The Pikes Peak APEX continues to evolve! For 2026, we’re excited to introduce a new format – two separate one-day off-road adventures!
This 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.

Marathon
This year’s APEX Mountain Bike Race is also the Colorado State Championships, and we have the all-time classic Colorado Springs ride in store.
Starting at the mouth of Cheyenne Canyon, this ride will sort itself out on a climb up North Cheyenne Canyon Road before taking a hard left into the trails of Sweetwater Canyon. Built just a couple of years ago (with some seed money from the APEX), this section of singletrack climbs up to Gold Camp Road, where riders will take a left through two old railroad tunnels on the way to Frosty Park, just above 10,000 feet.
From there, we will traverse north on Jones Park Trail, only to drop 3700 feet in 12 miles on Captain Jack’s trail—one of the most famous trails in southern Colorado. You won’t forget this one!

Mini marathon
The shorter mountain bike course still gets to enjoy the amazing singletrack climb up into Sweetwater Canyon, but then traverses over to Buckhorn climb before coming down the amazing descent of Lower Captain Jack’s.
Still a tough ride, but only about 15 miles of fun before getting back to the Penrose House.