Pony Xpress Gravel 160

160 Kilometer and 85 Kilometer  timed event with full results. Held on twisty, rolling gravel roads northwest of Trinidad, Colorado.

Come discover the challenge’s Pony Express riders faced in the 1860’s. These earliest American racers speed across remote, desolate regions of America. They had to combine speed, endurance, and mental toughness just to stay alive. While at their physical limits, they had to keep a clear mind, to navigate, to read the weather and to manage their food. If they got into trouble, they had only their own wits and fortitude. So come challenge your ability to think and plan under pressure. Success will require the ability to combine speed, endurance, clear thinking and sheer dogged determination.  

The PX 160K course is made up of 96% gravel county roads and 4% blacktop county roads that wind throughout northwest Las Animas county. Each distance has only 10 K of blacktop. Unlike the Leadville Trail 100 or Rocky Mountain Endurance series, each distance contains mostly new terrain. Consisting of rolling foothills, forests and open plains with stunning views of Fisher Peak. 70% of the course is in tree sheltered or canyon areas that are less susceptible to wind. So it’s unlikely you’ll face the winds of Dirty Kanza .Roads are open to public vehicle traffic as well as cattle (open range). Much of the course travels thru historic mining areas. In the unlikely possibility of snow, roads will be plowed and ready to race within 24 hours. Elevations range from 6,000 feet to 8,800 feet. Typical temps range from 50 degrees at start to a high of 75 degrees. Put away those heavy Dirty Kanza tires. These roads are fine gravel, so lighter tires can be run. Rain or snow makes the conditions fast. If you hate competing with cars and love riding quiet gravel roads with some double track, then this is your event. This course will not disappoint!

Road bike, cross bike or mountain bike, which will be faster?

You should be able to finish the course on a road bike with wide tires but it will be a challenge - with so little road sections there is little area to make time and you will be slow on most of the course. Cross bikes will do well on the climbs and straight flats. Keep in mind that the course has many twisty sections where mountain bikes tend to be faster. Mountain bikers who set up their bike with light tires should do very well on the descents and on the endless curvy areas. A good tire combo is Schwalbe Thunder Burt rear and Rocket Ron.

Support crews are allowed but not required. May only give support at fueling stations. Event will provide drop bag service to first and last fueling station. Support crews will be required to use specified non-race routes to fueling stations .Although we recommend having a support crew , we do not believe that they will provide a distinct advantage. 

Required

GPS, working head and tail light (micro light is acceptable), helmet. Maps will be available as a back up. For the 85 K distance, maps should be adequate.

Classes: Men and Women, 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+,  Pro (160 K only). No equipment based classes.

Limeted awards and awards ceremony only for 160 Kilometer distance classes. 

Registration

To March 31 - 160K $79.95 and 85K $39.95

To May 1 - $99.95 and $49.95

To May 17 - $129.95 and $59.95

Day-of - $199.95 and $89.95 

Race two in the Colorado Gravel Grinder Championships. 20% discount on combined registration with Encierro Velo (Elbert, CO, on April 28). Enter code TC7EDXWVT8