16th Annual American Red Cross Fat Tire Classic
June 23–25, 2006, Winter Park, CO

Participating in this event isn’t about competition or winning, it’s about raising money for a good cause. The Mile High Chapter of the American Red Cross has been putting on the Fat Tire Classic for 15 years, and each year hundreds of riders get their friends and family to make pledges of support that help raise funds for a variety of Red Cross programs. The ride itself is a relaxed, family-friendly course designed to accommodate casual cruisers. But for all-out adrenaline junkies, there are optional technical sections that require a little more skill to navigate challenging terrain. After the ride, a celebration for participants kicks off with live music, food and plenty of beer.

Montezuma’s Revenge: 24 Hour Mountainbike Odyssey
August 11–12, 2006, Montezuma, CO

If you’re intrigued by the idea of entering a race that no one has ever finished, it might be time to plan your “revenge.” A widely accepted truism says that this is the “world’s worst race,” and by worst they mean most punishing. The truly hardcore — or perhaps the truly misguided — who want to ride a 24-hour course with more than 35,000 feet in total elevation gain, summit a 14er while wearing their mountain bike like a backpack, cross the Continental Divide up to ten times and bike up to 200 miles under a full moon can enter the race with ease. Finishing it, on the other hand, is going to be a little more challenging.

Nature Valley X-Country Championship
June 4, 2006, Vail, CO

As part of the Teva Mountain Games in Vail, the Nature Valley X-Country Championship is just one event in a pantheon of mountain adventure sports. The mountain bike race starts in Vail Village, but the course takes riders onto the trails and slopes of Vail Mountain’s ski area for a little more than 4 miles and about 3,500 feet of total elevation gain. There are two divisions for the race. One is for professional riders and offers prizes in the $1,000–$2,000 range, and the other is an amateur class perfect for people who are just getting into the sport or tuning up for other events later in the season.

Fat Tire Bike Week
June 19–25, 2006, Crested Butte, CO

Held each year in Crested Butte, Fat Tire Bike Week boasts wacky events like the new Belgium Chainless, a glide down Kebler Pass with no chain; the ResortQuest Bike Rodeo, a skills event with a variety of inventive competitions; the Wildflower Rush, a cross-country race that’s part of the Mountain States Cup Series; and the Crested Butte Downhill, an all-out race down ridiculously steep slopes, ski runs, singletrack and technical sections.

Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike Race
August 12, 2006, Leadville, CO

It’s 50 miles out and the same 50 back in this test of endurance and acclimation outside Leadville’s city limits. Never dropping below 9,000 feet and reaching a top elevation of nearly 13,000 feet, the constant high altitude is one of the courses greatest challenges. There will be six aid stations along the way, with the majority of the course following dirt roads through the backcountry.

Bikerpelli 2006
May 4–7, 2006, Fruita, CO

Taking riders along the Kokopelli trail — a series of linked singletrack that stretches more than 140 miles from Fruita, CO to Moab, UT — the Bikerpelli fest isn’t so much a race as a tour, with no time limits or awards for first finishers. A crew of support staff set up fresh camps each night and lunch stops each day, letting participants relax and enjoy the ride.

24 Hours in the Sage
August 19–20, 2006, Gunnison, CO

Nonstop biking for 24 hours. What could possibly be better? If nothing comes to mind, then perhaps the 24 Hours in the Sage is the perfect mountain bike race for you. Bring your bike and plan to get plenty of rest beforehand, because 24-hour adventure racing is always a true test of endurance. The course is a little over 12 miles with just over 1,000 feet in elevation gain.

Crest Crank
August 28, 2005, Monarch Pass, CO

Another event that exists to support a worthy cause, the Crest Crank benefits efforts to end domestic violence. Participants are encouraged to get pledges of support from family and friends, with donations going to the Alliance Against Domestic Abuse. Since this is a fundraising tour, the element of competition is subtly removed, but that doesn’t mean you can’t compete against yourself and test your own endurance as you pedal the singletrack over Monarch Pass.

The Breckenridge 100
July 15, 2006, Breckenridge, CO

A spectacularly challenging off-road endurance race, The Breckenridge 100 is not for the weak of mind or body. The beauty of the event is in the course’s rugged backcountry route, taking riders through epic terrain on three different loops. Team competitors are welcome to sign up, opening up the possibility to tag-team the course and divide and conquer based on each rider’s skill and ability.

Go Fast! 24 Hours of ERock
June 2–3, 2006, Castle Rock, CO

Named for nearby Elephant Rock, the 24 Hours of ERock event takes place in Greenland Open Space Park in Douglas County. With a twilight start and finish, this event is a true test of endurance that’s part of the larger 19th Annual Compass Bike Elephant Rock Cycling Festival. The course is rated easy to moderate, so you won’t have to worry about carrying your bike or climbing any mountains during the race. You will, however, need to train for the event to make sure you’ve got enough endurance to handle 24 hours of nonstop riding.