Skills Clinic and MTB Race ! November 10, 2024
Come join us for our annual women's-focused mountain biking event! We will kick things off in the morning with some skills clinics led by pro enduro rider & owner of Adrenaline Coaching Stefanie McDaniels. We will offer different levels of clinics so there will be something for everyone.
Have you been wanting to gain more confidence understanding how your bike operates as a machine? Worried about getting a flat on the trail or breaking a chain? We will offer bike mechanics sessions led by some amazing bike mechanics!
Ready to test your new found skills? Come race against your skills-classmates and other women in the afternoon. There will be a 10 mile and 20 mile race option to choose from.
Our hope with this event is to create a welcoming, positive environment to get more women participating in mountain biking events! Any person who identifies as female, femme, trans or non-binary is welcome to sign-up.
All of this takes place along side our Tonto Mountain Rides races. Enjoy the festivities surrounding a a day of racing at Usery Regional Park. There will be games, vendors, a beer garden with football on the big screen if that is your thing when you're not riding. Keep full and hydrated at our fully stocked Main Aid Station
MOVIE TENT
"LIBERTAD"--2023 Saguaro Soiree debut film
In the heart of the most gender-unequal country in Latin America, Christa Castillo turns to the mountain bike to help Guatemalan women find healing and freedom... including her own. Libertad chronicles the story of World Ride’s program in Guatemala through the eyes of Christa, their first ride leader in the country.
Tickets: $20 adult, $10 child--ticket sales benefit World RideRACE SUMMARY
Location
Usery Mountain Regional Park
3939 N Usery Pass Rd
Mesa, AZ 85207
Our start/finish line is located by the Blevins Trailhead Staging Area.
Sunday
7:00 AM- Bib pickup/Registration Begins
8:00 AM Clinics Begin
12:00 PM Clinics End
1:00 PM 20 Mile Race Starts
1:15 PM 10 Mile Race Starts
1:30 PM Gritty Girls 20 Mile Starts (ages 14-18)
1:35 PM Gritty Girls 10 Mile Starts (ages 8-13)
5:00 PM All Races Final Cut Off
REGISTRATION
Entry Fees*
Registration Options
Online via Bike Reg
Mail-in Entry (must be received by 11/1)
Entrant Limit
300 Riders Total
Friday Bib Pickup
Friday, November 8
12:00-5:00 PM
Aravaipa Headquarters
2401 S 24th St. Phoenix, AZ 85034
Race Day Bib Pickup
Sunday, November 10
7:00-8:00 AM
Usery Regional Park-Trailhead Staging Area
3939 N Usery Pass Rd
Mesa, AZ 85207
Online registration closes on 11/6 at 11:59 PM. If spots are available, registration will be available at packet pickup and on site race day.
In order to guarantee race day swag, you must register prior to 11/3.
| Until 9/3 | Until 10/15 | Until 11/14 | Race Week | |
| Skills and Mechanics Clinics Only | $80 | $85 | $90 | $100 |
| 10.5 Mile Race | $50 | $55 | $60 | $70 |
| 20 Mile Race | $60 | $65 | $70 | $75 |
| Gritty Girls Race | $25 | $25 | $25 | $35 |
COURSE INFO
Course Summary
A variety of distance and terrain options are available for the Saguaro Soiree! All loops will start and end at the Blevin's Trailhead Staging Area.
10 and 20 Mile: Cal Topo
Start your race on the Noso trail but after a short ride take a right onto Blevins. Swing onto Chain Fruit, Lost Sheep and Moon Rock Trails before racing up onto the levee. This section is designed to help riders get comfortable going fast with minimal tech and all flow.
From Levee jump over to Spillway Trail and connect to Ruidoso, County Line, Meridian and finally back on Blevins and to the finish. This section has less flow and designed to give racers a slight technical challenge.
20 mile racers will complete 2 laps of the loop.
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Course Map
Elevation Profile
SKILLS CLINIC INFORMATION
Join Pro enduro racer Stefanie McDaniel and her coaching company Slaydies MTB Skills as they host a morning of skills clinics for women of all skill levels. The skills clinic format will allow for maximum learning and progression. All groups will flow through four stations; learning or revisiting foundational body positions for climbing and descending, along with adding tools to your riding toolbox like cornering, braking/line choices, pumping/roll downs, and race starts/strategies.
This is a general baseline of each skill level and what riders can expect in each. The lesson plans will be catered to each group, so the items listed in each skill level are subject to change.
Please note: All skills clinic curriculum is developed by Stefanie McDaniel. Stefanie will be coaching along with volunteer coaches she has chosen to assist.
After an amazing morning of learning and sharpening your skills, we’ll set our bikes aside and learn some awesome mechanical tips and tricks and learn a little bit about hydration and fueling for our bike adventures in a quick and fun format. We’ll break for lunch and then come back for an afternoon of super fun racing.
*The clinic descriptions are an example and each skill will not necessarily be included during your clinic, clinic lesson plans will be curated for each skill level
AWARDS
Finisher Award
All race participants will receive a custom finisher award!
