Overview and History

The Fat Tire Fiesta is a volunteer supported mountain biking event located in Socorro, NM, USA, and held during the third weekend in September. Started in 1992, the Fat Tire Fiesta features a wide range of pleasure rides and certified races in and around the Socorro area. From a leisurely romp around the historic structures of Socorro, to epic treks through the high desert, the Fat Tire Fiesta offers rides for all skill levels. For the more competitive among us, the Fat Tire Fiesta offers a selection of sanctioned mountain bike races, such as a grueling 100 km race along the scenic Quebradas Back Country Byway.

Organized and supported for its first decade by the Socorro County Chamber of Commerce, the Fat Tire Fiesta is now being organized by the Socorro Striders and Riders, an association of local runners, bikers, and otherwise entirely-too-healthy people. These are the same people who ride these trails for fun; the Fat Tire Fiesta is an expression of their continued fondness for the mountain biking possibilities available here.

New and Improved!

One comment we've been getting over the past few years is that there are very few rides offered for the more casual rider. I know it's hard to believe, but not everyone enjoys plowing through 30 miles of sand, portaging washouts you could drop a car into, jumping rocks as tall as Michael Jordan, or climbing five thousand foot cliffs only to white-knuckle the whole way back down.

We hear you. Starting in 2002, the Fat Tire Fiesta planning committee has made a concerted effort to host a few more rides aimed at the casual moutain biker. The Fat Tire Fiesta, after all, is about the love of mountain biking; some of the people who love it most never ride more than five miles at a time. We want riders of all skill levels to enjoy the event.

This is not a "kindler, gentler" Fat Tire Fiesta, though. Oh, no. For those so inclined, we still offer moderate and difficult rides. And for those who really like to test their limits, we proudly offer a few activities worthy of the description "extreme," such as the Quebradas Tour-ture Metric Century--100 km (62 miles!) through the Chihauhaun desert in the heat of the day. The Fat Tire Fiesta is as tough as you want it to be!

For our more competetive attendees we offer a selection of ACA-sanctioned races, ranging in length from moderate to extreme. The Fat Tire Fiesta races are normally part of the New Mexico Off-Road Series (NMORS). These races have been generating some serious buzz--come find out why!

So take a look around, and see what we have to offer. A combined schedule of activities is provided so you can easily see how the rides and races fit together. Information about the Socorro area, such as food and lodging, can be found on the resources page.