Best Mountain Biking Events Southwest 2024

The Southwest region of the United States is a haven for mountain biking enthusiasts and competitive athletes, offering a diverse array of terrain and breathtaking landscapes. Strambecco rates the Best Mountain Biking Events in the Southwest 2024 and has evaluated various factors such as reputation, route quality, location, rider feedback, and overall uniqueness to curate this list. Spanning California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico, the terrain featured in our Best list includes mountains, canyons, mesas, buttes, high broad basins, plateaus, desert lands, and some plains characteristic, while the entire southwestern region features semi-arid to arid climate overall. Among our list of the Best Mountain Biking Events in the Southwest 2024 that showcase the region’s natural beauty and adrenaline-pumping trails, three particularly stand out as not-to miss experiences this year: True Grit Epic, Tahoe Trail, and 24 Hours in the Enchanted Forest.

True Grit Epic is a world-class mountain bike event and expo in Santa Clara, Utah, that attracts riders from all over the country. As the first leg of the National Ultra Endurance Race Series (NUE), it offers multiple options for racing, including both mountain and gravel courses. The True Grit Mountain Epic, the highlight of the weekend, presents riders with the choice of a 50-mile base race or a challenging 100-mile option, involving two laps of the course. The course features punchy climbs and breathtaking desert scenery, making it a must-do event for mountain biking enthusiasts. With its inclusion in the NUE Series, it provides a chance for riders to compete for overall points in some of the best 100-mile mountain bike races across the nation. The True Grit Mountain Epic is produced by Gro Races and promises an unforgettable single-track desert experience – it has become a bucket-list event for riders seeking a thrilling and scenic ride.

Tahoe Trail is an unforgettable race set amidst the stunning Sierra Nevada mountains, Lake Tahoe, and straddles Nevada and California. As a Leadville Race Series event and qualifier for the renowned Leadville Trail 100, it attracts riders seeking an exhilarating challenge. The course offers a 2-loop, 50-kilometer ride with breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe, rocky summits, and pine forests from the host location of Northstar California Resort. Participants can opt for a solo 50k ride, go bigger with a solo two-lap, 100k challenge, or form a relay team for a 50k lap each. Northstar, the host venue, provides a relaxing and luxurious atmosphere with various activities for the whole family. The event is produced by Life Time Events, a prominent organizer of top cycling events in the country, making the Tahoe Trail a highly recommended and exciting mountain biking experience.

24 Hours in the Enchanted Forest is a highly acclaimed 24-hour endurance mountain bike event held in the captivating Santa Fe National Forest’s Enchanted Forest region in northern New Mexico. Riders compete solo or in teams, aiming to complete as many laps of the challenging 13.5-mile course as possible within 24 hours. The event, organized by Zia Rides, offers a unique party-like atmosphere with food trucks, music, movies, and kids’ activities and is also part of the N24 Series, an emerging 24-Hour MTB race series. The course features 700 feet of elevation gain and diverse terrain, including steep climbs, rocky descents, and technical singletrack sections, creating an exciting challenge, especially during the night. The Enchanted Forest’s dense forests, high-altitude grasslands, and rocky landscapes make it an extraordinary setting for this endurance race. The area’s rugged beauty is beloved by outdoor enthusiasts, offering additional activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, and wildlife viewing. Nearby Santa Fe, known for its art galleries, museums, and cultural attractions, adds to the appeal, providing visitors with a delightful array of experiences before and after the race.

Overall, the Southwest is blessed with many of the best events in the country. When choosing your ideal mountain biking event, other premier events producers to look for in the region include Epic Rides, Bike Monkey, and many more. For our multi-sport athletes, in addition to the Best Mountain Biking Events in the Southwest 2024, Strambecco also rates the Best Gravel Cycling, Road Cycling, and Trail Running Events in the Southwest.

Strambecco does not list every event.  We strive to identify and review events that are special and noteworthy.  If you have suggestions on other events, we should consider or review, please get in touch with us here or send us a note at editors@strambecco.com.