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Beginner Clinic

Helmets are required of competitors
and non-competitors any time they are on their bike.

All races follow current USA Cycling - Mountain Bike rules.
( For more information, see USA Cycling )


2022 Hill Country Bicycle Works
Texas
Marathon Mountain Bike
State Championship Series Rules

1. The Roland Green rule: Any registered racer may assist another registered racer at any time with any part being carried other than on the bike, and/or water and/or food. No parts that are on the bike may be exchanged.  Mechanical work must be done by the racer and no one else.*

2. Racers may receive Outside Food and Beverage handouts at Designated Open Feed Zones ONLY.

3. Racers may only receive Outside Assistance at the Designated Pit Area(s). All repairs must be done by the individual racer, no other person may touch the bike. The Pit Area is designated by race officials. Racers may not leave the Course for any purpose. A racer may leave a items inside the pit area, however the race promotion team assumes no responsibility for items left unattended.

4. You MUST complete the entire race on the same bicycle frame and fork with which you started. All other parts can be switched out.

All USAC licensed Pro riders must compete in the Open category.Your race age for the marathon series will be your age on December 31, 2022

Groups
Points will be calculated for the following Marathon groups:
Open Men
Open Women
Open Single Speed
19-29 Men
30-39 Men
40-49 Men
50-59 Men
60+ Men
19-29 Women
30-39 Women
40-49 Women
50+ Women

Series Scoring
Best 4 out of the 5 total races will be scored for the series overall; you must compete in 3 races to qualify for an Overall Award. Overall awards will be presented at The Miles of Discomfort on Saturday, Jan 29, 2022

Points are tallied based on the rider’s finish order at each individual Championship Marathon series event. Points can not be moved from one class to another.

Points are awarded in the following manner:

Place
Points
Place
Points
1st
60
16th
19
2nd
55
17th
17
3rd
51
18th
15
4th
47
19th
13
5th
44
20th
11
6th
41
21st
10
7th
38
22nd
9
8th
35
23rd
8
9th
33
24th
7
10th
31
25th
6
11th
29
26th
5
12th
27
27th
4
13th
25
28th
3
14th
23
29th
2
15th
21
30th
1

Tie Breaker
If a tie exists for an overall class at the end of the series, the following rules will be used in the following order until the tie is broken:
1) Number of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, ... until tie is broken in all races that are used for series points.
2) Head-to-Head results in all common races.
3) Best result in the most recent race (dropped or not).

Courses
Courses vary according to the terrain. For the Texas State Championship Marathon Mountain Bike Series the marathon course must be either a point to point, or a circuit disputed over one, two or three laps. The marathon distance must be over 37 miles and no more than 110 miles.
Some of the events will offer lesser distances besides that race’s designated marathon distance.  These races will not be counted for an marathon overall series awards. Check each individual event flyers for more details.

USAC Mountain Bike requirements
Racers must have a USA Cycling Annual License OR a One-Day racing license.  Annual licenses can be purchased online at USACycling.org.
Racers need to bring their USAC license and legal ID for registration. All racers will be required to complete and sign a USA Cycling standard athlete’s release form.

Prizes and Awards
Professionally produced awards will be presented to the top three in each class.
Payout will go to the overall top 10 male and top 5 female finishers regardless of open or age groups.  The top 5 spots in both gender groups will be equal payout.

As payout is for the top overall finishers, there will either be a mass start or a start for each of the two gender groups. 

A fee of $1 per rider (only riders that ride the full marathon distance) will be paid by each race promoter to the TMBRA treasurer to be used for series overall awards. The overall State Championship awards will go to the top five racers in each category and will be presented at the series final at The Miles of Discomfort Jan 29, 2022

Cat 3 Tips
(and maybe some tips
for Cat 2 and Cat 1)

New to the racing scene? Here are a few tips to follow to make that first race a little less intimidating.

Come prepared. Your bike should be in race ready condition- don’t save repairs for race day and don’t make any changes on your bike in the week before the race. This includes changing position, chains, cogs, tires, etc. (An exception is if something breaks.) Bring a variety of spare parts with you; tires, tubes, chain, cogs, and an extra wheel set if you have one. Lube, a pump, and allen keys are things that should live in your car or bike bag. There are usually people at a race that can help you in a pinch, but it is always better to be prepared.

Chain damage is still a problem with mountain bikes. Keeping your chain clean and well-lubricated will help. Periodic inspections of your chain for wear, stretch and damage is recommended. Learning how to use a chain tool will save you a walk home.

If you hear a funny noise coming from your bike when riding, soft pedal and look at what is making that noise. If something has landed in your drive train, like a stick, continuing to power the bike could cause something to break. Its better to stop off the trail and fix the problem quickly then get back in the race.

An athlete should always drink plenty of water, but this is particularly important prior to a race. It is good practice to begin heavy hydration 72 hours before the start of any competition. Be sure you have a water bottle with you at all times.

Bring your own food and water to the event. It is always better to be self-contained and self-sufficient. A first aid kit is a good idea.

There is always a designated feed area where water bottles are handed up. There should be signs or a map designating this area. Not all race venues have a water handup for Cat 3 and the younger junior and open categories- find out at the race site.

Most race flyers and registration areas have all the pertinent information about the race. Read these notices carefully as most questions will be answered in these postings.

You must have a USAC license to participate in a TMBRA sponsored race. If you are a Cat 2 or Cat 3 racer ( Cat 1 for one event) you can purchase a one day license for $10, good only for that race day, or you can purchase an annual adult license for $99- this fee went up in order to subsidize the free junior licenses. Annual USAC Junior 18 & under licenses are FREE. You can purchase either license at USA Cycling

CHECK THE RACE FLYERS FOR REGISTRATION INFO. Some races will have same day registration, some races will not!!  Double check your entry form to be certain you are placed in the proper race and that the time and location haven’t changed. TMBRA uses permanent number plates that can be purchased in advance. 

Upon arriving at the event, if you need to register or pick up a permanent number plate, leave enough time to do that. Pre-Registration is always the best bet and a time saver. If you have a permanent number and have pre-registered, race day is a breeze! No need to check in, attendance will be taken on the start line. Get dressed and get your bike ready. Warm-up plan to be around the start line area about 20 minutes prior to your start.

Racers riding a bicycle have the right of way over racers pushing bicycles. When practical, racers pushing should stay on the least rideable portion of the path when being passed. A racer pushing or carrying his bicycle can overtake a racer riding his bicycle, provided he does not interfere with the rider’s progress. (USAC rule 5D1b)

Lapped riders must yield to leaders. (This applies to a lead rider overtaking another class) Riders should voice the command “track” when overtaking another. It is the responsibility of the challenging rider to overtake safely. You must yield to the passing rider on the first command. (USAC rule 5D1c)

All repairs during an event shall be performed by the individual racer. No outside support is permitted (USAC rule 5A4 and 5A5)

Don’t litter the trail with gel packets. Finish your feed by putting used packaging in your jersey pocket. 

The protest period is for 15 minutes after the results have been posted. You must have a racer witness with you when you protest a result. Protests are very time consuming- make absolutely sure your protest is legitimate before you dispute the results.

Get out of your wet and dirty clothes as soon as you can. Eat a combo of protein and carbos within 30 minutes after finishing and re-hydrate.

All events have a Cat 3 schwag raffle.  Some races have a separate junior raffle. Check the postings at the awards area and registration to find out.

It is your responsibility to collect your award or prize. If you cannot wait, then have a buddy pick it up for you.  

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