Updated January 12, 2025
The 2025 event date is not confirmed -- The team at Strambecco considers the Carrabassett Backcountry Cycle Challenge 2025 to be one of the United States and New England's best endurance mountain bike races. As part of the NUE (National Ultra Endurance Series), riders are tested on their long-distance ability as they will race up to 100 miles to complete this monster ride. There are three race lengths to choose from. The approximately 100K, 50K, and 25K courses will cover a great mix of backcountry mountain bike terrain winding through the beautiful, unspoiled forests and mountains of Carrabassett Valley and its surrounding communities, consisting of technical single track, double track, and dirt roads, with steep climbs and exciting down hills.
The event is the largest yearly fundraiser for the local trail development. The goal is to construct an iconic mountain bike trail network on everybody's "must-ride" list and to date, there are over 80 miles of riding for all abilities, including miles of super flowy, machine-built singletrack and old-school style trails carved out by hand. The Carrabassett Backcountry Cycle Challenge is a chance to experience outstanding riding where you will sometimes find yourself deep in the woods, crossing streams and maybe even pushing your bike up a punchy climb. This race will challenge your mental toughness but will leave a big grin on your face at the finish line. The race course is exceptional and takes riders on some of the best single tracks the northeast offers. And, of course, there is the famous creek crossing. Good luck trying to ride it 😉
About the National Ultra Endurance (NUE) Series
The National Ultra Endurance (NUE) MTB Series is one of the premier mountain biking race series in North America, dedicated to ultra-distance mountain biking enthusiasts. The series is composed of Epic Series events, which are grueling 100-mile races, and Marathon Series events, which are 50-mile to 100k length races. Each race/event challenges riders' endurance, technical skills, and determination on some of the country's most scenic and rugged courses. The NUE Series was established in the early 2000s to provide a competitive long-distance mountain biking platform. Its goal was to elevate ultra-endurance mountain bike racing and build a community of athletes passionate about pushing their limits. Over the years, it has expanded to include multiple events spanning diverse terrains across the US and several global locations. In 2025, the Series final takes place at the Oak Ass 100/50 in Alabama.
Participation in individual NUE events is open to all riders, but registration fills quickly due to the series' popularity. Riders must complete at least three events to qualify for overall series rankings, with points awarded based on finishing positions and the best four results counting toward their total score. Categories include Open Men, Open Women, Master 50+ Men, Master 50+ Women, and Singlespeed, with all participants required to meet strict time cutoffs to be considered finishers. The series offers significant rewards, including cash prizes, custom jerseys, trophies, and recognition for top finishers, while providing a platform for riders to gain exposure, attract sponsorships, and join the ranks of endurance mountain biking legends.
The National Ultra Endurance MTB Series is not just about racing—it's a celebration of mountain biking culture, showcasing breathtaking courses, fostering community, and pushing the boundaries of what riders can achieve. Whether you're a seasoned pro or an aspiring ultra-endurance athlete, the NUE Series offers an unforgettable experience. You can see the full roster of NUE events Strambecco's Series Page here with full reviews.
Below, we have a terrific interactive map from Veloviewer in which you can see the map and the 3-d profile of the elevation difference/ course direction of one 50k lap of the race course that is typically used - always check the event website for the most up to date course details though. For even more details on the course and the specifics, you can click on the Veloviewer link to see all the micro-details of the course you could imagine.
