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James Beazell Wintergreen Ascent

The James Beazell Wintergreen Ascent Returns!The James Beazell Wintergreen Ascent returns on **Saturday, May 16, 2026! **This iconic climb is a pro tour caliber climb that has been featured in numerous editions of the 1990s UCI race, Tour Dupont. It is the most challenging hill climb time trial of the Mid-Atlantic. This event is a collaboration between Charlottesville Racing Club and Blue Ridge Cyclery in partnership with our sponsors Wintergreen Resort and Blue Toad Hard Cider. It is also the Virginia State Championship Hill Climb and part of this year’s Mid-Atlantic Time Trial Series.

There will be a $750/5 cash prize to the overall top 5 male and female riders, regardless of category! The price purse is made possible with the generous sponsorship of Charlottesville Racing Club, Blue Ridge Cyclery, Blue Ridge Cyclery Events, and Cutaway.

Wintergreen Ascent 2026 route map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50731582

The post-event party will be hosted at Wintergreen Resort’s Lookout Deck near the event parking at the Plunge tubing area. This beautiful outdoor space boasts excellent views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is also where registration and event sponsor tents are located. All riders will receive a tear off ticket with their bib number to exchange for a free beverage of their choice. Food prepared by Wintergreen Resort will be available for purchase.

Sponsors:

  

IMPORTANT DETAILS:

Race overview:

This is a time trial event. The first rider departs the start line at 10 AM and each subsequent rider departs in 30 second increments. The start order by age group and category is listed below.

Bike drop-off, parking and check-in:

In the morning, riders will stop at Blue Toad Hard Cider (462 Winery Ln, Roseland, VA 22967) to drop off their bike and their equipment (point 1 on the map). The organizer will provide bike racks to securely mark your equipment. Volunteers at the spot will ensure the equipment is being secure.

Riders will proceed following the Blue Toad’s traffic pattern (highlighted on the above map) and continue with their drive to Wintergreen Resort (11 Grassy Ridge, Lot 2, Wintergreen, VA 22958).

Registration:

Registration will begin at 8 AM and continue until 10 AM. Registration will be located on the the Lookout Deck with the sponsor tents. The last shuttle down will occur shortly after 10 AM for higher category riders whose starts are ordered later, but we recommend arriving to register well before the start of the first rider. Please pick up your number BEFORE you head to the shuttle.

Parking:

Parking is located at the Plunge (see below image). Following the conclusion of the race, cyclists can ride their bikes from the finish line back to the Lookout Deck at the Plunge for the post-ride party. Cyclists riding down should not exceed the posted 25 mph speed limit nor descend past these parking lots on Wintergreen Drive.

Shuttle to the start:

Cyclists will be shuttled down from the Plunge to the starting area. Please plan on being ready for the shuttle well in advance as we will not be able to shuttle each late rider individually.

Warm-up:

Cyclists may use public roads for warm-up and must obey all traffic laws. They may also drop-off their own trainer when they drop off the bike and warm up using their own equipment. The organizer will provide the shuttle of the gear to Wintergreen Resort. Please make sure you trainer is properly marked with your name and if you bring any clothing, leaving it in a bag for easier transport.The course:

Cyclists will start at the intersection of Rte 664 and Winery Lane. They will proceed 3.2 miles on the shoulder of Rte 664 and exit the state highway by turning right on Wintergreen Drive. The finish is on Wintergreen Drive near the Aquatic and Fitness Center at the intersection of Blue Ridge Drive.

See attached map as well as this website for visual details. Depending on USAC approval, the exact finish line is subject to change, but we are talking less than 0.1 mile difference and still at Wintergreen Resort.

Staging:

Cyclists will stage on gravel on Winery Ln towards Blue Toad Hard Cider and waiting their turn. After the first rider starts at 10:00 AM (on tarmac), the second rider will move from the gravel road to the main road (Rte 664). That way the road will not be blocked by the staging riders. All cyclists riding to staging as well as those actually racing will be required to ride on the shoulder, obeying all traffic laws. Riders will depart in 30 second increments. The order will be determined by category and emailed shortly after 5pm Friday, May 15.

