Date
September 28–29, 2024
Mount Kato Ski Area is just south of Mankato, MN, off Hwy 1.
Parking
There is plenty of parking in the facility parking lot. Do not park on the road leading up to the ski area. Volunteers will be onsite during the morning hours to assist with parking, please follow directions. Teams may leave their trailers overnight.
Tent Assignments
Spectators
Due to construction work at Mount Kato, the traverse area at the top of the ski hill is not accessible for spectators this year. To access the back side of the hill, please use the far right side of the hill (as you are facing the hill) and walk around the pond to spectate. Stay off the areas at the top of the hill by the lift towers as those are active construction areas and there are trenches and other hazards.
Infield Map
Walk Your Bike Areas
The area in and around team tents is always a walk your bike area. Everyone is expected to walk their bike in these areas; if you are riding or are “scootering” with one foot on the pedal, you or your team could be penalized.
Other areas that are walk your bike areas include the start line during staging, the area around the registration trailer and the medical tents. Additional areas may be signed for walk your bike depending on the venue. All race attendees must follow these walk your bike rules. If an area is busy or you aren’t sure whether it’s a place to ride – please walk your bike!
No scooters, skateboards, unicycles, or other wheeled devices (excepting wheelchairs or mobility chairs) may be ridden in these areas. These are busy areas with lots of people and it is important for the safety of all attendees that everyone walks their bike.
Helpful Links
Mankato Accommodations page: https://www.visitgreatermankato.com/mankato/visit/stay/
Where To Eat: https://www.visitgreatermankato.com/mankato/visit/eat/
Race Weekend Schedule
Call-Ups
Call-ups for riders having their first race are based on previous year race results. Category adjustments were included, where appropriate (Example: JV3 racer advanced to Varsity, adjustment made to first race value). New racers are placed behind racers with race history. New racers were randomized among new racers.
Race Weekend FAQs
Visit our Race Weekend FAQs page for information about registration, race plates, spectating, volunteering and more.
Race Course Description
There are many spectator-friendly spots at Mount Kato to watch the races, and cheer the riders on. 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 back 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 400 feet; each lap is 4-miles. All other bike trails are closed to riders for the weekend.
GPX File
Download a GPX file of the course here. Use the file to view the course on your navigation device (ie. Garmin, Wahoo, Strava).
Pre-ride
While the venue can be ridden during regular trail hours, the MCA race course uses several shortcuts that are not part of the trail system and therefore cannot be used when riding before the Friday afternoon of race weekend. If you are riding before race weekend, stay on marked trails and do not move any logs or rocks blocking these shortcuts. Pre-ride will be available with your team on race weekends. Talk to your coach about when your team’s pre-ride will occur.
Race weekend pre-ride times:
In general, student-athletes with their coaches can pre-ride on race weekends once the course is set and marked. Hours for pre-ride are:
- Friday from 4:30 pm* – sunset; (start time may vary depending on course set, do not enter the course until it is announced and marked as open)
- Saturday from ~7:30 am – 11:00 am (last rider may enter course, all riders must be off the course by 11:30 am) and
- Saturday afternoon, after racing is concluded and the course is announced as open for pre-ride – sunset, and
- Sunday from 7:00 AM (last rider on course at 7:30 am, all riders must be off the course by 8:00 am).
Pre-ride hours may be adjusted based on weather, race delays, etc. Any changes will be communicated at the venue and through the Rained Out app.
Pre-ride rules:
Individual student-athletes cannot pre-ride without an MCA coach.
All individuals must have their valid 2024 number plate (student-athlete or coach) attached to their bike.
Pre-riding by non-MCA registered individuals is not allowed.
Teams are responsible for leading and managing the pre-ride of their team.
The registration trailer is not open the entire time that pre-ride is scheduled. It is the responsibility of the student-athlete or coach to remember their number plates for pre-ride.
As a courtesy to other races, do not pre-ride the race course if you are not scheduled to race that weekend, or pre-ride after your race (example: middle school pre-riding on Saturday evening).
Pre-ride is an opportunity to preview and understand the course, it should not be used to set a fast time or as an opportunity to race the course.
All pre-ride rules can be found in Chapter 7 of the MCA Sporting Regulations.
Be Race Ready
Be prepared with a bike that is race-ready and have the appropriate tools on hand for tires (CO2 canister and/or hand pump, puncture repair kit, spare inner tube), chain (spare links, chain lube), and adjustments (multi-tool).
Special Notes
- Drones are prohibited at all MCA Events
- Be considerate of our venue and use the trash receptacles.
- Dogs on a leash are permitted in the infield. Owners are expected to maintain control of the dog at all times (including barking control) and to clean up after their pet. Primary concerns are the safety of the racers, team support, and spectators.
Concessions
Concessions will be available on site.
Results
You can view unofficial race results here during the race weekend: http://www.precisionrace.com/mca . Official results will be posted on our website once they have been validated.
Be Social
Be sure to like us on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram for race day and season updates.
Photos
Photos from the race will be available to purchase and download, typically 2-3 days following the race. The link to view photos will be posted on our Race Results, Photos & Videos page.