Podium Awards
The top three riders in each race will receive a custom podium award.
Awards for each race will take place approximately 15 minutes after the race final cutoff.
Age Group Awards
As our races grow we hope to offer more age group awards, but for now we only offer podium awards.
RACE VILLAGE
Feed Tent
We are proud to offer a fully stocked drink and feed tent directly on course at our start/finish race village that is easily accessible each lap of the course. We'll be ready to serve you water, ice, electrolyte drinks, soda, iced coffee, salty and sweet snacks, fruit, pb&j, bean rollups, hot food (quesadillas, grilled cheese), and more.
Event Partners
A big thank you goes out to our event partners! Please show them some love before, during and after the event!
We will feature activation areas for event partners and sponsors on site. Our partners will be an integral part of our race village at the start/finish line for the duration of the evening. If you are interested in becoming a partner for an event, please contact us.
Camping
We've partnered up with Usery Mountain Regional Park to offer on site camping in a group camping spot. Feel free to bring your van, truck or camper and spend the night on site prior to your race. Camping will be available Friday & Saturday nights. Camping permits are $15/unit per night and can be purchased with registration or here.
Medical
We will have our MedStar Solutions medical staff based at the start / finish headquarters and on course to assist with first aid onsite. We reserve the right to pull you from the race if medical officials deem it necessary.
NOTE: Please do NOT call 911 in a medical emergency. Our medical team is highly trained and understands the terrain and driving access points. Please call the race day number and they will dispatch immediately.
MedStar Solutions Race Day Number: 480-269-4126
DETAILED INFORMATION
Race Day Schedule
Please arrive early to park, check in and spin out prior to your ride. Restroom facilities are located at the start/finish area.
7:00 AM- Bib pickup/Registration Begins
8:00 AM Clinics Begin
12:00 PM Clinics End
1:00PM- 20 Mile Race Starts
1:15 PM- 10 Mile Race Starts
1:30 PM- Gritty Girls 20 Mile Starts
1:35 PM- Grityy Girls 10 Mile Starts
5:00 PM- All races final cut off
Location
Usery Mountain Regional Park
3939 N Usery Pass Rd
Mesa, AZ 85207
Parking
Parking will be available at the Trailhead Staging Area and in the parking lots off of the main road.
Weather
Expect a cool, brisk morning followed by warmer daytime temperatures. Storms may be present so you will need to be aware.
Timing
All races will be professionally chip timed with a disposable timing chip attached to you bike bib. Live results will be available during the event at Aravaipa Live
Course Marking
The race courses will be well marked with orange plastic ribbons with black polka dots and reflective medallions. Trail junctions and turns will be well marked with reflective laminated signs. In addition, blue & white checkerboard plastic flagging and RED reflective WRONG WAY signs will be hung to designate non-race or “WRONG WAY” trails. All riders are responsible for understanding the layout of the course. Please familiarize yourself with the course maps on our website prior to race day and/or print a map to bring along with you.
Aid Stations
A fully stocked drink and feed station at the start/finish line will be available. Our main aid station will be stocked with water, ice, electrolyte drinks, salty and sweet snacks, fruit, pb&j, bean rollups, hot dogs and more.
A water only aid station will be available at the mid-way point off of the Levee Trail.
Drop Bags
We will have an area specified for your personal drop bag at the start/finish area that will allow for easy and quick access. Feel free to setup your own coolers, pop-ups and chairs in designated areas.
Camping
Camping is allowed by Usery Mountain Regional Park for this event in our group camping spot as long as you purchase a camping permit here. Permits are $15 and can be purchased for Friday and Saturday nights.
Mountain Biking and Trash
Please respect the trails and the beauty of the desert by disposing of any trash at one of our aid stations. We do recycle and participate in the Terracycle program where we recycle used nutrition packets and gel wrappers. Please deposit them in the specified container at the feed station.
Trail Etiquette
Remember to always remain on designed trails, no short cutting.
Headphones are not permitted.
E-Bike are not permitted.
This course includes some legit single track. If you are fast and attempting to pass, please alert the rider in front of you before flying past them. Likewise, if you hear a rider approaching you from behind, attempt to find a spot to allow the pass.
As a general rule, when passing a rider, announce, “on your left.” Remain in control and respect the other participants.
Everyone is after the same goal here so let’s be respectful of each other’s races and have fun.
Pets
For the safety of all runners, no pets are allowed on-course. Any pets at the race must be on a leash at all times, respect park rules, and be supervised.
Volunteers
If you would like to join our volunteer team, we are looking for help with event setup, aid station, and event breakdown. Volunteer perks include a piece of Aravaipa merchandise or race goody and Aravaipa Race Credits. You can see our current opportunities and signup here: Tonto/Saguaro Soiree Rides Volunteer Form.
RESULTS
Results
2021 | Results
PHOTOGRAPHY
Event Photos
2021 | Start/Finish | Saturday Events