About The Race

Race Day: January 20, 2018

Featuring an approximately 40-mile course, the Prickly Pedal is a showcase of Maricopa Trail diversity. Aggressive ascents and descents, grinding it out on the flats, rocks, water, sand, mud, and roller coaster runs are all part of the fun of this challenging course.

Close to 350 racers in 2017 came from around the Valley, Arizona and across the country to share in the experience of racing and supporting the trails. You see, the Prickly Pedal isn’t just a great race, it’s an opportunity to support development of a world-class 300-mile trail that rings Maricopa County and links many of its regional parks. Proceeds from the Prickly Pedal support the Maricopa Trail and Park Foundation (MT+PF), a nonprofit organization which strives to provide sustainable financial support to the newly constructed Maricopa Regional Trail System.

Besides being a challenging, exciting, fun race, why does the Prickly Pedal exist? To pour every dollar of race revenue into efforts that will add more pristine miles of Maricopa Trail for riders to enjoy. MT+PF envisions this event evolving into a world class, multi-day, endurance stage mountain bike race, drawing thousands of fans to the desert southwest.

The race features numerous short, steep, rocky climbs and descents…some of which will require you to dismount and hike. This is not a race for the inexperienced – finish times for most racers are estimated at 4-5 hours. Be prepared for a long day in the saddle. This is a mountain bike race. Racers who have not passed the cut off point by 2 pm will be asked to leave the course and return to the finish line.

The Prickly Pedal race features a wave start based on rider category beginning at 8:30am. There will be two aid stations along the long course stocked with water, sports drinks, fruits and HAMMER Nutrition Products.

Racers and volunteers will enjoy a free breakfast on race day provided by Hickman’s Egg Ranch and free entry into the After-Party and Award Ceremonies event from 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm. The After-Party will include refreshments, a free raffle ticket, a beer garden, and live music.

All racers, their fans, friends and family are encouraged to join us at Lake Pleasant Regional Park for the After Party and Awards Presentation.

There will be a shuttle from the After Party back to Cave Creek for racers. Racers will check their bikes into a secure bike corral at the After Party while the shuttle takes them to retrieve their vehicles at the start line.

Course Map

Click the Image to View a Larger Map in a New Tab.

Have a Garmin? Download the Course Map and add it to your Garmin device.

Maricopa Trail

The Maricopa Trail is a one-of-a-kind trail that connects Maricopa County’s 10 regional parks by forming an emerald ring around the Phoenix valley. Today the trail is more than 213 miles long, and when complete it will be 310 miles long.

To see a map of the Maricopa Trail go to http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/maricopatrail.

Maricopa Trail and Park Foundation

MT+PF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting, promoting, developing, and maintaining one of the nation’s largest county park systems. MT+PF strives to provide sustainable financial support to the newly constructed Maricopa Regional Trail System which connects all of the Maricopa County parks.

Click here to make a tax deductible donation to the Maricopa Trail and Park Foundation.

Race Details

Race Day Schedule

6:30 – 8:00am

Racer check-in at the start

8:30am

Race start

12:15pm

First racer expected at finish line

2:00pm

Cut-off time at aid station 2*

*Racers who have not passed the race cut off point by 2pm will be asked to leave the course and return to the finish line.

Noon – 6pm

Prickly Pedal After Party

Race Registration Fees

Juniors (13-18)

$60.00 November 1, 2017 to January 15, 2018

$70.00 January 16, 2018 to January 20, 2018

Adults (19+)

$80.00 November 1, 2017 to January 15, 2018

$90.00 January 16, 2018 to January 20, 2018

All registrants will receive a race t-shirt, water bottle, great swag and the pride that goes with knowing you are supporting the mission of the Maricopa Trail and Park Foundation (MT+PF).

Participants have the option of making an additional tax-deductible donation to support the MT+PF during registration.

Online registration closes January 20, 2018 at 9pm.

The Expo, Packet Pick Up, and Starting Line

TBA

The Finish Line, Awards Party and Post-Race Party

Get your party on MTB-style at Lake Pleasant Regional Park.

Enter the park via the Main Entrance, and proceed to the Ten Lane Boat Launch area. There is a Maricopa County Parks entry fee charged to all vehicles. (Directions from maricopa.gov).

The After-Party will include refreshments, a free raffle ticket for racers to win one of many great prizes, free entry to the beer garden, and live music.

FREE Kids Race

Presented by Desert Foothills Mountain Bike Association www.dfmba.org

Get the little ones involved! Free Kids Race on DFMBA designed course made with the little ones in mind. Cheer for your favorite rider and welcome them to the finish line in front of the main stage at the Prickly Pedal party at Lake Pleasant Regional Park 10-Lane parking area.

Kids Race Start: 3:00 pm in front of main stage

Race categories for Balance Bike riders – 10 year olds.

Balance Bike Riders
4 – 6
7 – 8
9 – 10
Awards for 1st – 3rd Place provided by DFMBA.
All participants will receive a medal at the race finish.
Limited quantity of Demo Strider Bikes are available.
Helmets are required.

For more information about Desert Foothills Mountain Bike Association and the great work they do go to: www.dfmba.org

Feed Zones

In addition to water and nutrition provided by the race, 40 mile riders can also have support teams meet them at the two designated “Feed Zones”. Click here to directions to Feed Zone #1. Click here to download directions to Feed Zone #2.

Places to Stay

Hotels

Visit the Town of Cave Creek’s lodging page

Comfort Suites Peoria Sports Complex

Camping in Cave Creek

Cave Creek Regional Park is located about 10 miles from the long and short course finish line. Camping areas inside the park include:

Family Campground – There are 38 individual campsites in the family campground equipped with parking for 45′ RVs, water and electrical hook-ups, grills and more. Restrooms with hot water showers are also available.
Group Campground – This campground is great for large groups and requires a reservation. It features a restroom with hot showers, ramadas with picnic tables, a fire ring and activity area.

Check out the camping fees or reserve your spot.

Camping at Lake Pleasant

Long course participants may choose to camp at Lake Pleasant Regional Park, which offers 3 separate campgrounds near the long course starting line:

Roadrunner Campground – Located closest to the long course starting line, this campground and picnic area has 72 developed (i.e. electricity and water-equipped) campsites.
Desert Tortoise Campground – This campground has a total of 76 campsites: 25 developed, 41 semi-developed and 10 for tents.
Group Campground – Large groups can make a reservation for the group campground, which includes picnic tables, ramadas and an RV parking area.