High Altitude Classic
XC Mountain Bike Race
September 7, 2025
**Registration Now Open**
Essential Info & Start
DATE: Sunday, Sept 7, 2025
START: 10am @ High Altitude Shop (Downtown Cloudcroft)
AWARDS: 2pm @ Finish Line
*New location for 2025* @ Elevation Park/Cloudcroft Disc Golf Course (Top of Mescalero Ave)
New for 2025
New Finish Line & Awards Party Location - at Elevation Park/Cloudcroft Disc Golf Course (Map link)
More Single Track - Same updated race course as HAC 2024, with a small tweak towards the end that routes racers off the Osha Trail Rd double track and onto more single track—up to Elevation Park/Cloudcroft Disc Golf Course (Finish Line and Lap Zone)
FREE T-Shirts - First 50 racers get a FREE T-Shirt
Limited Field Size - The HAC can accommodate a maximum of 165 racers. We sold out in 2024, so don’t wait to register.
More Sponsors - For 2025, the Cloudcroft Lodgers Tax has helped make the race possible! So, thank you for staying at local lodging, hotels, and Airbnbs.
Course & Maps
What’s Different from 2025?
Finish Line (and Lap Zone) at Elevation Park/Cloudcroft Disc Golf Course
Rather than riding through the gravel alley and 2-Track Jeep Road (Osha Trail Rd) back into town, this year we’ve added more single track to route you up to the Finish Line & Lap Zone at Elevation Park
RACE DISTANCES
Pro/Cat 1 = 17 Miles | 2,914 ft | 1 Full Course + 2 Half Course Laps
STRAVA Route -> Click here to view
GPX File -> Click here to download
Cat 2/SS = 13.5 Miles | 2,245 ft | 1 Full Course + 1 Half Course Lap
STRAVA Route -> Click here to view
GPX File -> Click here to download
Cat 3 = 10 Miles | 1576 ft | 1 Full Course
STRAVA Route -> Click here to view
GPX File -> Click here to download
**Notice: Bailey Canyon's Endless Downhill trail, used in the legacy HAC race course, is now restricted by the US Forest Service. Please respect the closures and do not bypass the fences. The Chubby Tire Volunteer Crew is collaborating with the local US Forest Service to permit and build new singletrack trails around the restricted areas for future use.
Registration and Prices
High Altitude Classic XC Race
$50 / participant (Thru Aug 17)
$60 / participant (Aug 18 - Sept 4)
$70 / participant (Sept 6, Unless Event Sells Out)
**Field Limited to 165 Racers. On-site registration only if spots remain. NO SUNDAY, RACE DAY REGISTRATION.**
*Must have an annual USAC License to race - or - purchase a 1-Day License for $15 at the time of registration.
Merch (Optional)
HAC T-Shirt - $15/ea (S, M, L, XL)
FREE T-Shirts for the first 50 registrations!
HAC Hat - $25/ea
Saturday, Sept 6, 2025 - 3-5pm @ Cloudcroft Brewing
Sunday, Sept 7, 2025 (RACE DAY) - 8-9am ONLY @ High Altitude Shop
**Click the locations above for Google Maps Link
Bib Number & Merch
Pick-Up
History
The High Altitude Classic is a mountain bike race in Cloudcroft, NM, with a storied history dating back to the '90's.
With blazin' fast single track descents, rocky technical sections, and not-so-easy double track connectors, it's easy to see how this race can quickly challenge the best of your skills, yet leave you wanting to come back for more each year.
The race is a USA Cycling-sanctioned event and part of the New Mexico Off-Road Series (NMORS).
We're grateful to have a loyal following from New Mexico, Texas, Chihuahua Mexico and several other regional states such as Arizona, Colorado, and Utah.
Who
You're perfect for the High Altitude Classic, if...
Enjoy a challenge
Want to race mountain bikes
You're competitive or aspire to be
Optional Qualifications...
May (or may not) have a bike that costs more than your car
You own at least one pair of Lycra shorts
Refer to your bike clothing as a "kit"
Prizes
Pro/Cat 1/SS: $2500 CASH PRIZE PURSE + Trophy
Cat 2/3: Trophy & Schwag Prize
**Equal payout for men and women.**
