Race Weekend FAQs

The race schedule is listed on our website under Races > Racing Series.

Because the MCA is so large, not all teams race on each race weekend. Instead, each team takes two “bye” weeks in which they do not race.  

You can view the bye week schedule here: 2024 Team Bye Week Schedule

Before the race:

• Comfortable clothing in layers, rain gear (as needed), blankets (as needed), rugged and/or water-resistant shoes
• Folding chair (optional)
• Healthy snacks and non-caffeinated drinks to keep energy up and stay hydrated before the race

During the race:

• Bike, the right size and in good working order (check ABCDs: Air in tires, Brakes are working, Chain is clean and in working order, Derailleur is switching gears successfully).
• Properly fit helmet without dents or cracks (required)
• Team uniform (either spandex “kit” with padded shorts and zip top OR team jersey and matching “baggy” shorts). Streetwear or non-uniform clothing is not appropriate for racing.
• Race plate and back plate. Affix the race plate to the front of the bike with twist ties, pipe cleaners, or zip ties. Affix back plate to the back of the student athlete’s jersey using safety pins.
• Safety glasses (recommended): clear or tinted polycarbonate lenses that will not shatter upon impact
• Appropriate footwear: flat-bottomed shoes with rubber grips or bike-specific shoes with built-in cleats (if riding “clipped in”)
• Emergency bike repair kit (recommended): tube, small pump or CO2 cartridges, spare master links (for bike chain), tire levers, multi tool
• Water or non-caffeinated hydration drink for during the race (in water bottle and/or hydration pack)
• Any non-caffeinated food (energy gels or bars) for during the race (for longer races). 

After the race:

• Change of clothing (think layers!)
• Healthy snacks and non-caffeinated drinks to refuel post-race

Energy to cheer on your teammates!

• Comfortable walking and/or hiking shoes, preferably water-resistant (our grassy infields are often dewy upon arrival in the mornings; weather can be unpredictable as well!)
• Healthy snacks and drinks (many of our venues have food vendors, but it can be unpredictable)
• A folding chair
• Sun protection: hat, sun screen, sunglasses
• Camera (optional) to take in the action. We also have professional photographers taking photos at races for purchase later.
• Layered clothing. Be ready for wide temperature and/or weather changes within a single day.
• Backpack (optional) can be handy for stashing extra clothes, food, etc.
• Insect repellant
• NOTE: if you bring a bike, you must wear a helmet any time you have a leg over the bar

Please remember: spectators may NOT walk on the course at any time. Follow the rules for the safety of our student athletes: never cross the course tape; only cross at designated intersections.

Spectators should come prepared for a variety of conditions

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.

Parking areas are marked, with people directing you to available parking. No Parking is permitted in the infield. Consult the emailed Race Day News for more information or the specific race venue page under Racing Series on our website.

Student-athletes should meet with their coaches and team members at their team tent and await instructions regarding where to warm up and when/where to report for staging.

In general, student-athletes can pre-ride with their coaches on race weekends, including Friday after 4:30pm once the course is set and announced as open, Saturday until 11:30AM (last rider on course at 11:00AM) or after 4:45PM once the course is clear of all racers and staff, and Sunday until 8:00AM (last rider on course at 7:30AM.)

• All individuals must have a valid number plate (student-athlete or coach).
• Pre-riding by non MCA registered individuals is not allowed.
• Teams are responsible for leading and managing the pre-ride of their team.
• Individual student-athletes cannot pre-ride without a coach.
• The registration trailer is not open the entire time that pre-ride is schedule. It is the reasonability of the individuals to remember their number plates for pre-ride.
• Times may be adjusted based on weather, race delays, etc. Any changes will be communicated at the venue and through the Rained Out app.

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).

Remember that the purpose of pre-riding the course is to see and review the trail; for the safety of all riders on the course, it should NOT be ridden at race pace.

There is no day-of registration available; all student-athletes must register for races no later than August 1st. No exceptions. 

Yes, we will have limited water available for student-athletes to fill water bottles.

We will have neutral support at some races. Please check the specific race pages on the website for further information.

We still recommend that student athletes bring the necessary tools to adjust their bike or make quick fixes to restore it to working order. We recommend each racer bring a spare tube, multi-tool and bike pump.

We often have a limited amount of MCA merchandise for sale in the large MCA trailer.

Yes, there are portable bathrooms on site. You may wish to bring your own hand sanitizer.

SIGNUP or VIEW race delays and holds using RAINED OUT.

