Entries open May 1, 2024 Mark your calendar and get busy training!
We are very excited to announce an epic gravel race/ride event right here in the White Mountains of Arizona. The White Mountains offers literally endless miles and route combinations for gravel grinders wanting to explore the gorgeous Arizona high country.
The White Mountains was historically an extensively used logging area and the abandoned logging and fire roads have created a network of roads, two tracks and connecting single-track that will keep any rider entertained for miles on end. From enormous old-growth junipers to quaking aspens to stately oaks and towering Ponderosa pine and fur trees, the scenery that the White Mountains offers is next to none. Wildlife here varies from javelinas to deer and elk to bear, lion and turkey, with outstanding birdwatching in spring and summer.
Daytime temperatures in the fall and spring are perfect for riding and night rides in summer reward stargazers with spectacular dark skies and awe-inspiring views of the Milky Way.
The Pinewood Showdown routes will give riders just a small glimpse into what the White Mountains has to offer for both gravel and mountain bikers on gravel and single track.
Info from Zia rides
THE PINEWOOD SHOWDOWNGRAVEL GRINDER
NEW FOR 2024!
Zia Rides is finally offering a gravel grinder! Come join us at the amazing Wilderness Ranch outside Pinetop-Lakeside/Show Low, Arizona for some epic gravel in the scenic White Mountains of Arizona. The roads are a fantastic ride for gravel or mountain bikes! Choose your steed and let's ride!
Folks have been asking us for years. When is Zia Rides going to do a gravel event? Well, we were waiting to find the right location with a venue and gravel roads that live up to the quality and expectations that people have come to expect from Zia Rides. And boy did we finally find it!
The base of operations for the Pinewood Showdown will be the scenic Wilderness Ranch outside Pinetop-Lakeside/Show Low, Arizona where we have access to some of the most beautiful and fun dirt roads in Northern Arizona. We found a spot worthy of your trusty gravel or MTB steeds, and we don't plan to disappoint.
Riders will have the option of choosing between a 25, 50, or 100 mile routes to
test your mettle. You can ride your gravel bike, mountain bike or ebike. Couple this with an amazing venue, live music in the camp pavilion and you have the recipe for a fantastic weekend. The various courses will also delight with fully supported aid stations, well marked courses and plenty of options for all ability levels. Mark your calendars for a full weekend of family fun in the White Mountains. It's going to be epic!
Category Prizes
Prizes will be awarded to the top three in each category. We always try to do something cool and custom for each event. There are categories for every rider whether a sprinter, climber or long-distance grinder, and divisions for kids and kids at heart from juniors to 60+.
Fun Prizes
We realize that fast and riders are not the only people that make our events awesome. Sometimes we recognize other folks, so stick around for awards. We don't recognize all of these things every year, but folks have received prizes for things like the following:
Congeniality Award: Awarded to the most courteous rider on the course
Most Fun Rider Award: Awarded to the rider with the most spirit (Anders is not eligible to compete!)
Endo Award: Awarded to the rider with the worst luck
Best Costume Award: Awarded to the rider who completes at least one lap in their goofy getup
Best Classic Bike Award: Awarded to the rider who completes at least one lap on a vintage bike
Best Mustache Award: Awarded to the rider with the best facial hair
Best Hype Man/Women Award: Awarded to the most enthusiastic supporter
Best Volunteer Award: Awarded to your favorite Zia Rides volunteer
Best Camp Award: Awarded to the camp with the best decorated tent
Best Family Award: Awarded to one of the awesome families at our race
Oldest Rider Award: Awarded to the oldest rider
Youngest Rider Award: Awarded to the youngest rider
Furthest Traveled Award: Awarded to the rider who travels the longest way to be here
Funny video on Gravel bikes from a mountain biker's point of view
