ROYAL GORGE SIX & TWELVE

May 17, 2025

Come join us at the Royal Gorge Six and Twelve, just outside of Cañon City, CO! This 6-12 hour endurance event is held at the beautiful Royal Gorge Park. Ride as a solo, duo, or team to complete the most laps in 6 or 12 hours while hanging out in a gorgeous, family friendly venue. This is currently Zia Rides only event ever in CO, and we hit the jackpot using Cañon City as a host.

About the race
Race Details
Schedule
Media

About the Race

May 18th 2024

The Royal Gorge Six & Twelve is arguably the most beautiful course on the Zia Rides calendar with views, views and more views. On one side, you look out over the fruited Great Plains of America. On another side, you have fantastic views of the Royal Gorge and all the way down to the Arkansas River below. And don't forget the snow capped 14ers in every other direction from the venue. To say the spot is pretty is an understatement.

Riders can choose from either a 6 hour or 12 hour option and compete as a solo, duo, or team. The course is an intermediate 10 mile. loop of fun and fast singletrack that alternates between old school rocky singletrack and flowly machine built dips and curves. It is a true mountain bikers course with plenty of variation and views to enjoy. Did we mention that Cañon City has a professional trail builder who adds new trails and keeps the current ones in tip top shape? All of this is to say that you and your crew are going to get in some killer riding.

To top things off, Cañon City is a little hidden gem on the front range. In addition to having a lovely downtown, there’s tons of fun stuff to do and other great riding in the area with spots like Royal Gorge Bridge just minutes away. Bring your crew and camp for the whole weekend at the Royal Gorge East Ridge Campground, or just come for the race and take in beautiful views of snow-capped peaks. Whatever you choose, we know that it's going to be a great weekend!

Race Details

FEES & DEADLINES

Early Bird (register by Dec. 31)
Register

Regular (register by Feb 28)
Register

Procrastinators Pricing (register by April 30)

Also t-shirt deadline

Register

Last Minute Pricing (register by May 15)

Register

Discounts
Juniors (under 18): Half price at checkout
Full-time College Students: Half price at checkout (email Seth at elcapitan@ziarides.com for the promo code)

TRANSFERS, CHANGES & CANCELLATIONS

No Refunds

We begin planning, permitting, and purchasing items for an event well in advance based on your pre-registration. Therefore we have a strict no refund policy. Be aware of this when you decide to register. We feel like our flexible transfer and change policies should accommodate most people and situations. But please respect the fact that once we reach a certain date prior the event, transfers and changes are not possible.

30 days – Transfer your registration to another race or defer to next year if requested at least 30 days prior to the event.
- Email Seth at elcapitan@ziarides.com at least 30 days prior to the event.
- We will send you a comp code to be used for another Zia Rides event minus a $10 transfer fee.
14 days – Transfer your registration to another rider in BikeReg if requested at least 30 days prior to the event.
- Edit your entry to provide the new rider’s email address and also change any other information on the event to placeholders (i.e. “edit this”) if you don’t want your information to be visible to the new rider.
- If you don’t have your edit link, you can request one here: https://www.bikereg.com/edit/royal-gorge. Once you’ve updated your entry and saved changes, go to the above link and put in the new rider’s email address and click “Send me a link to edit my entry”
- They’ll receive a link they can use to edit the information on the entry to be theirs instead of yours.
- If you have issues, contact elcapitan@ziarides.com
Less than 14 days – not eligible for a transfer or credit.
- Cancellations less than 14 days prior to an event and no-shows do not qualify for a credit.
Buy the optional insurance through BikeReg.
- If you want to be able to receive a refund in the event of an unforeseen circumstance, then we highly encourage you to buy the optional race insurance when registering for the event on BikeReg.
- It is not expensive, and it ensures that if you get hurt, sick, or something comes up, you are able to request a refund.
- It is provided through BikeReg from Allianz

Changes

BikeReg will allow you to make some changes to your information. Login to your registration on BikeReg or request the ability to edit at: https://www.bikereg.com/edit/royal-gorge

Cancellations

The safety of you, your crew, and our wonderful staff is the most important thing to us at Zia Rides! If a race must be cancelled or shortened due to Mother Nature or other uncontrollable circumstances, refunds will not be issued. Unfortunately, the money has already been spent and we still have to pay for the event whether it happens or not.

