2024 Bison Butte Beat the Heat XC Marathon Event Manual

The final weekend MTB race of the season!!!

Presented by Woodcock Cycle Works

ONLINE PRE REGISTRATION and ON SITE Registration (additional $, see below)

Race Date: Sunday, July 28 ^th

Host: Darcy Beer darcybeer@icloud.com , 204 295 8660

Location: The Bison Butte Trails are located in Southwest Winnipeg at 1651 McCreary Road, accessed from Wilkes Avenue or McGillvray Road. Please drive slowly on the access road out of respect for nearby residents, walkers and cyclists. There is plenty of parking on site*. This is a beautiful professionally designed course built for the 2017 Canada Summer Games. *Parking is only available at this site on race days.

Bison Butte Trails (Facebook)

Bison Butte Trails (Instagram)

Eligibility:

The race is open to all. The Grand Prix Main Event is open for 14 years of age and up. There will be a shortened, less technical course for U13 riders. Please exercise discretion regarding the ability of your child to ride the course in a safe manner. Pre-riding the course is encouraged. Please contact the race organizer if you have questions/concerns. Transgender, Gender Fluid, and Non-Binary participants may choose whichever category makes you most comfortable. We are an inclusive and safe space for all. Valid UCI/CCA/MCA race license, or a Day Permit* are required. To purchase a UCI/CCA/MCA license visit the MCA website

*Day permits are available at a cost of $20 per event for non-MCA licensed riders who wish to participate in an MCA-sanctioned event without purchasing a full license. Up to three Day Permits may be purchased per year. The cost of Day permits can be “rolled” into a full license at any time.

*****IMPORTANT****** Day permits DO NOT provide sport accident or liability insurance for the permit holder. Rather, they are in place to “Protect” the MCA, the Race Organizer and volunteers, and licensed riders. We strongly encourage all participants to consider the benefits of a full MCA racing license.

Registration:

PLEASE NOTE: Unlicensed persons may register and participate but they must purchase an additional “Day Permit” for $20 when registering ($5 for Kids), in addition to the race fee.

Register here: https://zone4.ca/register.asp?id=35997

Pre Registration closes: 11:59pm Friday, July 26, 2024 Race day registration: Riders must register at least 45 minutes before their event.

Check In: All registered riders must "Check-in" at the registration table beginning at 7:45 am

On site registration: On-site registration closes 45 minutes before race time for kids and main event

On-site check-in closes 30 minutes before your event start time.

Categories:

KIDS RACE

· U 13: 3 laps of the kids course (~30 minutes)

· U 11: 2 laps of the kid’s course (~20 minutes)

MAIN EVENT:

· Marathon Relay: Solo or teams of 2 riders. Ride for 2 hours or as long as you want, take turns riding as many laps as you can. Teams can consist of all female, all male, mixed gender, no specified gender (transgender/gender fluid/non-Binary) or whichever category makes you most comfortable). Each team member must ride at least one lap of the course for their team to qualify for prizing.

· Not up for riding for 2 hours? Choose 2 or 3 laps solo. Separate prizing will be provided for these races

· No matter what you choose – just go out and have fun .

*All Races have gender neutral starts. Please self-seed at staging based on your perceived ability level for your event of choice. Allow faster riders to the front.

Event Pricing:

Pre- registered     On site

· Kids Races (U13) $15 $20

· Solo $35 $40

· Team (per rider) $30 $35

All pre registered riders will receive a free Bison Butte T-shirt

Course Pre-ride:

Course pre-riding will be allowed beginning at 8:00 AM. Crew may be still working on course preparation so please be respectful and ride in a safe manner. Pre-ride will be available on Sunday, July 28 ^th 8:00-8:45 am and 9:45-10:30 am *. Pre-riders must be off the course by 8:45am/10:30am.

*Kids races may utilize a portion of the adult course, ensure you follow to appropriate course markings for your race.

Podium & Prizing:

• Prizes in each category will go to the top 5 finishers.
• Kids Races: All U 13 U 11 racers will receive a small gift
• Team Relay Event: Male, female, mixed, non-binary/transgender categories
• Solo Event: Male, female, non-binary/transgender categories

We will be providing random giveaways throughout the day just for fun: Best socks, most cheerful rider, best hill climb face, best drop face, best jump, most enthusiastic spectator, and any other good things we see.

