A 12-HOUR ENDURANCE MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE WITH A COURSE SO ENTERTAINING YOU’LL BE ASKING YOURSELF, “CAN I DO ONE MORE LAP?”
RACE DIRECTOR
Jerry Duran has been a core advocate of cycling in the San Luis Valley for 30+ years. His success as race director of Riders Del Norte in the ’90’s and early 2000’s laid the foundation for mountain biking trails and advocacy around Del Norte, CO. Currently Jerry is the Head Coach for Adams State University’s collegiate road and mountain cycling teams.
Have Questions? Want to Sponsor? Email the Race Director at 12HoursofPenitence@gmail.com for all your answers.
2019 RACE SCHEDULE
Friday: Racer arrival, registration, test rides, and campsite designation
- 10AM-10PM: Packet Pick-Up & Camping Registration/Check-in
- 8PM: Pre-Race meeting with all Racers (meet at the main stage)
Saturday: (RACE DAY! Final registration & results/awards)
- 5AM-6AM: Late Registration/Packet Pickup
- Up to 6:45AM – Pit setup*
- 6:45AM: Racers start lineup at entrance to Penitente near CR38A for bib scan
- 7AM: Race START (the start line is NOT at the finish/timing area – race starts at the county road)
- 7PM: Race END
- 7:30PM: Results/Awards
Sunday: Course and campground cleanup (10am-2pm)
Food, Vending, Beer, and Entertainment
2019 information coming soon!
RACE RULES
- Winner = The most laps, in the least amount of time (including alternate route penalty times).
- Finish times after 7:00 pm will not be counted.
- All solo riders and at least one racer from each team must complete at least one Joker Lap through Penitente Canyon. Any rider choosing to ride the alternate route (avoiding the canyon) will receive a 25 minute time penalty.
- Be kind to everyone. Nobody likes “that guy”. Don’t be that guy.
- If somebody is hurt on course and you find them, it is YOUR responsibility to find a course marshal and let them know or use a cell phone to call in the emergency (emergency contact numbers are included on race maps distributed at registration). We have an advanced medical team with helicopter and ambulance support if needed, but we need to know of the injury before help can be summoned.
- Only registered racers may compete in an event. Each racer must display an official race number plate.
- All competitors must wear a properly secured helmet, complying to DOT or CPSC Standards at all times during competition.
- Competitors are responsible for having their bike in good operating condition. The racer or a 3rd party may make repairs during the race. Kristi Mountain Sports will be available in the main base-area for neutral support.
- Deviation from the marked course will result in disqualification unless the competitor reenters the course at point of exit.
- Designated aid stations are available; please try to use them to avoid interference with other racers; there are no restrictions on when or where you eat or drink on the course.
- Do not litter the course with a gel packet, food wrappers or other waste. Use designated waste receptacles within the campsites. Keep our trails beautiful. Leave no trace principals are enforced!
- A competitor on their bike has the right-of-way over one pushing their bike.
- It is the responsibility of an overtaking rider (or passer) to pass safely. No racer is expected to stop their race to allow other racers to pass. However, no rider shall intentionally impede the progress of another. A rider should make his/her presence known when overtaking a slower rider (i.e. “On your left. Please!” – remember rule #1).
- The race director, in case of severe injury to a rider, threatening weather or emergency issue, may stop the race.
- Racers must heed the instruction of medical personal and/or course marshals attending to an injured rider or in the case of extreme weather.
- Protests must be reported to or filed with timing official within 30 minutes of your race completion. All results become final as of the presentation of awards.
- Racers must notify the timing crew when deciding to end their race. No racer may begin a final lap after 5:00pm – no exceptions! All riders beginning a final lap after 4pm are recommended to have a bike light.
- Final interpretation of the rules is up to the race director. These individuals have control over all competitors, scorers, and officials at their event and their decision on these rules, and any situations not specifically covered by these rules is final.
DIRECTIONS
From Monte Vista, travel north on US-285. Continue for about six miles and turn left onto G Road. At the fork in the road after the La Garita Trading Post, bear left onto County Road 38A. Continue for about 0.5 miles and follow the signs to the turnoff for Penitente Canyon Recreation Area.
From Salida, travel south on US-285. Continue for 57 miles turn right onto County Road G, (La Garita Trading Post is on County Road G and is <1 miles before Penitente Canyon entrance). Continue for 5.5 miles on G, stay left at the fork in the road, Penitente Canyon Recreation Area is on the right.