Carson City, Nevada · May 16, 2026
2026 Rider Guide
Howdy, Intrepid Explorers, and welcome to your search for rare-earth Gravel in the Silver State! Study up, for in the literature below you'll find all the tips 'n tricks to help you strike it rich.
Bring the right shovel
This is a mixed terrain pavement / gravel / sand event. The course is best suited for a gravel bike or hardtail mountain bike. We recommend having tubeless, 54–42c or larger tires with some tread.
"I'll be going with Canyon Grizl for tire clearance capabilities, and the IRC G-Claw 50mm — it's fast rolling for ripping the pavement yet wide enough to handle the soft sandy sections, while providing plenty of grip for the singletrack."Peter Stetina
Where the dust settles
Three days in the silver state
Thursday · May 14, 2026
Location: The Fox Brewpub
Join Pete, Bike Monkey, and Canyon at The Fox Brewpub for a post-work spin. 1st beer is on Canyon's tab! The ride is FREE but you must RSVP for a beer ticket and to join. Canyon will have a fleet of Grails on hand to demo on a first-come, first-served basis.
Heads up: this is a non-supported ride, so come ready — flat kit, tube, proper shoes, and whatever else gets you back to the brewery in one piece.
Friday · May 15, 2026
At Fuji Park.
Rider check-in: Bring your ID to pick up your race number. If you are under 18, you'll need a parent / legal guardian to sign the waiver as well. Riders receive their number plate, custom bottle, t-shirt (if ordered), drink tickets for 2 beers (1 Fox + 1 Athletic NA), and 1 post-race meal voucher.
Fox Brewpub Happy Hour: Stay a little longer than just grabbing your number — sample alcoholic or NA options. Plus, free Canyon Owner's tune-ups!
Take note of Win's Wheels, just down the street — our local shop run by a former pro mechanic, open late for anything unexpected or last-minute supplies.
Saturday · May 16, 2026
The lay of the land
Welcome to an experiential route that straddles both mountain ranges across Carson Valley, the ancestral lands of the Washoe People! After the neutral rollout on pavement the dirt begins in earnest at mile 3.5 and riders will quickly enter the Prison Hill Trail network. The opening sector includes urban gravel — fun, smooth, and fast — but be aware of homeowners out walking their dogs and recreating, please be courteous!
The timing starts at mile 3.5, upon turning uphill towards the trailhead. The race is on. Over the following miles you'll enjoy smooth gravel paths, dirt roads, a short-lived sand pit, and a foot bridge river crossing. Your first resupply comes just after the segment finishes — stock up, because your entry to the Pine Nuts begins shortly after. A short, steep climb and descent, both rough and sandy, will lead you to Brunswick Canyon. Watch your descent; crashing is a lousy way to start this segment! Brunswick is very long and this year is very rough. Your mind will tell you it's too much; don't listen — in fact, turn off that fearful commentary for the better part of an hour. Upon reaching the plateau, you will bask in the triumph and majesty of the Eastern Sierra vistas. Keep an eye out for packs of wild horses and rattlesnakes alike! Feed zone 2 will be at mile 23.5, and while those who are racing may soldier onward (the segment is still going), make sure you carry any rations to survive another hour of desert punishment. What goes up must come down, and the descent off Sunrise Pass Rd to the pavement and end of the Pine Nut timed segment at mile 32 is wide, smooth, and fast — but keep a heads up for ruts!
Riders will cross Hwy 395 at mile 40. This intersection is OPEN to high-speed traffic, and all riders must obey the traffic light or risk disqualification. You are not being timed here, so go slow and stay off a trucker's windshield! Then head south on 395 for a half-mile, riding on the dirt shoulder. It's great gravel and very far from any passing trucks.
At mile 44, riders reach the main oasis of the event in Genoa, Nevada's oldest settlement. Regroup, find some friends — old and new — and replenish under the shade before setting off for the grand finale.
