A Fierce Green Ride

Ride Overview

A Fierce Green Ride is a bikepacking event that travels through the White Mountains of eastern Arizona. Named after Aldo Leopold’s perspective-changing encounter with a Mexican gray wolf, this ride is completely self-supported and takes riders 393 miles and 32,000 feet of gain through the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. A Fierce Green Ride travels along a modified version of the El Lobo Lupus bikepacking route with a start and finish in Pinetop-Lakeside, Arizona at the WME Village 8 Movie Theater. The Grand Depart takes place on September 25, 2026 at 4 AM.

AFGR takes bikepackers through the high elevation heart of the White Mountains, Blue Range, and Mogollon Rim of eastern Arizona where the Mexican Gray Wolf has been reintroduced. “Lupus” reflects the track’s looping path and its goal of providing riders the opportunity to see Mexican Wolves (Canis lupus baileyi), commonly called "El Lobo." The Mexican Wolf is a highly endangered subspecies of the Gray Wolf. It was nearly wiped out by predator-eradication programs, but the species was reintroduced to Arizona and New Mexico in 1998 and has slowly increased to a population of over 200. Riders will travel through the territory of El Lobo - mountainous terrain known as the "Alps of Arizona." This land encompasses not only tributary headwaters of the Gila and Little Colorado Rivers but also some of the tallest peaks in Arizona at Escudilla and Baldy.

​Bikepackers will traverse through miles of subalpine meadows lined with conifers and aspens, travel through dense ponderosa pine forests, ride along trout-filled rivers and lakes, and get endless high-elevation views. Cyclists will ride up to 10,000 feet on Escudilla Mountain and down to 5,800 feet along the Blue River near the last federally-designated Primitive Area in the United States. Look forward to riding along the banks of the Black River, staring at the complex neon greens of Hannagan Meadow, seeing the ecological succession of montane forests after the Wallow Fire, riding the perimeter of high-altitude Terry Flat, passing by enormous lakes in big sky country, and catching glimpses of wildlife such as Mexican Wolves, Black Bears, Mountain Lions, Elk, Big Horn Sheep, and Deer. A more detailed breakdown of the entire course can be found here on the El Lobo Lupus route page.

There will be three categories for riders to register under: Fast Solo, Fast Duo (2-person teams), or Touring.

There will be three route options for riders:

• A Fierce Green Ride: 393 Miles and 32,000 Feet of Gain

• El Lobo Lupus: 409 Miles and 34,400 Feet of Gain

• Greer Lakes Loop: 111 Miles and 8,200 Feet of Gain

Both self-competitive timing and noncompetitive touring are encouraged for A Fierce Green Ride. Everyone of all riding styles are encouraged to enjoy the route and Grand Depart! All riders’ start and finishing times will be recorded for those who complete the whole route.

Important Event Information

A Fierce Green Ride is completely unsanctioned and features no prizes or fees. This is not a commercial event and is intended to be kept as a gathering of enthusiast bikepackers. The goal is to ride the entirety of A Fierce Green Ride at your own speed under your own support. You are responsible for your own water, resupplies, and well-being. There are no SAG stations and preparation to be self-sufficient is expected. You are responsible for your own safety and bikepacking knowledge in the backcountry. In the event of an impassable section of the route due to a natural or human-caused disturbance, you are responsible for having your own navigation to detour safely, legally, and appropriately. More information can be found under “Rules.”