"If you were around mountain biking in the '90s, chances are the Cactus Cup was already on your radar. Back when cantilever brakes ruled, suspension forks were just figuring things out, and bar ends were still considered cutting-edge tech. Pinnacle Peak in Scottsdale played host to some of the sport's biggest names. We're talking Travis Brown, Juli Furtado, John Tomac, Alison Sydor, Tinker Juarez, and Ned Overend. The racers who helped shape modern mountain biking long before carbon trail bikes and dropper posts took over."
"Now, the Specialized Cactus Cup is leaning back into those roots, adding a new Vintage Short Track Race and Bike Show to this year's event lineup. This gives riders a chance to dust off their pre-1999 mountain bikes and actually ride/race them again. A Throwback Weekend in the Arizona Desert For 2026, organizers are adding a vintage component to the festival, teaming up with the Vintage Off-Road Bicycle Association (VORBA) to celebrate the bikes and racers who helped launch the sport."
"Where? The three-day event will be held at McDowell Mountain Regional Park in Fountain Hills, Arizona. When? The event starts on Friday, March 13th, and runs until the 15th, and serves as the social kickoff. Riders can expect shakeout rides, demos, vendors, food, and festivities - capped off by the new vintage short track race. The main stage racing runs on Saturday and Sunday, with courses and categories for riders of all experience levels."
Specialized Cactus Cup will add a Vintage Short Track Race and Bike Show for pre-1999 mountain bikes, partnering with the Vintage Off-Road Bicycle Association (VORBA). The three-day festival runs March 13–15, 2026, at McDowell Mountain Regional Park in Fountain Hills, Arizona. Friday serves as the social kickoff with shakeout rides, demos, vendors, food, and a new vintage short track race. Main stage racing occupies Saturday and Sunday with courses and categories for all experience levels. Entry for the vintage race is $20 and winners receive a pro-wrestling-style championship belt. Participants can display bikes at the VORBA tent all weekend.
Read at Bikerumor
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]