Mountain Bike Race Series

The 2026 VRD Bloch Ongert Town Mountain Bike Race Series is in its 42nd year, making it one of the oldest running mountain bike race series in Colorado. Organized by the Vail Recreation District under special permits from the White River National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management, the series welcomes more than 1,200 riders across categories for all ages and abilities, competing for over $30,000 in prizes and the particular satisfaction of racing trails you may have ridden recreationally all season. Title sponsorship comes from Bloch Ongert LLC, with the Youth Series supported by Mountain Valley Kids Dental. New Belgium Brewing provides the post-race beer for adult participants at each event’s after-party.

The 2026 race calendar includes the following confirmed stops. The Eagle Ranch Classic on May 27 opened the season at the Arroyo Drive trailhead in Eagle Ranch, with courses ranging from 3.5 miles for younger and beginner riders to 13.3 miles for experienced categories. The Davos Dash on June 10 sends riders uphill from Chamonix Lane and Chamonix Road to the radio tower at the top of Davos, one of the oldest mountain bike races in Colorado and the uphill leg of the series’ AC/DC Award. The Son of Middle Creek Enduro on June 24 provides the downhill counterpart, with a timed segment beginning approximately 1.45 miles from the top of the trail. The Camp Hale Hup on July 8, staged near the historic Camp Hale campground off US-24 past Red Cliff, is the highest-elevation race in the series and one of the most demanding. The Vail Grind, starting and finishing at Gondola One on Vail Mountain with a climb to Mid-Vail in between, closes the summer portion of the calendar. Check vailrec.com for the full 2026 schedule including any additional race dates announced after publication.

## Who Should Race

The series categories run from youth divisions (ages 8 to 17) through open adult categories covering a wide ability range. Riders can register for the entire series or for individual races. Only series registrants earn individual and team series points toward the overall championship, which is awarded at the end of the season. Day-of registration is available at all 2026 races but pre-registration is strongly encouraged — it closes at 5 PM the day before each event. E-bikes are not permitted. Helmets are required for all categories.

One of the series’ most appealing quirks is the Good Samaritan Points system: any rider who does not finish their race because they stopped to assist an injured fellow racer receives 25 additional points toward their individual and team series total. It says something about the culture of a race series when this needs to be a named policy.

> Quick Tips
> – Advance registration at vailrec.com. Contact the VRD Sports Department at 970-479-2280 with questions.
> – After-parties follow each town race with awards, a raffle, and free beer for adult participants. Plan to stay through the ceremony.
> – The series runs a trail stewardship program: riders who participate in at least one official VVMBA or HTC trail work day before August 26 earn an additional 25 points toward their season total. A photo tag of your work day is required to claim the points.
> – Camp Hale: From I-70 exit 171, take US-24 south toward Minturn, continue past Red Cliff, and drive past Nova Guides to the second (campground) entrance. Park along the west side of Resolution Road as directed by staff.

## For Families and Spectators

The Davos Dash and Vail Grind are the most spectator-accessible races, with start/finish areas at valley-level locations within walking distance of Vail Village. The Son of Middle Creek Enduro is more trail-side, suited to spectators comfortable with a short hike to the timed section. The youth division at each race gives families with young riders a genuine entry point into competition without requiring full adult-category fitness levels.

## Mountain Trails, Mountain Water

After a race morning at Davos or Gondola One, the Roaring Fork Valley’s water options open up for the afternoon. Nottingham Lake in Avon, a 12-mile drive west from Vail Village, has walk-up paddleboard and kayak rentals and a public beach that makes for a satisfying post-race cool-down. Browse Vail Valley lakeside and river-adjacent rentals on Lake.com to find a base that keeps both the race calendar and the afternoon water options within easy reach.