Cross-country mountain bike racing is the most popular and accessible form of bike racing in Saskatchewan. Participants of all ages and ability levels can race and enjoy this sport that promotes fitness, competition and socialization.

Cross-country mountain bike racing can be simply described as an off-road mountain bike race on a closed circuit course that is typically 6-10km in length consisting of singletrack trails, climbs, descents, doubletrack and occasional obstacles. Athletes race against similarly skilled racers in age/skill categories and complete a set number of laps based on their category for a race that is between 30-120 minutes in length.

The Saskatchewan Cycling Association sanctions mountain bike racing in the province and provides support to race organizers, sets the provincial calendar, administers the points series and after the provincial championships - holds a banquet to award prizes and medals for the year's accomplishments.

Cross-country mountain bike race categories are designed to place riders in groupings of similar skills and ages. The list below includes a description the age grouping, and the ideal finishing time of the category winner. Check below to find out what category would be a good place to start for you.

Elite: The open elite is for men and women is the highest level of racing in Saskatchewan.

• Elite Men (open) - 2 hours - 2:15 hours
• Elite Women (open) - 1:45 hours - 2 hours

Expert: The expert category is for men and women is for experienced racers and for some age groups is the highest level of racing in Saskatchewan.

• Master Expert Men (40+) - 1 hour 30 minutes
• Master Expert Men (30-39) - 1 hour 45 minutes
• Master Expert Women (30+) - 1 hour 30 minutes
• Senior Expert Men (19-29) - 1 hour 45 minutes
• Senior Expert Women (19-29) - 1 hour 30 minutes
• Junior Expert Men (17-18) - 1 hour 45 minutes
• Junior Expert Women (17-18) - 1 hour 30 minutes
• Under 17 Expert Men (15-16) - 1 hour 30 minutes
• Under 17 Expert Women (15-16) - 1 hour
• Under 15 Expert Men (13-14) - 45 minutes
• Under 15 Expert Women (13-14) - 45 minutes
• Under 13 Expert Men (10-12) - 45 minutes
• Under 13 Expert Women (10-12) - 45 minutes

Sport: The sport category is for men and women is for developing and recreational racers.

Citizen: The citizen category is for men and women is for beginning racers who have never been to a race before.

This is my first race and which category should I choose?

For those over 17 years of age and have never raced before and aren't sure of how well your riding skills are, the citizen category is a good starting point. If you find your first race super easy, then for your next race you can move up to a sport category.

For those over 17 years of age and feel they are experienced riders but haven't raced before or are unsure of your fitness level, the sport category is a good starting point.

For those over 17 years of age and have raced before or do well in road racing, and have a high fitness level, then the expert category is probably where you should start.

For those between 15-16 years of age who haven't raced before, the Under 17 sport category is a good choice.

or those younger than 15 years of age, there is only the choice of the Expert category but do not let the name intimidate you. The race is short, and the under 13 category runs a modified course that removes the hardest sections of the course.

Remember that you are not stuck with the category you choose, if it is too hard or easy you can always switch for the next race. Don't forget, you can ask the race organizer or a member of the SCA for assistance in choosing your category.

Upgrading and downgrading your racing license or Temporary upgrades

If you believe that you should be upgraded or downgraded in your racing category, you must provide a letter to the High Performance Committee outlining your request.

For an upgrade, your request should include race results from your previous season, race results from the current season, recommendation letter from your coach, previous experience in a related sport, and or results from a high level of ability in another cycling discipline.

For a downgrade, your request should include race results from the current or past season or a description of the circumstances which would place you at a lower ability category.

Generally a Road Level 1 or 2, a Cyclo-cross Level 1 or 2 and a Mountain Bike Elite license are not issued without substantial evidence that a rider can race at that ability level. If you don't have substantial evidence that you are racing at a higher ability and you are attending an out of province race and competing in any of the high ability categories mentioned previously, you can request an upgrade letter to attach to your current license. This letter will be specific to a race and will have an expire date. Your request should list the event name and location, date of the event and current results that would support the temporary upgrade.

All requests must be received at least one month prior to the event for which you would like to compete in your new upgraded/downgraded category.

Send your request to the SCA office at: 2205 Victoria Ave, Regina, Sask S4P 0S4 or e-mail at cycling@accesscomm.ca

The schedule for all races is the same (except where noted and the Provincial Championship which starts an hour earlier). If you have pre-registered for a race, you must still sign-on between 9:00AM and 10:15AM on the day of the race. Licensed racers must show their license on race day. A waiver of liability form and registration form must be completed and handed in at sign-on. One day licenses are available at the race for $20.00 and is good for one event for unlicensed riders. A maximum of one one day license can be purchased in one year.

Schedule of Events:

9:00-10:15AM	Registration (sign-on) and practice on the course.
10:00-10:30AM	Bike marking for Junior and Senior Expert and Elite riders.
10:45AM	Rider staging for all categories.
11:00AM	Start of race for first wave of riders.
2:00PM	Awards ceremony.