Expert / Pro / Singlespeed Category Course

Distance: 18 miles
Elevation gain: ~3200 ft

The first 12 miles are the same as the Sport course: Racers will be organized in the lower parking lot at Pajarito Mountain Ski Area for a mass start. The parking lot is wide and will allow riders to space themselves out before making a hard right turn unto a 1/4 mile long section of climbing doubletrack (Forest Service Trail # 285, aka the nordic ski trails). Again, there should be plenty of room for passing. At the top of this first gentle climb (a good warm-up) the doubletrack forks and racers will stay right into a short descent. The doubletrack narrows to singletrack upon reaching the meadows at Cañada Bonita. Towards the high point in the meadows, the trail will turn back left onto faint singletrack. This section will be fast and flowing with ample opportunity for passing. After a few miles, it rejoins the trail that racers started on and heads back to the Ski Area. Riders will be directed past the Lodge and along a service road for a short stretch before turning onto singletrack. From this point the trail descends and roughly parallels Camp May road (let the peanut gallery know). A tricky rock obstacle in the middle will be the first truly technical spot.

The descent ends near the base of Townsite Chairlift, and the lowpoint for the race, where a sustained climb begins on a service road. This climb... "the Pipeline Simulator"... is characterized by loose rocks and direct sun. Upon reaching the crest of "the Pipeline Simulator" the course descends a fast section of service road towards, but not quite down to, the Lodge before cutting left across the Beginner slope where it rejoins the road and then crosses Lower Aspen run into the 'Aspen for Trouble' singletrack. You'd better catch your breath on this downhill section because the REAL climbing begins here. Nearly 4 miles of twisty, rooty, rocky and periodically steep singletrack will take riders through the forest and meadows on the west side of the Ski Area until reaching the summit at 10,300 ft. Strong legs will be needed to blast through the technical stretches, while big lungs will be needed in the thin mountain air. The climb is punishing at racing speeds. From the top, racers will descend the entire length of the 'Aspeñola' singletrack. This 2 1/4 mile descent is fast and passing will be difficult, though not impossible, in most places. The grade is fairly constant, but the occasional tight turn and bedded rocks will require riders to stay engaged. After passing the finishing gate (where an aid station will be located), riders will start up the entirety of the 'Aspen for Trouble' singletrack for another lap to the top and another descent down the 'Aspeñola' singletrack. Pay attention on your first lap so you know where to make your move.

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