What you should know about the 7th Annual Cowbell Challenge!
June 21, 2008, 10 am - 10 pm
Fisher Farm Park, 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.
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 Fisher Farm Park on Friday, June 20, between 10 am and 8 pm. Onsite check-in runs from 6 am to 9 am on Saturday morning. You will be able to purchase one-day NORBA licenses for $5 and you must sign the USAC-MTB/NORBA waiver prior to receiving your timing chip. THERE WILL BE NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION, so we urge you to register in advance.
Parking
Parking is free but may be limited, and we are looking into arrangements now for overflow parking. Parking passes for pit areas 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.
Place |
Amount |
|---|---|
| First | $600 |
| Second | $300 |
| Third | $150 |
| First | $300 |
|---|---|
| Second | $150 |
| Third | $75 |
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.
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.
Races within the Race
Remember, in addition to racing for points on the USAC-MTB Ultra Endurance Series, you can compete for the North Carolina State 12-Hour Championship. We're proud of both these designations, and you can bet it means the competition will be fiercer than ever.
Once again we bring you the King/Queen of the Mountain--this year's King and Queen receive the red dotted jersey. During the first lap, the first racers to hit the checkpoints will get points towards being pronounced King or Queen of the Mountain--with all the bragging rights attached!
We'll also award special prizes to the man and woman who clock the overall fastest lap, and to the man and woman turning in the fastest night laps. We even have a special prize for the one racer who finishes Dead Last. Throughout the Cowbell Challenge we'll be taking nominations for the Sportsmanship Award and Best Crew Support.
Cafe du Cowbell
No hanging out by the finish line just to get the coffee! We're bringing back Cafe du Cowbell, awarding a bag of custom-labeled Espresso or Morning Mayhem roast to the racer who crosses the line at the Top of the Hour. Roasted and sponsored by Kinetic Koffee.
Night Racing /Last Lap
We'll start announcing Lights on 7:15, and all racers must have front and rear lights on by 7:45 pm. Last Lap starts at 9 pm, so plan your strategy!
Awards
The highly coveted Cowbell trophies, way cool gear, winners jerseys, and of course, we'll show you Pro Open solos and Single Speeders the money! Awards ceremony kicks off at approximately 10:30 with King/Queen of the Mountain and Fastest Lap. 6-Hour race awards will be presented at approximately 4:30 pm.
Accomodations
The Days Inn in nearby Cornelius is the Cowbell Challenge headquarters hotel. We've gotten a terrific room rate of $59.95 per night. The Days Inn is definitely bike friendly--bikes are allowed in the rooms, and all rooms have refrigerators and microwaves. To take advantage of the race rate, contact the hotel directly and make sure you tell them you want the Cowbell Challenge group rate. The discount rate cut-off is June 13, so book early!
Days Inn Cornelius
19901 Holiday Lane
Cornelius, NC
704-892-9120
Medic Support
Medic Support will be on hand throughout the race, and we are grateful to David
Hampton and Cabarrus
County EMS for once again providing their assistance
to ensure a safe event.
All the Latest....
We're constantly adding new sponsors, getting updates on participants and events surrounding the Cowbell Challenge. Check back often!
Interested in volunteering at the race, or helping us organize the 2008 event? Contact us today at organizers@cowbellchallenge.org.
Thanks to our Volunteer Supporters
Many thanks to Summit Coffee in Davidson, and to Pasta and Provisions in Charlotte, for providing early morning and lunchtime fuel for our fabulous volunteers!
More Cowbell Sponsors Baby!
Official Socks of the Cowbell Challenge provided by DeFeet!
Welcome to Maxxis, official tire sponsor of the Cowbell Challenge!
The Cycle Path, home of bicycles, supplies and service with a personal touch, is our newest shop sponsor.
elete™ Electrolyte Add-In makes a return engagement as a sponsor of the 2008 Cowbell Challenge.
A great online community by mountain bikers for mountain bikers, MTB Path will help make sure there's plenty more Cowbell, baby.
Princeton Tec joins the Cowbell Challenge as the Official Lighting sponsor, offering great light sets to the fastest male and female night lap!
Check out the Sponsors page for more on all the folks who make it happen.
Any State Champions out there yet?
We're pleased to announce that the 2008 Cowbell Challenge has been designated as the North Carolina 12-Hour State Championship by USA Cycling. So if you're looking for a new trophy for the mantel and to test your mettle against the best, here's one more reason to come to Charlotte in June!
Check Out These Other Great Races
Fools Gold Mountain Bike Races & Festival
Tree Shaker 12-Hour MTB Challenge
Charlotte is also home to the Summer MTB Series, organized by Charlotte Sports Cycling.... check out the weekly action!
Supporting those who must endure
The Cowbell Challenge has always been something special. It's more than just top-notch competition on the toughest course in Metrolina.... It's giving back to local, regional and national communities by supporting programs, research and treatment efforts for cancer, head and spinal injury, juvenile diabetes and other catastrophic illnesses. And, It's giving back to the mountain biking community by supporting great organizations that provide trail-building and maintenance, education and safety awareness programs.
In 2007, the efforts of volunteers, racers and sponsors allowed us to donate more than $4,000 to Lance Armstrong Foundation, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the Dirt Divas, the Tarheel Trailblazers, and the US National Whitewater Center. Thanks to everyone for an absolutely fantastic year! You've set the bar high for 2008 .... do we hear $6,000? Set up a fundraising page, bug your family, coworkers, friends and neighbors. Jump on your bike and ride for those who need you.
