MTB Rides, Gravel Grinders & Races

Northern California

September

9/11 Gold Country Challenge: Grass Valley/Nevada City. Gravel grinders. Ride beautiful and historic back roads of Nevada County’s gold country along the scenic Yuba River. Road rides include challenging 100, 75, 55 and 35 mi. Gravel rides include challenging 49 and 29 mi. options. Excellent route support. Enjoy a post-ride meal and beer under the pines. Stay for the downtown Nevada City Brewfest Saturday / evening and the Nevada City Classic pro ride on Sunday. Grass Valley Rotary and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Northern Sierra. Register early for discounts. rotarygoldcountrychallenge.com

9/25 Heart of Gold Gravel Ride: Nevada City. 55 mi., 7,500 ft. elev. gain. Think Fish Rock challenge, scaled down 15%, and sprinkled with a dusting of single-track. It's a true gravel-bike course with some pavement, dirt/gravel roads (some rugged), and a bit of single-track toward the end. www.HeartofGoldGravel.com

October

10/2 2021 Great Trail Race: Truckee. An epic point-to-point route between Truckee and Tahoe City, that you can either mountain bike or trail run. Elite or Classic. The Elite course adds technically challenging terrain & distance. Or set your own pace & enjoy a beautiful Tahoe mountain bike ride, Tahoe trail run through the Sierra forest. greattrailrace.com/

10/7 Sea Otter Classic – MTB Enduro: Laguna Seca Recreation Area, Monterey. A race that combines descending skills and overall fitness. Professional/CATs 1, 2, 3, age class categories. Begins at the top of Laguna Seca Recreation Area. Stage 1 uses the downhill course. Stages 2 and 3 use Fort Ord National Monument trailsAn eMTB category is offered in 2021! seaotterclassic.com/amateur-racing/

10/8 Sea Otter Classic – eMTB Race: Laguna Seca, Monterey. The Bulls eMTB Race ePowered by Bosch has Professional and “open” age classes. The race utilizes portions of the Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca, and Trail 47 of the Fort Ord National Monument. Loop distance is approx. 4 mi. Racers will complete 60-80 minutes of racing. USA-sanctioned racing! seaotterclassic.com/amateur-racing/

10/8-10 Sea Otter Classic – Dual Slalom: Laguna Seca, Monterey. 100% mountain bike dual slalom is a heads-up race against each other, categorized by USA Cycling ability (Professional/CAT 1/CAT 2/CAT 3) and age classes. The race course starts at the top of Laguna Seca Recreation Area swale and uses the contour of the hillside to negotiate berms, rollers, and a rhythm section or two. An eMTB category is offered. seaotterclassic.com/amateur-racing/

10/9-10 Sea Otter Classic – Mountain Bike Downhill: Laguna Seca, Monterey. Individuals race against the clock divided into USA Cycling ability (Professional/CAT 1/CAT 2/CAT 3) and age classes. The race course starts at the top of Laguna Seca Recreation Area and follows the flowing contours of the hillside to a sprint finish at the bottom. Special Hardtail and an eMTB categories offered. seaotterclassic.com/amateur-racing/

10/10 Sea Otter Classic – MTB Cross Country: Monterey. Wave start race categorized with CAT 1, 2, 3 Singlespeed Men/Women. Course starts at Laguna Seca Recreation Area, climbs the “Corkscrew” & travels the challenging trails & gravel roadways of the Fort Ord National Monument. seaotterclassic.com/amateur-racing/

10/10 Sea Otter Classic – Gravel Grinder: Laguna Seca, Monterey. NEW for 2021. A wave start race. Racers climb the “Corkscrew” and then travel the challenging trails and gravel roadways of the Fort Ord National Monument. USA Cycling age classes. Race distances vary by ability and age category. eBike category is offered in 2021. seaotterclassic.com/amateur-racing/

Southern California

September

9/18-19 Snow Valley Resort #2: Running Springs. Enduro, Snow Valley Downhill Series #2. Pre-Reg. req’d. Visit the covid and racing page for further details. USAC-sanctioned license req'd for Pro racing. One-day licenses for Cat 1, Cat 2 and Cat 3 during pre-reg. Jrs do not need to pay for a license. Teambigbear.com

October

910/16-17 Snow Valley Resort #3: Running Springs. Enduro, Snow Valley Downhill Series Final. Pre-Reg. req’d. Visit the covid and racing page for further details. USAC-sanctioned license req'd for Pro racing. One-day licenses for Cat 1, Cat 2 and Cat 3 during pre-reg. Jrs do not need to pay for a license. Teambigbear.com

November

911/14-15 Southridge Challenge: Old Bird Farm, Fontana. Cross country racing. soutridgeusa.com

Nevada

September

9/11 Race the Rails: Ely. One of the more unique MTB experiences allows you to load your bike on a train and race it back to town. Proceeds are reinvested into the trail systems within White Pine County. http://elynevada.net/race-the-rails/

October

10/1-3 Caliente MTB Festival: Caliente, Lincoln County. Race in the high desert beauty of Lincoln County! Featuring new trails, more shuttles, great raffles, awesome dinner, and wicked cool folks. /lincolncountynevada.com/exploring/biking/mountain-bike-trails/