Labor Day weekend, August 31 - September 1, 2013.

Following is all you need to know, plus a little more:

We at Epic Rides have always felt there is no substitute for a pre-ride. It's the ideal opportunity to ride the course and become familiar with all that is important for event weekend. Knowing what's around the next corner or where the top of the hill is can be invaluable when ride day rolls around.

Please understand, the pre-ride is an unofficial get together with the intent to ride all the trails which make up the Tour of the White Mountains routes. When we say unofficial, we mean:

Q: Sound good so far?
A: Great. Here's what you need to know

• Driving directions: Country Club trailhead is located at the middle point of the Tour route (center of an hourglass shape), and submerged in the forest. It is primitive, be prepared. To get to the trailhead from the 60/260 intersection in Show Low, drive south on 260 (S. White Mountains Rd.) for 13 mi. Turn left at the Bucksprings Road stoplight, then left on Sky Hi Road (FR182). The trailhead will be 2 mi up on your right at the junction of FR 185.

• Recommended Camping: A great place to camp and located literally an 1/8 mile from the Country Club trailhead on FR 185, this spot keeps living easy during pre-ride weekend. While traveling up FR 185 from the trailhead, take the first right, within about 50 yards you'll come across a large opening among the pines. This spot should offer plenty of space for everyone.

• There is no official start or finish, it's simply a common destination and theme for a mountain bike weekend. More people on the trail together means more laughs, safer riding environment and most importantly--it's a 'social happening'.

• For those interested in pre-ridering with others, it's recommended they rendezvous at the Country Club trailhead by 9:00a each morning.

• All skill levels are welcome.

• Based on group size and interests, we suggest splitting into smaller groups so that everyone is riding with people whom have similar expectations for ride time and trail selection.

• 60 miler pre-ride recommendation: From Country Club trailhead ride the middle sections of the course one day, and the first and last sections of the course the other day. Both days, around 25 - 30 miles each, can be ridden as a complete loop starting and finishing at the Country Club trailhead.

• 35 miler pre-ride recommendation: The 35 mile route is the first half and last half of the 60 mile route. If you've got a friend riding the entire 60, we recommend doing this portion together and riding the 15 mile the other day. Sure, you'll get to experience the Panorama part of the 35 mile route twice but trust us, this is not a bad thing.

• 15 miler pre-ride recommendation: You'll want to start and finish at the Panorama trailhead. The strikingly beautiful Panorama loop is 10 miles of the 15 mile route. The remaining 5 (2.5 each way) is dirt road connecting the trail system to the event venue. The 2.5 out'n back will be marked on ride day. Don't sweat it, the dirt road is steady cruising...

Great. Now that we've got the small talk out of the way, let's get the party started.

If you're going to join in on pre-ride weekend, we encourage you to post your plans to Epic's FB page in order to let others know you're going to be there, and so ride groups can begin taking shape prior to arrival. Also, it's important to know who will be supplying the post ride beverages.

Note: If the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests receive heavy rains a few days before the pre-ride, the pre-ride will be cancelled. Heavy rains in the Apache-Sitgreaves means peanut butter mud. Riding in peanut butter mud is not good for the trail, or for your bike.