A fifty mile, seventy five mile and 100 mile one day elevator ride, sponsored by EasyCare, at Cold Springs Station on the original Pony Express Trail. A rider may elevate only from a shorter distance to a longer one, may elevate only once, and is awarded a completion only with no placing. Upon elevating, the rider is no longer considered to be a starter or a finisher in the shorter ride. If by chance the rider's horse is pulled, no miles or points are credited.  Cold Springs station is on the west side of the Desatoya mountains in the middle of Nevada and was a prominent station in the days of the Pony Express. This station is also the location of many XP events and we always look forward to riding in the surrounding area.  We ride into the mountains early in the day and then do loops back at camp for the seventy five and hundred mile rides. Riders in the 2006 ride felt that the course, along with the elevator option made this ride a good place to start a new horse or rider in hundred mile rides. AERC rules apply. The management, unlike the AERC Board of Directors, is able to differentiate between an endurance ride and an endurance race. If you are into endurance riding you will probably enjoy this ride. If you are a real competitor and are looking for a race you are likely to find the lack of structure here to be an abomination. This is an old time endurance ride like we used to have when you could print all the AERC rules on a single page.  Back in the good old days we used to ride more and read less. Those were better times. Entry fees are $100.00 for all distances.  The 100 mile riders can pay $135.00 and will receive an embroidered jacket as a completion award.  They can pay the difference after they complete the ride.  Non AERC members add $15.00 per day. 

Base Camp: The base camp is located at Cold Springs Station on Hwy 50, between Fallon and Austin. The new owners of Cold Springs have done a great deal to improve the facilities. There is a small RV park in operation along with a great restaurant and bar. There is plenty of unimproved camping for all sizes of rigs.  Gas, diesel, showers and ice are all available.

Directions: Riders coming from the west will take I 80 to Fernley, then take Hwy 50 87 miles east, through Fallon to camp.  Riders from the east will either come across Nevada on Hwy 50, or will use I 80 to Battle Mountain, then turning south on NV Hwy 305 to Hwy 50 and then west 48 miles to Cold Springs. Locals have advised that riders from the south should take Hwy 95 to Luning, which is between Tonopah and Hawthorne, then go north on NV 361, through Gabbs to Middlegate, then east on Hwy 50 to Cold Springs.

Trail: The well marked trails wind through the foothills and valleys to access the mountain trails. We will have easier trail for the second half of the 100.  I would advise some form of hoof protection, although a lot of that will depend upon the speed at which you travel.  There are loads of wild horses and I didn’t see any of them limping. The upper valleys contain running water and aspen trees.  Most of the trails are single and two track trails, with some old graded road in places.

Awards: Individual awards are available for the first to finish and the horse in the best condition. Participation awards will be given to all riders. 100 mile riders may choose to receive an embroidered jacket as an award.