5th annual
MTB Fest
saturday, oct. 24
KINGSTON DOWNS - ROME, GA
MTB Fest is a celebration of youth mountain biking in the state of Georgia. Our 5th Annual MTB Fest will be held on Saturday, October 24, at Kingston Downs in Rome, Georgia. The event is free and open to the public. MTB Fest is an opportunity for Georgia Cycling teams and their families to come together in a relaxed and non-competitive environment as we mark the end of the 2026 season.
LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO STAY?
If you need a place to stay for Championship Weekend, consider using one of our booking partners. When you book accommodations through them, you support the Georgia Cycling Association. Our organization may earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you), which will help support our mission.
race day information
| MTB FEST | ||
|---|---|---|
| FRIDAY | ||
| 3 p.m. | Family Campground Opens | Passes must be purchased online |
| 3 - 7 p.m. | Pit Zone Load In | Must have permit to access Pit Zone |
| 3 - 7 p.m. | Course Ride: All Registered Student-Athletes | Coach/Student Ratio Applies |
| SATURDAY | ||
| 6:30 a.m. | Parking Lot Opens | |
| 7 - 10 a.m. | Pit Zone Load In | Must have permit to access Pit Zone |
| 8 - 10:00 a.m. | Course Ride: All Registered Student-Athletes | Coach/Student Ratio Applies |
| 7:30 - 8:15 a.m. | Pedal Palooza check-in | Pedal Palooza Tent |
| 8:30 - 9:45 a.m. | Pedal Palooza | |
| 10 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Course Ride: Championship Qualified Riders ONLY | Coach/Student Ratio Applies, Last rider on course 12:15pm |
| 10:00 a.m | Rock Climbing Wall Open | |
| 10:00a.m. - 11:30 | Girls Ride | Girls Ride Tent |
| 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. | USA Cycling Skills Zone | |
| 12:00 PM | Coaches Meeting | |
| 1:00 p.m | 7th Grade Boys East Conference | Conference Series Championship |
| 1:05 p.m | 6th Grade Boys East Conference | Conference Series Championship |
| 1:30 p.m | 7th Grade Girls East Conference | Conference Series Championship |
| 1:35 p.m | 6th Grade Girls East Conference | Conference Series Championship |
| 2:00 p.m | 7th Grade Boys West Conference | Conference Series Championship |
| 2:05 p.m | 6th Grade Boys West Conference | Conference Series Championship |
| 2:30 p.m | 7th Grade Girls West Conference | Conference Series Championship |
| 2:35 p.m | 6th Grade Girls West Conference | Conference Series Championship |
| 3:00 p.m | Rock Climbing Wall Closed | |
| 3:30 p.m | Course Ride: All Registered Student-Athletes | |
| 3:45p.m. | TeamMTB Awards | |
| 4:15 p.m. | Online Raffle Drawing | |
| 4:30 p.m. | 6th & 7th Grade Conference Series Awards | |
| 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Halloween Decorating Contest Judging | Pit Zone |
| 5:00 p.m | Course Ride: Closed | Last rider on course at 4:15pm |
VENUE INTERACTIVE MAP
Kingston Downs
0 Gore Springs Rd SE
Rome, GA 30161
This is an interactive map for Georgia Cycling’s MTB Fest. The map provides location pinpoints for features such as the General Store, Restrooms, and more. It also shows our Peach State Championship racecourse. Zoom in and click around!
participant information
CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE POV VIDEO
THE PEACH STATE CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE OVERVIEW
COURSE DIRECTION: Counterclockwise
THE CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE: 5.8 MILES - Download GPX File
RULE BOOK
Be prepared for race day! All coaches and athletes should be familiar with the 2026 Rule Book. Failure to comply with the rules outlined in the 2026 Georgia Cycling Rule Book may result in a penalty for an individual or team.
Georgia Cycling has a chief referee on site who will be enforcing all rules and regulations. Only a Head Coach or Team Director may file a protest at Race HQ.
