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MTICA 2026 โ€” Hosted by MTICA and Major Taylor Cycling Club of North Carolina
Official Weekend Guide

Major Taylor

Cycling Convention

June 4โ€“7, 2026
Durham, NC
Reach Back, Ride Forward
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Welcome to your official guide for the 2026 MTICA Convention weekend in Durham, NC. Everything you need โ€” schedule, routes, the Legacy Dinner, FAQ, and more โ€” all in one place.

Ride Start & Finish ยท Check-In ยท Expo ยท Festival ยท Meet & Greet
CCB Plaza / Major Taylor Lane
201 Corcoran St, Durham, NC
๐Ÿ…ฟ๏ธ Nearest parking: Durham Centre Garage โ€” W Morgan St & Morris St  |  parkdurham.org
๐Ÿ“ Get Directions
Seating & Hangout Space
Durham Convention Center Plaza
300 W Morgan St, Durham, NC
๐Ÿ“ Directions
Host Hotel
Durham Marriott City Center
Check-in 4 PM ยท Check-out 1 PM
Valet $15/day ยท Late checkout Sun until 1 PM
๐Ÿ“ Directions
Explore Durham This Weekend
Durham Local Guide
Black-owned restaurants, family-friendly spots, bars, coffee, and local favorites hand-picked for convention weekend.
๐ŸŒ† View Local Guide
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Weekend Itinerary
4โ€“8 PM
Check-In + Packet Pick-Up
CCB Plaza โ€” 201 Corcoran St, Durham, NC
Receive swag bags, routes, weekend wristbands, and event details
TBD
Bike Assembly + Ready to Ride Check
CCB Plaza โ€” 201 Corcoran St, Durham, NC
Services provided by local Trek Bicycle shops on-site
Trek Support
7 AM
Morning Ride โ€” Eno River
Start the convention weekend with a scenic ride to the Eno River Visitor Center. This morning rollout is designed for early arrivals looking to loosen the legs, reconnect with the community, and experience one of Durham's natural gems before the weekend officially begins. If you can't make it in time for the morning ride, no worries โ€” we will be riding the same route Thursday afternoon.

View Route on Ride with GPS
Ride
9 AMโ€“8 PM
Check-In + Packet Pick-Up
CCB Plaza โ€” 201 Corcoran St, Durham, NC
TBD
Bike Assembly + Ready to Ride Check
CCB Plaza โ€” 201 Corcoran St, Durham, NC
Trek Bicycle shops on-site
Trek Support
5โ€“7 PM
VIP Welcome Reception
Durham Convention Center Plaza โ€” 301 W Morgan St. Invitation only. Hors d'oeuvres and open bar.
VIP Only
6 PM
Shakeout Ride โ€” Eno River
Can't make the morning ride? Here's your second chance. Same scenic route to the Eno River Visitor Center โ€” wheels rolling at 6:00 PM.