For most events, Zia Rides purchases and pays for optional event insurance coverage. If the event is cancelled due to “acts of God” Zia Rides will submit an insurance claim, and riders who paid through BikeReg for the current year’s event may receive a refund of your registration fees. It takes awhile and there are no guarantees, but we do everything we can to cover the event.

PRIZES

For the MTB events, prizes will be awarded to the top three racers in each category.

We realize that fast riders are not the only people that make our events awesome. We want to see the fun folks that give our events spirit on the podium as well. These awards are a work in progress and will be awarded to individuals through your nominations. Nominate your fellow competitors at the SWAG booth or tell our announcer. Here are some examples of things we might award

Congeniality Award: Awarded to the most courteous rider on the course
Most Fun Rider Award: Awarded to the rider with the most spirit (Anders is not eligible to compete!)
Endo Award: Awarded to the rider with the worst luck
Beer Garden Appreciation Award: Awarded to the biggest spender at the beer garden
Best Costume Award: Awarded to the rider who completes at least one lap in their goofy getup
Best Classic Bike Award: Awarded to the rider who completes at least one lap on a vintage bike
Best Mustache Award: Awarded to the rider with the best facial hair
Best Hype Man/Women Award: Awarded to the most enthusiastic supporter
Best Volunteer Award: Awarded to your favorite Zia Rides volunteer
Best Camp Award: Awarded to the camp with the best decorated tent
Best Family Award: Awarded to one of the awesome families at our race
Oldest Rider Award: Awarded to the oldest rider
Youngest Rider Award: Awarded to the youngest rider
Furthest Traveled Award: Awarded to the rider who travels the longest way to be here

SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER

Volunteer

We always need volunteers! In return for your time we promise our undying gratitude. But, you also can count on the following benefits:

Early access to the venue for primo camping
Awesome swag from our sponsors
A damn good time

Please visit the link below from SignUp to see what volunteer opportunities are available.

Sign Up to Volunteer

STAGING AREA, CAMPING, & HOTEL

Venue Map

Royal Gorge Venue Map

Parking

There is limited space in the staging area. It normally costs $20 a night to stay in the campground. To help control numbers in the staging area, we will be limiting the amount of space allowed to each team. We will also be charging for parking passes to cover the entire weekend:

Cars (taking up one spot): $10
Small RVs and Trailers (taking up two spots): $20
Giant RVs and Trailers (taking up multiple spots): $30

Directions

Google Maps Link to Event Venue

The event is held at the Royal Gorge East Ridge Campground. From Cañon City, take US-50 west towards Salida. Take US-50 for about eight miles. Then, turn left onto Co. Rd. 3A towards Royal Gorge Bridge. Continue on Co. Rd. 3A for three miles. Continue past County Rd. F30 (which Google Maps will attempt to send you on). Do not take County Rd. F30, as this road will be closed for the event, as the course crosses this road. Continue on the paved road up the switchbacks to the next dirt road on the left. Look for the Zia Rides arrow signs. This will take you into the venue. If you reach the parking area for Royal Gorge Bridge, you have gone too far.

Camping

Zia Rides has been given permission to camp at the beautiful Royal Gorge Park East Ridge Campground. Camping opens Friday at 12 PM and closes Sunday at 12 PM. You can’t show up early, and you can’t stay late!

Camping is on a first-come first-served basis, so be early to secure your spot and hang out with us! While is plenty of room for tents, parking is limited. For this reason, we ask that you carpool and try to keep your RV in a single parking space. We will not allow RVs to park horizontally across multiple parking spaces. If you can’t park your RV vertically into a single parking space, we ask that you leave it at home. There is no potable water, no showers, and no electricity at the campsite. However, if you need anything Cañon City is just down the road. We will provide dumpsters and additional porta potties so that you can dispose of all your waste properly!

