Cover photo courtesy of 24 Hours of Riverside
Each May, mountain bike mayhem descends on Riverside State Park for the annual 24 Hours of Riverside race, featuring camping, around-the-clock team or solo trail riding and other festivities. The Memorial Day weekend event kicks off at noon on May 23 and runs through May 24. In a 2024 Out There article, writer Ammi Midstokke aptly described the race as “Burning Man meets bike fair,” swapping the illicit drugs for electrolytes. “This event feels more like a weekend of riding with friends old and new than a bike race.”
24 Hours of Riverside challenges riders to pedal laps around a roughly 13- to 15-mile course through forests, fire roads and rolling singletrack for a full 24 hours, with categories ranging from solo to teams of two, four, five or 10. Alongside the competition, the event has evolved into a full weekend experience, complete with on-site camping, this year with an 80s campsite decorating contest (themed costumes encouraged), food and beverage options and a Kids’ Bike Parade. Whether you prioritize the racing or party-vibe camaraderie, 24 Hours of Riverside promises plenty of both. (OTO)
