OC MTB Races is excited to offer the mountain bike community two thrilling XC races in Orange County. These races take place in two spectacular protected wildlands, Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve and Gypsum Canyon. These rarely open lands will captivate riders with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, Catalina Island, Irvine Lake, and the Cleveland National Forest. $2500 CA$H purse for the top 5 male/female finishers and top 3 in class take home custom Baghouse trophies! We take pride in giving you the best bang for your buck. Post-race refreshments and a raffle for all!
2025 Events
OC MTB Fremont XC RIDE 17m – June 21, 2025
General information and Registration
Come join us for a thrilling mountain bike RIDE on a scenic and fun course. The 1 lap course is 17 miles on a fire-road. It is a fast and smooth course with steep inclines and descents. There is approximately 3820 feet of ascending and descending. Fremont offers the perfect training grounds for your mountain bike race season!
Fremont Canyon Nature Preserve, in all its beauty, is situated in the Santa Ana Mountains of Orange County. Fremont Canyon is often referred to by some as “the Yosemite of Orange County,” because of its picturesque granite rock formations, caves, ridgelines, and steep canyon walls. The peak of Fremont, situated at 2,376 ft., one can take in the breathtaking views of the snow-covered San Gabriel Mountains and as far north as Los Angeles and Palos Verdes. The one loop course will take you past many varieties of endangered plants, including coastal sage scrub, chaparral, oak woodlands, and the rare Tecate cypress. This diverse habitat of Fremont teems with wildlife, including cactus wrens, bats, Granite Spiny lizards, San Diego mountain king snakes, Bell’s sage sparrows, rock wrens, mountains lions, mule deer and golden eagles.
August 23rd, 2025 – OC MTB Gypsum XC Race 17m
General information and Registration
Come join us on newly opened trails! The 5-lap course is 17 miles of single track and fire-road with approximately 2652 feet of elevation gain.
Gypsum Canyon Wilderness is set within 500 acres of Irvine Ranch Open Space, the trails pass by dramatic sandstone cliffs formed 16 to 20 million years ago when prehistoric animals roamed the area. Each lap will offer an adventurous ride twisting through oak-studded meadows and at the apex views of the surrounding canyon, Santa Ana Mountains, and beyond.
OC MTB Limestone XC Race 21m – Nov. 22nd, 2025
General information and Registration
Come join us for the unique experience to race in Limestone Canyon. The 1 lap course is 21 miles of fire-road and single track. It has a mix of everything from technical trails, switch backs, and steep inclines and descents
Limestone Canyon offers riders the experience of seeing “original California” in its fall glory. The course will meander under a canopy of thick oaks, alongside seasonal creeks, a year-round dripping spring and past a striking geological formation known as “the Sinks.” This pristine canyon will give riders a sense of calm solitude as they race through serene meadows and rolling hills. Once on the ridge you will be captivated by panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, Catalina Island, Irvine Lake, and the Cleveland National Forest.
OC MTB Races works as a partner with OC Parks and the Irvine Ranch Conservancy. We encourage our mountain bikers to contribute time to the land by volunteering for activities with OC Parks and The Irvine Ranch Conservancy. We also encourage our riders to adhere to all trail safety rules. Pre-riding the course is not allowed unless it occurs on wilderness access days or docent-led activities. Pre-riding the course may jeopardize our ability to offer these events.
We invite you to join our mountain bike races and discover the unique land in which we live, work, and play!