2024 Mountain Bike Events & Races in Ontario

Challenge yourself with these fun events taking place across the province.

Join in these races for kilometres of fun.

By Melanie Chambers After many seasons planting “Up North,” Melanie Chambers splits her time teaching at Western University in winter and travel writing in summer.

March 14, 2024

From ski hills that transform into epic cross-country singletrack trails to long slabs of Precambrian rock and rooty technical routes, mountain biking in Ontario has a variety of terrain. Add to that some downhill, cross-country and enduro, and you can certainly find something to challenge your skills, regardless of your ability level. Pair this diversity of mountain bike opportunities with some of the most dedicated trail builders and community groups and you have a fiesta of races, festivals and events.

Find the best mountain bike races and events in Ontario of the year below.

April

TBD Woodnewton Spring MTB Championships

If you want to get into the Ontario mountain biking scene, the Woodnewton Spring MTB Championships is the way to do it. This event is the kickoff to the Ontario Cup series, and includes loads of climbs and twisty singletrack.

Person on a mountain bike on a forested trail. — Affix your race number and hit the trails. Photo: Brian Chard Photography

May

27 Hardwood SingleTrack Classic

Whether you race or ride, the classic Hardwood SingleTrack Classic offers 21 kilometres (one loop, half marathon) or 42 kilometres (two loops, full marathon). There are lots of prizes, food and bike demos, making the race a great season opener. The course is always a surprise mix of routes, in different directions, so expect the unexpected if you’re a regular.

11 Mansfield Spring Epic 8-Hour Relay

The Mansfield Spring Epic 8 is a big event with over 600 riders. With on-site cabins and camping, you can also make it an overnight event and hang out with your friends.

26 - Hell of the North

Join in the 15th anniversary of Hell of the North, a 90-kilometre race that starts and finishes at the Ballantrae Community Centre. The route includes rail trails, dirt roads and epic climbs.

Woman riding bike on dirt road. — Race the Eager Beaver.

June

8 Women's 4-Hour MTB Relay

The Women’s 4-Hour Relay is determined by time not distance so you’ll never feel like you’re racing neck to neck with someone. It’s a fun and supportive ride to do solo, or in teams of two, three or four.

22-23 24 Hours Summer Solstice

The 24 Hours of Summer Solstice at Albion Hills is a weekend event, complete with camping, firepits and kids’ races. The festivities date back to 1994 and have been an Ontario favourite ever since. This race through the rolling hills of Caledon is open for teams of one to 10.

People standing on podiums. — Partake in the Summer Epic 8 Hour MTB Relay.

July

27 Summer Epic 8 Hour

On this Mountain Bike Team Relay, riders from solo up to a team of six ride for fun along a flowing, not-too-technical course at Hardwood Ski & Bike. The winner is determined by the most laps completed. It’s a fun-spirited and challenging day with prizes and a great community.

27 The Salty Marie

Join in on the second year of The Salty Marie Trails Fest at Hiawatha Highlands. In addition to races, local vendors from Sault Ste. Marie will be on-site as well as plenty of food and drink options. Kids aged five to eight or just starting out can join in the fun on the Saltine Shred, a 2-kilometre course. The next step up is the Low Sodium 10-kilometre race, followed by the Saline Short 25-kilometre, and Big Brine 50-kilometre.

August

16-18 Crank the Shield

Crank the Shield is making a return in 2024, with three days of racing in and around Sault Ste. Marie. Expect epic backcountry riding, more singletrack than before and some crazy climbs.

24 Cannondale Eager Beaver XCMarathon

Choose from 30 to 60 kilometres of rolling singletrack through the Dufferin Forest and Mansfield Outdoor Centre in the Eager Beaver. Also, this race is part of the Eager Beaver Weekend; the previous day is a gravel race.

Woman pedalling gravel bike — For the love of cycling.

September

6-7 2024 Canadian XCM Championship

Typically each September the Black Sheep Mountain Bike Club hosts the Shuniah Forty Miner in Thunder Bay. This year, however, the club will be collaborating with Cycling Canada to host the 2024 Canadian XCM Championship, bringing together the best cross-country mountain bikers across the country to compete in Northwestern Ontario. The challenging course will be held at Trowbridge Forest

7 Kingston MTB Weekend: Cannondale XCMarathon 3

This race starts with a ride through a barn. Then racers navigate a half-mile pump track, followed by epic rock gardens and bridges. Stick around after for an equally epic barbecue and good time. Choose from 15, 30 or 60 kilometres.

Woman pedalling bike on gravel road. — Get in the zone.

October

19 Turkey Point MTB Weekend: Cannondale XCMarathon4

Ride or race the trails at Turkey Point Mountain Bike Club, with options for the Full, Half or Sprint course. Afterwards, hang out at the Marshview Patio and Bar.

TBD Fall Classic Night Race

Join in the fifth annual night race at Boler Mountain in London. All riders must bring their own light.

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About Melanie Chambers

Melanie Chambers is a writer and university instructor living in Toronto. Ever since cycling from Holland to Spain in 1996, Melanie has penned stories about her amateur athletic challenges such as cycling 105 uphill kilometres in Taiwan's KOM Challenge road race and hiking Northern Africa’s highest peak. As an editor and instructor, she has conducted writing workshops around the globe. Locally, she’s provided workshops at the Alice Munro’s Writers and Readers Festival and Western University’s Homecoming. When she’s not on the road, she teaches food and travel writing courses at Western University.