Which category should I enter?
MTB race categories can look a bit confusing when you are starting out, so we’ve put together some guidelines to help you decide which to enter… Just arm yourself with your date of birth, a rough idea of your MTB ability, and use the information below to see where you will fit best.
British Cycling Commissaires will decide on the day based on conditions and lap length. You will be advised the total number of laps for your race on the start line.
Race 1
Open Sport: A great place to start if you’ve come form another competitive cycle sport or the natural step on from Open. For riders aged 19+
Open Masters 60+: If you want to race within your age group or are looking to score national ranking points. These guys have earned the super status and should really have their pants on the outside! For riders 60 years young and above.
Open Novice : This is a great place to start if you’ve never raced before. There is no series for these races and if you find yourself at the front regularly do the right thing and enter a different category next time, the natural progression is to move into Open.For riders 16 years old and over.
Riders in Race 1 will not be able to begin another lap after 1hr 15mins.
Race 2
U10 Boys and Girls: This is where a life time of bike racing often begins. A short, speedy MTB course with lots of woodland fun. The U10/12 racers will use a mostly unique course built just for them, often only sharing the open sections thorough the race village. The riders do as many laps as they can in the 15 minute time limit. For riders born after the 01/01/2015 .
We ask that all riders can ride in woodland tracks and across grassland under their own steam, if your child is still finding their feet off road but is desperate to race, have a look at a Summer Cyclocross series.
Please note that the U10 course does not have a feed zone so all riders must self feed.
U10 will race for ~15 minutes
Race 3
U12 Boys and Girls: A short, speedy MTB course with lots of woodland. The U10/12 racers will use a mostly unique course built just for them, often only sharing the open sections thorough the race village. The riders do as many laps as they can in the 25mins time limit. For riders born between 01/01/2013 to 31/12/2014
We ask that all riders can ride in woodland tracks and across grassland under their own steam, if your child is still finding their feet off road but is desperate to race, have a look at a Summer Cyclocross series.
Please note that the U12 course does not have a feed zone so all riders must self feed.
U12 will race for ~20 minutes
Race 4
Youth Boys and Girls: On the full course, loving life and getting faster. The Youth Boys race is 3 laps. For riders in the year of their 15th 16th birthday .
Juvenile Boys and Girls: This is the competitors first trip out on to the full course, go for it and show ’em how it’s done. For riders in the year of their 13th or 14th Birthday.
Youth Fun/Beginner Boys and Girls: This is a great place to start if you’ve never raced before, you’re struggling for confidence or you’re too old for Under 12’s but don’t feel brave enough for Juvenile racing. There is no series for these races, once you’ve found your feet and got the hang of mountain bike racing you should move into your age based category. The Youth Fun/Beginner Boys and Girls. For riders in the year of their 13th or 14th birthday.
Race 5
Ladies Elite: This is where the big guns hang out. Great racing open to all of you with ‘Elite’ British Cycling licenses. The race is 4 laps. For riders born between 01/01/1984 and 31/12/2005.
Ladies Expert: A super competitive category open to all of you with ‘Expert’ British Cycling licenses. The race is 4 laps. For riders born between 01/01/1985 and 31/12/2005.
Ladies Junior: A competitive battle for the next generation. If you have never raced before but fall in this age range you may want to consider either the Beginner/Fun race or the Open race. For riders in the year of their 17th or 18th birthday.
Ladies Sport: A great place to start if you’ve come form another competitive cycle sport or the natural step on from Open.For riders 16 and over.
Ladies Masters 40-49: If you want to race within your age group or are looking to score national ranking points. For riders aged 40 to 49
Ladies Masters 50-59: If you want to race within your age group or are looking to score national ranking points. These riders prove that age is just a number, talk about quick…. For riders aged 50 to 59.
Ladies Masters 60+: If you want to race within your age group or are looking to score national ranking points. These ladies have earned the super status and should really have their pants on the outside!! The race is 2 laps. For riders aged over 60.
Ladies Novice: This is a great place to start if you’ve never raced before. There is no series for these races and if you find yourself at the front regularly do the right thing and enter a different category next time, the natural progression is to move into Open.For riders 16 years old and over.
Riders in Race 5 will not be able to begin another lap after 1hr 30mins.
Race 6
Open Elite: This is where the big guns hang out. Great racing open to all of you with ‘Elite’ British Cycling licenses. For riders born between 01/01/1985 and 31/12/2005.
Open Junior: A competitive battle for the next generation. If you have never raced before but fall in this age range you may want to consider either the Beginner/Fun race or the Open race. For riders in the year of their 17 18 Birthday.
Open Expert: A super competitive category open to all of you with ‘Expert’ British Cycling licenses. The race is 5 laps. For riders born between 01/01/1985 and 31/12/2005.
Open Masters 40-49 : If you want to race within your age group or are looking to score national ranking points. For riders 40-49.
Open Masters 50-59 : If you want to race within your age group or are looking to score national ranking points. These riders prove that age is just a number, talk about quick… For riders 50-59.
Riders in Race 6 will not be able to begin another lap after 1hr 30mins.