READ IMPORTANT RACE DAY INFO BELOW
Check out the: EVENT SITE
https://rvaracing.com/underground-xco
Welcome to the test piece that put XCO racing back on the map in Virginia.
Launched in 2021, the Underground Spring XCO Race Series is back for 2027 with three rounds of fast, punchy, USAC-sanctioned racing.
Over the years, the Underground has drawn racers from Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and beyond with challenging courses, a tight racing community, and opportunities to earn points toward USA Cycling Nationals qualification.
For 2027, we’re proud to recognize ATHLOS as the title sponsor of the Underground Series.
Y’all fight hard for those championship jerseys. These are the guys who make ’em.
Powered by RVA Racing & ATHLOS | USAC Sanctioned | National Points Qualifier
Register here for any or all rounds in the series.
MARCH 14 — PUNCH THE UNICORN
Panorama Farm | Earlysville, VA
MAP
MARCH 21 — BATTLE ON THE RIDGE
Blue Ridge School | St. George, VA
MAP
APRIL 11 — ESCAPE LEAKES MILL
Leakes Mill Park | Goochland, VA
MAP
Register early. Prices increase as race day gets closer.
Discount codes are only valid more than 14 days before the event.
This is a USA Cycling-sanctioned competitive race series.
Don’t let the mileage fool you. You’re gonna work for this one. Courses may change for 2027 - updates course maps will be posted here.
These XCO courses are short, punchy, fast, and spectator-friendly. Racers repeatedly return through the start/finish area, with plenty of trail access nearby for spectators, photos, heckling, cowbells, and questionable motivational advice.
Bring the family. Bring your friends. Bring people willing to yell at you while your legs stop cooperating.
This one is not for the faint of heart.
Approximately 3 miles with 525 feet of climbing per lap, Punch the Unicorn is short enough to look harmless and steep enough to crush that theory immediately.
Launched in 2026, and it was a hit.
Expect another burner at approximately 4 miles with 510 feet of climbing per lap.
COURSE MAP — COMING SOON
The course that started it all.
Approximately 3 miles with 320 feet of climbing per lap, Leakes Mill delivers classic Underground racing: fast sections, punchy climbs, tight racing, and plenty of opportunities to make questionable tactical decisions.
The Underground is a most races, best places series.
For 2027:
First-place overall series winners earn Underground Series Champion status and this year’s version of the coveted:
RVA UNDERGROUND CHAMPION’S JERSEY
Fight accordingly.
Series racing is as much about showing up as it is about winning.
DNFs still earn points, and we’ve seen more than a few championship standings flip at the final round simply because one racer kept showing up.
Consistency matters.
Not sure where you belong? Here’s the short version:
Beginner
New to racing, still building confidence, or looking for your first taste of XCO. You should be comfortable riding singletrack, climbing, descending, and completing the full assigned race distance safely.
Sport
You’ve got some racing experience, regularly ride technical terrain, and want a harder, faster race with more laps and stronger competition.
Expert
You’re an experienced racer, comfortable at race pace on technical terrain, and ready for the longest distance and fastest field of the day.
Masters / Veterans / Legends
Age-based categories for experienced riders who want to race against their peers. Pick the age group that matches your race age.
Clydesdale
For racers who meet the Clydesdale eligibility requirements and want to compete in that category.
SingleSpeed
One gear. No excuses.
Open Non-Competitive
Want to experience the course without racing for results or series points? This is your lane. Ride the course, get a feel for XCO, and have some fun without the pressure of a competitive field.
Choose the category that best matches your current ability and race experience, not the category you hope to grow into later in the season.
If you’re consistently dominating your field, it’s probably time to move up. If you’re new to racing, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with starting in Beginner and learning how the whole thing works.
Fast is optional. Showing up is the first step.
Junior categories are structured to allow developing racers to compete according to both age and ability.
There is no minimum age requirement.
All junior racers must be capable of safely competing on courses that are shared with adult racers.
Junior racers must use adult-sized mountain bikes with 27.5" or 29" wheels.
Junior racers must be capable of completing the full lap count assigned to their category, except in cases involving mechanical or technical issues.
U14 racers may register in the U16 Beginner category.
If 10 or more U14 racers register for an event, a separate U14 category may be created.
Racers should select the category that best matches their ability while remaining within the applicable age-category structure.
Race officials reserve the right to reassign a racer to the appropriate category when a registration does not comply with age/category requirements.
Race-day check-in opens at 8:00 AM.
All racers must check in and pick up their race number before heading to the start line.
Check-in closes 30 minutes before your scheduled race start.
That means:
Please give yourself enough time to park, check in, get your number on the bike, warm up, and make your way to staging.
Don’t roll in at the last minute expecting race-day magic. Get there early, get settled, and be ready when your wave is called.
Final start times and any event-specific check-in instructions will be included in the pre-race email.
Start times and wave assignments may change based on registration counts.
Final wave information will be confirmed in the pre-race email sent before each event.
Morning Wave Awards: approximately 11:30 AM
Afternoon Wave Awards: approximately 1:45 PM
Lap counts and race distances are subject to change based on course conditions, field sizes, and final course configuration.
Panorama Farm and Blue Ridge School races are currently planned at one lap fewer than the standard lap counts shown above.
Three venues. Three very different courses.
Show up. Race hard. Collect points.
And if you want that jersey?
You better make all three.
Something wrong or missing? Suggest an edit
Enter a distance and your average speed to estimate your finish.
Ratings and course conditions open around race day: condition reports 14 days before, ratings afterwards.
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