Course Details
The Pony Xpress 160 Kilometer course is made up of 96% gravel county roads and 4% blacktop county roads that wind throughout northwest Las Animas county. Unlike the Leadville Trail 100 or Rocky Mountain Endurance series, each distance boasts mostly new terrain. Riders will enjoy rolling foothills, heavily wooded forests, scenic mining areas, and open plains with stunning views of Fisher Peak all along the ride. As much as 70% of the course is in an area sheltered by trees and canyons that are less susceptible to wind. It’s unlikely you’ll face the winds of Dirty Kanza.
Roads are open to public vehicle traffic as well as cattle (open range). In the unlikely possibility of snow, roads will be plowed and ready to race within 24 hours. Elevations range from 6,000 feet to 8,800 feet. Typical temperatures range from 50 degrees at the start to a high of 75 degrees around mid day.
Put away those heavy Dirty Kanza tires. These roads are fine gravel, so lighter tires are preferable. Rain and snow often make the conditions fast. This course will not disappoint!
For those wondering which bike to pack, have no fear; the course can be completed on road, mountain, or gravel bikes. While it would be challenging, riding the course on a road bike is possible with wide tires. There is not much pavement, so a road bike is not any faster than a mountain or gravel bike. On the other hand, gravel bikes will do well on the climbs and straight flats. However, keep in mind that the course has many twisty sections. On turns, mountain bikes tend to be faster and perform well on descents if they are set up with light tires. We recommend running the Schwalbe Thunder Burt on the rear wheel and the Rocket Ron on the front.