For giddy mountain bikers, this means you're quickly approaching the moment when you can put on your visor-clad helmet and full finger gloves, hop on your dual-suspension fatty, and head down the single track.
But as the warm weather approaches, you don't want your fellow MTB friends to leave you in their trail of dust after they register for one of these spring races.
MTB Championship
March 26, 2017, in Granite Bay, Calif. 1 of 8
This year's MTB Championship in Granite Bay, the final race of the Six-Race MTB Series, will feature a new 10-mile course that offers challenges and enjoyment.
Total Body Fitness, the race's organizer, encourages all riders 14 and up to register. Those who sign up will receive one of the coolest bags of swag around—complete with tee-shirts, coupons and CLIF Bars.
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Mountain Bike EventsThe Mountain Ranger Race
April 22, 2017, in Dahlonega, Ga. 2 of 8
Take a gander at the most challenging and scenic cross-country/trail course the North Georgia Mountains have to offer. Choose from a variety of distances, bring the family and make a day of it.
Race in the 34K distance or, if you're looking for even more of a challenge, tack on a 5K trail run after and make it a duathlon. Plus, participants and spectators alike that stick around will be able to attend the 5th Ranger Training Battalion Open House, which will highlight combat techniques, military mountaineering, hand-to-hand combat and static displays.
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Mountain Bike EventsLemurian Shasta Classic
April 29, 2017, in Redding, Calif. 3 of 8
When you're in the heart of Northern California, the weather's brisk, the trees are tall and the trails are black diamonds.
Whether you pick the long or short course, the Lemurian Shasta Classic is a grueling race that epitomizes the sport of mountain biking. For those who brave the long course, you'll encounter technically challenging trails and over 3,500 feet of climbing and rocky descents.
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Mountain Bike EventsAlien Run MTB Race
May 6, 2017, in Aztec, N.M. 4 of 8Ride, race and relax with this mountain bike race that's guaranteed to be out of this world. Grab your friends, family and rivals and take to the course held on the Alien Run Trail System, first designed and created as a response to the call for a mountain bike rally to fundraise during Aztec UFO 1999.
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Mountain Bike EventsDesert RATS Classic
May 13, 2017, in Fruita, Colo. 5 of 8
Ride the famous Kokopelli Trail that winds its way through sagebrush, slickrock, sandy washes, jeep trails and crosses the state line with Utah for a 100-kilometer, challenging endurance test. Plus, new this year, the Desert RATS Classic will feature a 100K relay and 50K races.
And when it's all said and done, finishers under 6 hours will earn a "Gonzo" finisher's award while those coming in under 10 hours earn the "Enduro" award.
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Mountain Bike EventsPisgah 111K Mountain Bike Race
May 20, 2017, in Pisgah Forest, N.C. 6 of 8
When a race divides you by age, gender and weight, you know you're riding with some serious company. The mammoth-sized Pisgah 111K Mountain Bike Race is—as the name suggests—111 km of rocky road riding.
The 11,000 feet of climbing is sure to have you sweating bullets, so they don't make you sweat the directions. No map is required on this outing, just follow the arrows.
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Mountain Bike EventsSpring Thaw Mountain Adventure
May 20-21, 2016, in Ashland, Ore. 7 of 8
If you've never visited the Beaver State in late May, we highly recommend you book this trip.
The Spring Thaw is a two-day event that includes a cross-country loop, separate kids race and numerous downhill races. Not only is this one of the Northwest's most popular mountain bike races, but also the longest-standing mountain bike race in Oregon.
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