For all those folks thinking of coming along and trying their hand at Cross Country racing for the first time, or after a break away from the sport, here's a wee explanation of the different categories to help you know what to enter.
ELITE - these are the super fast guys and girls who hold and Elite race licence as issue by British Cycling. Always worth watching to check out their lines and how well they carry speed through the tough sections.
SPORT - sport would be applicable to racers aged 19-29 who either don't have enough BC points to race Elite, or who simply don't feel like making the leap yet. A fast and competitive category, but a good feeder, entry route for newer competitiors.
MASTERS - equally fast chaps and chapettes between the ages of 30 and 39. This is often one of our biggest categories and has great competition with a vast range in skills from the super fast, to the newer cyclists who all slog it out against each other.
VETERAN - this bunch can fly too! These would be your 40-49 year olds, and as we all know, XC MTB'ing lends itself rather well to the more mature racer with more experience, stamina and endurance.
GRAND VETERAN - moving up through the age rankings, these fine men and woman are aged 50-59 and still have some speed about them!
SUPER VETERAN - don't let the greying hairs thorugh the helmet fool you, the 60-69 year olds in this category provided some excellent competitive racing.
OPEN - For anyone! This would be two laps of the course and is a good testing ground for riders who are relatively fit and want to see how they'd get on before moving into their age-related category.
BEGINNER - One lap, an easy(ish!) introduction to the Cross Country racing scene you can see how you feel over the shorter distance, see how your skills cope on the courses and find your feet in the race world.
And our rising stars...
JUNIOR - young lads and ladies aged 17-19 years who will often be wel paced with the elited. An excellent way for young riders to learn their trade.
YOUTH - 15-16 year olds who provide some big categories and good racing for all abilities with mini-battles all thorughout the field.
JUVENILLE - for anyone between 12-14 years, an excellent progression up from U12 racing, with large, strong entry fields and plenty of support from the parents at the side of the track.
UNDER-12 - Does what it says on the tin!
All categories (Except Super-Vet) applicable to both Male and Female racers - make sure you enter the correct gender!
If in doubt, check out the guidelines on birth dates - sounds more confusing than it is, as it's based upon what age you'll be that year, e.g If you'll turn 50 in September, even though you'll be 49 all race season, you should enter the Grand Vet category.
Any questions - Get in touch! We're here to help
