Ring of Fire
📍 Oregon, USA
mtb
Date
26 September 2026
Distance
50 miles
Elevation
1,639 m
Difficulty
mtb
Dakota Five-O
South Dakota, USA · 4-6 September 2026
Difficulty: 4/5 — Very hard
The Dakota Five-O is a challenging 50-mile (80.5 km) mountain bike race featuring over 1830 meters of climbing, predominantly on technical singletrack.
Visit official site →- Distances
- 50 miles (80.5 km)
- Elevation
- 1,830 m
- Surface
- singletrack, gravel
- Typical W/kg
- 2.8–3.5
Rider fit
Who it's for
This race is ideal for well-conditioned, experienced mountain bikers who enjoy arduous courses with significant elevation gain and technical terrain.
Who will struggle
Riders lacking fitness, specific health concerns, or extensive singletrack experience will find this event extremely demanding and should reconsider participation.
Training focus
Training for this race should emphasize long endurance rides, sustained climbing efforts, and developing proficiency on technical singletrack descents and ascents.
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 type of bicycle is permitted in the race?+
Only mountain bikes are allowed; e-bikes are strictly prohibited as per USFS regulations.
Can you describe the race course and terrain?+
The course covers 50 miles, with approximately 90% singletrack and about three miles of gravel road, featuring over 6000 feet (1830 meters) of climbing and some technical sections.
Are there aid stations along the course?+
Yes, there are three aid stations providing water, Heed sports drink, and a variety of food items like chips, cookies, bars, trailmix, bananas, and oranges. There is also a Bacon Station.
Are there any time cutoffs for the race?+
Strict cutoff times are enforced at each aid station to ensure rider safety and out of respect for volunteers; riders must depart by the specified times to continue.
What are the prize categories and amounts?+
The race offers a $6,000 cash purse for age class categories (paying 3 to 5 deep depending on class size), and a $3,000 cash purse for the top five overall male, female, and non-binary winners, including custom trophies.
Does the race course remain the same every year?+
To keep the experience fresh, the course alternates its direction yearly, riding clockwise in even years and counterclockwise in odd years starting from mile 7.