ALBUQUERQUE DIRT FIESTA
– 6 OR 12 HOUR AND TRAIL RUN
We will not be holding Dirt Fiesta in 2024. Please joing us for one of our other events.
Come join us at Albuquerque Dirt Fiesta for a weekend of biking, running, and family fun! This event takes place in Tijeras, NM at the Oak Flats Group Area and combines the traditional 6- or 12-hour endurance bike races we love with a 5K, 10K, or 20K (half marathon) trail run.
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About the race
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Race Details
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Trail run INFO
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Schedule
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Media
About the Race
We are sad to announce that we will not have the ABQ Dirt Fiesta this year. Unfortunately this race has not brought enough participants over the last several years to keep doing it. Don't worry, we have a brand new event coming to Glorieta just outside Santa Fe. Details on Glorieta Days coming soon.
Race Details
CATEGORIES
6-Hour Option (easier course)
Solo: Female, Male, Open Junior
Solo Masters (50+): Female, Male
12-Hour Option (traditional course)
Solo 18+: Female, Male
Solo 40+: Female, Male
Solo 50+: Female, Male
Solo 60+: Female, Male
Solo Open Single Speed: Female category will be added if five riders register
Duo: Female, Male, Coed, Parent/Junior
Team of 3 or 4: Female, Male, Coed
Corporate (up to 6 riders): Coed
*Zia Rides reserves the right to combine categories if less than three teams register for a category. Please don’t fault us for wanting to have a full podium!
FEES & DEADLINES
Early Bird (register by April 30)
Prices vary by category
Regular (register by June 30)
Prices vary by category
Regular Plus (register by August 19)
Prices vary by category
Late Deadline (register by September 12)
Prices vary by category
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
NORMAL POLICY:
Refunds are not offered but we totally understand that life happens. If you need to adjust your plans, we have several alternatives set up to make life easy for you and to ensure the event goes on for our other racers.
Transfers
- Transfer your registration to another rider in BikeReg by August 25.
- Edit the entry to provide the new rider’s email address and also change any other information on the to placeholders (i.e. “edit this”) if you don’t want it 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/48127
- 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.
- Transfer your registration to another race. Email Seth at elcapitan@ziarides.com by August 25. We will send you a registration code to be used for another Zia Rides event minus a $10 change fee.
- If you want to be able to request a refund, then you should buy the race insurance available from Alliance through 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.
Changes
BikeReg allows you to make some changes: https://www.bikereg.com/edit/48127
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 the MTB event, prizes will be awarded to the top three racers in each category. For the trail run, prizes will be awarded to the top runner in each age category as well as the top three men and women in each race overall.
We realize that fast runners and 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 and let us know which awards we should keep around!
For the MTB event, prizes will be awarded to the top three racers in each category. For the trail run, prizes will be awarded to the top runner in each age category as well as the top three men and women in each race overall.
We realize that fast runners and 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 and let us know which awards we should keep around!
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
Marble Brewing Appreciation Award: Awarded to the largest financer of Albuquerque’s local craft breweries
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
PRIZES
Coming Soon
SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER
We always need volunteers! In return for your time we promise you food, SWAG, and our undying gratitude. Please visit the link above to see what volunteer opportunities are available and sign up.
STAGING AREA, CAMPING, & HOTEL
VENUE MAP
Albuquerque Dirt Fiesta Venue Map – 2021
PARKING
The venue is FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED. There are NO RESERVATIONS. There is also limited space in the staging area, and only vehicles and campers are allowed on the paved areas. 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 and trucks: $10
Small RVs and Trailers: $20
Large RVs and Trailers: $30
DIRECTIONS
Google Maps Link to Oak Flats
From Albuquerque, head east on I-40. Bear right to take the Exit 175. Stay in the centermost lane and go straight through the stop light. Continue south on NM-377 for about ten miles. The Oak Flats sign will be on your right after you pass the Tijeras Canyon. Turn left on Oak Flat Rd. and continue for about a mile. Turn left into the Oak Flat Campground. See you there!
