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Organizer: Spirit World 100 drew 450 riders and roughly $234,500 to Patagonia; 2026 plans set
Summary
The Spirit World 100 organizer told the council the 2025 gravel-cycling event brought 450 registered riders and about $234,500 in estimated local spending; organizers plan the Nov. 5–8, 2026 event and requested town support for camping and park use.
Zaner Al (event organizer) reported to the council that the Spirit World 100 gravel-cycling event drew 450 registered participants in 2025, with 350 reporting weekend stays and an estimated average spend of $670 per visitor, totaling an estimated $234,500 for the Patagonia business community.
The organizer said 77% of registered riders spent the entire weekend in town, and the event raised $30,600 for the Arizona Trail Association. Feedback forms and business surveys showed strong local support; roughly 80% of participating businesses reported being pleased with the event weekend, the presenter said.
For 2026, organizers expect Nov. 5–8 and said registration sold out rapidly when it opened. Organizers asked the council to consider allowing camping on a vacant field on Hushaw Road and to permit use of the town park to host a more intimate event footprint. The presenter said he would submit the town special-event application and follow up with details.
The report included a request that the council continue supporting outdoor-recreation tourism while being mindful of seasonality and cumulative event impacts on town infrastructure. The council did not take formal action on the camping or park requests at the meeting; event organizers said they would file formal applications.