RACE PLATE
Each athlete will be provided with a single set of two race plates to use at all five races: one for the front of the bike and one for the rider to place on their back. The plate for an athlete’s bike contains a timing chip, which tracks a rider’s time. Race plates must be completely vertical; otherwise, it could result in a timing error. Replacement number plates will be available at the Race HQ tent for $25.
RACE HQ
The Race HQ Tent is your source for all competition-related questions:
Race Plate Replacements
Questions related to rules
Filing a protest (Head Coach or Team Director only)
Emergency Medical Information
NEUTRAL SUPPORT POWERED BY FREE-FLITE BICYCLES
While riders are expected to show up with a fully functional bike, mechanical issues can happen on race day. Free-Flite Bicycles is onsite with experienced and skilled mechanics to help assist student-athletes.
The Neutral Support Tent is located in the Midway and is marked on the interactive map above. Please note that complimentary replacement parts are not available. Free-Flite Bicycles may have a limited selection of replacement parts available for purchase. Parts are subject to availability.
HAMMER NUTRITION FEED ZONE
Nutrition and hydration are key in keeping Georgia Cycling Athletes safe and performing at their best on race day. The Hammer Nutrition Feed Zone is the only location on the course where food and drink can be given to active race participants. Coaches, parents, or other volunteers must use the feed zone.
High School Athletes: You may ride into the Hammer Nutrition Feed Zone between laps. Remember, you will be penalized for accepting food or drink outside of the Feed Zone boundaries during a race.
PIT ZONE
The Pit Zone is the base camp for all teams on race day. Each team has a space for tents, bikes, etc. This is a walking zone only! No bike riding in the Pit Zone. Vehicular access is restricted to those with a Pit Zone Pass. For teams competing on Sunday, load-in times are as follows:
Friday: 3 - 7 p.m.
Saturday: 7 - 10 a.m.
Sunday: 6:30 - 7:30 a.m.
SPECIALIZED STAGING AREA
The Specialized Staging Area is the location where riders get lined up to enter the Specialized Starting Line. Student-athletes must follow the staging times posted below. If a rider is not in staging on time and misses their call up, they will automatically be placed in the back of the field with no exceptions.
Only one coach per team is permitted into the staging area. This year, we will be marking the staging area with race tape. Everyone except the designated coach must stay on the outside of the race tape.
THE 3D WEARABLE WARM-UP ZONE
Warming up is crucial for young athletes to maximize performance and prevent injuries. A proper warm-up increases blood flow to muscles, improving flexibility and reducing the risk of strains and sprains. It also prepares the cardiovascular system for the intense physical exertion of racing, ensuring that the body is ready to handle the demands of the course. Additionally, warming up helps sharpen mental focus and concentration, enabling athletes to start the race with optimal readiness and confidence.
Utilize the 3D Wearable Warm-Up Zone to hone your skills and prepare your body for competition!
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TEAM POWERED BY CARDIOTRONIX
Keeping participants and spectators safe is a top priority for the Georgia Cycling Association. That’s why we have a highly experienced Emergency Medical team onsite. This team is comprised of qualified EMTs, Paramedics, Registered Nurses, and Wilderness First Responders. Our team is in contact with local law enforcement and first responders to share event itinerary, racecourse maps, evacuation routes, and other pertinent information.
As Halloween draws near, strange things seem to happen in the TeamMTB Pit Zone. From eerie noises to ghostly sightings, it appears that there’s a haunting taking place at Kingston Downs. Once again this year, we invite teams to decorate their team tent for Halloween. Each team will develop their own theme. Maybe your team wants to opt for a fun 80s theme or perhaps the goblins on your team want to create a spine-chilling Halloween theme…the choice is yours!
Teams will be judged on five areas of focus:
Creativity: How original is the display?
Construction: Does it look like the team spent time developing their display? Does it follow safety rules?
Theme: How well did the team carry out their chosen theme?
Attention to detail: Does it look good overall?
Interactivity: Are there interactive elements such as costumed people, lights, sounds, etc.?
