XC
SATURDAY | MARCH 9th
XC Racing brought to you by ESI GRIPS
The ESI Grips XC offers a 40 mile is a marathon cross country bike race and 25 mile. The loops are 99% singletrack that work their way in and out of washes, up and over small ridges with big cacti everywhere.
NEW 10 mile XC race for 2024!!
ESI Grips are the Original and Ultimate Silicone Grips since 1999! ESI, located in Chino Valley, AZ is family owned and operated just like the Specialized Cactus Cup! All of ESI’s products are proudly made in the USA.
REGISTRATION FEES:
- 10-MILE $45
- 25-MILE $95
- 40-MILE $95
FEE INCLUDES:
- Custom Race Plate
- Premium tri-blend event T-shirt
- Tire Repair Kit
- Specialized socks
- Custom Reusable bag
REGISTRATION FEE: $95
The 40 mile+ category (actually its 43 miles to keep you honest) lap includes nearly all of the Competitive Loops, Pemberton Trail, part of Scenic, Cinch, Escondido, Delsie, Granite, Bluff, Coachwhip, and Dixie Mine. The XC40 mile is a one lap race, featuring desert single track and about 3,000 feet of climbing.
GPX
XC 40 MILE course map – PDF
CUE SHEET
NOTE: All courses are marked with ribbon and arrows at major intersections. Black arrows for 40 mile, Red for 25 mile. Riders are still responsible to know their respective courses.
SINGLE PAGE MAP: 25-MILE AND 40-MILE
XC Map – both courses
GPX – both courses
AID STATIONS:
There will be two aid stations on the 40 Mile (noted on GPX course map).
They will be self-serve with water and Hammer product for bottle filling. Volunteers will be onsite to assist.
40 Mile Aid Stations (there are two aid stations, that is it…be prepared, this is the desert)
- 17 Miles – Alpha – Road crossing on Pemberton after Escondido (*Cut off at 11:45am)
- 29.4 Miles – Zen – Pemberton/Coachwhip intersection (Zen shade stop)
REGISTRATION FEE: $95
A shorter version of the big lap, still 99% desert single track.
GPX
XC 40km course map – PDF
CUE SHEET
SINGLE PAGE MAP: 25-MILE AND 40-MILE
XC Map – both courses
GPX – both courses
AID STATIONS:
There will be one aid station for the 25 mile (noted on GPX course map).
They will be self-serve with water and Hammer product for bottle filling. Volunteers will be onsite to assist.
25 Mile Aid Station (there is only one aid station, be prepared, this is the desert)
- 14.3 Miles – Zen – Pemberton/Coachwhip intersection (Zen shade stop)
REGISTRATION FEE: $45
Register Now
FEE INCLUDES:
- Custom Race Plate
- Premium event t-shirt
- Tire Repair Kit
- Specialized Socks
- Custom Reusable bag
Get ready to dive into the legendary Cactus Cup! If you are a never-ever racer, a budding beginner or just need something shorter than 25 miles, here you go. The brand new 10 mile course will have you coming back through the venue at mile 7 for high-fives or hand ups. The race begins west of the finish arch hitting the Sport Loop, connecting to Tech, to Long loop. Following the long loop to the service road. The service road is wide and mostly smooth and winds you back to the venue. You will lap past the finish line for a final 3 mile sport loop then find yourself at the finish line! You will officially be a part of history. See you in March!
CATEGORIES:
| MEN | WOMEN |
| Junior Men 10 – 12 | Junior Women 10 – 12 |
| Junior Men 13 – 16 | Junior Women 13 – 16 |
| Junior Men 17 – 19 | Junior Women 17 – 19 |
| Men 20 – 39 | Women 20 – 39 |
| Masters Men 40+ | Masters Women 40+ |
| Ebike Open Men/Women | Ebike Open Men/Women |
AID STATIONS:
Start Times:
- Wave starts by age group
- All times are chip start, chip finish
- All riders should be ready within 5 minutes of start time
- CALL UPS – top 10 from Time Trial results
| Distance | Start Time | Category |
| XC – 40 MILE | 9:00 | Elite Men Open |
| 9:03 | Elite Women Open | |
| GAP GAP GAP | ||
| XC – 40 MILE | 9:09 | Men 30-39 |
| 9:12 | Men 40-49 (top 30 from TT) | |
| 9:15 | Men 40-49 | |
| 9:18 | Jr Men 13-15 | |
| 9:21 | Jr Men 16-18 | |
| 9:24 | Men 19-29 | |
| 9:27 | Single Speed Open Men | |
| 9:30 | Men 50-59 (top 30 from TT) | |
| 9:33 | Men 50-59 | |
| 9:36 | Men 60-69 Men 70+ |
|
| 9:39 | Jr Women 13-15 Jr Women 16-18 Single Speed Open Women Women 19-29 |
|
| 9:42 | Women 30-39 Women 40-49 Women 50-59 Women 60+ |
|
| Distance | Start Time | Category |
| XC – 25 mile | 10:25 | E-Bike Open Men E-Bike Open Women |
| 10:30 | Men 40-49 | |
| 10:33 | Men 50-59 | |
| 10:36 | Jr Men 16-18 Jr Men 13-15 |
|
| 10:39 | Jr Men 9-12 Jr Women 9-12 |
|
| 10:42 | Men 30-39 Men 19-29 Single Speed Open Men |
|
| 10:45 | Men 60-69 Men 70+ |
|
| 10:48 | Jr Women 13-15 Jr Women 16-18 |
|
| 10:51 | Women 30-39 Women 19-29 Women 40-49 Women 50-59 Women 60+ |
CUTOFF (*NEW*)
It is expected that all courses will be clear after 5.5hrs of the last start time, this is historically in line with the last finisher – this is for safety and staffing. That means if our patrollers determine the final riders will not make this cut off time they will direct you to the shortest route back to the venue, which may be the paved road.
40 Mile Cut Off: All 40 mile riders must reach mile 17 (Aid 1) by 11:45am. This is strictly enforced by our bike patrollers. Riders after this time will be directed to ride the paved road back to the venue. Coachwhip Trail will close at 1:15pm. 40 Mile Riders must reach the Zen Aid Station by 1:15p to ride Coachwhip. If not, participants will be directed to stay on Pemberton and complete the course without Coachwhip / Dixie Mine portion.
Categories:
| Elite Men Open (40 mile only) | Elite Women Open (40 mile only) |
|---|---|
| Jr Men 9-12 (25 mile only) | Jr Women 9-12 (25 mile only) |
| Jr Men 13-15 | Jr Women 13-15 |
| Jr Men 16-18 | Jr Women 16-18 |
| Men 19-29 | Women 19-29 |
| Men 30-39 | Women 30-39 |
| Men 40-49 | Women 40-49 |
| Men 50-59 | Women 50-59 |
| Men 60-69 | Women 60-69 |
| Men 70+ | Women 70+ |
| Single Speed Open Men | Single Speed Open Women |
| E-Bike (25 mile only) | E-Bike (25 mile only) |
Class 1 eMTB – 25 mile only
Class 1 eMTB models are defined as “a bicycle with fully operable pedals, and an electric motor under 750 Watts peak power that must be pedaled to activate the motor and that ceases to provide power above 20 mph”
(All ages are based on age as of race day)
PRO AWARDS & LEADER PRESENTATION 1:00pm @ Main Stage
AGE GROUP AWARDS & LEADER PRESENTATION | KIDS PEDAL BIKE RACE
AWARDS 4:00pm @Main Stage
- Top 3 in each category – XC
- Top 3 in each kid’s age group