After departing Genoa, riders will have 1 mile before timing starts again. This is a predominantly paved and rolling sector where pack riding will greatly help, but before the final 1.5 miles, riders will make a hard right-hand turn onto singletrack and begin an undulating, gravel bike-friendly trail to finish the segment. Once crossing the timing mat, veer LEFT and enjoy the rest of the Indian Hills trail as it flows and folds along the bluff. It's pure bliss! 4 miles later, you'll find yourself at that same corner you almost overshot (but didn't because you read this). SAFELY CROSS JACK'S VALLEY RD and replenish yourself, because you're at the crux of the whole ride…
If you ain't feeling up to snuff, roll home along the medium course markings. Once you begin the climb up Clear Creek, there's no turning back.
Note this is only for long course riders; the medium course detours via neighborhood gravel back to Fuji Park.
Our final segment begins with a serpentine climb into the Tahoe foothills. Pete refers to this as a "Hero Climb" as the grade is generally so agreeable you may find yourself braking into turns going uphill! The trail is smooth and flowy with vistas galore. But here's yer warning: pace yourself, for it's 7 miles long and reaches an altitude of 6,200 ft! The descent stays narrow with mild rocky sections (don't be a hero — walk if needed!) until opening up onto an old forest service road descent that all who ride surely agree gravel bikes were specifically built just for this. One final mellow singletrack and short hill sprint brings riders to the summit and end of the race timing.
Timing is done, Athletic Brews are at the ready for yer parched lips, and all that remains is a final descent back to Fuji Park where we'll celebrate.
This part is entirely new — so pay close attention! After years of conversation, we've earned ourselves exclusive, privileged access through private property to Fuji Park, completely eliminating the need to ride HWY 50. This is a major improvement at the end of Paydirt, but this access comes with some strict rules:
After you finish the last segment, a designated descent leader will be assigned who you must stay with, and not pass, as you descend to Fuji Park no faster than 20 MPH.
For those of you pre-riding on Friday, you may not utilize Old Clear Creek Road to get back to Fuji Park. So if you decide to climb Clear Creek Trail, your options on Friday are to descend via HWY 50 or go back down Old Clear Creek Trail. This may change next year, but only if we follow the rules!
Congrats pard'ner — you've just hit Paydirt! Rustle up some grub, some drink, and bask in yer personal glory.
There will be one major time cut at 2:30 PM to eliminate racers who haven't made it in time to tackle the final Clear Creek climb segment of the Paydirt route. This takes place at approximately mile 54 before the Clear Creek Trail climb. If you do not make this cut, we'll send you back home following the medium course signage.
This is gravel, and self-reliance is paramount. No pit crews or feeds are allowed outside of official feed zones. If you have someone supporting you, make sure they stay within eyesight of the official aid stations. We will have neutral mechanical support at the Genoa Aid Station. Outside of official zones, riders must fix it or walk it. Accepting mechanical help from fellow compassionate riders is allowed.
Pick your claim
Stake the full claim
4 segments · 6 aid stations
The full Paydirt experience — Prison Hill, Pine Nuts, Indian Hills, and the Clear Creek hero climb finale.
Explore on Lanterne RougeSkip the climb
3 segments · 5 aid stations
Same first three segments, but detours via neighborhood gravel back to Fuji Park instead of climbing Clear Creek.
Explore on Lanterne RougeFree · Sign up required
Indian Hills MTB loop
Bring a MTB and enjoy the Indian Hills trail system. Be off the trail by 11:00 AM — about 15–20 minutes before the leaders arrive to race. Officially starts at 9:00 AM, but you're welcome to roll out early.
Explore on Lanterne Rouge
Refuel and ride
Resupply in the trailhead parking lot just after finishing segment 1, for the Pine Nuts demands all you can muster. See it here →
At the top of the climb up Brunswick Canyon Road, you will hit a little plateau with an astounding view of the Eastern Sierra and the high desert of the Pine Nut Mountains. Even though this is partway through a timed section, it's a great place to fill those bottles and bellies for the 20-mile gravel/paved push to Genoa. Happy trails start with some smooth dirt road, mostly descending back to the center of the beautiful Carson Valley.
This aid station is a basic water stop, 1 mile after the end of the first timing segment. You can quickly refill your bottle if you need to, and keep on riding; the next (full) aid station is just a little under 10 miles away. Giddyup!
