Get ready to experience why Fruita’s 18 Road is renowned among bikers! The Dirty Edge takes you on a thrilling 50K gravel adventure through the stunning North Fruita Desert, where you’ll navigate dirt and gravel roads and rugged canyons framed by the breathtaking Book Cliffs. Named after its iconic route along the back canyons of the Edge Loop, this ride is an exhilarating mix of challenging terrain, open desert, and unforgettable views—a perfect addition to Fruita’s lineup of classic rides.
Check the schedule for all of the details for the weekend events!
Sunny and dry, springtime in Fruita is the perfect way to satisfy your spring fever. Join us at the Adventure Fest at 18 Road weekend for trail fun, hot food, and microbrews.
Adventure Fest is a weekend-long celebration of outdoor adventure for individuals and families of all experience levels. In a sport where much of the time is spent solo, this is an opportunity to come together, share experiences, and connect with the adventure community.
Held at the North Fruita Desert Trailhead in Fruita, CO, the festival offers camping, exciting races, clinics, and activities for all ages.
Weekend Highlights
Friday Night: Packet pick-up at TBA, plus Adventure Fest merchandise, sponsor booths, and community connections.
Saturday:
- Spring Desert Ultra - 55K ultramarathon experiencing some of the best of Fruita's backcountry.
- Sarlacc Zippity 22K mountain bike race—flowy singletrack, rolling descents and breathtaking desert views.
- Dirty Edge Gravel 50K - one of the region's most scenic gravel races.
- Free Kids' races: A Balance Bike Race for ages 4 & under and a Beginner Kids’ MTB Race for ages 4-8.
- Bonfire Awards & Beer at the campground, followed by the Desert Disco Glowstick Bonfire, an easy-flow night ride perfect for all ages.
Sunday:
- Fruita Trail Half Marathon - one of the region’s most scenic and rewarding endurance races.
- Sarlacc Attack 50K - an epic mountain bike race with backcountry vibes, epic climbs and intense descents.
- Pack up, say goodbye, and leave with unforgettable memories!
Whether you're running, riding, learning a new skill, or just soaking in the adventure vibe, Adventure Fest is the ultimate weekend escape in Fruita’s legendary outdoor playground.
Looking for the biggest challenge at Adventure Fest? Fruita AF is our two-day endurance experience where athletes take on events on both Saturday and Sunday.
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Two Day Challenges
SDU Challenge (55K Run/Half Marathon)
Dirty Fruita Half (Dirty Edge Gravel/Half Marathon)
Dirty Sarlacc (Dirty Edge Gravel/Sarlacc Attack)
105K Challenge (55K Run/Sarlacc Attack)
2 Day 22K (Short Course MTB/Half Marathon)
Everyone who completes both days will receive a special finisher’s award—because it’s not about placing, it’s about pushing yourself to finish this epic two-day test of endurance.
Finisher’s mementos will be given as racers cross the finish line. Placer’s awards will be awarded along with raffle prizes- check the schedule for times. Both the men’s and women’s winners will receive comp entries to next year’s race.
Please join us on Saturday for a group ride and women's gravel clinic! There will be beer, hot food and games. See old friends and make new ones! Family, friends, and crew are invited, so bring everyone.
Adventure Fest is a weekend of celebrating everything we love about the outdoors, and this includes our community. We hope to see you at the bonfire awards ceremonies!
Customized cowbell awards will be given to the top three male and female finishers of the Dirty Edge Gravel 50K in each of the following age groups/categories:
- Pro/Open
- Under 20
- 20-29
- 30-39
- 40-49
- 50-59
- 60+
- Single Speed
- Class 1 e-bike (non-competitive)
Awards and mementos will not be mailed after the event.
Take Interstate 70 west to Fruita (exit 19). Turn north onto Cherry Street and take the first right onto Aspen Avenue. Go through the roundabout and continue on Aspen to Maple Street. Take a left on Maple Street and then travel north. The street will turn into 17.5 Road. Take a right on N.3 Road and then a left on 18 Road. Travel approximately 7 miles on 18 Road to the trailhead and look for the signs/markers for the Adventure Fest event.
Sign up for The Dirty Edge Gravel 50K race in Fruita. Register early for the best price!
Dirty Edge merchandise! Available at checkout. All jerseys must be ordered before March 20th and can be picked up at the event. We will have limited merchandise available at packet pickup.
Campsites are reserved for our event and are available to reserve when you register online. Each site has a fire ring, concrete picnic table, 12’ x 12’ tent pad and graveled parking spaces. Vault toilets are within walking distance of the campsites.
There is no water, electricity, or garbage collection service, so come prepared with plenty of water and trash bags. We will have firewood for sale! Each individual site is limited to ten people and two vehicles.
View camp assignments. If you’d like to switch to a different available campsite, email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can check out the campsite map and locations.
The Dirty Edge Gravel 50K is ridden on non-technical dirt and gravel roads. With a fun loop leading into a beautiful out-and-back, you will have just enough rolling hills to keep things interesting and challenging. Racers will travel roughly 50K and experience 2700′ of climbing while enjoying an open desert with short steep climbs and descents, backed by stunning picturesque views of nearby buttes and mesas.
