Look back: Singletrack and Fun at Durango Derby
Register for this year's race before the deadline on July 15
My favorite race I attended in 2023 was the Durango Derby. I’m biased—the race is in my hometown and uses all the trail systems I ride daily—but the event has found the magic formula of good trails, competition, and fun that can turn a mountain bike race from good to great.
If you hadn’t heard, the Durango Derby is an XC mountain bike race that uses a ‘rally style’ format across four timed stages. Think of it as an enduro but the timed parts include uphill, downhill, and everything in between. Instead of a traditional XC race where you’re going full gas the entire time, at this race you can chill out during the neutral transfers, rendezvous with your racing companions, and start the next stage when you’re good and ready.
The course was nearly 100% singletrack, tackling most of Durango’s in-town trails including Horse Gulch, Test Tracks, Animas City Mountain, and Durango Mesa Park.
For riders that don’t want to tackle the full course on their own, they can form teams of two or four, breaking up the stages in-between themselves. Adding to the fun quotient last year was the packet pickup party at Ska Brewing and the post-race gathering at Lola’s Place.
If this sounds like fun to you, make sure to register here by July 15. Derby has had low registration this year, so if they don’t have enough people by July 15, this year’s event might be called off.
Check out some highlights from last year below and make sure to grab your spot in the race.
