Local sports excitement gears up this month with the return of the NC & SC Regional Road Cycling Championships, April 26-27. Now in its seventh year and recurring in the Eastern Cumberland County Town of Wade, the road race is a highly anticipated fixture for regional cyclists and beyond.
Cross Creek Cycling Club hosts the USA Cycling-sanctioned, amateur-only competition. The 100-member-strong organization has sponsored some 38 permitted races in its 21-year history; the Regional Championships event stands out as the largest and main attraction of the club year.
“Hosting the Regional Road Cycling Championship in Cumberland County truly indicates the strong grassroots base that cycling has in southeastern N.C.,” said Race Director Mike Thomas. “On behalf of the Cross Creek Cycling Club, we are thrilled to host these two exciting days of amateur bike racing.”
An original club founder, Thomas currently also serves as the president of the Cross Creek Cyclists. To him, cycling is a family affair. The Thomas family donated the prize purse for the 2025 Regional Championships in honor of his father, Charles "Mickey" Thomas, who passed away in 2024.
“He was an avid cyclist who passed on his love for cycling to me and his grandson,” Thomas shared.
The Regional Championships’ diverse platform features the categories of masters, elite, and juniors in men’s and women’s race fields. Racers will compete for up to $2,000 in cash prizes and State Championship Medals for the dual states. The public is invited to watch free of charge to cheer the riders on. To join the competition, public race fields for men and women will be open on both event dates. For more information, visit the CCA Regional Road Race Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/CCA-Regional-Road-Race.
“Anyone can compete in the event,” Thomas explained. “Championship titles are given to racers with North Carolina and South Carolina bike racing licenses.”
The beautiful byways of Wade provide a scenic and safe racecourse for the action-packed weekend. The starting point for the 17-mile trek is the Wade Community Fire Department, 7130 Powell Street.
“We are so very appreciative of the support from the Wade Fire Department. They have been very generous in providing the race staging area, parking and free camping,” said Thomas.
The race distances range from 34 miles, equivalent to two loops, to up to 68 miles, or four loops for the more advanced race fields. Get a glimpse of the course at https://www.strava.com/routes/3179172468379457354.
C4 is the area’s largest cycling club and a dedicated nonprofit, having raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for local and regional charities through ride and non-ride activities. It is an award-winning member club of Colorado-based USA Cycling, the national governing body for bicycle racing in the U.S. Honored as "Club of the Year" on 13 occasions across different categories, the Fayetteville organization, a Carolinas Cycling Association member, has also received recognition at the Masters and Division III levels.
While the club's accolades are many, its mission is most meaningful to members. The group “encourages all people to participate in bicycling without regard to age or expertise,” emphasizing bicycle safety, bicyclists' rights and responsibilities and general health and fitness. C4 also promotes communication among cyclists, providing opportunities for bicycling and socializing. Aside from the friendly competition, members come out for fitness, education, fun and camaraderie.
The county and community also benefit. According to Devin Heath, DistiNCtly Fayetteville President and CEO, “The 2025 NC & SC Regional Road Cycling Championship in Wade will bring a great economic impact to Fayetteville and Cumberland County. The level of competition is always impressive, and it’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase our region’s commitment to outdoor sports and healthy lifestyles. Events like this also enhance Fayetteville’s reputation as a premier sports tourism destination, attracting future cycling and sporting events.”
Ready to race? Go to Carolinas Cycling Association Road Race & Time Trial Championships Online Registration at https://bikereg.com for online registration. To learn more about the Cross Creek Cycling Club, see https://crosscreekcyclingclub.org/.
C4 extends thanks to its sponsors and partners who help make this racing event possible: Cross Creek Subaru, Blashfield Sign Company, Dirty Whiskey Craft Cocktails, Lafayette Ford, Hawley’s Bicycle World, The Bicycle Shop, DistiNCtly Fayetteville, Wade Community Fire Department and the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department.

(Photo courtesy of Cross Creek Cycling Club)