SCHEDULE
ARM provides you with the information you require to ensure your trip and race are 100% enjoyable.
Accommodation included only for FULL package
12:00 noon, start of RACE KIT distribution at host hotel.
3:00 pm. Welcome lunch for all included
8:00 pm. High-carb dinner, only for FULL package and those who have paid for accommodation at the host hotel.
9:00 pm. Bedtime.
6:00 am Energy breakfast at host hotel
7:00 am Baggage drop-off with our staff
8:00 am Race start
From Bosque de la Primavera to Isla Grande.
120 km.
SUPPLIES:
There will be a supply station every 25 to 30 km. Approx.
ROUTE TYPE:
Start on paved roads, enter the Primavera Forest on wide, fast roads, cobblestone paths, small towns, long, flat road crossings, very hot desert area.
STAGE FINISH:
ISLA GRANDE is a small resort on an island within an arid desert.
ESTIMATED FINISH TIME:
ELITES: 4 to 5 hours approx.
AMATEURS: 5 to 7 hours approx.
LUNCH: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
DINNER: 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
SLEEPING TIME: 10:00 PM
6:00 AM: Energizing breakfast at ISLA GRANDE.
7:00 AM: Bag drop-off with our staff.
8:00 AM: Race start.
OCTOBER 29 Isla Grande to Tapalpa
75 km.
SUPPLIES:
There will be a supply station every 25 to 30 km approx.
ROUTE TYPE:
Departure through a desert area, road crossing, strenuous climb, entry into a pine forest, cool area with possible light rain, wide and fast roads, some singletrack sections, and arrival in Tapalpa.
STAGE FINISH:
TAPALPA: a magical town in Jalisco with red-tiled houses and cobblestone streets; it’s worth exploring its streets and trying the famous chard tamales.
ESTIMATED TIME TO FINISH:
ELITES: 4 to 5 hours approx.
AMATEURS: 5 to 7 hours approx.
LUNCH: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
DINNER: 8:00 PM.
9:00 PM GO TO SLEEP
6:00 AM Energy breakfast at the host hotel
7:00 AM Luggage delivery to our staff
8:00 AM Race start
Tapalpa to Unión de Tula
120 km.
SUPPLIES:
There will be a supply station every 25 to 30 km (approx.).
ROUTE TYPE:
Starting on cobblestone streets, very steep and strenuous climbs, passing over giant rocks and impressive valleys, flowing descents, river crossings and views of waterfalls, crossing suspension bridges, cheering and signing t-shirts for children.
STAGE FINISH:
UNION DE TULA: A beautiful and important town with good hotels and a lively main square.
ESTIMATED FINISH TIME:
ELITES: 4 to 5 hours (approx.).
AMATEURS: 5 to 7 hours (approx.).
LUNCH: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
DINNER: 8:00 PM.
9:00 PM GO TO SLEEP
6:00 AM Energy breakfast at the host hotel
7:00 AM Luggage delivery to our staff
8:00 AM Race start
Union de Tula to El Rosario,
75 km.
SUPPLIES:
There will be a supply station every 25 to 30 km (approx.).
ROUTE TYPE:
Starting on cobblestone streets, wide and fast dirt roads, technical and fast descents, very steep climbs. The vegetation soon changes to a pine forest. Rain is possible.
STAGE FINISH:
EL ROSARIO:
a small town nestled in the cold mountains of Jalisco, surrounded by pines and mist. Lodging is in shared cabins. There is no internet, which helps us have a pleasant atmosphere among all the cyclists.
ESTIMATED TIME TO FINISH:
ELITES: 4 to 5 hours (approx.).
AMATEURS: 5 to 6 hours (approx.).
LUNCH: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
DINNER: 8:00 PM.
9:00 PM GO TO SLEEP
06:00 AM ENERGY BREAKFAST HOSTED HOTEL
07:00 AM GATE BACK TO OUR STAFF
08:00 AM RACE START
El Rosario to Mascota
100 km.
SUPPLIES:
There will be a supply station every 25 to 30 km (approx.).
ROUTE TYPE:
Starting on cobblestone streets, wide and fast dirt tracks, technical and fast descents, very steep climbs, the vegetation is pine and jungle, long flat sections and very steep climbs. Up to the town of Mascota.
