Event FAQ

In the interest of optimizing your ride experience, distances with 500+ participants will be broken into wave starts. This enhances rider safety while decreasing potential impact to the trails. Ride times are based on when the rider crosses the start line and finish line.

To determine which wave start suits you best, we’ve taken into consideration:

• Your self-determined estimated finishing time input at registration
• Your last year finishing time if available

Amateur Riders

Packet Pickup: Friday, 12p – 9p, Whiskey Row

Rider must present a government issued ID to receive a packet. If you are not able to pickup your packet, a friend or family member can with a copy (photo on your phone is fine) of your ID. 

Mandatory Pre-Ride Meeting: Friday, 7p, Mainstage on South Courthouse Steps

This meeting is when Epic Rides briefs the group on important course & event updates/changes for the following day’s activities. In essence, this is a safety meeting.

Pro Riders

Packet Pickup: Friday, 3p – 4p, Hassayampa Inn

Rider must present a government issued ID to receive a packet. If you are not able to pickup your packet, a friend or family member can with a copy (photo on your phone is fine) of your ID. 

Mandatory Pre-Ride Meeting: Friday, 2p, Hassayampa Inn

This meeting is when Epic Rides briefs the group on important course & event updates/changes for the following day’s activities. In essence, this is a safety meeting.

Friday: No cut-off

Saturday: Participants (30 + 50 Proof) arriving at the Sierra Prieta Overlook after 1p will be re-routed to the finish area and will be considered be a DNF (did not finish). Riders that are cut off, as a result, will receive a DNF, as will medical or mechanical failure. Re-routed riders will also receive 50% Off on the following year’s Whiskey Off-Road registration as a start line redemption opportunity. 

If a rider “DNF’s” they are expected to report to the Timing Tent to inform they are no longer on the course.

Sunday: No cut-off

The 15 Proof event is finished at 6:00p and the fat tire crit will be finished at 7:15p on Friday. The 30 & 50 Proof events are finished at 4:00p on Saturday. The 50 Proof Pro event is finished at 2:00p on Sunday. After each event day is finished, all course support will be closed.

So you’re ready to do some cheering and support riders when they need it most? Great, choose either of the two locations below to do some hooting and hollering while supporting friends, family and random riders. Just remember to be respectful of the Prescott National Forest and volunteers in the area that are helping with crowd control. And, don’t forget your cowbell!

Location 1: Intersection of Copper Basin Rd. and Thumb Butte Rd./FR 373. To access this location, spectators are required to drive up Copper Basin Rd. For rider safety purposes, absolutely no vehicles will be allowed to access the course past this intersection. Please plan to park and hang out while cheering on riders as they approach the final mile of the climb from the Copper Basin aid station. Spectators are welcome to walk to Sierra Prieta Overlook from here if they’d like an expansive view of the riders ascending from Skull Valley!

Riders will begin passing through this section at 9:45a on Saturday & 10:00a on Sunday. 

Directions to Copper Basin/Thumb Butte from Downtown Prescott

Location 2: The creek crossing just before riders exit the trail system and return toward downtown Prescott on Thumb Butte Rd. To access this location, spectators are encouraged to drive to Thumb Butte Park. Park their cars ($5 cash forest service fee) and then walk to the creek crossing nearby. This location can get a little rowdy… 

Directions to Thumb Butte Park from Downtown Prescott

Riders will begin passing through this section at 10:15a on Saturday & 11:00a on Sunday.

Spectators note: Please remember to be a good steward of the land when venturing into nature. Pack out what you pack in. Thank you!