Last Updated on June 26, 2026 9:36 am
VALLE CRUCIS — Hundreds of cyclists will take to the roads of Watauga and Ashe counties Saturday for the 26th annual Blood Sweat and Gears cycling event, and drivers in the area should expect to share the road throughout the day.
The event starts and finishes at the old Valle Crucis Elementary School. Riders can choose from two routes — a 45-mile course and a challenging 95-mile course that extends into the Tennessee border area. Both routes wind through mountain roads in Watauga and Ashe counties, passing through Valle Crucis, Todd, and surrounding communities.
Blood Sweat and Gears is an open course, meaning cyclists share the roads with regular traffic. Law enforcement and volunteers will be stationed along the route, and Ashe and Watauga county sheriff's offices and rescue squads are among the community partners helping keep riders safe.
Motorists traveling through Watauga and Ashe counties Saturday are asked to watch for cyclists, give riders plenty of space, and use extra caution on mountain curves and descents. Cell service can be limited in some areas along the route.
Blood Sweat and Gears Events, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Proceeds from the event support local non-profit organizations and provide resources for underserved needs in the High Country community. The event has been a High Country tradition since 1999.
Route maps, aid station locations, and additional event details are available at bloodsweatandgears.org.