STAGE FINISH:
MASCOTA:
A magical town in Jalisco that leads us to experience the most joyful celebration of all, the Day of the Dead.
ESTIMATED FINISH TIME:
ELITES: 4 to 5 hours (approx.).
AMATEURS: 5 to 6 hours (approx.).
MEAL: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
Mascota / Mascota NIGHT STAGE.
30 km.
SUPPLIES:
NO SUPPLIES.
ROUTE TYPE:
Starting on cobblestone streets of the town towards the Mascota ski slopes, passing through picturesque villages and finishing in Mascota for dinner and the Day of the Dead celebration.
STAGE FINISH:
MASCOTA:
This fun route of logging roads and picturesque villages finishes in Mascota.
ESTIMATED FINISH TIME:
ELITES: 2 to 3 hours approx.
AMATEURS: 3.5 hours approx.
DINNER: 9:00 PM.
10:00 PM BEDTIME.
6:00 AM: Energetic breakfast at the host hotel.
7:00 AM: Luggage drop-off with our staff.
8:00 AM: Race start.
Mascota to Puerto Vallarta
100 km.
SUPPLIES:
There will be only 2 (two) supply stations along the 100 km route. Take precautions.
ROUTE TYPE:
Start on cobblestone streets in town, wide and fast dirt tracks, very steep climbs, fast and technical descents, soon the vegetation changes to a pine forest, possible rain, river crossings, finishes with a final singletrack and crosses the most impressive suspension bridges of the event.
STAGE FINISH:
CANOPY RIVER:
Cross the most impressive suspension bridges of the route and finish inside the canopy river theme park, with a meal, and afterward descend to the town of Vallarta and explore its typical streets to the boardwalk and its beaches.
CONTROLLED STAGE:
After lunch at Canopy River, descend to Vallarta with our guides through the charming streets of Puerto Vallarta. Arrive at your hotel and rest up for the JALISCO EPIC final awards ceremony.
ESTIMATED FINISH TIME:
ELITES: 4 to 5 hours approx.
AMATEURS: 5 to 6 hours approx.
LUNCH: 3:00 PM
DINNER: 8:00 PM.
AWARDS CEREMONY AT HOST HOTEL: 9:00 PM
JALISCO EPIC 2026 FINAL.
LOGISTICS
Getting to Guadalajara is very simple,
Guadalajara is the second most important city in Mexico, so it offers all the services.
Miguel Hidalgo International Airport.
The starting point of JALISCO EPIC is in hotel Villa Primavera
In this suitcase, you should pack everything necessary for 6 days of the event.
We know your bike is your most prized possession, and we know how to take care of it. Upon arriving at the starting zone, our team of mechanics can help you assemble and adjust your bike and install your front number.
You will hand over your box and/or packaging to our BIKE BOXES staff.
Our team will transport your bike box or packaging to Puerto Vallarta, where it will be waiting for you. At the end of the event, you can hire our mechanics to disassemble and pack your bike for a packaging fee of $10.
The voltage in Mexico is the same as in the United States, with a 110V electrical current. Make sure to check the type of connection for your electrical and electronic devices.
Each stage and/or town has WiFi, except for one (El Rosario). However, WiFi will be available in most locations.
Everyone is welcome, especially if your companions are there to celebrate your arrival! They can follow the event by road to each town. However, they are not allowed to assist you unless they have permission from the event organizers. Additionally, they cannot stay in the official host hotels of each town. Your companions will need to arrange their own accommodations and meals.
RULES
ARM is an Ultramarathon endurance race, with routes ranging from 40 to 150 kilometers. Having excellent physical condition and prior training in XC (Cross Country) mountain biking is mandatory to complete the marked routes. Each stage presents different skill levels, including climbs, descents, and long flat sections.
Following the regulations is mandatory.
01
STAGES
Each stage will be marked with tapes of different colors for each day.
Example: Stage 1 – pink tape, Stage 2 – blue tape, etc.
Additionally, each stage will be marked with chalk lines or white powder.
You must follow both the chalk lines and the colored tapes.
02
DEVICES
It is mandatory to have a GPS device and download the GPX files.
You must have them either on your GPS or smartphone.
03
CELL COVERAGE
70% of the course has cell phone coverage, but there will be areas with no signal. For your safety and that of others, if you get lost or have an accident, move to a location with coverage to call for help.
04
TIMING
All times will be recorded using the chip system in your front number plate.
