Desert 100 rides into Irby this weekend

IRBY - For one dusty, loud and exciting weekend, Irby will be the most populated area in Lincoln County. Thousands of motor enthusiasts and spectators will gather this weekend for the 51st Stumpjumpers Desert 100 event on Irby Road starting Friday, March 31.

The event occurs about 10 miles south of town off State Highway 21.

Desert 100 co-chairman Tom McIntosh said last year's event brought about 4,300 riders and many more in attendance.

"We had 1,800 riders just on Sunday last year," McIntosh said.

The gates open to the public on Thursday, March 30, allowing vendors, riders and visitors to set up for the weekend.

There will be a $10 entry fee for spectators.

The biggest event is the main Desert 100 race Sunday, April 2. Registration starts Sunday from 7-8:30 a.m. The mandatory rider's meeting starts at 8:30 a.m. and the race will take place immediately after.

The course is approximately 50 miles of dirt and sagebrush that pushes even the most experienced rider's abilities.

Saturday morning starts off with a mandatory riders meeting for poker runs at 7 a.m., after which the parade to the start line will begin. The Ironman and Dual sport course also opens Saturday at 7 a.m.

Three poker runs are offered this year: a family poker run, adventure/dual sport poker run and iron man poker run.

The family run is a laid back race for motorcyclists of all ages. The family course will open at 8:30 a.m.

The iron man run is an advanced race, while the adventure run is for bikers with street legal and dual sport bikes.

That run will include the channeled scablands around Odessa and a ride around the streets of downtown, with lunch at the downtown brewery.

The mini-riders race has a mandatory meeting at 8 a.m. Saturday. Racers will be grouped into three age classifications: 8-under, 9-10 and 11-12 with a maximum front wheel size of 19 inch stock.

Winners of the Desert 100 and Holeshot award (100 mile start only) will be awarded $500. $200 will go to the female champion after 200 miles, and $100 will go to the female champion after 100 miles.

Each mini-class winner also wins $100.

The beginner ladies' ride is on Saturday and will meet on stage at 11:30 a.m. directly following the mini races.

The Chamber of Commerce is hosting a beer garden from 11 a.m-midnight Saturday and Sunday with live music.

A hot dog lunch will be served on the poker run course while supplies last.

McIntosh said over 200 volunteers are helping with the event.

"We've laid over 1,000 t-posts," McIntosh said. "Six miles of rope and over 50 miles of pink ribbon."

McIntosh has been in charge of the event since 2019 but said he is thankful to experience the event for one more year after this year.

"For my first year (in charge), the pandemic happened," McIntosh said. "I am thankful to be doing this for another year."

He said keeping the event family oriented has been an essential staple since the event started.

"We aim to keep it so the working man can come out here," McIntosh said. "The event is meant to be a good time for all."