Just hearing the name might spark some curiosity… maybe even a bit of soul-searching. Fears, Tears & Beers? Should I be worried? Will there be actual tears? And how did this become the oldest MTB Enduro in the country? Welcome to Ely, Nevada – tucked along a stretch of what’s known as the “Loneliest Road in America.” Out here, the wild still feels untamed, and every turn leads to a new adventure. It’s also home to one of the rowdiest, most legendary mountain bike races around – Fears, Tears & Beers. A name you won’t soon forget, for a race that’ll test your mettle, fuel your stoke, and maybe earn you a cold one at the finish line.
Mountain Biking’s Free Spirit
From the very beginning, mountain biking—and the events that grew from it—have always had a rebellious streak. Think Downieville’s Coyote Classic. Or the legendary Pearl Pass Tour out in Crested Butte. These weren’t born in bustling cities or polished resorts, but in gritty old mining towns looking to have a little fun and shake things up. The vibe? Pure “ride what you want, how you want.” The trails? Already there—carved by miners more than a century before anyone thought to ride them.
Fears, Tears & Beers in Ely is part of that same wild lineage. Sure, it’s got bragging rights as one of the oldest MTB Enduro races in North America, but what really makes it stand out is the wild, quirky, colorful history behind it.
Dirt Bikes Became Mountain Bikes
So how did this all come together? Believe it or not, it started with dirt bikes. The folks around Ely were all about throttle-twisting good times—avid moto riders who lived for the desert’s wide-open playground. But when the lands surrounding town were designated a watershed, motorized access got shut down.
Instead of throwing in the towel, a few locals—Kent and Kelly Ernest, along with Kalem Lenard, who was the BLM Rec Manager at the time—had an idea: Why not take the Enduro format from motocross and spin it into a mountain biking event? And just like that, Fears, Tears & Beers was born. The year? 1995. The rest? MTB history.
Riding Through Casinos and Ladies of the Evening Waving
Ely isn’t exactly easy to get to. It’s over three hours from the nearest airport or major city, tucked deep in the pinyon pine forests with a population under 5,000. Mining’s been the heartbeat of this place for as long as anyone can remember, and that rugged, wild spirit built a tight-knit community that knows how to have fun—and isn’t afraid to do things a little differently.
When Fears, Tears & Beers first kicked off, it wasn’t some massive, polished race. Fewer than a hundred riders showed up, and the entry fee? A growler of your best home brew. The race literally started by cruising through the Jailhouse Casino, cutting through the Hotel Nevada lobby, and then—boom—you’re on the trail. Even the rowdiest segment of the course called “Whorehouse Hill” had actual “madams” waving from the Brothels as racers descended down the rocky pitch. Just raw, rowdy fun you’d expect in the Wild West.
Fears, Tears, and Beers… Today
Since those early wild days, the race has grown steadily—and now caps out at 350 riders. Although it may no longer roll through casino lobbies, and the waving courtesans are a thing of the past. But the spirit is still alive and kickin’.
Thanks in part to the Enduro format—where only the downhill sections are timed—it continues to have a party atmosphere. Riders can pedal up together, chatting, laughing, soaking in the scenery. Then it’s game on for the descents. And when it’s all said and done? Cold kegs are still waiting at the finish line, ready to be tapped and toasted.
What to Expect
The way Fears, Tears & Beers is designed—you’re pretty much always riding with someone. Unlike XC races where everyone’s redlining from the start and the pack naturally thins out, the Enduro format keeps things social.
Each checkpoint turns into a mini party. You pedal up together, catch your breath at the top, then drop in one by one. At the bottom, you regroup, swap stories, maybe share a laugh about that sketchy corner, and cruise to the next stage. It’s as much about the good times as it is the racing.
Overview of Course
The Pros and Experts kick things off by starting 15 minutes ahead of everyone else at Broadbent Park. That way, as they finish their first timed segments, they can mix back in with the other riders.
The Sport class and other categories launch from Courthouse Canyon and Ward Mountain area, which over the years has transformed from a rowdy ATV network to a Bonafide flowy singletrack playground with some techy sections sprinkled in.
The course is a showcase of Ely’s finest singletrack, weaving through some seriously epic zones like Garnet Hill, Rob’s Knob, and of course, the infamous Whorehouse Hill—the longest, rowdiest fall-line trail in town.
Here’s how the different classes break down:
- Beginner – 11 miles, 1,000′ of climbing, 2 timed sections
- Intermediate – 16 miles, 2,200′ elevation gain, 3 timed sections
- Sport – 23 miles, 3,500′ elevation gain, 4 timed sections
- Expert – 33.3 miles, 5,400′ elevation gain, 5 timed sections
- Pro – 41 miles, 6,000′ elevation gain, 7 timed sections
Cult Classic
Word’s gotten out—and Fears, Tears & Beers has grown into a full-on cult classic. It’s not just a race anymore; it’s part of Ely’s DNA. Every year, it goes down around the first weekend in June, right after the kids graduate on Friday. And then on Saturday is race day.
A few years back, the 350 rider spots sold out in just four days. Now? Blink and you’ll miss it. Registration fills up in less than 24 hours—and yep, 2025 is already sold out!
Still want a shot at racing this year? Don’t give up hope. They’ve got a waiting list you can hop on, and if a spot opens up, you’ll be the first to know.
A Little About Ely
The race may be what draws you in, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised by Ely and the stunning geography that surrounds it. Sitting at 6,453 feet above sea level, the high elevation and nearby Egan Range create a diverse landscape filled with pinyon-junipers, blue spruce, and even the oldest living organisms on Earth—ancient bristlecone pines.
And the best part? From right in town, you’ve got easy access to rock climbing, fishing, hiking, and of course, some top-notch mountain biking.
Outstanding write up. Fresh!
Nice