Throughout the course, racers will hit the 16 Road aid station twice at miles 5 and 13, and face a challenge up to the Sarlacc aid station at mile 20 for the out-and-back turnaround. No other gravel race gives you so much support, which makes the Dirty Edge Gravel race one of the best 50K gravel races in Colorado.
The north Fruita Desert is an epic place in the springtime and we’ll help you get the most out of your experience. Get ready for a fun weekend of riding and socializing!
Friday:
5:00 pm-7:00 pm – Packet Pick-Up and Late Registration at TBA
Saturday:
6:00 am-7:45 am – Race Day Registration and Packet Pick-Up @ start/finish
7:00 am – SDU start
8:00 am - Sarlacc 22K Short Course MTB start
8:30 am – Dirty Edge Gravel Start
8:45 am - FREE Kids Mountain Bike Race (open to kids 4-8 on two wheel pedal bike)
9:00 am - FREE Balance Bike Race (open to kids 4 and under)
11:30 am – Dirty Edge Gravel & Sarlacc Short Course Awards
7:00 pm – Cut-off for SDU
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm - Camp Trivia: Beer and Prizes @ start/finish
8:00 pm - 8:30 – SDU Bonfire Awards
8:45 pm - Desert Disco Glowstick Bonfire
10:00 pm - Quiet Hours
Sunday:
6:00 am - 8:00 am – Race Day Registration and Packet Pick-Up @ start/finish
7:00 am – Sarlacc Attack 50K Start
7:30 am – Fruita Trail Half Start
7:45 am - FREE Kid's Running Race (10 and Under)
10:30 am – Half Marathon Awards – Finish Line
10:30 am - Cut-off for Sarlacc- Bruncher Award
10:30 am – Cut-off for Sarlacc Attack- Sarlacc Aid Station
11:00 am – Sarlacc Attack Check Presentations
11:30 am - Cut-off for Half Marathon- Western AS
12:00 pm – Cut-off for Sarlacc Attack- Mesa Aid Station
12:00 pm – Sarlacc Age Group Awards
2:00 pm – Cut-off for Sarlacc- Luncher Award
Course Records
George Simpson -1:44:50 (2023)
Lindsey Lavendar - 2:02:41 (2025)
Are Dogs Allowed?
We love dogs! Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome at the Start/Finish and aid stations. Unfortunately, we cannot allow dogs on course with any racers.
What Supplies Are Offered at the Aid Stations?
At the aid stations, racers will receive gels, sports drink, water, skittles, PB&J rolls and potato chips. Aspirin, ibuprofen, and other NSAIDS will NOT be provided. And to reduce waste, cups will not be provided at the aid stations.
Radio contact will be available at all aid stations and each one will have the necessary medical materials to nurse any bumps, cuts, bruises, and/or blisters.
Three aid stations will be provided for the Dirty Edge Gravel 50K.
Can I Go Off Trail at any Point?
Racers must stay on the designated course at all times. Shortcutting will result in disqualification. If you go off course, you must return to the same point you exited in order to continue.
Camping
Campsites are set aside for our event and are available to reserve when you register online. Each site has a fire ring, concrete picnic table, 12’ x 12’ tent pad and graveled parking spaces. Vault toilets are within walking distance of the campsites.
There is no water, electricity, or garbage collection service, so come prepared with plenty of water and trash bags. Additionally, campers will need to bring their own firewood. Each individual site is limited to ten people and two vehicles.
View camp assignments. If you’d like to switch to a different available campsite, email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can check out the campsite map and locations.
What Weather Should I Expect?
Weather in the Fruita Desert can vary. The averages for May are a low of 48 degrees and a high of 79 degrees Fahrenheit. While the weather is never a sure thing, you can typically expect highs of between 70-80 degrees with very little chance of rain in Fruita during this time of year.
What About Unforeseeable Circumstances?
In the case of unforeseeable circumstances due to weather or other extenuating circumstances that prevents the safe continuation of the race, race officials may end the race at any given time without a refund of unused portions. This rule will be implemented in the most extreme cases for the safety of the racers or officials.
I Lost Something at the Event! Is There a Lost & Found?
Items left at aid stations and lost & found items will be available at the awards ceremony immediately following the 50K bike race.
Can I Transfer or Cancel My Registration?
There will be no entry transfers. If you regrettably need to cancel your registration, please use UltraSignup. Cancellations will result in a credit that can be applied as the initial registration payment toward any Gemini Adventures event within one year’s time, minus a 15% fee. To cancel your registration, simply login in to your account, go to “Registration History,” select “Edit” for the Dirty Edge Gravel 50K, and select “Cancel Registration.”
What’s our Refund Policy?
- 30 days or more prior to the event: 85% credit of registration fee (excluding UltraSignup fees).
- Less than 30 days prior to the event: No refunds or credit given.
Credits may be applied to any future Gemini Adventures race and will be valid for 12 months.
Registered racers may also switch between distances. No refunds or credit will be given for dropping down in distance. If you want to step up your distance, the added current pricing of the longer distance will be charged (excluding UltraSignup fees).