ACCOMMODATIONS
Camping at Staging Area
Zia Rides has been given permission to camp at the beautiful Oak Flats Group Picnic area. Camping opens Friday at 12PM and closes Monday at 12PM. You can’t show up early, and you can’t stay late! Want to show up early and get a good spot, then we suggest that you volunteer.
All camping is FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED. There are NO RESERVATIONS. There is also limited space in the staging area, and only vehicles and campers are allowed on the paved areas. You must keep your RV/vehicles 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. I
Also, if you want to set up shade structures, you must do so OFF of the pavement. The pavement is for vehicles only! You will also not be allowed to extend awnings, etc. We will ask you to close them to make room for folks to park. There is plenty of room for tents, chairs, etc off of the paved areas. It’s much nicer off of the pavement anyway with plenty of trees for shade.
There is no potable water or electricity on site. Please plan accordingly. Zia Rides will provide dumpsters and there are bathrooms onsite.
Hotels
There are numerous hotels to choose from in Albuquerque. Keep in mind that depending on where you stay it will be a 20- to 30-minute drive to the racing grounds. Hotels on the far east side of Albuquerque are the closest to the venue, but they are not the nicest. The hotels in Uptown are far nicer and still reasonably close.
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
Full Course Description Including GPX File – the course no longer includes Deadman trail
Strava File – 12 hour course (updated for 2021)
The 12-hour course is 12 mi., includes 1,000 ft. of climbing, and the elevation ranges from 7,300 ft. to 7,700 ft. It is an alpine course in the Cibola National Forest outside of Albuquerque. The course has some wide-open fast sections of flowy singletrack, a few tough climbs, as well as several technical and rocky sections of trail. The course runs clockwise and takes advantage of the trails in the Pine Flats and Oak Flats areas including: Oak Flat Connector, Pine Loop, Pine Flat Connector, Gamble Oak, Pokerchip, Caida Del Pino, Mahogany, Easy Pickin’, and Ponderosa.
The 6-hour course follows many of the same trails as the 12-hour course, but it cuts out some of the technical sections.
The trail run is a short loop, so runners can enjoy the fun and festivities of a lap-based event which is what makes Zia Rides, Zia Rides. We will cheer you on and ring the bells as you come through once for the 5k, twice for the 10k, and 4 times for the 20k.
SPONSORS, VENDORS & BOOTHS
Food and Drink
Pizzart Wood Fired Pizzas – delicious wood fired pizzas
Umami Moto – Street eats with an Asian flair
Stan’s Coffee & Scones: A café-on-wheels serving locally brewed coffee and baked goodies
Live Music
Bike Industry
Bici-Fixx: excellent mobile bike repair van
Fat Tire Cycles: Providing official neutral support, demos, and other fun activities
Albuquerque Mountain Bike Association and Two Wheel Drive: Hosting the famous Donut Aid Station
Albuquerque Mountain Bike Association – will also have a booth to discuss projects and recruit members
Other Fun Stuff
Adventure Zone: brought to you by REI with Ladderball, Cornhole, Giant Jenga, Bocce Ball, etc!
Elevate PHW: Keep limber and moving with foam rollers, etc
Yahova Rapha Therapeutic Massage: providing massage for your tired legs and bodies
Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions: Get more information about their kid’s camps and mountain bike clinics
Cibola Search and Rescue: Join their team and support their search and rescue efforts
Simply Diegos: Stock up homemade goodies for your pets
Yoga by De: doing a few short yoga sessions Friday night between band sets
RACE RULES
Coming Soon
RESULTS
TRAIL RUN INFO
TRAIL RUN FEES & DEADLINES
Early Bird (register by June 30)
5K: $35 per runner (t-shirt and pint glass included)
10K: $45 per runner (t-shirt and pint glass included)
20K/Half Marathon: $55 per runner (t-shirt and pint glass included)
Regular (register by August 27)
5K: $40 per runner (t-shirt and pint glass included))
10K: $50 per runner (t-shirt and pint glass included)
20K/Half Marathon: $65 per runner (t-shirt and pint glass included)
Late (register by September 13)
5K: $45 per runner (pint glass included; t-shirt not included)
10K: $55 per runner (pint glass included; t-shirt not included)
20K/Half Marathon: $75 per runner (pint glass included; t-shirt not included)
Discounts
All Runners: $20 off the ride entry fee when you register for the run
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)
TRAIL RUN DETAILS
We will be hosting a trail run at the Oak Flats Group Area using the same trails as the MTB event. The trail run will take place on Sunday. The distances for the trail run are 5K, 10K, and 20K/Half Marathon. The runners will get to enjoy the fun of a lap-based race just like the Zia Rides MTB events. The course is 3 miles long, and the runners will get to go around once for the 5k, twice for the 10k and 4 times for the 20k.
