It’s almost time for the next round of the 2021 Club Championship, with this Saturday, 13th November 2021, the turn of the highly anticipated and ever exciting mountain bike races. The Mudslingers Coaches have once again designed a superb course, complete with A&B lines, technical features and loads of flowing trails to enjoy. Regardless of the weather forecast – this event is a firm favourite for many, and always ends up being a ton of fun.
As ever, we would encourage ALL our members to take part in Club Champs, regardless of whether you are a first timer or an old hand at this! If you missed the Skills Challenge in October, you are welcome to have a go on Saturday as well – there are more details on the news hub. Every event gains you some points – even just for taking part – and it’s all in the interest of healthy competition and FUN. There is an FAQ page here on the Club Champs you can refer to if you have any questions, but for those of you coming along on Saturday, read on to find out a bit more about what you can expect when you compete in the MTB Races event…
MTB Races Club Champs Sign On Process & Important Info
Whether or not you have done this many times before, please ensure you read this post in it’s entirety as it contains details that you need to know about the rider briefings, riding the course before the race, and start times. Our aim is to keep things within a schedule, and as such we’ve planned the day accordingly, but if things do run behind or are delayed we thank you in advance for your patience. Note that we will need more parents than usual to help marshal the races, so please make yourselves known on arrival to help.
Mountain Bike Races Champs Rules
If you are planning on competing, be sure to take note of the event schedule (read on further for this), and the all-important rules for the MTB races. Follow this link here to visit our dedicated page that walks you through the rules, course details, equipment needed, etc. Do read this so you are absolutely clear on what to bring along and the mountain bike specific rules.
Note that mountain bikes will be on loan from the Mechanics, however please note that there is a limited stock so if you do borrow a club bike, you will need to return it ASAP after your race. There is no charge for those being used for Club Champs events.
Advance Online Booking
All racers must register their place in advance. This is important so we can assign race numbers and transponders in advance to save time. Click here for full details and to be directed to the online booking form with everything you need to know and to register and pay by the deadline.
Sign-On: 8.45am – 9.25am
ALL members must make their way to the clubhouse in good time before sign-on closes. Note this is NOT a normal Saturday session so do keep reading to ensure you are clear on what’s happening.
The full process will be explained to you on Saturday, but headlines to note are…
- All members must please sign on as they would for a race.
- You will be issued with number board for your bike and a number for your back.
- Transponders will be issued once you’ve signed on – the Admin Team will direct you.
- Once you’ve signed on make your way to the Judges’ Hut for a briefing and to do your recon lap. Note there are no gear checks for mountain bikes.
- Note there is no early performance session this week.
IMPORTANT: Please be on time to avoid disappointment. Note that anyone who arrives after 9.25am will not be able to sign on as we have a lot of admin to get ready for the different events. We suggest you allow extra time for traffic delays, registration, fitting transponders and race numbers, doing a recon lap, and of course relaxing a bit before your races!
Course Information - IMPORTANT
All races start and finish near the Judge’s Hut at the apron. There are 2 courses for the mountain bike races: a short course for U6 and U8 riders that will be raced in the bowl, and a longer course for U10 and older age categories that will extend to include various off-road sections around the circuit. Everything will be marked with arrows and signs to avoid confusion. Both courses will incorporate fast flowing sections, exciting technical features, and the choice of A (technically challenging) or B (easier) lines. British Cycling XC rules regarding A or B lines will apply so make sure you are clear on the rules. If you are not a regular mountain biker and have not attended gold group sessions during Saturday coaching, you will be riding the B lines.
Course Reconnaisance
After sign on, every rider should make their way to the start / finish line near the judges hut for 9.35am for the main briefing where the rules will be explained. Do not ride on the course before the briefing. All riders will have a chance to ride the course after the briefing with a Club Official, where they will be guided through the circuit and get an opportunity to test the technical features and decide which line to take during the race. Younger age category races kick off first so be sure you allow enough time for this if planning to race. Note that recon is not permitted while racing is in progress. Older riders will have plenty of time to reccy parts of the course not being used by younger racers.