View Route on Ride with GPS
Ride
Evening
Informal Club Dinners
Not hosted. Looking for a great spot tonight? Browse the Durham Local Guide for Black-owned restaurants, bars, and local favorites.
9 AMโ€“7 PM
Check-In + Packet Pick-Up
CCB Plaza โ€” 201 Corcoran St, Durham, NC
7 AM
The Freedom Ride to Bennett Place
Two route options: 12 miles (direct) or 23 miles (challenging โ€” significant hills and elevation gain, not a beginner or social pace route). Both routes end at Bennett Place State Historic Site โ€” rest stop with nutrition and hydration provided. No drop, all levels welcome.
7:00 AM  Opening Remarks โ€” MTCCNC & MTICA leadership welcome
7:15 AM  Keynote remarks from Dr. Michelle Lanier
7:30 AM  Wheels roll โ€” 23-mile route  View Route
7:45 AM  Wheels roll โ€” 12-mile route  View Route
Signature Ride
10 AMโ€“6 PM
Vendor & Sponsor Expo โ€” Main Day
CCB Plaza โ€” 201 Corcoran St, Durham, NC. Hands-on demos, brand activations, clinics
Expo
10 AMโ€“6 PM
Meet & Greet Kickback
CCB Plaza โ€” 201 Corcoran St, Durham, NC. Hang out, catch up, play games, chill, eat, and soak in the energy. Spaghetti buffet lunch, music, and good people all afternoon.
Expo
1:00โ€“2:00 PM
Welcoming Ceremony
CCB Plaza โ€” 201 Corcoran St, Durham, NC (Major Taylor Village)
1:00 PM  Welcome from Major Taylor Cycling Club North Carolina
1:20 PM  Major Taylor International Cycling Alliance Welcome & Presidential Address
1:30 PM  Awards and Acknowledgements
1:45 PM  Handoff to 2027 Host Club
Ceremony
~2:00โ€“2:30 PM
Major Taylor Myths, Mistakes, and Mysteries โ€” Lynne Tolman
Remarks and conversation with Lynne Tolman, President of the Major Taylor Association (Worcester, MA).
Durham Convention Center Grand Ballroom II โ€” 301 W Morgan St, Durham, NC
Featured Session
~2:45โ€“3:15 PM
Bahati Foundation โ€” Live Audience Podcast
Live podcast hosted by the Bahati Foundation.
Durham Convention Center Grand Ballroom II โ€” 301 W Morgan St, Durham, NC
Featured Session
5:00 PM
Cornhole Tournament
CCB Plaza โ€” 201 Corcoran St, Durham, NC. Open to all attendees. Come out and compete โ€” winner takes home an exclusive pair of Major Taylor socks!
Tournament
6:00โ€“7:00 AM
Final Check-In + Packet Pick-Up
CCB Plaza โ€” 201 Corcoran St, Durham, NC
7:00โ€“7:45 AM
Wave Starts โ€” Main Rides
All routes fully supported with SAG vehicles and rest stops.
๐Ÿšฉ Wave Start Times
7:00 AM
100 Miles
Route
7:15 AM
62 Miles
Route
7:30 AM
40 Miles
Route
7:45 AM
20 Miles
Route
Ride Day
9 AMโ€“3 PM
Finish Line Festival + Expo
DJ, emcee, "You Rode With Us" photo zone, MTICA Moments giveaways
Festival
5:30โ€“10:00 PM
Major Taylor Legacy Dinner
Bay 7 โ€” 324 Blackwell St, Durham, NC
Doors open at 5:30 PM  |  Dinner service begins at 6:30 PM
Dress code: Elevated elegance. Elegant greens, golds, and metallics.
Legacy Dinner
9 AM
Farewell Ride โ€” 20 Miles
Major Taylor Lane. A casual, unsupported 20-mile ride to close the weekend. View Route
Farewell Ride
MTICA 2026 Convention Routes โ€” Reach Back, Ride Forward โ€” Durham, NC
Thursday June 4 โ€” Unsupported Rides
7 AM
Thursday Morning Ride โ€” Eno River
Casual, unsupported ride to the Eno River Visitor Center to kick off the weekend.
View Route
6 PM
Thursday Shakeout Ride โ€” Eno River
Same route as the morning ride. Second chance to get out and explore.
View Route
Friday June 5 โ€” The Freedom Ride
12MI
The Freedom Ride โ€” Direct Route
More direct path to Bennett Place. Rest stop with nutrition and hydration at destination. Fully supported.
View Route
23MI
The Freedom Ride โ€” Challenge Route
Significant hills and elevation gain throughout. Not a social pace or beginner route. Rest stop with nutrition and hydration at Bennett Place. Fully supported.
View Route
Saturday June 6 โ€” Main Rides
20MI
20 Miles BLUE MARKINGS
Fully supported with SAG vehicles and rest stops.
View Route
40MI
40 Miles GREEN MARKINGS
Fully supported with SAG vehicles and rest stops.
View Route
62MI
62 Miles YELLOW MARKINGS
Fully supported with SAG vehicles and rest stops.
View Route
100MI
100 Miles ORANGE MARKINGS
Fully supported with SAG vehicles and rest stops.
View Route
Sunday June 7 โ€” Unsupported Ride
Sun
Farewell Ride โ€” 20 Miles
Casual, unsupported ride to close the weekend.
View Route
Saturday routes and the Freedom Ride are fully supported with SAG vehicles and rest stops. Thursday and Sunday rides are unsupported โ€” ride at your own pace. Looking to explore Durham on your own? The American Tobacco Trail and the Ellerbee Creek Greenway are both excellent options right in the city. View the full MTICA 2026 route collection on Ride with GPS.
๐Ÿ•Š๏ธ
Legacy Dinner
Major Taylor Legacy Dinner
Reach Back, Ride Forward
๐Ÿ“…
Saturday, June 6  |  Doors open 5:30 PM  |  Dinner service 6:30โ€“10:00 PM
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Dress code: Elevated elegance. Elegant greens, golds, and metallics.
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Buffet-style dinner with Southern and local flavors. An evening of reflection, community, and celebration.
๐ŸŒฟ
Inspired by the Sankofa principle โ€” honoring Marshall "Major" Taylor, the 1899 World Sprint Champion and first Black world champion in any professional sport.
Brown  •  Gold  •  Green
Drink Package
$50 Per Person
The Major's Toast, The Major, and Ride Forward signature cocktails
The Major's Toast
Muscadine wine and champagne  ·  included for all dinner guests
The Major
Hennessy V.S., grapefruit juice, lemon juice, honey syrup, chipotle heat  ·  drink package
Ride Forward
Durham Distillery cucumber vodka, Midori, fresh lime juice, simple syrup  ·  drink package
Bar access is by wristband only. No drinks will be sold individually.
The drink package includes all three signature cocktails plus a full selection of beer, wine, and liquor all evening. Check your wristband to confirm your drink package is included. If it is not, purchase the package online in advance or at the door during dinner check-in, then visit the registration desk inside the Convention Center to swap your wristband before entering.
For faster service, purchase in advance. Lines at the door can be long.
Purchase Drink Package
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Vendor & Sponsor Expo
Friday
10:00 AMโ€“6:00 PM
Full Day โ€” Demos + Clinics
Saturday
9:00 AMโ€“2:00 PM
Finish Line Festival โ€” Final Expo Day
Major Taylor Village
CCB Plaza / Major Taylor Lane โ€” 201 Corcoran St, Durham, NC
Durham Convention Center Plaza โ€” 300 W Morgan St, Durham, NC
Visit the Vendor Expo Directory for the full list of confirmed exhibitors, vendors, and sponsors.
2026 MTICA Convention Jersey โ€” front and back
The official 2026 Major Taylor International Cycling Convention jersey. Ordering is still open โ€” just note that orders placed now will ship after the convention. A perfect way to rep Durham long after the weekend ends.
๐Ÿ›’ Order the Official Jersey
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Need Help?
โœ‰๏ธ
General Info
[email protected]
Questions about the weekend, vendors, or the event
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SAG Support โ€” Ride Day
708-406-9814
Tap to call โ€” mechanical support or assistance on the route
๐Ÿšจ
Emergency
911
Medical or safety emergencies โ€” tap to call immediately
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FAQ
Your wristband is your key to the weekend. Here's what each color unlocks:
WhiteRide Only
GoldVIP โ€” Full Experience
Forest GreenRide + Legacy Dinner
Tan / OliveDinner Only
Neon OrangeYouth
SilverUnlimited Drink Package
If you purchased the Unlimited Drink Package, you will receive a second Silver wristband at dinner check-in on Saturday evening.
All convention activities take place within a walkable stretch of downtown Durham โ€” CCB Plaza, the Durham Convention Center, and the Marriott are all steps from each other. The closest parking is Durham Centre Garage on Morgan Street, with 719 spaces and entrances off W Morgan St and Morris St. Several other city garages are within easy walking distance as well. For the Legacy Dinner on Saturday evening, Bay 7 is at 324 Blackwell St โ€” a short walk or quick rideshare from the core. For a full map of downtown parking options, visit parkdurham.org. Saturday is our highest-traffic day so plan to arrive a little early.
Yes, the Marriott Durham City Center is fully booked within our convention block. We recommend checking nearby options on your preferred booking platform. Durham has great walkable hotels and easy rideshare access, so you will not be far from the action wherever you land.
Yes. The Unlimited Drink Package is $50 per person and can be purchased in advance at mticalliance.redpodium.com. It will also be available for purchase at the Legacy Dinner on Saturday evening, subject to availability. Drink package holders will receive a Silver wristband at dinner check-in. For faster service, purchase in advance โ€” lines at the door can be long.
General Admission includes 4 days of riding, sessions, the vendor expo, and supports free youth participation.

