Course
The Royal 50
This course and distance is for experienced, skilled mountain bikers only. This is a technical course with elevation gains of over 7,200'. If you have never raced before, are unsure of your ability to complete 50 miles, or are new to the sport of mountain biking, this option is not advisable.
The Gorge-ous 20
This option involves a 2,800' elevation gain and participants will only complete the first loop of the course, including the 'prelude' and 14.5 miles of singletrack. This course is challenging and has some technical elements, but could be suitable for an intermediate mountain biker or racer. Please be aware that participants in the Gorge-ous 20 will be on the course at the same time as the Royal 50 racers.
Description
From a “ceremonial” start at the Royal Gorge Bridge, riders will then enter a rolling start at the Park’s parking lot. They will follow 1.7 miles of paved road (Prologue) north on CR 3A, where they will then turn right (east) onto the dirt road toward the East Ridge Campground (red star). Following dirt road back to CR3A and the aid station (purple start), riders will complete a counter-clockwise loop on the Overlook Trail, where they will then join singletrack. From that point, riders will head east on the Canyon Rim Trail, FAR Out, and Cañon Vista before reaching the aid station at the campground (red start). Continuing north on Dreamweaver, south on the Maze, then north on Dark Side of the Moon, riders will then pass under CR3A (via a culvert) and and travel west on the (as yet unnamed) trail that will bring them back to the finish/aid station (purple start). Riders registered for the Gorgeous 20 will complete the loop and finish at the Canyon Rim trailhead. Riders registered for the Royal 50 pass the trailhead / aid station and complete two more loops of 14.5 miles (minus the Prologue) for a total of 50 miles. All riders will complete their race at the trailhead, but are encouraged to ride back through the Royal Gorge Park and across the Royal Gorge Bridge to the south rim Festival Area.
This course and distance is for experienced, skilled mountain bikers only. This is a technical course with elevation gains of over 7,200'. If you have never raced before, are unsure of your ability to complete 50 miles, or are new to the sport of mountain biking, this option is not advisable.
The Gorge-ous 20
This option involves a 2,800' elevation gain and participants will only complete the first loop of the course, including the 'prelude' and 14.5 miles of singletrack. This course is challenging and has some technical elements, but could be suitable for an intermediate mountain biker or racer. Please be aware that participants in the Gorge-ous 20 will be on the course at the same time as the Royal 50 racers.
Description
From a “ceremonial” start at the Royal Gorge Bridge, riders will then enter a rolling start at the Park’s parking lot. They will follow 1.7 miles of paved road (Prologue) north on CR 3A, where they will then turn right (east) onto the dirt road toward the East Ridge Campground (red star). Following dirt road back to CR3A and the aid station (purple start), riders will complete a counter-clockwise loop on the Overlook Trail, where they will then join singletrack. From that point, riders will head east on the Canyon Rim Trail, FAR Out, and Cañon Vista before reaching the aid station at the campground (red start). Continuing north on Dreamweaver, south on the Maze, then north on Dark Side of the Moon, riders will then pass under CR3A (via a culvert) and and travel west on the (as yet unnamed) trail that will bring them back to the finish/aid station (purple start). Riders registered for the Gorgeous 20 will complete the loop and finish at the Canyon Rim trailhead. Riders registered for the Royal 50 pass the trailhead / aid station and complete two more loops of 14.5 miles (minus the Prologue) for a total of 50 miles. All riders will complete their race at the trailhead, but are encouraged to ride back through the Royal Gorge Park and across the Royal Gorge Bridge to the south rim Festival Area.
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Download the .kmz file / race course description here: |
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