Electronic Timing
For the MTB Races Champs, you will be issued with 2 numbers (a board for your bike, a number for your back) at sign-on in the clubhouse, as well as a race-timing transponder. You will need to ensure you take extreme care with this, and parents we would appreciate your support when these are issued. Once you have completed your race, you will need to return the transponder immediately.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The transponders are expensive (£50 each) and members will not be allowed to sign-on again at the club whilst they have an non-returned transponder recorded. Transponders are issued on the understanding that the rider is responsible for its care and return and assumes acceptance of liability for the cost of replacement in the event of loss.
What Else is On?
Please note that there is no early performance session and no other coaching on Saturday. The only activities are the Mountain Bike Club Champs races; and the Skills Club Champs Challenge for those who didn’t manage to have a go in October.
As per previous races, we would encourage every one of you to give the Club Champs a go, even just for fun. Remember every event gains you some points – even just for taking part – and it’s all in the interest of healthy competition and FUN. There is an FAQ page here on the Club Champs you can refer to if you have any questions, but do feel free to talk to one of the volunteers and we’d be happy to help.
What is the Schedule for the Morning?
Riders need to ensure enough time is allocated for sign on, bike collection (if using a club MTB bike), fitting your transponder and number board, and getting to the start line on time. Not that there are no gear checks for mountain bike races. Please make sure you are clear on the time slots and what to expect, and parents do kindly pass this information onto our members – they are the ones who need to know what is happening!
Running Order & Event Times - Click to Expand
MOUNTAIN BIKE CLUB CHAMPS – EVENT SCHEDULE
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Course Setup: 7am – 9.30am
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Sign On. ALL AGES – 08:45 – 09:25Ready for Briefing at 9.35am |
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Group Briefing, Warm-Up and Course Recon
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9.35am |
A FEW REMINDERS
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Club Champs – Mountain Bike Races Event |
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| MTB Races (I): U6 / U8/ – Boys and Girls Short Course
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Start-Line: 9.55am |
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| MTB Races (II): U10/ U12– Boys and Girls Long Course
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Start-Line: 10.25am |
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| MTB Races (III): U14 / U16 – Boys and Girls Long Course
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Start-Line: 11:10am Race Start: 11:15am |
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Club Champs – Skills Challenge Event |
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Skills Stations – Main Circuit Straight Towards Start Line
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10.30am – 12pm | |
AFTER YOUR RACE…
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Dismantle Course & Clear Up – 12pm
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Parents Please Help As Marshalls and with Setup
The MTB Club Champs needs a LOT of helpers to ensure we are set up on time and riders are in view at all times during their races. We need at least 15-20 parents to come forward to help us as marshals at various strategic points on the circuit (without sufficient marshals, the races cannot go ahead), a number of folks to help carry equipment to and from the judge’s hut, and helpers to put out the course stakes, barrier tape and mark the A/B lines. We also need help with setting up the Skills Challenge stations and manning these.
Please note that we expect parents to step up and help out. This is a great opportunity to get involved, a free cuppa awaits for you afterwards, and you will have our immense gratitude! There is no need to email us in advance – when you turn up on Saturday, simply let us know you’re available to help and we’ll delegate accordingly. We greatly appreciate your cooperation with this – and of course, we have no doubt so do all the children!
Finally…
We do hope you will join us, regardless of the weather. Don’t forget to prepare your kit bag (bin bags for wet kit, a towel and spare clothes!) and get to bed early on Friday night. Once this event is over there is just the Track Champs at the Calshot Velodrome on the 21st November remaining, and we hope to see many of you there.
Parents – we’d like to remind you that this is a children’s competition, and as such we’d appreciate your support in keeping things friendly and stress-free for all our young people AND volunteers to enjoy and have fun. Club Champs is all about encouraging healthy competition, and keeping in the spirit of camaraderie and friendship. If this is your first time participating in the Club Championships, be sure to visit this page here to find out more about how the competition works and what it’s all about.
We would love to see you all taking part this year – so participate, give it your best, and let’s all have a good time!
As usual, keep an eye out on Twitter for the latest updates and if you have any questions, please contact the Admin Team.