Club Champs Round 4: Mountain Bike Races – The Plan!

What bike do I need?
Only mountain bikes allowed – this is not a cycl0-cross event so therefore no CX bikes permitted. In the same way that only road bikes were allowed for the road races, only MTB bikes for the MTB races please. If the Coaches deem your bike inappropriate for the race you will be asked to get a bike from the Mechanics.

I don’t have a mountain bike! What am I to do?
There will be mountain bikes available at the Mechanics’ Hut. If you don’t have a mountain bike, you are very welcome to see the Mechanics who will be able to help you out! If you’ve never raced on a mountain bike before, now is your chance. Demand is likely to be high so arrive in good time if you need one!

What special safety equipment do I need?
As per usual, you will need a helmet, gloves, and ensure you are wearing the correct clothing – layer up and bring a rain jacket! Check out our rider resources for tips on dressing for cycling. Most important, your mountain bikes MUST have bar-end plugs – no exceptions. If you don’t know what these are please ask.

Will there be gear checks?
No.

Sign On Times – PLEASE READ
MTB Club Champs Sign-On if from 9am – 9.30am. The day’s events are being run to a very tight schedule, particularly as we area also hosting the GoRide races in the afternoon, and the volunteers have a LOT to get all the admin ready for the session to support the Coaches. Therefore, kindly be on time as no latecomers will be allowed to sign on after 9.30am. No exceptions. So if you wish to take part in your event, ensure you are on time.

I don’t want to Mountain Bike – are there other activities?
The session will be dedicated to the Mountain Bike Club Champs event, and we encourage you to give it a go. Even some of our most passionate roadies who took part last year loved it, and we have no doubt you will too! If you need a reminder of why we encourage ALL our Members – whether you are a trackie, mountain biker, newbie or just a fun rider – to take part, read this page here.

So, to be clear…

• There is NO monthly early Time Trial event before the main MTB Champs session.
• There will be NO normal development sessions on the apron or elsewhere.
• There will be NO other activities other than the MTB Club Champs

A Few Important Notes.

• Warm-ups are mandatory and riders will be doing this on the main circuit whilst the XC course is being set up.
• The reconnaissance laps on the actual course afford you a chance to get a feel for the course so don’t be late for yours! Please do not ride on the course until it is ready and without permission.
• As soon as you have finished your race, we’d encourage you to stick around and cheer on your fellow Members.
• However, if you must leave feel free to do so but return your number and let sign on know you are going home.
• Bring a towel, a change of shoes and a set of dry clothes – it is cold and likely to be wet on Saturday. You will require this after the race!
• If you are racing the Go-Ride XC races as well, bring a spare set of race kit!

Just a Little Extra Note About Mud. We LOVE it! Really We Do. BUT…
Mud is messy and as much as we, the Volunteers who stay behind to clean the clubhouse, appreciate the sheer joy factor in being caked in it, cleaning it is another story! Sadly, after years of asking Santa (remember he’s visiting us on the 12th December!) and all the magical beings for cleaning fairies or automatic robot cleaners, our requests have been ignored and thus it is up to ALL of us to keep our clubhouse clean! SO, bearing in mind we have an event from 12.30pm onwards, save us having a moan at you (we really don’t enjoy that!) and apply some consideration by observing the following common sense principles:

• DO NOT COME INTO THE CLUBHOUSE WITH MUDDY SHOES ON. Take them off after competing and remove them before entering the clubhouse.
• Do not enter clubhouse with mud attached to your clothing – try and shake off as much mud as possible outside. Don’t do this in front of the clubhouse please – it will only be dragged inside.
• Please do not leave the changing rooms, toilets or any other part of the clubhouse you walk through covered in mud. If you make a mess, clean it up.

We Need Volunteers Please!
As ever, none of these events can be a success without the dedication of the volunteers and coaches; and of course the very welcome and much-needed help from parents. If you are a BC Young Volunteer and want to add a few hours to your logbook, this is a great opportunity to do so if you don’t fancy mountain biking yourself. Specifically, we will need help with: