15 Years of the Emerald Mountain Epic

It’s just before the break of dawn on Emerald Mountain, and dust kicking up around the ATV creates thick beams of light out ahead on Lane of Pain. Racers will line up near the Stables in a couple of hours, ready to conquer some serious mileage up and over the mountain. I’m shuttling Rob and Nate up to the summit, where they will descend on bikes and check the course one last time. They are kitted to the extreme – megawatt headlamps, folding saws, backpacks full of stakes, staple guns, portable speakers. Whereas typically the act of blaring music out loud along the trail would constitute a significant faux pas, in this instance it’s utilitarian. The noise warns the early-morning critters of our team’s passage, and prevents these sleepy riders from dozing off behind the handlebars. It’s quite common for either guy to encounter lumbering moose, hungry black bears, or the errant grouse thumping its wings in a hot bother on their way down to the base.

While Rob and Nate can claim the exalted status of having been involved with this event since its inception in 2011, I am a relatively new arrival. Routt County Riders took over co-production capacity for the Emerald Mountain Epic (EME) when this beloved community event passed hands in late 2019. It was previously called the Steamboat Stinger, paying homage to its founding family at Honey Stinger. Many early-years participants will recall the raucous energy of the off-grid F’in Aid Station (may it rest in peace) with mercenary volunteers tossing bacon and beers at racers before their final descent down to the base of Howelsen. While this particular part of the experience has since phased out of production, I can assure you that similar energies have since naturally transferred to our beloved Ridge Aid Station and its band of sweaty pirates. Their efforts, and those of everyone else who comes out to lend a hand during race weekend, are helping raise thousands of dollars to support RCR and Partners for Youth. Both nonprofits are doing fantastic work in the community, and are worthy beneficiaries of race proceeds. 

This event celebrates a local ‘gem’, our beautiful backyard, Emerald Mountain. The course has shifted slightly over the years, though the traditions remain strong: small-town vibes, local flavor, bike bottle hand-ups and fantastic stories. Just last year, riders coming up from the Beall Trail laughed about the cow who had been startled by their pace group and ran directly in front of them for a half mile or so. The production of this event has also weathered our share of challenges, specifically during the ‘handover’ years. In 2019, a racer suffered a medical emergency and tragically passed away. 2020’s event planning ground to a halt for the pandemic (anyone remember ‘virtual’ events?), and 2021 took place amidst the stunning last-minute appearance of thick wildfire smoke across the Valley.

In life, as on the Emerald Mountain trail system, there are ups and downs. And there are so many upsides – not least of which is how downright inspiring it is to see human beings testing their physical limits in this way. Every year I have felt so privileged to watch people triumphing in body and spirit. Shuttling people and gear along the course, I’ll pull the Ranger over and stop, wiping the dust out of my eyes and absolutely hammering my cowbell in excitement. “YOU GOT THIS!!” I scream. They have 5 miles to go. Or maybe they have 31 miles to go. Either way, my fervor has made them smile. They return their gaze back to the trail before them, focused, one foot (or pedalstroke) in front of the other. The finish line is ahead.

We would love to see you at the 2025 Emerald Mountain Epic. Mountain bikers and trail runners can register here to compete on 8/2-8/3. Click here to lend a hand by volunteering!

Laraine Martin
Routt County Riders Executive Director
Co-Producer, Emerald Mountain Epic 2020-2025