El Ocho

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

A relatively flat figure 8 with few technical features. The slight downhill sections can get a good flow following the serpentine "meandering cow" paths of this areas prior existence as a working ranch.

The western loop, Ranch Nacapule, is used for a 12-hour through the night race usually in May close to a full moon. The eastern loop, El Baviso is used for a 6-hour through the night race on Halloween.

El Baviso also gets some horse and rider usage.

This is desert land with lots of prickly things. You'll need to defend against flat tires.

Fast and fun with few technical challenges to slow the ride down.

This is a relatively flat trail in San Carlos, at least 85% singletrack, with few obstacles. There are several slight downhill sections where one can get some speed. There are 2 arroyos, an easy one near the start, and a more difficult and steeper one 2 Km from the finish. These are the most technical parts by far. No thigh burning climbs. Only some loose sand in some places to tire one out.

The western loop, Rancho Nacapule, is seldom used by other types of trail users. The eastern loop, El Baviso, has horse and rider traffic. The southeastern most section shows some ATV usage. I seldom see anyone on El Ocho, but other mountain bikers are the most frequent when I do.

The figure 8 generally starts and finishes at a good sized Jito tree just south of the private airstrip. Ride on gravel road for a few hundred meters towards the west. Ride down and up the first arroyo and you come to a ranch. The are a few dogs that may chase at this ranch, but they are friendly when off a bicycle. If they chase, it is only for a little more than 100 meters. The singletrack begins just past the ranch

The crossover point of the figure 8 is about 2 Km from the start of the singletrack at the ranch. Turn left at the "Y" in the trail, go through the fence opening, turn immediately right and follow north parallel to the fence. The trail should be easy to follow all the way to the tennis court and buildings of Rancho Nacapule. Take the gravel road east until just prior to the Rancho Nacapule entrance. Turn left just prior to the gate on a dirt road. The singletrack resumes in less than 200 meters. Continue to the crossover point.

An alternative is to continue on the gravel road a few hundred meters east of the Rancho Nacapule entrance where you can connect to the original trail. This is often easier and faster because the trail surface is more compacted.

Back on the original trail, El Baviso. This should be easy to follow as it is used for a 12 hour through-the-night race. Reflective tape is affixed to many rocks and branches. The arroyo 2 Km from the finish can be challenging. This is the most difficult technical feature of El Ocho.

Th eastern loop, El Baviso, is ridden clockwise. The western loop, Rancho Nacapule, is ridden counter clockwise.