At the intersection of Genoa Lane and Jacks Valley Road stands Mormon Station State Historic Park. We've positioned an aid station here at the park to give you a chance to take a load off, grab some grub, and down a cold one or two (sorry, no beer yet, just water and hydration mix). Canyon will be grilling hot dogs, pulling shots of espresso / crafting affogatos, and we'll have all the classic aid station staples as well. Find some shade in the park, catch up with your buddies, and get ready for round 3. Canyon will have mechanical support for all riders here.
This is a chance to fill a water bottle before you start triggering timing chips. It's high elevation, you need to stay hydrated, so fill any bottles you emptied and get ready for that HERO CLIMB. We'll have some snacks and such here as well.
We have a basic water fill in case you're absolutely parched. Athletic Brewing will have something extra ;) It's literally 5 miles of coasting downhill from here to the festival where the grub and more drink await!
All aid stations will have water and hydration mix. Food of varying degrees will be available as well — Aid Stations 1, 3, and 5 will be water-focused but have quick bites, while 2 and 4 will have something more substantial, and we encourage you to stop and enjoy the amenities.
EMS is provided by Carson City. Sheriff's Search and Rescue and Douglas County Sheriff's Search and Rescue volunteers will be available if you need any assistance.
Field communications will be provided by Washoe County Amateur Radio Emergency Services volunteers.
Roaming the course will be SAR teams to keep an eye on you and SAG vehicles to help in case of breakdown, in addition to our on-bike marshals.
How to race Paydirt
The old way of all-out racing is not the way at Stetina's Carson City Paydirt. Instead, the Paydirt consists of four substantial timed segments to keep things competitive without separating yourself from dear friends in the dusty west of Nevada's desert. The Overall is decided by the segments' cumulative times.
To ensure fair competition amongst ELITES: collaborating with the other genders DURING TIMED SEGMENTS is strictly forbidden. Elite women may only draft women, and elite men may only draft men. No drafting with or pulling them should you find yourselves nearby during a race "on" moment. Race your own race. Time penalties will be allocated to any rider from any discipline for falling afoul of this. Riding together outside of the segments is permitted and encouraged. Simply put, everyone must do their part to ensure fair competition.
To qualify for the Junior podium, you MUST be signed up for the junior race. Juniors are scored on the first 3 segments. You may ride the entire Long Route by completing segment 4, but you simply won't get a time for that sector. If you are signed up for the medium or Long routes, email info@bikemonkey.net or tell us at registration if you wish to swap to the Junior race. If you wish to contend for the overall titles, you must be signed up for those races and not the Juniors race.
In short: no double dipping in the results sheet. WE WILL NOT MOVE YOU TO THE JUNIOR RESULTS POST RACE!
Four timed sectors
There are 4 long timed segments. Outside of that, you're not on the clock. So enjoy the camaraderie and especially make sure you enjoy our main oasis in Genoa — there's no penalty except that too long a stop may cut into yer beer-drinkin' time.
Segment 01
8.5 mi 400 ft elevation gain
New, smooth gravel paths, short-lived sand pit and 1 bridge crossing.
Segment 02
18.4 mi 2,072 ft elevation gain
Note: there is one aid station during this segment at the top of the long climb, right smack dab in the middle of racing.
Segment 03
7.1 mi 633 ft elevation gain
New. 75% paved, with sharp turn onto singletrack for final 1.5 miles.
Segment 04
9.5 mi 1,455 ft elevation gain
The hero climb. Long course riders only.
Win silver in the silver state
Podiums: 3 PM!
Win silver in the Silver State! Due to the incredible and recent rise in the price of silver, these hand-cast ingots — made entirely of the pure rare-earth metal — are presently worth about $150 each! Also, due to the incredible cost, you'll have to land on the top step: 1st place earns a silver bar.
Other awards will include a motherlode of amazing and very valuable (and sometimes not) gear, prizes, trinkets, and drinks.
Age group awards are LONG COURSE ONLY. Medium course awards the overall and the Junior categories only.
You must be present at the awards ceremony to win prizes or money. If you are not present, your awards will be forfeited.