Free 50K Social Ride Rolls Out From Whippoorwill Farm Saturday
Nebo, NC · October 16, 2026
Campers are pitching tents at Linville Adventure Pasture before dark, and live acoustic music is tuning up near the water. It feels like the right kind of mountain Friday.
The Lead
Overmountain Cycles announced a pivot for this weekend's Barnburner event, transforming the competitive mountain bike race into a free community social ride rolling out from Fonta Flora's Whippoorwill Farm on Saturday morning. Linville Adventure Pasture opened its gates this afternoon for weekend camping along NC-126 as riders arrive from across the foothills. The 31-mile course leads cyclists through the rolling singletrack of Lake James State Park and the scenic Fonta Flora State Trail network. Rather than racing against the clock, participants will ride together at a relaxed pace before gathering back at the brewery farmhouse for local food and draft pours. Organizers adapted the format this season while completing construction on their new shop hub, ensuring the annual autumn ride continues uninterrupted. The group rollout begins tomorrow at 9:00 AM.
Local Pulse
Deeana Ray Named District Principal of Year Schools Glenwood Elementary's leader earned top county honors this week for cultivating supportive classrooms and mentoring local educators.
State Park Reverses Lake James Bike Trails Parks Trail managers switched directional travel to clockwise on the Tindo loops and West Wimba paths for fall riders.
Today's Outlook
- High 81°F · Low 57°F — Overcast
- A light layer works best under today's warm, overcast skies.
What's On Around Town
Today
Free Distillery Tours and Tastings Appalachian Mountain Brewery (78 Catawba Ave), Old Fort, 3:00–4:00 PM · Free Sample craft spirits and explore distillation steps with the maker.
Arizona Bay Live Performance Mica Town Brewing (311 NC-126), 6:30–8:30 PM · Free Catch energetic live rock and craft beer right by the lake.
Mary Poppins Jr. McDowell Arts Council Association (50 S Main St), Marion, 7:00 PM · Paid Support local students staging this high-flying community musical production.
Tomorrow
- Marion Tailgate Market Logan Street Pavilion (Logan St & W Henderson St), Marion, 9:00 AM–1:00 PM · Free
- Live Music: Backline Historic Orchard at Altapass (1025 Orchard Rd), Little Switzerland, 1:00–3:00 PM · Free
- Foothills Bluegrass Jam Foothills Watershed (655 Catawba River Rd), Old Fort, 1:00–4:00 PM · Free
Sunday
- Leave No Trace Hike Lake James State Park - Paddy's Creek Access, 10:00–11:00 AM · Free
- Mary Poppins Jr. McDowell Arts Council Association (50 S Main St), Marion, 2:00 PM · Paid
- Live Music: Randy Flack Historic Orchard at Altapass (1025 Orchard Rd), Little Switzerland, 2:00–4:00 PM · Free
Spotlight & Story
- Lake James Outdoors
- Operating along Harmony Grove Road since 2002, this family-owned outfit built its reputation constructing custom docks, piers, and bulkheads tailored to the rugged shoreline. Their crews navigate steep red-clay banks and seasonal water shifts, keeping generations of neighbors connected to the water.
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