Prizes
Prizes will be awarded to the top runner in each age category as well as the top three men and women in each race overall.
Age Categories
0-18
19-30
31-40
41-50
50+
Tracking Information
5K/10K/20K course: https://www.strava.com/activities/5853144287
1 lap for 5k
2 laps for 10k
4 laps for 20k
Aid Stations
There will be one aid station on course with donuts, water, and Hammer Products. There will also be an aid station just past the transition tent with water and Hammer Nutrition products.
Schedule
This is a tentative schedule of events that is subject to change, so make sure to check back for updates.
Thursday
Venue closed for set up – volunteers and staff only
Friday
12:00 PM: Staging area opens for campers and vendors
2:00 PM: Course is marked and ready to pre-ride
5:00 PM: Packet pickup for MTB and trail run opens (SWAG bag and t-shirt included)
5:00-6:00 PM: Games in the field with Cottonwood Gulch
5:00-9:00 PM: Food vendors onsite
5:30-8:30 PM: Live music from High Desert Playboys
6:15-6:30 PM: Yoga with Yoga by De
7:15-7:30 PM: Yoga with Yoga by De
8:00PM: S’mores with Cottonwood Gulch
9:00 PM: Packet pickup ends
10:00 PM: Lights out (seriously people, you have a 12 hour race the next day!)
Saturday
5:30 AM: Late packet pickup (SWAG bag and t-shirt not included)
6:15 AM: Mandatory pre-race meeting for 12-hour MTB race in the vendor area
6:49 AM: Sunrise
7:00 AM: 12-hour MTB race starts!
11:15AM: Late packet pickup ends
11:15 AM: Mandatory pre-race meeting for 6-hour MTB race in the vendor area
12:00 PM: 6-hour MTB race starts!
1:00-2:00 PM: Games in the field with Cottonwood Gulch
2:00 PM: Kid’s Race brought to you by Montaño Acura and supported by Cottonwood Gulch
3:oo-5:00 PM: Live music with The Real Matt Jones
5:00 PM: Huffy and Tire Toss at Fat Tire Cycles booth
5:30-8:30 PM: Live music from Squash Blossom Boys
6:00 PM: 6-hour MTB race ends (all laps must be completed by 6:00 PM)
7:00 PM: 12-hour MTB race ends (all laps must be completed by 7:00 PM)
7:11 PM: Sunset
7:15ish PM: Awards ceremony begins for 6- and 12-hour MTB races
8:00PM: S’mores with Cottonwood Gulch
Sunday
6:30 AM: Late packet pickup for trail run – you can pick it up at the Friday packet pickup or anytime during the day on Saturday
6:49 AM: Sunrise
7:30 AM: Mandatory pre-race meeting for all trail run races
8:00 AM: 20K/Half Marathon trail run starts!
8:00-10:30 AM: Live music from Chris Dracup
8:15 AM: 1k, 5K and 10K trail run starts!
10:00 AM (ish): awards
11:30 AM: course sweep begins
12:00 PM: Cleanup begins in the staging area
Monday
10:00 AM: All campers must be out (it’s a wrap!)
Photos and Videos
2023
2022
2021 ***Photos are typically available by the Thursday after the race. You will be able to access them through this link and we will also send an email when they are live.
Click here for event photos from Gillen Photography
2019
Click Here for Event Photos from Gillen Photography
2018
Click Here for Event Photos from Gillen Photography
2017
Boo rain, but fun party!
2015
Click Here for Event Photos from Gillen Photography
Click Here for Event Video of Lap 1
Event Photos and Write-Ups