What to Expect as a Beginning Mountain Bike Racer
So you’re 100% ready to race your first Over the Hump next next Tuesday…kind of???? Not at all? Maybe you’re even second guessing your race at Irvine Lake this week. Have no fear, we’re here to help.
When we built the concept of Over the Hump, we built it for THE BEGINNER and ENTHUSIAST. At our core is a hope that we give first timers and repeat offenders the time of their life on two wheels, from the moment they arrive to the time you head home. So in an effort to make this simple, the bullet points below should help you find your way through the crowd on the first night…
Ohhh yeah, if you are considering racing, and have not yet registered…STOP…click this LINK, to register, right now. The OTH Season Opener always sells out. This year will be no exception. We will not be registering anyone onsite; your call. We suggest you get in first…then read on.
STEP 1: The FUN Starts This Weekend:
- Saturday, May 16 [This weekend] , and pick up your Number plate this weekend
- 1pm-3pm @ Oakley, 1 Icon, Foothill Ranch, CA (in the far left lot adjacent the Oakley Circle)
- Print out and bring the Waiver (click here)
- Yes, a friend can pick up your number plate, with a signed waiver.
Step 2: Race Day is: Tuesday, May 19 –
Prior to arrival, please read REQUIRED RACE INFO (all racers must read)
- Check-In Begins at 4:00pm on Tuesday; Pre-registration only, there will be no onsite registration opening night.
- Allow arrival 30 minutes prior to your estimated arrival time, for the season opener (we usually see traffic backed up on Santiago Canyon Blvd…but don’t worry, we build a little extra time into our plan, and we won’t start the race on Tuesday until we know everyone has had a chance to get parked and arrive.
- Parking is $3/car, pay and park.
- Follow the traffic to the North towards our staging area.
- At this point you can either pick up your number plate, or go through Speed check to make sure your plate is registered (the plate you received this season is the only one that will allow you to be scored)
- Get your Right calf marked with your race class at the “Leg Marking Tent” in the middle of the grass area).
Step 3: Getting on the Course:
- At 4:30pm you can get out go out and pre-ride the race.
- Adult Course is marked with Orange Cones
- Beginner, and Junior required course diversions are marked on the course with Red Signs and Directional Arrows.
- Cones: Orange cones mark the Adult Course, stay on the inside corner of all cone markings Blue Cones mark the Kid’s Course (ages 6-11)
- Enjoy the festivities! Our MC will direct traffic from here, wonder around the exhibit area, high five friends, get a quick adjustment from one of our featured shops.
- At 5:30pm the pre-ride course is closed, and we clear the race course for the Kid’s race.
- At the end of the kid’s race, right before 6pm, we’ll begin to place the Race Start Order signs on the course.
- ONLY After the signs are in place, AND the MC announces we racers may stage for the race, are racers allowed to get into their correct starting positions *The signs will also match your leg marking*
- At approximately 6:00pm we begin to send racers out onto the course, in their appropriate classes.
- Not all racers start at the same time
- As race classes are released the next group will be moved forward to the start line.
- Pay attention to the number of laps your class is to do on race night, you’re responsible to track that.
- After you complete your number of laps, and pass under the START/FINISH arch, please pass through the FINISH CHUTE, to verify your finish order, as directed.
After the Race:
- Times are posted after the race, same night, onsite…so make sure you stick around
- Bring some cash for beer, Wahoo’s Tacos, soda, drinks and treats, after the race. This is where we all hang out and grow the community.
- At approximately 7:45pm we post the official results and distribute the winner’s pint glasses.
- The top 30% receive a Winner’s Pint Glass
Your Next Race:
- When you come back to race next week, the leader in each class will be given the “RokForm Leader’s Jersey”
- After race two, usually Wednesday Evening, we post the adjustments to series results.
- The BEGINNER RACE CLASS is scored best 4 out of 6 races, dropping up to two races.
- All other classes will be scored 9 of 12 races.
We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, and will have volunteers on-hand to help you find your way through the first race. We’re confident that the signage, people, vibe, and race experience will have you experiencing some of the best time you’ve ever had surrounding a Do-it-Yourself sporting event.