GRO Races Transfers Management of True Grit Epic to Zia Rides
SANTA CLARA, UTAH — Beginning September 1, 2026, GRO Races will officially transfer management of the True Grit Epic Mountain Bike, Gravel, and Stage Race to Zia Rides of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Zia Rides is a rider-owned company, similar to GRO Races, with a passion for creating memorable and challenging cycling experiences throughout the Southwest. With the addition of True Grit Epic, Zia Rides will now host 7 events throughout the Southwest, including ones that are part of the National Ultra Endurance Mountain Bike Series (NUE) events.
Ryan Odell, NUE Series Director, welcomed the transition:
"The NUE Series welcomes Zia Rides and Seth Bush, the new director of the 2027 True Grit Epic, the NUE Series opener. Through Zia Rides, Seth directs many events and is well known among racers in the Southwest, including NUE GloriDays 100, an awesome event set in the mountains of New Mexico just outside of Santa Fe. Founder and longtime True Grit race director Cimarron Chacon plans to be there to ensure a smooth transition and welcome everyone back to the hills of Santa Clara, Utah. Both events offer amazing, unique trails that should be on your bucket list!" Odell, NUE Series Director, welcomed the transition:
A Southern Utah Tradition Continues
True Grit Epic was founded in 2011, with 130 participants taking on the inaugural Epic 50. Founder Cimarron"It was quite an amazing turnout for a first-time race.
Despite the horrible weather conditions that forced that first race to shut down early, the event continued to grow." Chacon remembers:
Today, True Grit Epic is one of the premier mountain bike events in the United States, attracting upwards of 800 participants over three days of racing.
Chad Mc Williams, Greater Zion Sports and Adventure Director shared, "True Grit has become part of the DNA of mountain biking in Greater Zion. When people think of True Grit, they think of the incredible terrain and landscapes we have here, and when they think of mountain biking in Greater Zion, True Grit is part of that story. We're excited to see that legacy continue with new ownership and to see where they take it next. It's an incredible event, and we're proud to have it right here in Greater Zion."
The current format offers something for everyone: mountain bike racing, gravel racing, and stage racing for those who want to go really hard for multiple days.
"The decision to sell True Grit Epic was not an easy one," said Chacon. "But I am looking forward to spending more time building our farm in Pennsylvania and caring for my aging father."
She continued: "I cannot imagine a better organization to take over my legacy. Zia Rides took over the 25 and 6 Hours events two years ago and has done an amazing job maintaining their legacy. By acquiring True Grit Epic, they will be able to bring back the combined Southern Utah series of races under one organization."
Zia Rides Expands Utah Offerings
Seth Bush, owner of Zia Rides, said expanding the company's operation in Utah made sense.
Zia Rides' most popular events currently include 25 Hours in Frog Hollow, Old Tucson 10er, 24 Hours in the Enchanted Forest, and Dawn to Dusk AZ. True Grit Epic fits nicely into our Calendar and elevates our offering as a nationally recognized event.
Zia Rides is also a family-run business, much like GRO Races. The organization plans to retain many of the existing True Grit staff and volunteers, meaning participants can expect to see many of the same familiar faces at the event.
The Transition
Zia Rides will operate True Grit Epic largely in the same format for 2027 as it begins its first year as the event's new owner and management team.
The True Grit Epic website, social media channels, and registration links will remain in place. The primary visible change will be the addition of the Zia Rides logo in place of the GRO Races logo.
Cimarron Chacon will remain involved during the transition and plans to attend the 2027 event.
2027 Race Dates and Registration
True Grit Epic 2027
March 18–20, 2027
Santa Clara. Utah
Registration will open through BikeReg on:
Monday, September 7, 2026 at 12:15 a.m. Mountain Time
The event is expected to fill quickly.
Registration: https://www.bikereg.com/true-grit-epic
What's Next for GRO Races?
After 2026, GRO Races will cease operating as a race promotion company and will instead focus on providing professional timing services to mountain bike and gravel cycling events throughout the United States.
GRO Races timing services: https://gropromotions.com/timing-services/
Cimarron Chacon will also continue developing new cycling events in Pennsylvania under the UnPaved Pennsylvania brand.UnPaved is a premier raw-road gravel event held in the hills of Central Pennsylvania every Presidents Day weekend.
https://unpavedpennsylvania.com/
https://unpavedpennsylvania.com/unpaved-of-the-susquehanna-river-valley-2/
In addition, Chacon will continue expanding her international cycling offerings in Iceland.
North Bound Gravel & Outdoor Festival — Iceland
Coming July 2027, the North Bound Gravel & Outdoor Festival will take place in Blönduós, Iceland.
The three-day event will include races, group rides, guided bikepacking, clinics, vendors, and live music.
https://northboundgrvl.com/
2026 True Grit Epic Highlight Video & Photos
Relive the 2026 True Grit Epic with the latest event video and race photography.
2026 Highlight Video: https://youtu.be/vsG1CybE04c?si=t5t4dPM_0Xx3I7rs
