SCHEDULE
ARM provides you with the information you require to ensure your trip and race are 100% enjoyable.
08:00 am
Arrival of riders at km 8.5
Av. Mariano Otero km 8.5
09:00 am
Pick up your race kit.
Hand over your bike to our team of mechanics; they will assemble your bike and get it ready, and then go have breakfast—you’re our special guest.
10:00 am
Install your front number on your bike; it comes in the race kit.
Hand over your luggage to our baggage staff; they will be responsible for it. Don’t worry, as soon as you arrive at the next stage, they will return your luggage to you.
11:00 am
Race meeting
Prepare yourself for the start under the finish arch.
PROLOGUE
12:00 pm – 8.5 Primavera to Tepeyac – 35 kilometers
Arrival at Tepeyac
14:00 to 16:00 hrs. – Pick up your luggage
17:00 hrs. – Meal at TEPEYAC
20:00 HRS. – Dinner, lunada, and race meeting
21:00 hrs. – Time to sleep.
Tepeyac to Tapalpa
150 KMS.
07:00 am – Breakfast
Hand over your luggage
09:00 am – Stage 1 Start
Arrival in Tapalpa
15:00 to 17:00 hrs. – Meal in the area
Pick up your luggage and rest at the host hotel.
20:00 hrs – Dinner and race meeting
21:00 hrs – Time to sleep.
Tapalpa to Unión de Tula
112 KMS.
07:00 am – Energy breakfast
Hand over your luggage
08:00 am – Stage 2 start
Arrival at Unión de Tula
14:00 to 16:00 hrs. – Pick up your luggage
17:00 hrs – Meal in the area
Tour of the town
20:00 hrs. – Dinner in the area and race meeting
21:00 hrs – Time to sleep.
Unión de Tula to La Cumbre
70 kms.
08:00 AM – Breakfast and luggage drop-off.
09:00 AM – Stage 3 start from the main square of U. de Tula.
Arrival at La Cumbre CABAÑAS DEL ABUELO LA CAÑADA
13:00 to 14:00 hrs.
14:00 hrs. – Meal
16:00 hrs. – Race meeting
19:00 hrs. – Lunada, Dinner in the area, and race briefing
21:00 hrs. – Time to sleep.
La Cumbre to Talpa de Allende
70 KMS.
08:00 am – Breakfast in the area and luggage drop-off
09:00 am – Stage 4 start
10:00 am – Arrival at TALPA de ALLENDE
14:00 to 15:00 hrs – Meal in the area
REST AND RELAX by the river of TALPA, and race briefing.
Start from TALPA to MASCOTA
35 kilometers
Arrival at MASCOTA
21:00 hrs.
SPECIAL RECEPTION FOR THE DAY OF THE DEAD
DINNER ON SITE and race meeting
22:00 HRS – Time to sleep.
100 KMS.
Mascota to Puerto Vallarta
07:00 am – Breakfast on site and luggage drop-off
08:00 am – Stage 6 start on site
12:00 to 14:00 hrs. – Arrival at CANOPY RIVER
14:00 hrs. – Meal at CANOPY RIVER
16:00 hrs. – Tour through the streets of Puerto Vallarta to the host hotel
20:00 hrs. – Host hotel
Dinner and farewell of ARM 2025
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 ARM is within the Bosque de la Primavera. Avenida Mariano Otero, kilometer 8.5. You must pass the forest control booth, and the park rangers will direct you to the event’s starting zone.
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.