Hotels

There are numerous hotels to choose from in Cañon City, Colorado. Keep in mind that depending on where you stay it will be about a 20-minute drive to the racing grounds.

Fires

Fires are allowed in designated firepits if there are no fire restrictions at the time of the event. We will also have a fire blazing in our fire cauldron at the staging area! Save yourself the hassle of bringing firewood and come hang out, make some friends, and roast some s’mores.

Pets

We love pets and welcome them at our events! If you bring your pups, please keep them on a leash or under control in your area.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Course Map

Strava File

The 6- and 12- hour races use the same course. The course is 9.8 mi., includes 1,100 ft. of climbing, and has an elevation that ranges from 6,530 ft. to 7,110 ft. The course has several sandstone features, includes sweet and flowy decent, and provides stellar views of the Royal Gorge, Sangre de Critso Mountains, and Pikes Peak.

The course starts at the staging area and travels counterclockwise, taking advantage of various trails in the Royal Gorge Park including: S’mores, Dream Weaver, Made in the Shade, Twisted Cistern, Canon Rim Trail, FAR Out and Canon Vista.

RACE RULES

Race Rules

Don't Be an Asshole: hopefully self explanatory
Be nice: to your camp neighbors and fellow riders.
No Littering: Please treat the area and trails with respect. Any racer found intentionally littering will be disqualified.
Helmets: Required when on the bicycle at anytime, whether racing or not.
Race Plates: Athlete “Race Plates” MUST be affixed to the front of the handlebars, and preferably in
front of any brake or shifting cables. Athlete “Race Plates” MUST NOT be bent, folded, wrapped around the head tube, or in any other position than flat against the handle bars. Improper attachment of the race plate will cause timing chips not to register and may be cause for disqualification. Also, your race plate number is how we visually
confirm who you are out on the course or in the start/finish area. If we can’t read yournumber, it makes it harder to handle racer concerns that may come up during theevent.
Road and Traffic: Athletes are responsible for themselves throughout the duration of the event. This includes:
- Navigation of the course. While we will mark significant turns on the course, markings can be altered by weather or non-event related people.
- We have navigation resources for you on our website which includes GPS files and maps.
- Riders must be prepared to stop if necessary at all stop signs and road crossings before continuing along the route.
- Roads and trails are open to the public, and athletes are expected to follow the applicable laws and regulations in addition to using common sense and general courtesy.
Race Calling: Generally speaking, in the case of catastrophic failure due to weather or another extenuating circumstance that prevents the ongoing scoring of the event or creates a
racing environment that is deemed too dangerous for the participants, the race may be called as of a certain time. Final results will be calculated in one of two ways:
- The race will be considered over at the point it was called and the results will be
  taken from the last completed lap. This will be the anticipated method in the event
  racers needed to be evacuated off course instead of completing their laps.
- Or, The riders will be allowed to finish their current lap after the point the race is called and those results will be taken as final.
Race Suspension: In the case that the race is stopped and restarted once the hazard has abated, the combined results of both parts of the race will be used. The race clock (which is based on the actual time of day) will continue without pause during the race suspension. Once the race is restarted, racers who are ready to start a new lap will be free to reenter the course. The time for laps completed prior to the restart will be taken at the time of actual lap completion. This may result in racers who had been running ahead losing some time advantage due to the closure period. While potentially unfortunate in some cases, this is the most straightforward and workable way to account for the race pause. The primary concern is working to maintain the athletes’ safety in the face of hazardous conditions.
Ear Buds: Headphones, earbuds, speakers, and other audio devices are highly discouraged. Part of the point of this is to be out in nature taking in the sights AND sounds. If you must wear headphones you may do so in ONE EAR ONLY. For your safety and the safety of others we ask that you be mindful of your volume and surroundings and ask that you keep the volume low enough that you can hear others. The ability to communicate with each other and other people on the trails is a safety imperative.
Course Food/Water Support: any person may supply a racer on the course with food and water.
Course Mechanical Support: racers may receive mechanical assistance on the course. A rider providing assistance to another rider must have entered the course under their own power, either on foot or on a bicycle, not by motorized vehicle. Any rider who has entered the course in support of another may bring equipment and tools and may even swap bikes with the rider in need of support. The cannibalizing of bikes is permitted.
Canceling a Lap: once on course, a racer is expected to complete the lap. However, should the racer be unable to complete the lap for any reason, including injury, a teammate may restart the lap. If a teammate restarts the lap, the original racer is not permitted to go through the timing gate for that lap. Soloists are S.O.L.
Co-ed Team Laps: all co-ed teams are required to have a minimum of one person of the opposite sex. In order to be on the podium, there cannot be a difference of more than 2 laps completed between teammates. Translastion: if she does 6 laps, he has to do at least 4. Sorry, no one and done like some races.
Team Laps: each team member is required to complete at least one lap, except in the case of a report of occurrence (confirmation of an injury).
Passing Etiquette: Follow rules #1 and #13. For those that need it spelled out: (A) Racers riding bicycles have the right of way over racers pushing bicycles. When practical, racers pushing should stay on the least rideable portion of the path when being passed. A racer pushing or carrying his bicycle can overtake a racer riding his bicycle provided he does not interfere with the rider’s progress. (B) Slower riders should yield to overtaking riders. Riders should clearly voice the command “On your left, I’d like to pass,” etc, when overtaking another rider. (C) Riders being passed must move over as quickly, efficiently and as safely as possible. (D) It is the responsibility of the passing rider to overtake safely. But that doesn't give the slow rider permission to violation rules #1 and #13. (E) In the event two riders are vying for position, the leading rider does not have to yield his position to the challenging rider. However, a rider may not bodily interfere with the intent to impede another rider’s progress.
Course Cutting: any attempt to cut the course will result in immediate disqualification of that racer’s entire team.
Bad Attitudes: if there are two or more complaints about unsportsmanlike behavior, the racer and his or her team will be disqualified from the race, asked to leave the venue, and will not be welcome at future events. We will also talk smack about you. Refer to rules #1 and #13.
Penalties: all penalties are determined on a case-by case basis by the Race Director.
Assholes will be disqualified.
Protests and Changes: must be made during the 15 minute protest period immediately after the race. After that, the results are final.

