The Arizona XC Championships come to Southern Arizona on Saturday, September 26, 2026, with the Sonoran Shred at McKenzie Ranch Race Course in Vail. This purpose-built mountain bike venue sits within a 1,700-acre Pima County natural open-space park, with more than 99% of the property remaining natural desert. It was Southern Arizona’s first park built with a dedicated competitive mountain bike loop.

McKenzie Ranch is also a beautiful place to race. Sitting in the foothills of the southern Rincon Mountains, the ranch lies in a transition zone between the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts, creating a landscape a little different from what riders see closer to Tucson. The rolling grass-and-desert terrain includes mesquite, acacia, prickly pear, cholla and stands of ocotillo that can put on a spectacular show when conditions bring them into bloom. Keep your eyes open beyond the racers, too. This is wild desert country, where birds, rabbits and other desert wildlife are part of the surroundings.

The main XC race uses the Lozen Loop, a smooth and fast 6.6-mile lap with approximately 494 feet of climbing. Rather than being dominated by highly technical rock features, McKenzie Ranch is known for flowing singletrack, rolling terrain, gradual climbs, fast descents and sweeping turns. The XCC short-track race uses a compact 2.1-mile combination of Lozen Link and Lozen Loop, creating an even faster style of racing.

This is also a great race for spectators. Unlike many mountain bike races where riders disappear into the mountains for long stretches, the compact, looping nature of McKenzie Ranch gives spectators opportunities to see racers multiple times. Come out, walk around, find a good viewing spot, cheer loudly and bring a cowbell. The short-track racing should be especially fun to watch, with riders coming through frequently and positions changing quickly.

Whether you’re racing for an Arizona championship or just coming out to watch, the Sonoran Shred is a chance to experience competitive mountain biking in a venue built specifically for it, surrounded by the open desert and mountain views that make riding in Southern Arizona special.

xc