Race Series

RACE REGISTRATION
RACE RESULTS
RACE REGISTRATION
RACE RESULTS

Our Racing Series

Throughout the summer Blacksheep host a local race series at Trowbridge Forest. Race course vary from singletrack to doubletrack with race formats such as mass start, time trails, and enduro. There is something for everyone, join us this summer for another great year of racing.

 

Racing Categories

Competition categories for our race series are divided into 5 classes:

  • Lambateur is the beginner’s class and will consist of young beginner riders experiencing mountain biking for the first time. It will be assumed that these riders possess little to no technical riding skills and therefore course selection will consist of VERY easy terrain and short distances at all venues.
  • Sport is the first true rider’s class and will assume that riders have at least a moderate experience level. Trails will be designed to challenge, but promote growth as a rider. Technical level will be easy to moderate, and distance will be short to moderate in length.
  • Advanced level will be the first full length course. Advanced rider’s are expected to be completely competent and experienced in all skills pertaining to mountain biking or be willing to accept all challenges and have the common sense to judge their own trail skills accordingly. They should feel comfortable riding all difficulty levels of terrain and/or possess the needed skills to judge obstacles for themselves. Race distances will be moderate to long in length.
  • Elite level will be the top class and consist of riders either competing at the O-Cup level or looking to challenge themselves against top riders. The terrain will be the similar to the Advanced level, but the distances will be longer.

Race organizers will vary the differences between the race course categories. The differences may include extra laps for more difficult categories, or may be the addition of more technical sections of trail.

Sport and Advanced classes will all have the following age sub-categories: 0-15yrs, 16-20yrs, 21-35yrs and +36yrs, for both male and female. Elite class will have the following age sub-categories: 16-20yrs, 21-35yrs and +36yrs. Lambateur will be split by male and female only.

Course Design

Course design will be based on a standard loop developed for Advanced and Elite riders and then scaled back to a lower difficulty level for the Sport riders. Lambateurs will race a completely unique course developed for their level.

Course Estimated Time and Length

  • Lambateur – 1.5 to 2.5km and approximately 15 minutes average time (fastest time approx. 10 minutes)
  • Sport – 5 to 7km and approximately 30 minutes average time (fastest time approx. 25 minutes)
  • Advanced – 11 to 13km and approximately 50 minutes average time (fastest time approx. 42 minutes)
  • Elite – 17 to 20km and approximately 1 hour 5 minutes average time (fastest time approx. 57 minutes)

* Variation on time +/- 5 minutes depending on the venue.

Race Results and Points

In order to qualify for the season standings, a rider must compete in at least 4 of the 7 races. The final results will consist of the rider’s top 5 finishes for the year. Points for individual races will be awarded based on a rider’s place within the overall category for that race (Lambateur, Sport, Advanced and Elite) and their gender.

Once a rider has completed two races in one category, they will not be allowed to switch again.

Race Registration Policy

Pre-registration is required for all races. Registration deadlines may be different for each event, depending on the organizers requirements for each race format.  Please read the web posting for each individual event carefully for cut-off times and other important information. Day of registration comes with an admin fee of $10. Make everyone’s life easier and pre-register! Even if you aren’t committed, pre-register. We can easily cut you from the start list if you don’t show up. No harm done, and $10 saved in case you do show up!

 

  • All riders must complete the online registration before being permitted to participate in any Blacksheep race.
  • To participate in any race, participants must be current general or racing Blacksheep members .
  • Race check-in will start one hour before the scheduled race start time. Check-in period will end 15 minutes before the start of the race.

Conflict Resolution Plan

If a conflict arises the following procedure will be executed:

  1. All concerns over race results must be addressed directly to the XC Race Director. All grievances must be emailed to the Director within 24 hours after an event. After 24 hours, issues involving race results will only be investigated as resources permit. The Director will be responsible for following up with all parties involved in the incident. A resolution shall be with other members of the Executive Committee after which the result will be communicated to all involved parties.
  2. All concerns where the issue is over racer conduct, or any other unstated incident, the XC Race Director will communicate with the rest of the Executive Committee to resolve the issue.

Race Cancellation Policy

In the event that adverse weather conditions are deemed by the XC Race Director, Trail Development Chair, and President to be hazardous to participants and volunteers, the race will be postponed or canceled. The cancellation of any event may take place prior to the start of an event or at any time while the event is taking place.