah gravel!
12:00pm Picnic Lunch
1:00-4pm Mellowdrome: mock racing / tactics for road and gravel.
5:00pm: Junior Racing @ Mellowdrome
7:00pm Dinner / Evening Meeting
8:00pm Relax, games, bike TV
10:00pm Quiet time
Thursday: Flat TT / Afternoon Hilly Ride (with guest pro?)
7:300am Wake Up.
8:00am Breakfast
9:00am Road Ride to flat 10k TT course, pre-ride, mock TT race
Gravel campers: ride in Hot Springs
12:00pm Lunch
1:00pm Ride road and gravel
6:00pm Dinner
7:00pm Evening Discussion & Meeting
7:30pm Relax, games, bike TV
10:00pm Quiet time
Friday: Mt Pisgah / Bike Cleaning & Maintenance with ProGold
7:30am Wake up
8:00am Breakfast
10:30 pm Hwy 151, Mt Pisgah climb and descend / road & gravel
1:00pm Lunch
4:00pm Bike Cleaning and Maintenance clinic sponsored by ProGold
6:00pm Dinner
7:00pm Evening Meeting, Individual Conferences
7:30pm Relax, games, bike TV
10:00pm Quiet time
Saturday: Individual Conferences and Camper Pickup
8:00am Wake up.
8:15am Waffle Breakfast Party
9:00am Individual camp reviews with coaches
11:00am Campers picked up by parents.
