Pikes Peak Apex
June 13 - June 14
The Pikes Peak APEX continues to evolve! For 2026, we’re excited to introduce a new format – two separate one-day off-road adventures!
Next year’s event will take place the second weekend in June (June 13–14, 2026) and will feature two unforgettable days of riding, both starting and finishing at the beautiful Penrose House in Colorado Springs.
On Saturday, riders will take on the Queen of the Canyons Gravel event, featuring the same epic route that travels dirt roads to Cañon City and back, conquering Gold Camp Road, Shelf Road, and Phantom Canyon. A shorter course option will also be available, and timed segments will ensure racing takes place only where it’s safe to do so.
On Sunday, it’s all about the mountains with the APEX Mountain Bike Marathon — an endurance challenge boasting around 5,000 feet of climbing through the rugged backcountry of the Pikes Peak region. A shorter version (approximately 16 miles) will be offered for those seeking a more approachable ride.
The terrain will be demanding yet rewarding, offering dirt roads, jeep trails, and alpine singletrack that showcase the best of Colorado’s mountain riding. Expect a fully supported, scenic, and professionally produced experience.
$20,000 in cash prizes between both days, evenly split between men and women.
The Pikes Peak APEX (June 13-14) is a unique multi-day mountain bike challenge on the slopes of Pikes Peak, America’s Mountain.
Choose to race one day, two days, or all three days! The event features exhilarating, exceptionally crafted routes through dirt roads, jeep trails, and the amazing alpine singletrack that is quintessential Pikes Peak. The terrain will be challenging, but not overly technical. This Rocky Mountain trail experience through the aspens in Colorado’s backcountry will draw not only professional riders, but also amateur cyclists looking for a bucket list endurance experience.
We offer a $25,000 pro purse split evenly between the Pro categories with equal prize lists for open pro and women pro. Amateur categories will be racing for prizes. This is a USA Cycling sanctioned event, so if you don’t have an annual USAC license, you must purchase a one-day license which covers you for all three days of the event.
Do you know a youth that could benefit from free sports camps and scholarships? Click here for more information.
Our mission is to create a world-class event that drives economic impact to the area in order to improve the trails and open space in the Pikes Peak region for the lasting enjoyment of its residents and visitors. We envision Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region as an internationally recognized endurance sports destination.
The Pikes Peak APEX is a project of the Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance which exists to strengthen the outdoor recreation industry for the Pikes Peak region through leadership and collaboration.
