Christmas In The Mud - Mountain Bike Race & 5k-ish Trail Run

Come Join us for some awesome mountain bike and trail run fun, and get away from the stress of the holidays for some racing with your dirt loving friends!  Enter just the MTB division(s), just the trail run, OR put them all together with a duathlon!  

This event will be held at the ever expanding Exchequer Mountain Bike park in La Grange, CA (just east of Merced) at Lake McClure.  This growing park is owned by the Merced Irrigation District, and developed for mountain bikers by mountain bikers at the Exchequer Riders Club.  

Race Details:

Mountain Bike Race: 

We will have 3 division for the mountain bike race - Beginner (C level), Intermediate (B level), and Advanced/Expert (A level).  The most advanced riders will go first, following by less experienced riders.  Waves will be mass start, and timed so that no (or very few) Adv/Int riders need to overtake or pass beginner riders.  This is for safety as well as confidence of all riders.   There will be 2 different courses: one for the Adv/Int riders with increased difficulty on more technical terrain, and one for the beginners, with a few technical questions, but designed to build confidence and encourage flow.  Both courses are mostly cross country style, with the option to take a more or less technical option where the trail provides. There will be an aid station with hydration and nutrition basics at the return entrance of the loop.  START TIMES ARE APPROXIMATE. 

Advanced (A) - 9:00am start - 3 laps on the "upper" track - This will be a combination of multiple trails throughout the course.  Each lap is approximately 6+ miles long, for a total of 18 miles for the full 3 lap race.  Majority of the race is single or double track, with a hand full of climbs and/or transfers on fire road where safe passing opportunities will be available. 

Intermediate (B) - 9:45am start - 2 laps on the "upper" track (same track as the Advanced riders, but offering less technical options along the trail where desired).  Each lap is approximately 6+ miles long, for a total of just over 12 miles for the full 2 lap race. Majority of the race is single or double track, with a hand full of climbs and/or transfers on fire road where safe passing opportunities will be available. 

Beginner (C) - 10:30am start -  2 laps on the "lower" loop.  The full loop is approx 5+ miles long.  Doing it twice will give just over 10 miles of total trail covered. This trail is designed to challenge the beginner rider, while instilling confidence.  There are no significant drops or technical sections. Majority of the race is single or double track, with a hand full of climbs and/or transfers on fire road where safe passing opportunities will be available.  Videos of this trail will be coming soon. 

Trail Run Details:

The trail run is 5k-ish in length over primarily single track trail. There are some areas of well beaten trail, as well as some newly cut, rockier trail.  This run/walk is friendly to both the competitive racer, as well as the family.  There will be one aid station on course.  A handheld bottle or water pack is suggested. Course map and elevation chart coming soon. Start time approx 9:15am. Awards 3 deep to top overall male/female.

Duathlon Details [Cancelled due to lack of interest]:

For those who enjoy the double trouble, we will have a fully off-road duathlon option available. The duathlon will begin with the 5k-ish trail run, transition to the bike where riders will complete the intermediate 2-lap mountain bike course, and finish once again with the 5k-ish trail run. 9:15am start time

Other key details for the day:

-This race is not sanctioned, and as such, there are no one-day license fees on top of your entry fee. 

-Race shirt order will be placed on November 10th.  Any registrations past 11/10 are NOT guaranteed your shirt size, however, we always order a bunch of extras, so you are welcome to choose from whatever we have.  Priority sizing allocation will be given to those who registered and elected their shirt size before 11/10. 

-Awards will be given for overall Male and Female in each division/race.  Awards ceremony will take place after each division/race is completed (or when majority of racers in each division have finished). Results will be available live online, a link will be sent out to all participants as well as posted the week prior to the race. 

-There is an $8 fee per car to get into the lake.  Carpooling is recommended if you want to save a few bucks, but we have plenty of room for parking. 

-Camping is available through Lake McClure for those who would like to tent or RV camp for the weekend.  Contact the lake directly to make those arrangements. 

-Food will be available onsite for purchase.  

-For the most current updates and race happenings, be sure to follow us on Facebook.

Refund Policy: 75% refund available until November 30th.  NO REFUNDS will be issued after Dec 1.