Pikes Peak APEX
📍 Colorado, USA
Texas, USA · 14 November 2026
Difficulty: 4/5 — Very hard
This challenging mountain bike race in the Texas Hill Country offers 32km, 64km, or 97km distances on gripping singletrack and demanding fire roads. It serves as a qualifier for the prestigious Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB.
Visit official site →This event is ideal for mountain bikers of all levels, from those seeking a fun outdoor adventure to experienced racers aiming for a Leadville qualification.
Riders with insufficient endurance or technical skills for rugged singletrack and fire roads, especially on the longer distances, may find this race very demanding.
Training should emphasize sustained power output for rolling hills, technical singletrack proficiency, and overall endurance for multi-lap efforts.
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The race offers 20-mile (32km), 40-mile (64km), and 60-mile (97km) options. The 20-mile race is one loop, the 40-mile is two loops, and the 60-mile consists of three loops.
The course features a mix of challenging singletrack and fire roads, designed to test riders while minimizing choke points.
Aid stations, located every 10 miles near the start/finish, offer GU Energy Roctane Hydration/Water, GU Energy gels, stroopwaffles, Bobo's PB&J & Fig Bar, chips, and candy. Finish line refreshments include Mighty Spark Chicken Sticks, pretzels, Hoist Hydration, and Splendor Water. 20-mile riders will not access an aid station; 40-mile riders pass once; 60-mile riders pass twice.
The 60-mile Austin Rattler MTB race is a qualifier for the Leadville Trail 100 MTB. You must complete the 60-mile race in eight hours or less. A minimum of 35 qualifier coins are awarded to 60-mile finishers based on overall/age group performance and an event lottery; winners must be present at the awards ceremony.
Riders must start their final lap by 12:30 PM. The full course cut-off for all 60-mile riders to finish and qualify for Leadville is 3:30 PM.
The Austin Rattler uses a self-seeded corral system. Corral 1 is for top 100 finishers from the past three years, Corral 2 for experienced riders ranking 101-200, and Corral 3 for adventure riders or new participants ranking 200+. You select your preferred placement during registration.
📍 Colorado, USA
📍 North Carolina, USA
📍 CO, USA