Prickly Pedal Trail Race
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Prickly Pedal : event overview
Prickly Pedal takes place on Sunday, February 1, 2026, on the Maricopa Trail and Lake Pleasant Regional Park area in Arizona. The event offers three distances:
- 36 Mile (mountain bike)
- 15 Mile (mountain bike)
- 10 Mile (trail run)
Proceeds support the Maricopa Trail & Park Foundation, a nonprofit focused on protecting and maintaining Maricopa County trails and parks. Races finish at the 10 Lane Boat Ramp at Lake Pleasant Regional Park.
Course and race details
The 36 Mile is a point-to-point mountain bike course starting in downtown Cave Creek (Flat Tire Bike Shop) and following the Maricopa Trail to Lake Pleasant. The course includes varied desert terrain with short steep rocky climbs and descents, flats, rocks, sand and occasional water or mud; some sections may require dismounting and hiking. Two aid stations are located on course, plus a main aid at the finish. Crews are allowed only at the start and finish, pacers are not permitted, and a drop-bag area is provided at the finish.
The 15 Mile begins inside the Pioneer Living History Museum, includes a mostly flat opening section, an aid station near mile 9, a canyon section, and increased climbing in the final three miles. The 10 Mile trail run is an out-and-back from the 10 Lane Boat Ramp, following Frogs Tank, Beardsley, Wild Burro and Pipeline Canyon to Pipeline Cove. Each non-run course has an on-course aid station and a staffed main aid at the finish. Courses are marked with orange ribbons, reflective medallions and directional signage. Medical staff are based at the start/finish headquarters. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.