Information about Gone Riding

We do our best to race rain or shine, we sometimes adjust the course and laps depending but it is very rare to postpone or cancel due to weather.  Lightning for example could cause delays but it would have to be something extreme to cause a cancelation. Keep an eye on the event page and or subscribe to our texting service for the most up to date information.

Gone Riding always allows onsite day of registration up until the start of each race. Normal Day of registration and or Check In is the day before an event from noon to 5pm and the day of the event from 7:30am to the start of each event.

Enter online (click on the “register” icon on the “events” page of our website) or register at the event (be aware a higher fee may apply)

XC or Cross Country:

This is the most common and traditional form of mountain bike racing. Usually on a circuit or lap consisting mainly of off road single track but can also include open areas and a wide variety of surfaces. Normally 5 to 10 miles in length. Races are usually broken down into classes and riders complete a certain number of laps per class. The fastest rider of the class to finish the required laps is the winner. Point to point racing can also be an option at some events. Starts are normally staggered wave starts with each classes having it’s own start time. Total distance can be from 7 t0 30 miles + depending on the class.

Endurance:

Consisting of mainly off road single track but can also include open areas and a wide variety of surfaces. Racers normally do longer distances than XC and often the laps are longer than XC. Starts are normally mass wave starts (with classes scored separately) however at some events there may be individual timed starts or even pod starts (small groups starting at one a time). Waves are usually separated into Sprint distance (25-30 miles) or Marathon distance (50-60 miles). 

ST or Short Track:

These are very similar to a road criterium and may also be know as a dirt crit. Consisting of short laps (normally a mile or so) with a mixture of single track and open areas for passing. Also short in duration, usually in the 10 to 20 minute range. Mass start but classes are normally scored separately withing the race.

TT or Time Trial:

These are basically the rider vs the clock with the racer or racers focused on the best time for a certain distance (usually one lap but sometimes a point to point). Normally these are Individual Time Trials or ITT but can also be conducted as a Team Time Trial or TTT.

Gravel Grinder:

Very similar to road race cycling but off road instead. Often on gravel or limestone or other hard surfaces but often contain a mix of surfaces including sand and sometimes single track. Starts are normally mass wave starts (with classes scored separately) however at some events there may be individual timed starts or even pod starts (small groups starting at one time). Waves are usually separated into Sprint distance (25-30 miles) or Marathon distance (50-60 miles) and scored by the class.

Event schedules are normally included in a series or event flier but there are often summaries on the event page in the information section.

Normally in cross country events the classes are broken down into age, gender and skill levels, the three main skill levels are base, sport and expert.  Simply take your age, gender and skill level into account and there should be a class just right for you.  At some events a novice class is offered which is an entry level class below the base class and is a non points paying class. 

Cross Country or XC:

Normally base level riders will do between 9 and 12 miles or about one hour, sport level riders will do between 15 and 18 miles or about one hour fifteen minutes to one hour thirty minutes, while experts do between 20 miles and 30 miles or about one hour thirty minutes to two hours thirty minutes or more.

Endurance or Gravel:

Normally two distances are offered Sprint (25-30 miles) & Marathon (50-60 miles). 

Each course has it’s own character and levels of difficulty but in general we try to lay out our race courses with a wide variety of riders in mind and in some cases we will implement different layouts, for instance one for the base riders (white wave) and one for the advanced riders (yellow wave).

 If a course map is available it will be posted on the event page in the information section.

At all Gone Riding events no qualifying is required, even in series events.

 It depends on if the event is sactioned or not, if sanctioned then the rider may be subject to purchase an annual license or a temporary one day licence, fees vary amoung organizations.  If it is not a sanctioned event, membership is not normally required.

We don’t offer refunds however if Gone Riding can determine if the situation was an emergency or unavoidable and Gone Riding is notified (either in person, by phone or by email) before an event starts we may offer a credit towards another Gone Riding event in the same calendar year.

Click here for the USA Cycling Junior Membership.

Click here for the USAC Race Membership

Most information can be found on the race flier, when the fliers are available they will be posted on the “events” page of our website, if your answers are still not being addressed don’t hesitate to email us info@goneriding.com