Minnesota State Championship Series

presented by: The Spoke

Bluff Riders Charge, Mt. Kato MTB trails, Mankato, MN

Cross-Country Mountain Bike Races

Sunday, June 28, 2009. First race at 9:00 a.m.

Mt. Kato has played host to several MTB races each season since opening 7+ miles of wooded singletrack trails in 1996. This venue was designed, built & is maintained by riders for riders!

The course starts with a nice warm-up climb to the top of the ski area. Once on top, all racers make a large traverse along the front of the ski area. The course has a good balance of climbs, descents and technical sections with switchbacks. The approximate vertical gain per lap is 500 feet. No one will be disappointed with this course!

Notes:
1) Kids Comp, Citizen, Sport, and Comp race entrants holding a USA Cycling Mountain annual membership (license), receive a $3 refund at race registration upon presentation of their membership card at the registration tent.
2)*USAC Sanctioned - All 2009 MNSCS events are USAC Mountain sanctioned. Racers competing in the Pro and Expert Classes are required to have an annual USA Cycling license. To purchase a license visit www.usacycling.org
3)**Must Register
 

Get ready for an exciting day of mountain bike racing in Southern Minnesota! Mt. Kato has: 7+ miles of well-maintained singletrack, plenty of parking space & a chalet right on the race course. Bluff Rider's Charge offers an event for all ages and all ability levels.

The MNSCS & The Spoke are encouraging participation by offering the following race classes at Bluff Rider's Charge:

Shimano Youth Series

The Youth Series is designed to give children an opportunity to compete like their parents in a positive and fun environment.
The Shimano Youth Series is free to children ages 12 & under. Each child must register. Kids receive a t-shirt, stickers, numberplate, and a gold medal. Parents can ride with the kids, providing motivational and physical support.

Kid's Comp

This event is designed for the 8-12 year old who is ready for a challenge that is more advanced than the youth series event. At Bluff Rider's Charge, Kid's Comp is 1 lap of the same course as the Citizen race.

Citizen Class

A Citizen class competitor is generally a new or recreational racer with limited riding experience.

Sport Class

A Sport class competitor is an experienced rider of average to above average ability.

Comp Class

A Sport class competitor is an experienced racer looking for a challenge in course & distance above Sport.

Expert & Pro Class

NORBA license is required.

On line registration ends at 10:00 PM  on Thursday, June 25th. Please click on the link below to register.

On-Site registration will open at Mount Kato Sunday, June 29th at 7:30 am.

Registration closes 30 minutes prior to the start of each class.

map of Mount Kato mtb trails

There are many shared elements of Mt. Kato trails for Kid's Comp, Citizen, Sport, Comp & Expert classes.

The trails at Mount Kato run in a clockwise direction only--use the link to the map above with the course descriptions:

Kid's Comp & Citizen: Kato Climb - Frog Pond Loop - Outlook Traverse - Back Loop - Gets Tight - Cedar Climb - Killer Toad Loop - Dead Horse - The Maze - Back Home - Cabin Run

Sport: Kato Climb - Frog Pond Loop - Outlook Traverse - Back Loop - Gets Tight - Cedar Climb - Killer Toad Loop - Dead Horse - The Maze - To The Top - Staircase - Lookout - Luge - Back Home - Cabin Run

Comp, Expert & Pro: Kato Climb - Frog Pond Loop - Outlook Traverse - Back Loop - Gets Tight - Cedar Climb - Mad Squirrel - Killer Toad Loop - Dead Horse - The Maze - To The Top - Staircase - Lookout - Ridge Run - Quick Release - Cabin Run

Pre-Riding: Mount Kato mtb trails are open for riding from dawn until dusk. A trail pass is required & can be purchased on-site at Mount Kato. The chalet will be open Saturday, June 27th from 11 am until 6 pm.

Medal & award presentation ceremonies will immediately follow the completion of each event. 
Medals will be awarded 3 places deep in each age group for all race classes. Cash payout, up to 15 places deep to Expert Male and Female Overall. See the MNSCS Guidelines for payout details.

Mt. Kato area maps

Driving Directions from Minneapolis/St. Paul and points north:

Take US Hwy 169 South from the Twin Cities to Mankato/North Mankato. Exit at 66/Riverfront Drive. Right at stoplight onto S. Riverfront drive. West 3 blocks to Sibley Ave. Left onto Sibley Ave. (under bridge). South 3 blocks to W. 7th. Right onto W. 7th, 1 block West to Carney Ave/Hwy 66. Left onto Carney Ave/Hwy 66, 1.5 miles South to Mt. Kato.

Driving Directions from points south:

Take US Hwy 169 North/60 East. Exit at Frontage Road. Right at end of off-ramp onto S. Riverfront drive. East 3 blocks to Sibley Ave. Right onto Sibley Ave. (under bridge). South 3 blocks to W. 7th. Right onto W. 7th, 1 block West to Carney Ave/Hwy 66. Left onto Carney Ave/Hwy 66, 1.5 miles South to Mt. Kato.

• Food & beverage will be available for riders & spectators

• Camping is available at two locations near Mt. Kato:

  Land of Memories

  382 Hawley Street
  Mankato, MN 56001
  (507) 387-8649

  Minneopa State Park

  54497 Gadwall Road
  Mankato, MN 56001
  (507) 389-5464
   

• Lodging is available at:

  Best Western Hotel

  1111 Range Street
  Mankato, MN 56003
  (507) 625-9333
   

  AmericInn Hotel & Conference Center

  240 Stadium Road
  Mankato, MN 56001
  (507) 345-8011
   

Sport Class Photos

Comp & Expert Photos