Start Order:

categoryFemale Juniors 9-10Male Juniors 9-10Female Juniors 11-12Male Juniors 11-12Female Juniors 13-14Male Juniors 13-14Female Juniors 15-16Male Juniors 15-16Female Juniors 17-18Male Juniors 17-18”Open” Women”Open” MenWomen NoviceMen NoviceWomen AthenaWomen Masters 65+Men Masters 65+Women Masters 60-64Men Masters 60-64Women Cat 4Men Cat 4Women Masters 55-59Men ClydesdaleMen Masters 55-59Women Masters 50-54Men Masters 50-54Women Masters 45-49Men Masters 45-49Women Masters 40-44Men Masters 40-44Women Masters 35-39Men Masters 35-39Women Cat 3Men Cat 3Women Cat 1 & 2Men Cat 1 & 2**Awards: **

VA state medals for age-graded categories; medals for non-age graded categories. Chances to win an order custom Wintergreen category winner jersey from Cutaway USA (available for order from Cutaway after the race). Non-VA license holders will receive non-VA state medals. Podiums will be held on the Blue Ridge Terrace within an hour of the final racer arriving (approximately 1 PM).

Photography:

Professional photography will be done by Deborah Shearer: https://www.deborahshearerphotography.com/

Please purchase any photos of yourself to support local artists!

**Gear pick up: **

Please plan on picking up your own gear after the race at the same location where you dropped it off. We will be able to transport jackets, jerseys, etc. to the top but any bigger gear (trainers) will be difficult to transport. 

**Rules: **

All USAC rules apply. Each racer must present a valid USAC license. One-day license $15 (cash or check) will be available for purchase but will not be eligible for state medals. Annual licenses available for purchase at time of number pick up. Anyone who rides down the mountain will be disqualified.

Presented by Charlottesville Racing Club and Wintergreen Resort

Categories:

  • Women Cat 1 & 2 p/b Cutaway, 7 miles, $45.00
  • Women Cat 3 p/b Monolith Performance, 7 miles, $45.00
  • Women Cat 4, 7 miles, $45.00
  • Women Novice, 7 miles, $45.00
  • Women Athena, 7 miles, $45.00
  • Women’s Singlespeed, 7 miles, $45.00
  • Men Cat 1 & 2 p/b Cutaway, 7 miles, $45.00
  • Men Cat 3 p/b Monolith Performance, 7 miles, $45.00
  • Men Cat 4, 7 miles, $45.00
  • Men Novice, 7 miles, $45.00
  • Men Clydesdale, 7 miles, $45.00
  • Men’s Singlespeed, 7 miles, $45.00
  • “Open” Men, 7 miles, $45.00
  • “Open” Women, 7 miles, $45.00
  • Women Masters 35-39, 7 miles, $45.00
  • Women Masters 40-44, 7 miles, $45.00
  • Women Masters 45-49, 7 miles, $45.00
  • Women Masters 50-54, 7 miles, $45.00
  • Women Masters 55-59, 7 miles, $45.00
  • Women Masters 60-64, 7 miles, $45.00
  • Women Masters 65+, 7 miles, $45.00
  • Men Masters 35-39, 7 miles, $45.00
  • Men Masters 40-44, 7 miles, $45.00
  • Men Masters 45-49, 7 miles, $45.00
  • Men Masters 50-54, 7 miles, $45.00
  • Men Masters 55-59, 7 miles, $45.00
  • Men Masters 60-64, 7 miles, $45.00
  • Men Masters 65+, 7 miles, $45.00
  • BAR Winners / VCA Promoters, 7 miles, $7.50
  • Female Juniors 9-10, 7 miles, $10.00
  • Female Juniors 11-12, 7 miles, $10.00
  • Female Juniors 13-14, 7 miles, $10.00
  • Female Juniors 15-16, 7 miles, $10.00
  • Female Juniors 17-18, 7 miles, $10.00
  • Male Juniors 9-10, 7 miles, $10.00
  • Male Juniors 11-12, 7 miles, $10.00
  • Male Juniors 13-14, 7 miles, $10.00
  • Male Juniors 15-16, 7 miles, $10.00
  • Male Juniors 17-18, 7 miles, $10.00

Registration:

  • Opens on Thursday January 01, 2026
  • Closes on Friday May 15, 2026