Let It Ride is one of the most distinctive off-road electric racing events in the United States. Held annually in Boulder City, Nevada just outside Las Vegas, the event brings together EUC riders, Onewheel racers, course builders, and newcomers on terrain that moves from solid rock face to open desert sand in a single run. In 2026, Let It Ride V returns with expanded race segments, refined trail lines, and a growing international presence that reflects how quickly the sport is maturing.
What Makes Let It Ride Different
Most race weekends are defined by competition. Let It Ride is defined by what happens before the first start horn sounds.
Helmets rest on tailgates. Tires get swapped in parking lots. Chargers change hands between strangers who quickly become teammates for the day. Riders who met once a year ago greet each other like family. The mix of people who show up captures something real about the PEV community.
"You've got a Tesla truck over here and you've got a guy that's living in his van over here. We're all from all different walks of life." -Zach Zinn (@Shreddingz)
That mix is not accidental. It is the culture the event has built over five-plus years of consistent execution in a setting that rewards technical ability without punishing people who are still learning.
The Course: Rock, Sand, and the Monster
The Let It Ride course is built on desert terrain that looks simple from a distance and demands everything once you commit to speed. Loose sand, embedded rock segments, elevation shifts, berms, drop jumps, and sandy washes make up a course that changes character from segment to segment.
The signature feature is a massive downhill section the community has named the Monster. It is the kind of terrain that sorts out who has been putting in the work.
Course builder Zach Zinn has been shaping the trails with a specific philosophy in mind: "I kind of have an understanding of what us riders like to ride. So I like to build things that we like to ride."
The result is a course that spans wood features and bridges at one end and open desert rock at the other.
"You're basically going from pretty solid rock face to a beach. Keep your speed and balance and pray you make it through." James Darnell (@senior_e_moment)
Luke Austin, reflecting on the course design, put it simply: "These trails are fast and flowy. You can push your limits without feeling like you're risking everything."
That balance between speed and approachability is one of the reasons Let It Ride continues to attract both elite competitors and first-time racers.
USA EUC Sanctioned Racing and the Best of the West Series
Let It Ride V will feature USA EUC sanctioned race divisions, giving competitors the opportunity to earn national standings while maintaining the open festival atmosphere the event is known for. Structured heats run alongside open riding sessions, demos, and informal trail groups that stretch beyond the official schedule.
The event also serves as a cornerstone stop in the Best of the West series alongside Seek n Shred Shredfest, and Northwest Electric Fest. For riders pursuing national and regional rankings, Let It Ride represents a genuine competitive opportunity within a calendar that is expanding year over year.
The Community Is the Point
Ask anyone who has been to Let It Ride more than once what keeps them coming back and the answer is consistent. It is not the course. It is the people.
"It's been almost five, six years and I feel like it's like day one. I have zero loss of interest, a lot of passion. It's all about passion, man. It's all about the love for the sport."
The racing itself reflects that spirit. Riders are competing, but they are competing differently than most sports.
"When we are competing and racing, we are lining up next to other people, but we really know that what we're trying to do is improve ourselves, make ourselves better."
James Darnell captured the competitive atmosphere in a line that fits: "Keep your speed, keep your balance, and hope you make it through."
Even the falls get cheered. Boards get brushed off and riders stand up smiling. That dynamic is not accidental either.
"I don't know, you see those movies where the people are racing cars and they hate each other behind the scenes. Everybody loves each other out here. We all talk and hang out and it's a good time and it's fun being part of community." -Roger Hajalil
Jahfari Silsley, one of the youngest riders to earn podium finishes in recent seasons on Onewheel, highlighted what stands out most: "The people. Meeting riders from everywhere. Seeing the community grow."
Gear, Confidence, and Progression
Let It Ride has always been built around the idea that riders should leave better than they arrived. That starts with gear.
"You can wear enough gear that you can take a fall at full speed and get right back up and keep on riding. That's going to give you so much more confidence to be able to hit some of this gnarly terrain that these pro riders are hitting."
Event organizer Joey Cantalicio has watched the weekend grow from a small meetup into a destination event drawing riders from multiple countries. His framing of what the event is for has stayed consistent throughout.
"It's about passion. It's about helping people progress and become better riders."
"If there's one thing that you will get from coming to Let It Ride, it's progression. We aim to progress our riders, and at the end of the day, we do this for fun. So it's about fun and about progression."
What to Expect at Let It Ride V in 2026
The 2026 course introduces additional technical features and extended spectator zones, allowing audiences to see more of the action from start to finish. Riders are already tuning suspension, replacing tires, and mapping travel routes. Spectators who discovered the event through footage last year are planning to attend in person.
For newcomers, Let It Ride does not require a qualifying result to participate. Showing up, watching, learning, and riding alongside others is enough to understand why the culture keeps growing.
"And that's it, you just go out and have fun. You ride with your bros. We're a bunch of 50-year-olds riding out there. We shouldn't be doing this, first of all, but we're doing it and we have fun and love it." -Zach Zinn (@Shreddingz)
How to Follow Let It Ride V
Schedules, registration, and race updates will be published through official USA EUC channels as the event approaches. Race highlights, national standings, and behind-the-scenes footage will be available through USA EUC media coverage.
Whether you compete, spectate, or follow remotely, Let It Ride V is one of the defining stops in the 2026 USA EUC National Championship Circuit.
Follow USA EUC for updates: usaeuc.com
