A Grand Weekend's Afoot - Video

This weekend marks the 4th Annual Grand Junction Off-Road and stop numero dos in the 2016 Epic Rides Off-Road Series. Following up a stellar weekend of riding in Prescott, Arizona at the 13th Annual Whiskey Off-Road, the City of Grand Junction is primed for the West Slope's biggest mountain bike & music shindig of the year.


With over 40 confirmed vendors making up the expo, including leading sponsors Maxxis Tires, Stan's NoTubes, CamelBak, Shimano, KMC, and Subaru Adventure Team, not to mention the likes of Yakima, TRP Brakes, Squirt Lube, and Eagles Nest Outfitters, riders and attendees will interact with some of the industries finest brands while imbibing Sierra Nevada suds and enjoying 18 free concerts throughout the four block long expo.

Katie Compton leads early in the 2015 Grand Junction Off-Road Fat Tire Crit.

Riders enjoy a bit of surreal exposure along Andy's Trail.

In its second year working with the Downtown Music Festival, this year's event boasts 18 different bands, including Friday evening headliner Head for the Hills and San Francisco based, The Stone Foxes set to take the main stage Saturday night at 8p.

Austin, TX based Shakey Graves rocking Main Street at the 2015 event.

...a good day on the bike + good tunes + Sierra Nevada libations = a damn good time.

Grand Junction-based MRP and D.T. Swiss are onsite showcasing their latest products, which are tested on many of the same trails riders will enjoy on the 15, 30 and 40 mile categories.

Local rider Sparky Moir putting her MRP Stage fork to the test on a chunky part of the course.

Some have dubbed the 30 and 40 Grand courses "the most technically challenging in the country" and will test riders and their equipment on an authentic loop of backcountry mountain biking.

Chunky descents keep elbows wide and grins wider.

Beautifully constructed singletrack (compliments of COPMOBA) paired with equally stunning views keep riders entertained as they pedal through backcountry that many foolishly overlook.

A rider navigates through a maze of boulders.

Butterknife Trail is smooth as butter.

Sit back and let 'er roll is the name of the game. Maxxis tires hook up nice in these parts.

Peep this course overview below for a detailed look at trails utilized event weekend.



...and because no better downhill than an earned downhill. KMC is again putting their money where their mouth is by rewarding climbers of the 40 Grand and 30 Grand rides in its King of the Mountain Challenge.

Topping out before bombing down Andy's, that's the goods right there.

Pro Categories

The Grand is the second stop for the Pro's three-race Off-Road Series, with Ben Sonntag leading by a scant minute over Todd Wells, followed by Troy Wells four minutes back.

Todd Wells leading Alex Grant early in last year's pro race.

Rose Grant has a commanding six-minute lead over Maghalie Rochette and a 10 minute lead over Amy Beisel, but due to the Grand's technical nature, even a six-minute lead can disappear with a single flat tire or bike-bobble.

2015 Women's Champion Katerina Nash en route to victory.

Pro category registration is trending higher than last year's numbers, and with $30,000 in cash on the line between the men and women, there's sure to be healthy competition & trailside camaraderie in Grand Junction, CO.

But that doesn't stop Todd Wells and Fernando Riveros Paez from exchanging pleasantries at the start line.


2016 Pro Field.

Dedication Toast to Travis Brown

On Saturday, 19th May, at 8 p.m., Epic Rides will celebrate the illustrious career of pro mountain biker Travis Brown at The Rockslide Brewery in downtown Grand Junction. All are encouraged to come shake her hand, relive some of the high points in her career, and raise a glass in honor of Travis' illustrious career.

The 4th Annual Grand Junction Off-Road is dedicated to Travis Brown, an unmistakable icon of the sport.

Wherever you're riding this weekend, here's to Grand times on two wheels!

Stay tuned throughout the weekend for daily recaps as it goes down.

Visit Epic Rides for the full lineup of events.
Photos by Brian Leddy

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MENTIONS: @epic-rides

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