It’s intense! It’s fast! It’s fun! Come weave and wind your way through the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountain Bike Festival on our elaborate 1/2 mile Specialized/Scotts Valley Cycle Sport Short Track race course. Speed by the vendor booths, rally through off-camber corners and pump your way through berms and rollers. You’ll go as hard as you can for a few minutes and then it’s one more lap and a mad dash to finish.

When: See schedule for timing.
Saturday, April 14: Mountain Bike Skills Clinic, Junior & Amateur Races
Sunday, April 15: Pro/Expert Races

Where: Aptos Village Short Track

Who & How Much: Online registration is now closed. You may register for events the day of up to one hour before the start time.
  • $50 Pro/Expert Men, Pro/Expert Women: 30 minutes + 1 lap
    Save $30 by registering as part of the All Mountain Challenge.
  • $40 Amateur Men, Amateur Women: 20 minutes + 1 lap
    Register first for the Mountain Bike Skills Clinic and save $10 on this race.
  • $30 Junior Boys, Junior Girls (aged 13-16): 15 minutes + 1 lap

Why: Because you love it! Plus, top 3 in each category receive prizes.
Cash payout for Pro/Expert; Engraved glass awards & swag for all others.

What if it rains? This event runs rain or shine. No refunds.

Not racing? Our short track is a great place to demo a cross country or trail bike, develop your mountain bike skills, spectate a race, or volunteer to help run them. Or check out the Expo for a host of other activities.
  • Demo a Bike: Find your dream bike! The half mile short track is a great opportunity to test the variety of bikes on offer in the adjacent Expo. The course offers challenges for all levels. See the schedule for open BIKE DEMO times. Note: the course will be closed during the skills clinic.
  • Mountain Bike Skills Clinic: Looking to improve your current skill set or gain some new tricks? Register for Saturday’s mountain bike skills clinic.
  • Spectate: Cheer on your friends and family as they race round and round the course. Short track is a very spectator friendly way to experience a cross country race because all the action happens right in front of you. Arrive early to snag a choice spot for your own chair or blanket, or grab a seat on one of the many hay bales that will be available for first-come, first-serve seating.
  • Volunteer: Be rewarded with the best seat in the house and get free food, drinks, SWAG and a raffle ticket by volunteering to help run the event! Contact us for more information.

It's a pedaling frenzy to the finish on the 2011 Short Track.