Ring of Fire
📍 Oregon, USA
mtb
Date
26 September 2026
Distance
50 miles
Elevation
1,639 m
Difficulty
mtb
Moore Creek Grasshopper
California, USA · 20 September 2026
Difficulty: 4/5 — Very hard
Covering 39 miles of rugged Napa County terrain, this challenging XC mountain bike event features over 5,000 feet of climbing across a mixture of singletrack, dirt, and paved roads. The course winds through the Pacific Union College trail network and tackles the steep, volcanic descent of Dan's Wild Ride before finishing near Lake Hennessey.
Visit official site →- Distances
- 39 mi
- Elevation
- 1,528 m
- Surface
- singletrack, dirt, gravel, tarmac
- Typical W/kg
- 3–4.2
Rider fit
Who it's for
This event is perfect for cross-country mountain bikers and technically skilled gravel riders who enjoy singletrack, rugged descents, and scenic valley climbs.
Who will struggle
Riders with limited experience on loose, rocky singletrack or those who struggle with sustained, steep climbs will find this course demanding.
Training focus
Focus on high-torque climbing endurance to handle the 900-foot Howell Mountain climb, combined with core stability and technical descending practice for volcanic, uneven singletrack.
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 how much of it is timed?+
The total distance of the course is 39 miles, which includes a timed race portion of 27.5 miles.
What kind of bicycle is best suited for this event?+
An XC mountain bike, such as a hardtail or a short-travel cross-country bike, is recommended. However, riders with the right setup can also complete the course on a gravel bike.
How many aid stations are on the course and where are they located?+
There are three fully stocked aid stations: the first at mile 6.86 (at the entry to the PUC trails), the second at mile 15 (at the top of Dan’s Wild Ride), and the third at mile 22 (at the Moore Creek parking area).
What is the terrain breakdown of the route?+
The route features roughly 22.5 miles of singletrack, 3 miles of dirt and gravel roads, and 5 miles of paved road, totaling 86% dirt and 14% pavement.
Where does the route start and end?+
The ride begins at Wappo Park in St. Helena, heads up Old Howell Mountain Road to the Pacific Union College trails, descends into Moore Creek Park where the timing ends, and finishes with a casual spin around Lake Hennessey back to St. Helena.