1b. Have fun!

SPONSORS, VENDORS & BOOTHS

Food and Drink

Sway Coffee: Coffee and treats, the morning love of most mountain bikers.
Gigi's Betchin Chick-N: offering up some delicious fried chicken, nuggets, fries, etc.
Tacos El Paisa - tacos, burritos and all the good stuff for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Beer and Live Music

Castle Rock Professional Fire Fighters Foundation: providing beer from Worlds End Brewing Company in our beer garden. Come thirsty and provide donations to this firefighters charity.
The Roswells: rockin' the beer gardn with their own special blend of Americana music

Bike Industry

Bici Fixx: mobile bike shop providing neutral support
The Bean Pedaler: bike shop and coffee shop/restaurant providing a location and tasty eats at our packet pickup on Friday night
Axial Bikes: maker of custom steel and titanium bikes made right here in Cañon City will be displaying some hardtail and gravel builds. Stop by during the race and try one out. Previous work can be seen on Instagram @axialbikes

Aid Station and Support

Coming Home Realty - will be running at aid station just before the road crossing to help keep racers going on race day.
Southern Colorado Mountain Bikers: crew will be running the road crossing and keeping us all safe. Give them some love as you pass through.

Other Fun Stuff

Renegade Travel Sports Massage - local massage therapist, providing therapy in the transition area to help keep those legs turning.
CCHS Tiger Mountain Bike Team - helping with course marking/clearing, and will have table for bake sale and bike jewelry
Rim to Rim/Starpoint - non-profit Royal Gorge trail race will have a table with info about their event to benefit local residents with disabilities.
Elizabeth Gamache - local artist where Zia Rides commissioned the awards for the event.
Fremont Adventure Recreation:
- Before or after the race, support these organizations that give 1% to trails: http://www.joinfar.org/1-for-trails.html
- Zia Rides donates a portion of proceeds every year to support FAR.