VIP includes all of the above plus a premium swag bag with exclusive items and a t-shirt, reserved Legacy Dinner seating, a welcome cocktail, a professional photo shoot in your kit, VIP Cooling Station access, early check-in, extra raffle entries, a 15% MTICA Store discount, and first access to exclusive sponsor offers.

The Legacy Dinner and Unlimited Drink Package are separate add-ons for all registration types. Not sure what you registered for? Check your confirmation email or contact [email protected].
SAG (Support and Gear) vehicles will be on course for all Saturday ride distances. If you need mechanical assistance, medical support, or a ride back to the finish, flag down a SAG vehicle or call 708-406-9814. Stay with your bike and stay visible. Safety is our top priority on ride day.
The dress code is elevated elegance in shades of green, gold, and brown. Think rich earth tones, jewel greens, metallic gold accents, and warm neutrals that complement the evening's palette. Dress in a way that reflects your story and honors the spirit of the night.
Wave starts begin at 7:00 AM on Saturday, June 6. Longer distances go first:

100 miles โ€” Wave 1 at 7:00 AM
62 miles โ€” Wave 2 at 7:15 AM
40 miles โ€” Wave 3 at 7:30 AM
20 miles โ€” Wave 4 at 7:45 AM
Yes. Day-of registration is available beginning Thursday, June 4 at $150. We recommend registering in advance to guarantee your preferred registration type and swag bag.
There is no bag check or gear drop at this event. Please plan accordingly and leave valuables secured in your vehicle.
No. All rides are community-paced and non-competitive. There are no timing chips, podiums, or race categories. Ride at your own pace, enjoy the route, and finish strong.
This is a rain or shine event. In the event of weather that could impact rider safety, we will communicate any decisions promptly via email and text to all registered attendees. Check your inbox and watch our social channels for updates.
Yes. Triangle Bikeworks and UCreate Macon are our youth programming partners for the weekend, offering dedicated ride experiences and programming for young riders. All youth ride free. For details, contact Charise Stephens at 478-747-7920 or [email protected].
Finisher medals are distributed at the Finish Line Festival on Saturday at Major Taylor Village. Stop by the medal station after completing your ride. Medals are included with all ride registrations.
For full details on cancellations, refunds, and transfers, please review our Cancellation Policy.
Village Schedule Routes Dinner Expo FAQ Help Transportation Durham Guide Vendor Directory