Adventure Fest at 18 Road

About the Event

Adventure Fest at 18 Road is a comprehensive outdoor celebration held at the North Fruita Desert Trailhead in Fruita, CO. Scheduled for May 9 - 10, 2026, the festival brings together mountain bikers, trail runners, and gravel cyclists for a weekend of competitive racing and community building. The event is hosted by Gemini Adventures and offers a unique mix of high-desert racing and festival vibes, including on-site camping and social activities. Race Categories and Schedule

The festival features a packed itinerary split across the weekend. While competitive races are the focal point, the event also includes free races for children and technical clinics for adults.

Event	Date & Start Time	Type
Sarlaac Attack 50K	Sat, May 9 @ 8:30 AM	Mountain Bike
Zippity MTB / Duo Relay	Sat, May 9 @ 9:30 AM	Mountain Bike
Fruita Trail Half	Sun, May 10 @ 8:30 AM	Trail Running
The Dirty Edge	Sun, May 10 @ 9:00 AM	Gravel Cycling

Geography and Terrain

The festival is centered at the 18 Road trail system, famous for its "flowy" desert singletrack and rugged mesas. The terrain is typical of the Colorado high desert—fast, dusty, and physically demanding due to technical climbs and high-altitude exposure. In early May, Fruita temperatures often range from 18°C to 24°C, though the sun can be intense and shade is minimal. Several aid stations (Sarlacc, Mesa, and Luncher) are positioned along the routes to support athletes during the multi-hour efforts.

Logistics and Amenities

Adventure Fest is designed to be an immersive experience with on-site campsites available at the Start/Finish line for a fee of $50. Packet Pick-Up: Early pick-up is held Friday at The Fruita Tavern from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM; race-day pick-up is available at the trailhead. Clinics & Socials: Saturday features a Women’s Gravel Clinic, group rides, and canyoneering sessions. The night concludes with Camp Trivia, a bonfire awards ceremony, and a "Desert Disco" glowstick bonfire. Merchandise: Performance apparel must be ordered before March 20 for race-day pickup, though limited stock is available at the venue.

Pricing and Registration

Registration operates on a tiered pricing model, increasing as the event date approaches. Registration closes on Thursday, May 7, 2026. Fruita Half / Sarlacc / Dirty Edge: $105 (Early) to $135 (Race Weekend). Zippity MTB: $60 (Early) to $90 (Race Weekend). Duo Relay: $100 (Early) to $160 (Race Weekend). The event has a strict no-refund/no-transfer policy, though credits (85%) are available if the registration is cancelled more than 30 days before the start through UltraSignup.

Community and Contact

Gemini Adventures emphasizes the social aspect of the sport, offering free balance bike and running races for children to involve the whole family. For technical questions or further details, participants can contact the organizers via their official portal at ultrasignup.com or through their social media channels. The festival concludes Sunday at 11:30 AM with a final awards ceremony and raffle at the finish line.

Races Offered

Fruita Trail Half

May 10, 2026

straighten

Distance — 21.1K

terrain

Type — Cycling, Running

timer

08:30

sell

$125.00

Sarlaac Attack 50K

May 10, 2026

straighten

Distance — 50K

terrain

Type — Cycling, Running

timer

08:30

sell

$125.00

Zippity MTB / Duo Relay

May 10, 2026

straighten

Distance — 22K

terrain

Type — Cycling, Running

timer

08:30

sell

$140.00

The Dirty Edge

May 10, 2026

straighten

Distance — 50K

terrain

Type — Cycling, Running

timer

09:00

sell

$125.00

Weather Overview

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for May in Fruita.

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

thermostat 10.5° / 26.3°

wb_sunny 6.9° / 21.3°

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

air 9.7 /

water_drop 29.2%

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

thermostat 10.5° / 26.3°

wb_sunny 6.9° / 21.3°

air 9.7 km/h

water_drop 29.2%

About Fruita

Learn more about the host city, Fruita.

Fruita is a town in the Northwestern part of the Rocky Mountains state of Colorado near Grand Junction. Fruita is perhaps most famous for its dinosaurs and as the Western portal to Colorado National Monument. Fruita is also the westernmost town in the Grand Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA), a part of Colorado's Wine Country.