• Text 2023SHINDLERS (note spelling) to 84483 for Race Weekend 1: Schindler’s Way
• Text 2023REBECCA to 84483 for Race Weekend 2: Lake Rebecca 
• Text 2023XCEL to 84483 for Race Weekend 3: Xcel Energy MTB Park
• Text 2023SPIRIT to 84483 for Race Weekend 4: Spirit Mountain
• Text 2023THEO to 84483 for Race Weekend 4: Theodore Wirth Park
• Text 2023DETROITMOUNTAIN to 84483 for Race Weekend 5: Detroit Mountain 
• Text 2023GAMEHAVEN to 84483 for Race Weekend 5: Gamehaven
• Text 2023WHITETAIL to 84483 for Race Weekend 6: Whitetail Ridge
• Text 2023CHAMPS to 84483 for Race Weekend 7: Mount Kato 

• Text 2023ALLRACES to 84483 for alerts from EVERY race. 

We will post a link to volunteer here and on our How to Volunteer page as the race season approaches. You may also go directly to the volunteer tent to sign up on site. For a list of volunteer positions, visit: https://minnesotacycling.org/volunteer-positions

Please visit the information trailer with questions. 

• For medical concerns only, call the MCA Emergency Number at (612) 524-7445. You will be given further instructions on the call.
• Most questions will be directed to your coach for resolution.
• For general inquiries and non-emergency questions, visit the information trailer.
• For questions about on-course conduct, contact a referee.

Elapsed time and distance of races (ESTIMATES ONLY)  is usually as follows:

*Race laps and times may be adjusted due to weather/trail conditions

Category                       Elapsed Race Time*            Approximate Miles*

6^th Grade Boys/Girls      20 to 45 minutes (1 lap)      4 miles

7th Grade Boys/Girls     20 to 45 minutes (1 lap)      4 miles

8th Grade Boys/Girls     20 to 45 minutes (1 lap)      4 miles

Fresh Boys                    40 to 60 minutes (2 laps)     8 miles

Fresh Girls                    40 to 60 minutes (2 laps)     8 miles

JV2 Girls                       40 to 60 minutes (2 laps)     8 miles

JV2 Boys                       40 to 60 minutes (2 laps)     8 miles

JV3 Girls                       60 to 90 minutes (3 laps)     12 miles

JV3 Boys                       60 to 90 minutes (3 laps)     12 miles

Varsity Girls                  Under 90 minutes (4 laps)   16 miles

Varsity Boys                  Under 90 minutes (4 laps)   16 miles

Stay tuned to this space for when we have updated information for 2023.

Student-athletes need to report to the staging area exactly 15 minutes before the start of each race. They will receive the number of which staging corral to stand near from their head coaches on race day. The staging areas are arranged by the team’s division and the athletes’ categories.

Student-athletes will listen to hear their names for placement at the start line (a process called “call-ups”). Call-up order is the starting order of the racers is determined based on category placement and this season’s accumulative finish order.  Someone who has not raced before will start after the participants who are on the call up list. If a student-athletes misses their call-up, they will be placed at the back of the start gate. 

Spectators may watch along the race course (see a map of each course on the race’s page under the Racing Series tab), with the following rules:

• Cross the course ONLY in a designated crossing zone. Crossing zones are marked and are staffed by volunteers to help spectators safely cross without interrupting the race.
• Spectators may not walk on the race course at ANY time
• Spectators must keep all hands/feet/noisemakers/hammocks/bikes/etc. at least 4 feet away from the race course at all times

Per the rulebook, spectators may not assist or interfere with riders on course. This includes supplying any kind of assistance to riders. Riders receiving outside assistance will be penalized.

Yes, we encourage parents, coaches and student athletes to cheer on their teammates.

Preliminary (unofficial) results for all races can be accessed from here: http://www.precisionrace.com/mca

Official results will be posted to our website within a few days post-race. 

There is no formal awards ceremony. However, MCA sets up a podium backdrop and steps at races for photo opportunities and impromptu team gatherings.

The results website may have missing data, especially for single lap racers, while we are still racing. Try refreshing the site, and wait until all riders have finished the race. If a time still doesn’t appear, then questions about results should be brought to the referee by your coach, either onsite at the race or by email as soon as possible. 

If you are a coach, email referee@minnesotacycling.org with the rider’s name, team, plate number and approximate start time. Preliminary results are emailed to coaches at the conclusion of racing, and have a deadline by which any protests must be raised.

A rider and/or a coach should report a DNF, Outside Assistance, or Bike Swap to the Referee. The Referee is located under the MCA tent at the finish line of the race. 

If you are a rider, speak with your coach. 

If you are a coach, email referee@minnesotacycling.org with what you think is the correct answer, and why. Preliminary results are emailed to head coaches at the end of each day’s racing for review. There is a deadline for protests, typically within a day. 

If it’s a teammate, have a conversation between racers with a coach first. If further assistance is needed to resolve an issue because it impacts the day’s results the coach should contact the referee. 

Questions or protests about race fairness or conduct should be raised to the referee at the race, with rider and coach, so the issue can be addressed with all parties in a timely manner. 

Questions or protests about race fairness or conduct should be raised to the referee at the race, with rider and coach, so the issue can be addressed with all parties in a timely manner. The referee can be found by the finish line, under the MCA tent.