Course Description:

· The track consists of a variety of terrain including singletrack, doubletrack, loose dirt, gravel, hard pack, stone, mud, and/or grass. The course will offer technical features that may include rocks, logs, and human-made features. Every effort has been made to provide course options that accommodate all levels of skill. Difficult technical features offer several line choices, “A”, “B” and “C” which denote degree of difficulty. Riders using B and C lines must yield to A line riders when rejoining the main course.

· In the start finish area there will be a through lane for riders continuing on for another lap, a “chip exchange zone” for teams and a finish lane – only for those completing the race.

Race-day Schedule:

Due to expected midsummer heat, we will be starting early. Beat the Heat!

Staging for each race will begin at 15 minutes in advance of the start time, please listen for the commissaires to announce staging and prepare early

7:45 am        Registration table open all athletes (Kids prioritized)

8:00 am        Course open for pre-ride (Kids Races and Main Event)

9:00 am        Course closed

9:00 am        Kids race staging

9:15 am        Kids Race Start (both waves)

9:45 am        Registration closed

9:45 am        Course open for pre-ride

10:30 am     Main Event Staging (all waves). Self select based on ability. Waves will start 1 minute apart

i. Solo 2 hour

ii. Team 2 hour

iii. 3 laps

iv. 2 laps

10:45 am     Main Event

11:00 am    Lunch Available

12:35 pm    Lap lane closed (Riders cannot start a lap after this time)

12:45 pm     Race completion

1:00 pm       Course closed. Course sweep and teardown commences

~1:30pm     Podium and Prizes

Food:

There will be food and beverages available for all event participants and volunteers from 11:00 am-2:00 pm. Lunch is included with all registrations. Additional food may be available on a first-come-first-serve basis for non-participants. Cash Only .

General Race Rules :

• Pre-riding may only be done during the designated times for your category.
• Everyone riding on the course during scheduled Pre Ride/training times MUST have a current MCA general membership (or race license), or day permit (Avail through Registration) Non members are not permitted to operate a bicycle on the course during scheduled event times.
• All racers must operate a bicycle with both front and rear working brakes.
• All racers must wear a safety approved helmet deemed appropriate for cycling AT ALL TIMES while riding (i.e. while training, racing, riding around the staging area etc.). No exceptions.
• Riders shall act and race with caution and respect for their fellow racers. They shall be held responsible for any accidents that they cause.
• Racers may be required to present their license or proof of day permit at the Registration/Check in table. Do not come to a race without your license. FYI, technically, the license is to remain on your person throughout the race.
• It is a racer’s responsibility to know the race course and the number of required laps before the race starts. Marshals are not obligated to give out directions to confused riders.
• A racer must act in a sporting manner at all times and shall permit any faster rider to overtake without obstructing.
• If a rider exits the course for any reason, he/she must return to the course at exactly the same point from which they exited (i.e. do not cross over tape to reenter the course).
• Sleeveless jerseys are NOT allowed.
• Handlebars must have end caps. Kickstands should be removed. Water bottle holders must be secured in appropriate locations on the bicycle frame or seat post.
• Race plates must be secured to the handlebar so that the number can be clearly read by the Commissaires at the Finish line. Do not alter the plate in any way. Ensure the plate is not obscured by brake cables or bent such that the numbers are difficult to read from a distance. Ensure the bottom of the plate is secured so that it cannot flip up.
• Before the race, know exactly where the finish line is situated. Your finish time is recorded on the finish line. Do not stop your race until you cross the finish line. Once finished, exit the area immediately.
• The finish line is for finishers. Never cross the finish line twice.
• If you leave the race for any reason you MUST alert one of the Commissaires as soon as you are able. It is not fun to look for a "lost" rider who has left the race course unannounced.
• Glass containers are not allowed on the course, including the feed zone.
• Please walk your bicycle in the parking areas & any other road ways adjacent to the race site.
• Please walk your bicycle in the registration, spectator and staging areas.
• Please consult the UCI and CCA rules to see all applicable rules and regulations.