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.
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 FEE: $95 – price subject to change throughout the year
FEE INCLUDES:
Custom Race Plate
Premium tri-blend event T-shirt
Specialized socks
Custom Reusable bag
40 MILES+ = ONE BIG BAD @$$ LAP:
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.
25 mile:
A shorter version of the big lap, still 99% desert single track.
GPX
XC 40km course map – PDF
CUE SHEET
25 mile and 40 mile on 1 page…
XC Map_both courses
GPX – both 40 mile and 40K courses
AID STATIONS
There will be two aid stations on the 40 Mile, 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.
40 Mile Aid Stations (there are two aid stations, that is it…be prepared, this is the desert)
25 Mile Aid Station (there is only one aid station, be prepared, this is the desert)
FINAL START TIMES – Will be posted HERE 2 weeks out
Prelim. Start Times:
| 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)
Jr Men 9-12 (25 mile only)
Jr Men 13-15
Jr Men 16-18
Men 19-29
Men 30-39
Men 40-49
Men 50-59
Men 60-69
Men 70+
Single Speed Open Men
E-Bike (25 mile only)
Elite Women Open (40 mile only)
Jr Women 9-12 (25 mile only)
Jr Women 13-15
Jr Women 16-18
Women 19-29
Women 30-39
Women 40-49
Women 50-59
Women 60-69
Women 70+
Single Speed Open Women
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
DAILY LEADER PRESENTATION
Presented by PEDAL INDUSTRIES
Pedal Industries – will provide custom LEADER Socks for all daily leaders in each category of the stage race (full and mini). Your partner in RACEDAY Success.
Day 2 Awards Ceremony will take place at 3:30pm at the main stage with LEADER designation for winners competing in all 3 days. of racing.
LEADERS are determined by fastest time each day. Wear your socks proudly going into the final day of racing! After day 3 the overall winners in each division of the stage race will receive a Specialized Cactus Cup CHAMP Jersey.
Take a look at all the Cactus Cup Gear at Pedal Industries
