Haywood County, North Carolina, is where unfiltered mountain views and unforgettable outdoor adventures come together. Home to 46 scenic miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway and over 60,000 acres of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Haywood offers endless opportunities to hike, bike, paddle, explore, and reconnect with nature.
Haywood County is made up of five distinct mountain towns — Canton, Clyde, Lake Junaluska, Maggie Valley and Waynesville — each offering its own character, rich heritage, and warm hospitality. In 2026, Haywood proudly welcomes riders to the new Raccoon Creek Bike Park in Waynesville, featuring a world-class pump track, skills courses, and community gathering spaces designed for riders of all ages and abilities. We’re excited to host a Velosolutions Pump Track World Championship Qualifier and showcase everything Haywood County has to offer.
Flying to the Region
The closest airport is Asheville Regional Airport (AVL), located approximately 30–40 minutes from Haywood County. AVL offers nonstop flights from many major U.S. hubs, making travel to the mountains convenient from across the country.
Airlines serving Asheville Regional Airport include American, Delta, United, Allegiant, and Sun Country, with direct connections from cities such as Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and New York-area airports.
Driving to Haywood County
Haywood County sits at the intersection of several major highways, including Interstate 40 and U.S. 23/74, making it an easy drive from many East Coast destinations.
Approximate drive times include:
Attractions
Blue Ridge Parkway
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Chestnut Mountain Nature Park
Wheels Through Time Museum
Cataloochee Valley
Discounted Lodging
Categories: PTWCQ Women Elite (17+) and PTWCQ Men Elite (17+)
Legal age to participate: 17 years in the year of the event (2009 or older)
Kids, Junior and Master categories to be announced
For the Pump Track World Championships Qualifier a license is required
An official UCI ID or any kind of cycling licence (Daily, Road, BMX, MTB, Cycling for all, etc.) from the National Cycling Federation is required to participate at this race. Foreign riders need to have an official licence from their own National Cycling Federation to participate abroad.
For the Pump Track Challenge (Junior categories) no license is required.
– Timed runs: Solo runs, two timed runs, best run carries forward
– Knock-out Heat Finals: Solo runs
Don Ramsey
