Road Apple Rally
REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR THE 2023 ROAD APPLE RALLY!
GO HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE 2023 ROAD APPLE RALLY
Road Apple Rally Weekend - October 6 & 7, 2023
Held annually since 1981, the Road Apple Rally is America’s longest continuously running mountain bike race! This single-track course includes 15 and 30-mile loops in the Glade Run Recreation Area and is a fun and fast race for mountain bikers of all levels. The Rally got its name from early riders dodging “road apples” left behind by horses who also used the trail.
The early October season in the Four Corners region of New Mexico is well known for its beautiful clear skies and perfect fall temperatures, making it an ideal getaway for avid cyclers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Join us for a weekend of fun! Events kick off in Downtown Farmington on Friday, October 6th and Saturday, October 7th is race day!
Weekend Schedule of Events
October 6: Friday Night Downtown Bike Party: SCROLL DOWN FOR DETAILED SCHEDULE
- Location: Farmington Civic Center
- Time: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- Outdoor Gear & Bike Swap (setup starts at 4:30 PM)
- Community Bike Cruise w/ Farmington Metropolitan Planning Organization and Farmington Park Rangers
- MTB & Junk Bike/Cruiser Criterium
- Beer Garden, Rider Dinner, & Packet Pickup
October 7: Road Apple Rally MTB Race
- Location: Lions Wilderness Park/Sandstone Amphitheater
- Time: 8:00 AM
- 15 & 30-mile XC Mountain Bike Race Courses
- Kids' MTB Skills Course w/ Farmington Area Singletrack (F.A.S.T.)
- Food and Beer Garden p/b Clancy's Irish Cantina
October 7: FREE Premier of "The Engine Inside" Movie from Anthill Films
- Location: Totah Theater (315 W. Main St.)
- Time: 7:30 PM (doors open at 7:00 PM)
- GO HERE TO SEE THE PREVIEW
Friday Night Bike Party Detailed Schedule
Outdoor Gear and Bike Swap
The Outdoor Gear and Bike Swap is a BYO-type event where community members can buy, sell, and swap new and used outdoor gear and cycling equipment. Gear can include, but isn’t limited to hiking, camping, climbing, paddling, hunting, road and mountain biking, and OHV/overlanding. We'll also have the good folks from 505 Cycles, Sandstone Cycles, Bisti Bikes, Barefoot Bicycles, and jack's Plastic Welding there with blowout sales. Buyers and sellers are responsible for price negotiation and payment, so bring cash! The City of Farmington is not responsible for any aspects of sales.
The Outdoor Gear and Bike Swap will take place in the Civic Center courtyard, which is also the site of the beer garden and dinner so you can have a beer and a meal while you buy and sell!
The Outdoor Gear and Bike Swap is FREE to participate in, but you need to bring your own table and chairs. Setup starts at 4:30 PM, swap runs from 5-8 PM.
PLEASE NOTE: Firearm sales are prohibited at the Outdoor Gear and Bike Swap. Event organizers reserve the right to decide what items are allowed or prohibited. Sellers should limit items for sale to outdoor equipment only. If you have questions about the appropriateness of specific items, please
MTB and Junk Bike/Cruiser Crit
- Start time: 6:15 PM
- Course: 3 laps around Farmington Civic Center (about 1 mile)
- Classes: Men’s and Women’s
- Prizes: TBD, but we’ll have some!
- Rules:
- MTB only: You must do the crit on the same bike you’re riding the RAR on (including tires). Non-registered riders can participate, but must ride on a proper MTB with knobby tires.
- Junk Bike/Cruiser: In general, limited to vintage bikes, klunkers, beach cruisers, etc. Think 3-speed, singlespeed, cantilever brakes, coaster brakes, etc. Separate classes will be decided based on who shows up!
- This is meant to be fun! Try not to take it too seriously.
Community Bike Cruise
Let’s get out and ride around downtown! The Metropolitan Planning Organization is leading a family-friendly bike cruise to showcase our bike lanes and river paths. The ride will be up to 6 miles, but can be shortened based on group interest and ability. No one gets dropped! Helmets are required. The Community Bike Cruise leaves the Civic Center at 5:30 PM.
Become a 2023 Road Apple Rally Sponsor!
For more information on sponsor packages, check out the SPONSORSHIP GUIDE or email Evan Pilling, Outdoor Recreation Coordinator, at epilling@fmtn.org
Thanks to our sponsors!
Pro Class Sponsors
Coming Soon!
Expert Class Sponsors
Sport Class Sponsors
Follow Outdoor Recreation Industry Initiative (ORII) on Facebook and Instagram for event updates.
Course Information
The Road Apple Rally MTB Race takes place in the BLM Glade Run Recreation Area, featuring 19,000 acres of slick rock, rolling terrain, and sandy arroyos. There are two course options: the 30-mile Long Course and the 15-mile Short Course. Both courses start and finish at Lions Wilderness Park off of College Boulevard in Farmington.
30-Mile Long Course
The Long Course starts off with a 1.5-mile stretch of pavement followed by 2 miles of dirt double-track. From there it's mostly rolling singletrack, with a few sections of pavement at Light Plant Road, Foothills Drive, and Hood Mesa Road. The last 7 miles are almost all descent which makes for a fast, flowy finish! GO HERE TO DOWNLOAD AN AVENZA-FRIENDLY PDF OF THE LONG COURSE
15-Mile Short Course
The Short Course starts off with 3/4-mile of pavement before jumping onto the Anasazi Trail singletrack, with just over a mile of pavement on the outbound and return legs. Like the Long Course, the final 7 miles are mostly descending. GO HERE TO DOWNLOAD AN AVENZA-FRIENDLY PDF OF THE SHORT COURSE.
Plan Your 2023 Trip
- For hotels, dining, and area attractions and activities check out Visit Farmington.
- Camping Options
- Lake Farmington Campground
- Brown Springs Campground
- McGee RV Park
- Mountain View Campground & RV Park
- Dispersed camping is allowed throughout Glade Run Recreation Area and surrounding BLM lands. The closest and best dispersed camping opportunities can be found on dirt roads past the Calle Norte Trailhead. Make sure to Leave No Trace and pack all trash and waste out.
Road Apple Rally Results
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