Nearly 30 Years of Grassroots Mountain Bike Racing
Wondering where the best Northern California XC mountain bike races are this summer? The BLM Blaze XC returns to Fort Ord on May 31 as part of the 3CX Summer MTB Series, featuring fast and flowy trails, a welcoming community, beginner-friendly racing, and exciting cross-country competition for women and riders of all levels. The legendary trails at Fort Ord National Monument are about to light up with riders, families, teammates, and first-time racers as the BLM Blaze XC returns on May 31 as part of the new 3CX Summer MTB Series.
For nearly 30 years, the 3CX series has built a reputation as one of Northern California’s most welcoming, community-driven, and exciting grassroots mountain bike race series. Known for its legendary fast and flowy singletrack, supportive atmosphere, and all-level categories, the series has become a favorite for everyone from beginner riders to elite racers looking for high-energy cross-country competition. But what truly makes the 3CX series special is the people.
A Race Environment That Welcomes Everyone
Unlike intimidating race environments that can sometimes make newer riders feel out of place, the 3CX community has created an atmosphere where riders are encouraged, celebrated, and welcomed from the moment they arrive. It’s competitive, but it’s also supportive. It’s serious racing without losing the fun.
That balance is one of the reasons riders continue returning year after year.
Why This Matters for Women in Mountain Biking
For many women, signing up for a mountain bike race can feel intimidating at first. Questions start running through your head: Am I fast enough? What if I get dropped? What if I don’t know anyone? What if I’ve never raced before?
The truth is, events like the BLM Blaze XC are exactly where riders grow the most.
The Fort Ord courses are known for rewarding flow, momentum, endurance, and confidence-building riding rather than purely technical terrain. Riders can challenge themselves while still enjoying the experience, making it an ideal race environment for women looking to try their first XC event or level up their fitness and skills.
More Than Racing, Building Community and Confidence
The event also creates an incredible opportunity for women to connect with other riders in the cycling community. Racing has a way of building friendships quickly. You line up together nervous, excited, and uncertain, and by the finish line, you’re cheering for each other like teammates.
That sense of belonging is one of the biggest reasons grassroots race series like 3CX continue to grow.
The Energy Beyond the Finish Line
The race atmosphere extends far beyond the course itself. Families gather at the venue, kids ride around the pits, riders share stories after the finish, and local cycling teams show up to support one another.
The energy feels less like a high-pressure event and more like a celebration of mountain biking culture.
And while MTB Girls Magazine strongly encourages more women to register and experience the empowerment that comes from racing, the series truly welcomes everyone. Men, women, juniors, seasoned racers, weekend warriors, and first-time competitors all line up together to share the same trails and the same experience.
Making Racing More Accessible
The 2026 series also includes a major update: the 3CX Summer MTB Series is now USA Cycling sanctioned. To help make racing more accessible, organizers are offering discounted first-year and U19 USA Cycling licenses, helping reduce barriers for younger and newer riders entering the sport.
Why Events Like This Matter
At a time when the cycling industry continues working to create more inclusive opportunities in mountain biking, local race series like 3CX play a critical role. They provide a space where riders can challenge themselves physically, build confidence mentally, and discover a community that keeps them coming back year after year.
The BLM Blaze XC on May 31 is more than just another race on the calendar. For some riders, it will be their first start line. For others, it will be a comeback.
For many, it will simply be another unforgettable day on the bike with people who love riding just as much as they do. That’s exactly why events like this matter so much to us at MTB Girls Magazine!
Registration is now open for the BLM Blaze XC and the full 3CX Summer MTB Series.
Early Bird Special! Register by 5/19
at Midnight and Save $10!
