GENERAL INFORMATION
Taking place on the 13th of November, 2021 marks High Sierra Cyclists’ ninth year sponsoring the Ridgecrest Desert Classic. We have some changes this year due to COVID precautions and a new staging area.  We are generally using the same courses as in the past, but the start/finish line has moved and none of the courses will go down the ridgeline.  This year we are sending everyone down blacks instead.  We have moved the staging area to Prospectors Campsite (GPS coordinates - 35°32'09.9"N 117°39'40.3"W).  To get to the staging area, you will take College Heights blvd up towards the College like in past years, then you will keep going and the road will turn to dirt/mostly sand.  You will continue on College Heights Blvd / RC10 for about 2.5 miles, then slight left to Prospectors Campsite.  The staging area can be easily spotted once you get to the top of the hill and there will be signs directing you to the venue.  It is possible to make it to the staging area in a car, but a higher clearance more capable vehicle is recommended. Below is a poorly drawn map, but there will be signs designating the route to get to the staging area.

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT MOUNTAIN BIKING IS INHERENTLY DANGEROUS.
We do not doctor our trails out here in the desert. There are rocks, and drops, and sand traps. You may encounter portions of the trail that make you nervous. You may even encounter portions of the trail that downright scare you. If this occurs, please employ discretion and, if necessary, walk until you feel comfortable again. We simply cannot cater to every level of rider, but we are making a genuine effort with all four courses, so we ask that you work with us and make the experience the best you possibly can! 

SPONSORS
On an equally serious note, we'd like to recognize and sincerely thank our sponsors.  There is truly no way we could hold the Ridgecrest Desert Classic every year without the support of these fantastic Ridgecrest businesses:

REGISTRATION AND PACKET PICK UP
Registration for the Ridgecrest Desert Classic is $40, regardless of course choice, and is available above or at both our local bike shops – TJ Frisbee Bicycles and Bob & Ardyce’s Bicycle Shop or online using the link at the top of this page.  The registration  fee goes up to $45 on Thursday 14 November. A USA Cycling permit is NOT necessary for the Ridgecrest Desert Classic as we are not a USA Cycling sanctioned event. Day-of registration will be available from 0600 until 0900, as well as Friday during packet pick up, which will be Friday, 15 November, from 5 to 7 pm at TJ Frisbee Bicycles, 217 Balsam St.

Remember to register by midnight on Saturday 9 November to have an RDC t-shirt included with your registration, as well as a personalized race bib!

FOOD SHOWERS, AND RESTROOMS
The venue is a campsite in the desert, so there will be no food provided, no showers, but we will have the finest porta potties for miles around.

ACCOMMODATIONS
Accommodations in Ridgecrest include many hotels, as well as camping.  If you plan on a low-maintenance, low-budget stay here in our desert, please visit (and adhere to) our local BLM office’s page on camping on BLM land Please also keep our cute little ground squirrels and desert tortoises in mind while camping and racing. Some basic information regarding these little fellas is available in the following tortoise and ground squirrel fact sheets.

COURSE INFO AND START TIMES
The four courses being offered this year are the Classic Loop, Beginner, Sport, and Pro/Expert. Our first two classes, the CLASSIC LOOP GROUP AND THE BEGINNERS, WILL HAVE A START TIME OF 0950 and 930 respectively, while the SPORTS AND PRO/EXPERTS WILL BEGIN AT 1015. All courses will finish down the Ridgeline with a final descent along Widow Maker, save the Classic Loop Group which will finish down Blacks.

CLASSIC LOOP
Again, this course is the shortest and least technical at 8.2 miles. It will have one aid station around mile 5.5 before heading down Blacks and back to the CCCC parking lot. All RDC participants will ride this course, but will diverge at aid station one; our Classic Loop Group will head down Blacks, and all other racers (beginners, sports, and pros/experts) will head out east, which will be clearly indicated by those manning the aid station, as well as signage. The Classic Loop has fire roads, single track, double track, a few jumps (if the rider so chooses to partake), and downhill sections along Blacks that will allow for speeds of up to 25 miles per hour.  This will be an open class, meaning there will be no age groups and only the top three males and females will be recognized.  Click here to view the Classic Loop course map, or here for the Classic Loop GPX file.

BEGINNER
Our beginner 14-mile course will have three aid stations, the first of which will be the Classic Loop Group’s only aid station around mile marker 5.5. This course has several, what most would consider, difficult to moderately difficult climbs, does NOT go out into the Fun House, and finishes down The Ridgeline. Click here to view the Beginner course map , or here for the Beginner GPX file

SPORT
Ridgeline descent, climbs, fast single track, and a little Fun House make this course a good compromise at 21 miles. Four aid stations will be available to our sporters en route to the Ridgeline. Click here to view the Sport course map, or here for the Sport GPX file

PRO/EXPERT
27 miles of sweat, cursing, cramping, and type II fun (the kind you’re glad to have done with)! This course is unlike any other you’ll ride because of its extensive mileage through the Fun House. Twists and turns, banks and boulders -- the Fun House’s unique terrain will test you as you fight to keep momentum while avoiding getting stuck in a sand trap, or overshooting a corner. A true test of skill and definitely a ride you will not forget! 100% pro payout guaranteed. Click here to view the Pro/Expert course map, or here for the Pro/Expert GPX file, or here for a video of the Ridgeline

A total of five aid stations are available along the length of the pro/expert course before jumping onto The Ridgeline and dropping down along Widow Maker.

The following are approximate mile-marker locations for all five aid stations according to the pro/expert course: AS1 = 5.5, AS2 = 9, AS3 = 14, AS4 = 20.5, AS5 = 23.5.  Course maps are available within each description above and indicate a general idea of all aid station locations in relation to each course.

CUT-OFF TIME
We are employing a cut-off time this year of 2:00 at the last aid station before the Ridgeline. This is very liberal and, so long as you have chosen a course that is within your ability and skill level, you should have no problems making this deadline.  For perspective though, AS5 is approximately four miles from the finish line for the beginner, sport, and pro/expert course.  So, back four miles off your total, and then calculate if you can bike the remaining miles in your allowed time.  For example, beginners, you will have over four (4!) hours to ride nine miles.  Sporters will have over three and a half (>3.5) hours to ride 17 miles.  Pros/experts will have the same three and a half hours to ride 23 miles.  Again, all very attainable if you have chosen a course that is reasonable for you.

ROLLOVER POLICY
Our policy on refunds is that we don't do them.  We will, however, happily rollover a registration payment from a previous year if you contact us directly about it well in advance (let's say at least two months before the race), AND you recruit two (2) new people to race in the RDC for the same year you would like to roll your already-paid registration to.  A bit unusual, we know, but we're going to give it a try and see how it goes.

RESULTS
Our 2018 results are a good indication of what to shoot for on all four courses as said courses are identical again for this year.

2021 Ridgecrest Desert Classic Lite & Local results.

2019 Ridgecrest Desert Classic results.

2018 Ridgecrest Desert Classic results.

2017 Ridgecrest Desert Classic results.

2016 Ridgecrest Desert Classic results.

2015 Ridgecrest Desert Classic results.

2014 Ridgecrest Desert Classic results.