The 2027 edition of 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo runs February 12–14, 2027, over Presidents' Day weekend. If you're racing, crewing, or still hoping to grab a spot, this guide pulls together the dates, schedule, and rules from the official event guide in one place.
Already know the basics? For bike setup, night riding, nutrition, and camp gear, read our Old Pueblo race prep guide. This post covers the weekend itself.
Details change. Always check the official Epic Rides event guide before you travel. Where the official guide gives two different answers, we've used the stricter one.
2027 at a glance
- Where: "24 Hour Town," a temporary race village on Willow Springs Ranch land north of Tucson, Arizona. There's no street address. Use the official directions map.
- Start: Noon Saturday, February 13, with a LeMans-style start: riders run to their bikes instead of starting on them.
- Finish: Noon Sunday, February 14. Riders still on course finish their final lap.
- Categories: Solo, Duo, 4 Person, 5 Person Co-Ed, Corporate (6–10 riders), plus junior options for riders 18 and under.
- No e-bikes: Pedal-assist bikes aren't allowed. Every bike must be fully human-powered.
- It's full: The 2027 race sold out within a week. If you don't have a spot, join the official waitlist or check the event's rider swap group on Facebook.
Dates to know before the race
Waivers
Every rider on a team has to complete a waiver, and it gets more expensive the longer you wait:
- Free through November 30
- $20 per rider in December
- $45 per rider from January 1 on
Team captains: chase down your riders' waivers before December. It's the easiest money your team will save all year.
January 15
- Finish registration by this date to be guaranteed the event T-shirt and a personalized number plate.
- It's also the last day for free rider info edits (name, email, birth date) online. After that, changes happen in person at packet pickup.
Rider swaps
If a teammate drops out, swapping in a new rider costs $10 per rider through November 30 and $20 per rider from December 1 on. Teams can't add riders after Friday, February 12.
Pre-riding the course
The course is on Arizona State Trust land. Riding it before race weekend requires an Arizona State Land Department recreational permit (about $15 a year for an individual). The course is marked and ready to ride at noon on Thursday, February 11.
Race weekend schedule
These are the highlights. The full schedule, including expo events and parties, is on the official guide.
Before the weekend
- Mon, Feb 8, noon: 24 Hour Town opens for early campsite entry (extra fee).
- Wed, Feb 10, 3–8 p.m.: Off-site packet pickup at Dragoon Brewing Co. in Tucson.
- Thu, Feb 11, noon: 24 Hour Town opens for race weekend entry, and the course is marked.
Friday, Feb 12
- Noon–7 p.m.: Packet pickup at the expo. This is the last chance to make changes.
- Afternoon: Bike & Gear Expo open, plus a welcome party in the evening.
- Sunset: about 6:08 p.m.
Saturday, Feb 13: race day
- 7–10 a.m.: Packet pickup for late arrivals only. No changes accepted.
- 10 a.m.: Captains meeting at the expo. Captains must attend.
- 11 a.m.: First riders check in and pick up the baton at the Exchange Tent. All solo riders check in now too.
- 11:30 a.m.: First riders rack their bikes and walk to the start.
- Noon: LeMans start. The race is on.
- 5:30 p.m.: Lights must be mounted.
- Sunset: about 6:09 p.m.
Sunday, Feb 14
- 6:30 a.m.: Lights no longer required.
- Sunrise: about 7:05 a.m.
- 10 a.m.: Campsite micro-trash cleanup.
- Noon: Racers begin finishing. Pick up any batteries from the charging station before noon.
- 1:30 p.m.: Awards ceremony at the expo.
Camping in 24 Hour Town
- First come, first served. The earlier you arrive, the better your pick. Thursday arrival is a good target if early entry isn't in your budget.
- Tent camping is included in your registration for race weekend (Thursday through Sunday). RVs and large vehicles pay an extra fee based on length.
- One RV per team, not one per person.
- Bring canned food. Everyone entering donates at least 2 canned goods at the gate, and more per vehicle.
- Stay inside the camping area. Camping past the "no camping beyond this point" signs gets your team disqualified and sent home. Zero tolerance.
- Fires must be above ground. Use a chimenea, grill, oil pan, or propane fire pit. No ground fire pits. Keep fires within a 3-foot circle and away from generators. Dump coals only in the designated dumpster.
- Dogs are welcome, but leashed at all times. An off-leash dog can get your whole team disqualified.
- Water is for drinking only. The event provides drinking water, but not for washing bikes. Bring your own if you plan to clean your bike.
Race rules that catch people out
Lights
For night laps you need a primary light of at least 150 lumens (or 6 watts) plus a backup light. Most modern mountain bike lights are far brighter than that minimum. See the bar and helmet lights on our Gear Picks page.
Shortcuts
If any rider cuts the course, the whole team is disqualified on the spot. It's not worth it.
Passing
Faster riders call "track left" or "track right." Slower and lapped riders move over at the first call. If you're walking your bike, step aside for riders who are riding.
Helping a rider on course
Only registered riders can help a racer out on the course, and they have to get there on foot or by bike. They can bring tools or even swap bikes. No crew in trucks.
Co-ed teams
To be considered for top places, every rider on a co-ed team must ride at least one night lap, and the team's laps can't be lopsided toward one rider. Check the official guide for the exact rule.
Littering
Dropping trash on course on purpose can get your team disqualified. Stash empty gel packets in a pocket.
Weather
February in the Sonoran Desert can go either way. The event guide plans for:
- A good weekend: highs around 76°F, lows around 43°F. Bring sunscreen.
- A bad weekend: highs around 55°F, lows around 31°F. Bring rain gear, a heavy jacket, and warm gloves.
Pack for both. Even on a warm weekend, a 3 a.m. lap gets cold. The race can also be paused or ended early for weather or emergencies.
What's on site
- Charging station: A free charging station next to the lighting vendor in the expo. Label every battery and charger with your name and phone number. Unlabeled items get donated.
- Bike shop: An on-site mechanic and industry vendors for parts and repairs.
- Food and coffee: Coffee from 6 a.m. Saturday, food trucks from 8 a.m., and sports nutrition next to the Exchange Tent.
- Showers: Open from 1 p.m. Saturday.
- Medical: Free medical support from the Southern Arizona Rescue Association. If you see a crash, report it at the next checkpoint with the location.
- Live results: Lap results usually post within about 5 minutes of crossing the line.
Before you head out, run your race tires through our tire pressure calculator using the "Mixed trail" setting, since the course blends fast singletrack, sandy washes, and rocky climbs. Then fine-tune on your first lap.