Adventure Fest is a unique multi-sport experience in Fruita, Colorado, near Utah’s border, combining MTB, Gravel, and a Trail Running event in a one-weekend festival celebrating backcountry racing. Premier regional event operator Gemini Adventures produce the event.
The weekend starts with the Sarlacc Attack MTB event on Saturday, a 50K loop (3,400′ of elevation gain) that combines The Edge and Sarlacc trails and an event that our team considers to be one of the Best Mountain Bike Events in Colorado. You’ll ride on the edge of cliffs and push your limits on world-class singletrack, uphill grinds, and flowy descents of the Edge Loop. From there, racers will experience one of the most fun singletracks in the state: the Sarlacc trail. And all riders will be the first to experience the trail for the year because the event takes place on the season’s opening week!
The Dirty Edge Gravel event on Sunday will make you realize why 18 Road is famous for world-class biking and why we consider it one of the Best Gravel Cycling Events in Colorado. With expansive views of the beautiful Book Cliffs, you will ride through the endless gravel roads of the North Fruita Desert before attacking the back canyon section of the Edge Loop, hence the race name. This mix of smooth gravel, sporty fun, and gorgeous vistas makes The Dirty Edge an unforgettable 50K bike (2,700′ of elevation gain) event in Colorado. The producer will hold a free gravel clinic for women on Saturday, May 6th. A group ride will follow the clinic; everyone can join for a course preview. These will be led by pro bikers Lauren Costantini, Reese Ruland, and George Simpson.
Rounding out the weekend of racing at Adventure Fest is the Fruita Trail Half Marathon, also on Sunday. This stunning half-marathon course is a fun and exciting loop on flowy singletrack in Fruita, CO and is one that our team considers to be one of the Best Trail Running Events in Colorado. Racers will experience breathtaking views of buttes, mesas, and landscapes across the Fruita desert as they traverse challenging terrain of short steep hills and beautiful descents. In total, racers will travel 13.8 miles of gorgeous open desert in pristine early-season condition and climb over 1,000’ vertical feet during this half marathon.
Fruita is a small town in the Colorado River’s Grand Valley, surrounded by the Book Cliffs to the north and the Colorado National Monument to the south. The city has an elevation of around 4,500 feet and covers an area of approximately 8 square miles. Fruita is known for its rugged and beautiful landscape, which offers various outdoor sports activities. In addition to mountain biking, Fruita offers many other outdoor sports activities, such as hiking, rock climbing, and river rafting. The Colorado River flows through Fruita, providing whitewater rafting, kayaking, and fishing opportunities. Naturally, one of the most popular activities in Fruita is mountain biking, with trails that cater to riders of all skill levels. The Kokopelli Trail System covers over 140 miles of terrain and is a favorite among riders. Other popular mountain biking trails include the 18 Road Trail System, the Horsethief Bench Trail System, and the North Fruita Desert Trail System.
Related Events
Gemini Adventures, founded in 2003 by passionate runners, cyclists, and adventurers, curates challenging backcountry racing experiences set against mesmerizing landscapes primarily in Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. With events held in remote, scenic trails, participants can anticipate not just a race, but a unique outdoor experience where the journey is as rewarding as the competition. Their primary events include the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival which is part of the UTMB World Series, and Adventure Fest which is a unique multi-sport experience in Fruita, CO and includes Sarlacc Attack 50K MTB, Fruita Trail Half Marathon, and Dirty Edge Gravel one of the Best Gravel Events in Colorado and the Rockies. In July, Enchanted Forest Trail Races, one of the Best Trail Running Events in the Southwest, takes place as well as the multi-day Desert RATS 150 Kokopelli Stage Race take place. And to close out summer, the Mountain RATS Trail Runs and Mountain RATS Firebird 25 MTB event takes place in September.
