The Down and Dirty Mt Bike Race

Events

The Down and Dirty (D.A.D) : Off Road
Cycling : 24 Mile MTB
  • Race Date: Saturday, October 14, 2017
  • Start Time: 10am
  • Entry Fee:$40 in advance, $50 the day of the race
  • Location:Sugarite Canyon State Park
  • City/State/Zip:Raton, New Mexico 87740
  • Country: USA

OVERVIEW

The DAD mountain bike race is just getting off the ground, so you have the amazing opportunity to make history (well, at least that's how we think of it) and be a ‘Charter Racer’ at this inaugural event! 

The DAD is a challenging ride over ever changing terrain. 

  • The race starts and finishes at the Visitor’s Center of Sugarite Canyon State Park, nine miles north of Raton, New Mexico. 
  • Starting altitude is 7300 feet. 
  • Distance:  Approximately 24 miles
  • All participants will do the same route, moving through much of the State Park and up to altitudes of over 8200 feet. 
  • If you are a beginner, you might think twice about entering and hone your skills for 2018. 
  • The climbing on the course makes this an event for fit and able mountain bikers. 
  • There are areas of flats and down hills that will make up for the air-sucking climbs. 
  • If you have any time to take in the scenery, you will view some of the most breathtaking views in all of Northeastern New Mexico and Southeastern Colorado!
  • Make sure to arrive early and be on time for a mandatory pre-race meeting at 9am on race day.

 
This is a companion event to our very successful MOM (Master of the Mountains) Adventure Race/Relay every fall. So, even if you have not met our MOM, come meet our DAD.  It will make you a better person.  We promise.

Course Information:

COURSE OVERVIEW

  • As the race begins, riders will proceed about three miles on a gradual uphill on a wide ATV type trail past Lake Alice, toward Lake Maloya on Lake to Lake Trail. 
  • At Lake Maloya, riders will start the first of four tortuous uphill climbs at Wapiti Trail. 
  • They will continue around Wapiti Loop, which includes wide open flats and a necessary break during a beautiful downhill. 
  • Wapiti Trail is about three miles and is all Jeep trail or single track. 
  • Bikers will then scream across Lake Maloya Dam, the only pavement on the ride (about 100 yards) to Ponderosa Trail, a single track, mile and a half climb toward Segestrom Mesa. 
  • Once the riders top out at Soda Pocket Road, they continue the flat single track over areas of lava rocks, stumps and grassy knolls. 
  • After about a mile of flat terrain, the Ponderosa ‘Loop’ finishes with an amazing downhill single track of switchbacks, and another mile and a half of gradual downhill on wide open single track.  This amazing portion will refresh you to start this all over again for Round Two!  The Ponderosa Loop totals six miles.
  • Riders then return the opposite direction over Lake Maloya Dam and return to Wapiti where they will do an ‘altered’ Loop that includes the uphill previously ridden, but a different flat terrain and gnarly downhill until the trail reconnects with the downhill of Wapiti ridden on Round One. 
  • A second ride up, over and down Ponderosa completes Round Two and riders will then proceed back down toward Lake Alice on the Lake to Lake Trail, then complete the ride following the Visitor’s Center trail upon which they started. 

Other Info:

RACE DETAILS

  • Mandatory Meeting:  9am
  • Race Start:  10am
  • This 24 mile mountain bike race begins and ends at the Visitor’s Center of the Sugarite State Park, located approximately 10 miles northeast of Raton, New Mexico. 
  • Sugarite sits on 4400 acres in the far reaches of Northeast New Mexico, and is bordered by the Colorado border on its north. 
  • The starting elevation is approximately 7000 feet. 
  • The race climbs to over 8200 feet at the top of Wapiti Trail, and over 8000 feet at the top of Ponderosa Trail. 
  • There is ample parking at the Visitor’s Center to accommodate family and friends. 
  • After the start, there will also be limited parking near the route at the Lake Maloya parking area.
  • The race will be a mass start at 10:00 a.m. sharp, with riders self-positioning in the start group based on their ability.
  • As the race begins, riders will proceed about three miles on a gradual uphill on a wide ATV type trail past Lake Alice, toward Lake Maloya on Lake to Lake Trail.  At Lake Maloya, riders will start the first of four tortuous uphill climbs at Wapiti Trail.  They will continue around Wapiti Loop, which includes wide open flats and a necessary break during a beautiful downhill.  Wapiti Trail is about three miles and is all Jeep trail or single track.  Bikers will then scream across Lake Maloya Dam, the only pavement on the ride (about 100 yards) to Ponderosa Trail, a single track, mile and a half climb toward Segestrom Mesa.  Once the riders top out at Soda Pocket Road, they continue the flat single track over areas of lava rocks, stumps and grassy knolls.  After about a mile of flat terrain, the Ponderosa ‘Loop’ finishes with an amazing downhill single track of switchbacks, and another mile and a half of gradual downhill on wide open single track.  This amazing portion will refresh you to start this all over again for Round Two!  The Ponderosa Loop totals six miles.
  • Riders then return the opposite direction over Lake Maloya Dam and return to Wapiti where they will do an ‘altered’ Loop that includes the uphill previously ridden, but a different flat terrain and gnarly downhill until the trail reconnects with the downhill of Wapiti ridden on Round One.  A second ride up, over and down Ponderosa completes Round Two and riders will then proceed back down toward Lake Alice on the Lake to Lake Trail, then complete the ride following the Visitor’s Center trail upon which they started. 
  • See COURSE MAP for specifics.
  • Please note:  This is an approximately 24 mile mountain bike ride at elevations ranging from 7,000 feet to 8,200 feet.
  • It is not a beginner mountain bike course. 
  • We will not enforce a strict time cut-off, but do expect participants to be able to complete the course in a reasonable time. 
  • Timing will officially end at 3:00 p.m. 
  • This race is being held under permits from the New Mexico State Parks, Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department.
  • We will present awards following the race at the Visitor’s Center.
  • Snacks will also be available after the race at the Visitor’s Center for all racers.

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