The Blue Ridge Brutal Bike Ride will have an 8:00 am start Saturday, August 10.
The Brutal is 30 years old! The proceeds from the Brutal help support the operations and maintenance of the Ashe Civic Center. The Ashe Civic Center, managed by the Ashe County Arts Council, is a three hundred-seat performance venue. The Arts Council will present over 20 performance events and the Ashe County Little Theater will present 4 theatre productions in 2019-2020. The Ashe Civic Center is used by the community for fundraisers, benefits, beauty pageants, dance recitals and musical events of all kinds.

The Brutal has riders coming in from all over the East Coast to challenge the mountains. An estimated 400 riders will be on the road. There are three ride lengths – 55, 72 and 102 miles. The ride will start at the Ashe Civic Center on Mt. Jefferson Road. The riders will proceed south from the Civic Center and turn left (east) on Highway 163. The routes meander through some of the most beautiful roads and toughest hills in Ashe and Allegheny counties and split at Hwy 18N and Hwy 88W in Laurel Springs and then again at Old Hwy 16 and Hwy 88W at the Jefferson stop light.

If you would like to share in the excitement of the BRB we hope that Ashe County will get out and cheer the riders as they pass. Below is a list of the key roads and the times we expect the riders to show up. Equally, if you are driving on any of the below routes on August 11, please be aware of cyclists and share the road!

Over fifty riders wil registered for the “Assault on Mount Jefferson.” These riders will cross the first finish line at the Ashe Civic Center, then continue up Mount Jefferson State Park Road and climb all the way to the top. This challenging addition to the ride is popular with the riders.

The Blue Ridge Brutal committee is looking for volunteers to help with the ride. There are many volunteer jobs as marshals for key intersections, help with putting out signage, set and break down at the Civic Center. Many volunteers help at the rest stops and facilitating riders going up and down Mt. Jefferson. If you are interested in helping please contact Rebecca at the Arts Council at 336-846-2787 or rebecca@ashecountyarts.org

Riders will be supported by the Ashe County Amateur Radio Club, Rescue Squads from all over the county, and SAG wagons. Riders will receive a hot meal, t-shirt, water and support of many volunteers. This year the brutal will feature six rest stops. The local West Jefferson brewery Boondocks Brewing will again being providing a Brutal Brew. Riders will receive one free beer and a Blue Ridge Brutal pint glass.

Registration for the event is available online at www.blueridgebrutal.org. Cyclists may also register at the Ashe Civic Center Friday, August 10 from 5-8 pm or on the morning of the ride starting at 6 a.m.

Call the Ashe County Arts Council at 336-846-2787 for further info