Pisgah 555
📍 North Carolina, United States
mtb
Date
3 October 2026
Distance
39.7 miles
Elevation
2,233 m
Difficulty
mtb
2026 Colorado Trail Race
Colorado, United States · 2 August 2026
Difficulty: 5/5 — Brutal
Spanning 540 miles of rugged Rocky Mountain terrain, this legendary ultra-bikepacking event features over 70,000 feet of climbing. With hundreds of miles of singletrack reaching altitudes up to 13,200 feet, it is one of the most grueling self-supported mountain bike challenges in the world.
Visit official site →- Distances
- 540 miles
- Elevation
- 21,336 m
- Surface
- singletrack, dirt
- Typical W/kg
- 3.5–4.8
Rider fit
Who it's for
This event is designed for seasoned, self-sufficient ultra-endurance mountain bikers who are comfortable navigating remote, high-altitude alpine backcountry.
Who will struggle
Riders who struggle with hypoxic elevations, severe weather exposure, long technical descents, and extensive hike-a-bike sections will find this race exceptionally difficult.
Training focus
Your training should prioritize high-volume aerobic capacity, loaded high-altitude climbing, technical singletrack handling, and core strength for pushing a loaded bike up steep peaks.
Are you ready for this race?
Compare your W/kg to see how you stack up against this race's typical level — and which races fit you best right now.
FAQs
What is the total distance and elevation gain of the Colorado Trail Race?+
The race covers approximately 540 miles (869 km) with a massive 70,000 feet (over 21,300 meters) of elevation gain.
What kind of riding surface can I expect?+
You will encounter over 300 miles of technical singletrack, with the remaining route consisting of dirt roads, doubletrack, and detour sectors.
Is there any support or race infrastructure provided?+
No. The CTR is a completely self-supported individual time trial with no entry fee, no checkpoints, no aid stations, and no prize money.
At what altitude does the race take place?+
The elevation of the route varies significantly, ranging from 5,500 feet to a hypoxic peak of 13,200 feet above sea level.
What kind of weather should I prepare for?+
Riders must be prepared for extreme mountain weather swings, including intense high-altitude sun, heavy rain, lightning strikes, and sudden alpine hailstorms.