The Arizona Endurance Series (AES) consists of a number or grassroots, endurance races. At the beginning of the year, the Antelope Peak Challenge will open the series with some little known singletrack near the town of Oracle. In April, we will be heading to Red Rock country for the Sedona Big Friggin Loop. At the end of May, we will be moving north into Flagstaff to do Arizona’s only dirty century, the Coconino Dirty Century. Then we will break until fall for the Rock y Road 50/50 and Kentucky Camp Epic.
There are no fees, no prizes, but all attempts will be made to record your finish time in comparison to others. The goal is to finish these challenges while setting your own pace. A start time and route are provided here and it is up to the participant to understand the route, and also have full responsibility for their navigation and well being. These are not group rides, although some people might do these as rides with friends or even other riders they meet at the start, along the route.
Since the events are self-supportive, it should be understood that these are for experienced backcountry cyclists only. If you question your ability to complete such an event, it is best that you consider another option before trying one of these. Also, maps, gps devices, water filtration units, and other back country tools are methods to ensure you complete the race. Therefore it is up to you – and you alone – to ensure your safety!!
The goal of the Arizona Endurance Series is to promote responsible grassroots endurance racing in Arizona, and to provide a competitive outlet for the state’s current endurance racers – most of whom currently go out of state to compete. The AES will help train current endurance riders and perhaps enhance success by Arizonans in national events. We recommend that you join the gmail group for all the updates, maps, and GPX files.
So if you have interest, come on out and join us, and do your part to contribute to this grassroots effort! Only 74 participants can do the race, so make sure to write a comment if you are planning on attending. Also, if you have any questions, you can use the comment section below.
Our current ride and events for 2009:
Kentucky Camp Epic Dec 12
2010 AES Schedule
Antelope Peak Challenge* January 23
Sedona Big Friggin Loop* March 13
Prescott Monstercross* April 10
Coconino Loop Race 350 May ??
Casner Mtn Dirty Century* May 22
Kaibab Monstercross June ??
Coconino 250 Stage Race* Loop Oct 9
Rock y Road 50/50 Oct 30
McDowell Monstercross* November 13
Kentucky Camp Epic Dec 11
*denotes a change in course for this year’s event
