This is a mixed terrain pavement/gravel/sand event. Make sure to bring the right shovel. 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.
💡 Prospectin’ Pete’s Tip: “I’ll be going with Canyon Grizl for singletrack 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.”
Packet Pickup & Expo at Fuji Park
2 pm – 4 pm. Women’s Group Ride with Pro Caroline Dezendorf. All abilities welcome! Be ready to ride by 2:30 pm. Route Here.
4 pm – 7 pm. Packet pickup, last minute registrations, Festival opens
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6:30 - 8:00 am: Packet pickup (inside Fuji Hall)6:30 - 8:00 am: Coffee from Pretty Great Instant
7:40 am: Pro Women Call-ups. Call to staging for all.
7:50 am: Final announcements
8:00 am: Race Start (both routes). 10.5 miles to first timed segment, all categories.
11:30 am - 5:00 pm: Expo opens for food, beer, and shenanigans.
11:30 am: 1st finishers expected
11:30 am - 3 pm: Mechanical Bull and Tire Lasso for cash money and swag courtesy of Wahoo and IRC Tire
3 pm: Awards and podium ceremony
5 pm: Festival closes
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 6 and riders will quickly enter the Prison Hill Trail network. From miles 6-9 riders enter some urban gravel, it’s fun, smooth and fast; Be aware of homeowners out walking their dogs and recreating, the timed segment hasn’t started yet so enjoy the camaraderie and don’t be a jerk!
The timing starts at mile 10.5, upon turning onto Sedge Lane. The race is on, and 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 a very long and at times rough climb. 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 1 will be at mile 17.8, 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 28 is wide, smooth and fast, but keep a heads up for ruts!
Riders will cross Hwy 395 at mile 34, 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, ride on the dirt shoulder here. It’s great gravel and very far from any passing trucks.
At mile 39, 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.
Indian Hills sector: 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, enjoy the rest of the Indian Hills trail and it flows and folds along the bluff. It’s pure bliss! 8 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…
*WARNING* 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.
Clear Creek Trail:
**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 and walk if needed!) until opening up onto an old forest service road descent that all who ride surely agree that gravel bikes were specifically built just for this. One final mellow singletrack and short hill sprint brings riders to the on-ramp of Hwy 50 and the end of the race timing.
Timing is done, Athletic Brews are at the ready for yer parched lips, and all that remains is joining Hwy 50 for a smooth paved descent back to the bike path at the bottom that leads to the expo/festival. We’ve coned off a lane for you, but watch yerself and those around you, as traffic is moving downhill at more than 60mph, stay as far right as possible, and again, you’re not being timed here!
Congrats pard’ner, you’ve just hit Paydirt! Rustle up some grub, some drink, and bask in yer personal glory.
Time Cutoff:
There will be one major time cut at 1:45 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.
Rider Support:
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.
The 2025 long course is a familiar one with 3 segments, all detailed within the map here.
SEGMENT 1 is the longest in distance at 18 miles, and technically demanding. We tend to see the majority of our flats on this first segment of our route.
SEGMENT 2 has been remapped to begin just after the Genoa aid station thus giving an edge to those riding on skinnier tires.
SEGMENT 3 is the grand finale -- a climb from Jacks Valley Road to HWY 50 on Clear Creek Trail: a smooth single-track ascent. You'll get blissed out, but don't let that turn into complacency or you'll wash out on a sandy turn.
We have an official medium course route this year!
Participants of the medium course will ride 9 fewer miles, eliminating the Clear Creek trail segment of our ride. But you will still ride the Indian Hills segment which is INCREDIBLY FUN! Medium course competitors will be scored on 2 segments.
Aid Station 1: Sedge Overlook – Mile 10 We thought you might like to refill water and food before heading into the wilderness. You can grab a light bite to eat and fill your bottles before the 6.7-mile climb to Aid Station 2. Watch your descent right after the station, it's sandy and slick.
Aid Station 2: Brunswick Canyon – Mile 17.8
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.
Aid Station 3 WATER STOP ONLY: Johnson Lane – Mile 29
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!
Aid Station 4: Genoa – Mile 38.5
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 2. Canyon will have mechanical support for all riders here.
Aid Station 5 WATER STOP ONLY: Clear Creek Trailhead BOTTOM – Mile 54.6
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.
Aid Station 6 Athletic Brewing Summit Cheers & WATER STOP ONLY: Clear Creek Trail TOP & Hwy 50 – Mile 63.7 (Long course only)
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 for you. Food of varying degrees will be available at the aid stations as well - Aid Stations 1 and 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.
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The old way of all-out racing is not the way at Stetina's Carson City Paydirt. Instead, the Paydirt consists of three 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 segment’s cumulative times.
To ALL RIDERS: To ensure fair competition in the Pro Women’s Challenge, collaborating with the Pro women DURING TIMED SEGMENTS is strictly forbidden. No drafting with or pulling with 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 for the females competing for the prize purse. (You’ll know ‘em when you see ‘em, trust us;)
ATTN Junior racers! To qualify for the Junior podium, you MUST be signed up for the junior race. Juniors are scored on the first 2 segments. You may ride the entire Long Route by completing segment 3, 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!
There are three 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.
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.*
7.1 mi, 633 ft elevation gain.
(Pete's world is measured in kilometers)
*New. 75% paved, with sharp turn onto singletrack for final 1.5 miles*
The rules are simple, however many seconds you stay on the bull is your score. The longest ride wins $150 cash. Additionally, there will be 2 ELEMNT GPS for best male/female rides and discretionary prizes from Wahoo staff such as best dismount/most inspiring ride, etc.
OBVIOUSLY, a liability waiver must be signed to ride the bull.
Pete Cutouts will be spaced at 3 distances, marking 5, 10, and 15 points. Wrangle Pete!
Highest score get $150 cash. In case of a draw we keep tossing until only 1 athlete remains. Additional IRC Tire sets will be given as prizes to runner ups.
*All games will finish by 3 pm to allow the Bike Monkeys to tabulate results before the podium ceremony.
The Shimano Women’s Challenge is the marquee event of this year’s edition of the Paydirt. We’ve assembled a stellar field of contenders.
NOTE: To ensure fair competition, Pro Women may not race and draft with any other riders DURING TIMED SEGMENTS; riding with others outside of the segments is permitted. Riders must respect the ethos of this rule, and not nitpick the terminology. We will be scouting the course, and any riders falling afoul of this, regardless of gender, will be ostracized, shamed, potentially disqualified/time penalized, and put on the next train outta here.
Podiums: 3 pm!
Win silver in the Silver State! Awards will include a motherlode of amazing and very valuable, and sometimes not, gear, prizes, trinkets, and drinks. Categories are as follows:
Categories are as follows:
AWARDS ARE LONG COURSE ONLY! Medium course is non-competitive except for the Junior category
**You must be present at awards ceremony to win prizes or money if applicable! If you are not present, your awards will be forfeited.**