ADDITIONAL MTB FEST ACTIVITIES
TEAMMTB AWARDS PRESENTED BY GEORGIA EYE BANK
The TeamMTB Awards, presented by Georgia Eye Bank, stand as a testament to the profound impact individuals can have beyond the racecourse. These awards celebrate the remarkable contributions and achievements of our TeamMTB community members.
Join us Saturday afternoon as we recognize shining examples of the heart of our TeamMTB program. READ MORE >>
GIRLS RIDE
Get ready for one of the most fun—and inspiring—parts of MTB Fest! Girls representing all parts of the state will come together with female coaches for a relaxed group ride designed to celebrate the season, share stories, and make new friends. It’s a chance to spend time with girls you normally only see at the start line and discover the bigger community of young women who share your love of mountain biking.
The event will start with a ride along beautiful trails on the property, then finish up with tasty treats, refreshing drinks, and a fun bonding activity. Whether you’ve been riding for years or just finished your first season, Girls Ride is all about lifting each other up, laughing together, and remembering that the trail is always better when we ride together.
ROCK CLIMBING WALL
You might be good on two wheels, but how are you at rock climbing? Take the Rock Climbing Challenge at MTB Fest. We did it in 2022, and we are bringing it back in 2026. Push yourself to new heights from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
PEDAL PALOOZA - It’s Elementary Fun!
Bring students in grades 2-5 to Kingston Downs for our Pedal Palooza activity. Our event aims to introduce kids to the invigorating world of cross-country mountain biking.
Elementary-aged students will participate in thrilling on and off the bike games and activities, followed by a short adventure ride to conclude the morning. All skill levels are welcome to participate, but participants must be capable of biking without training wheels. Don't miss out on this incredible chance to dive into the world of mountain biking for the first time! READ MORE >>
FOOD VENDORS
Georgia Cycling offers a variety of onsite food vendors at our races. Check out the information below to learn about who will be onsite for this race.
Pouring coffee & tea from
7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Serving breakfast & lunch from
7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Serving amazing ice cream from
10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Serving lunch from
10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
PARKING INFORMATION
Parking is $10 per vehicle
If you don’t have an Express Parking Permit hang tag (see below), please have your credit or debit card ready as you approach the parking attendant. This will help keep the line moving. Parking in the ProGold Lubricants Parking Lot is card only - NO CASH.
Race Series Express Parking Permit - Available for purchase until 5 p.m. on Friday, August 7
Pay Once. Park Always. Order your Express Parking Permit hang tag that allows you to enter the ProGold Lubricants Parking Lot via the Express Lane. There will be no need to stop to do a transaction, plus you’ll save money! Express Parking Permits are $25. That’s a $25 savings over event day pricing!
THREE WAY CAMPERS FAMILY CAMPGROUND
Sleep under the stars! Reserve your spot in the Three Way Campers Family Campground: $10 per car/truck or $20 for an RV/Camper.
Camping passes must be purchased online in advance. No onsite transactions.
This is primitive camping: no water, sewer, or power hookups. Your camping fee covers the entire weekend, both Friday and Saturday nights. The price remains the same whether you use one night or both nights.
RAFFLE
Support our programs by entering our exciting Program Raffle Fundraiser, where you could win top-notch prizes! Not only do you get a chance to take home a prize, but every ticket purchased helps fuel our mission to empower young cyclists across the state.
Tickets are $5 for a single ticket or five tickets for $20
Tickets can be purchased at the General Store; card transactions only - no cash
Must be 18 years of age to purchase a raffle ticket
Winners will be announced by the public address announcer and the names will be published on this page. You do not need to be present to win.
| DRAW TIME | PRIZE | WINNER |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 a.m. | Coming Soon! | |
| 11:00 a.m. | ||
| 12:00 p.m. | ||
| 12:00 p.m | ||
| 1:00 p.m. | ||
| 2:00 p.m. | ||
| 2:00 p.m. | ||
| 3:00 p.m. |
By purchasing a raffle ticket, you agree to the terms and conditions outlined in our raffle rules outlined here. View Georgia Cycling Association’s Raffle License here.