If you lose your number plate, you will need to pay $50 for a replacement with a chip.
05
STAGE TIMING
Each aid station and finish line has cut-off times.
- Short routes: You have a set time to pass checkpoints (PCs) and reach the finish.
- Long routes: More time is allowed, but you must always consider the closing time of each PC and finish line.
Cut-off times will be announced at each briefing or race meeting.
06
CHECKPOINTS (PC) & HYDRATION STATIONS
All cyclists must pass through every marked checkpoint on the route within the specified times.
07
RACE SCHEDULE
Each cyclist must be aware of and follow the race schedule:
BREAKFASTS: Always one hour before the start of the stage.
LUGGAGE: You must deliver your luggage to our luggage truck on time.
MEALS: Upon reaching each finish line, you must wait for the meal times.
DINNERS: Each night, dinner will be prepared, and you must be on time to receive your food.
PENALTIES:
Throwing trash along the route and disobeying the staff will affect your times.
Failing to wear your front number.
Not following the designated route on the ground and in the GPX file.
Not assisting fellow riders who are injured.
Depending on the penalty, you may be disqualified and removed from the race, with no refund.
Note: Mechanical failures are exempt from penalties.
CATEGORIES
MEN
- Sub-25: Born between 2000 and 2009 (16 to 25 years old)
- Elite: Born between 1986 and 1999 (26 to 39 years old)
- Master 40: Born between 1976 and 1985 (40 to 49 years old)
- Master 50: Born between 1966 and 1975 (50 to 59 years old)
- Master 60: Born in 1965 or earlier (60 years or older)
WOMEN
Elite: Born between 1986 and 2009 (16 to 39 years old)
Master: Born in 1985 or earlier (40 years or older)
For a category to take place, there must be a minimum of 5 registered participants.
If the required number of participants is not met:Sub-25 riders will be moved to Elite.
Master 40 riders will be moved to Elite.
Master 50 riders will be moved to Master 40.
Master 60 riders will be moved to Master 50.
For female participants, all Masters will be reassigned to the Elite category.
EQUIPMENT
ARM will provide you with a front number with a chip. The loss of the front number incurs an additional cost of 50 dollars. If you do not have it, you will be disqualified and will no longer be able to race the ARM with no refund.
The GPX files that you will need to download to your GPS device. Once they are on the website, this will be in October.
Remember, you will cover more than 500 kilometers in 6 stages, one of which is at night, so it is MANDATORY to have a headlamp and a GPS device.
ARM covers all biodiversity within the Sierra Madre Occidental, so we will have hot days, cold days, and perhaps some rainy days.
TEMPERATURES
Temperatures range from 3 degrees Celsius and can go up to 40 degrees Celsius.
Mountain areas
3 degrees to 19 degrees
Lowlands
28 degrees to 40 degrees
Beach areas
20 degrees to 30 degrees
Therefore, keep in mind that in mountain areas, you must be covered with thermal clothing, and in lowland and beach areas, with light clothing.
CLOTHING
Here is a list of what you should keep in mind and what we suggest.
Jacket
Thermal clothing
Windbreaker
Sandals for bathing
Personal cleaning equipment
Sports shoes
Cold weather hat
Swimsuit
Towel
Sunscreen
FOR MTBIKE RIDES
XC-approved bike in perfect condition
Approved helmet
Sunglasses
MTB XC clothing
Shoes
Gloves
*Replacement derailleur hanger (only in case of emergency)
MTB tool
Inflation pump and/or Co2 pump
Co2 cartridges
Hydration device (camelBACK) is not mandatory
Water bottles
*GPS or device with GPX files MANDATORY
*LIGHT for night route MANDATORY
*You can bring your compression boots and/or relaxation system.
SUPPLIES AND CHECKPOINTS
Every 25 to 30 kilometers, there will be a checkpoint where you can stock up on hydration and food. This includes:
Rehydration drinks, snacks, and sweets.
AWARDS AND PROTOCOL
At the end of each stage, the awards ceremony will take place, and prizes will be given to the top three in the elite category.
At the end of the ARM event, the ARM trophy will be awarded to the top three places.
1st place: trophy, medal, gifts, and entry to ARM 2026
2nd place: trophy, medal, entry to ARM 2026
3rd place: trophy and medal
Medal for all finishers.