Cannock Chase Spring MTB Classic

It's hard to believe the Classic Series has been going on for 10 years.... Our secret to success is to keep things simple. Great old school racing with a challenging but suitable for all course design. Categories that promote competitive racing regardless of ability and a relaxed fun atmosphere. Oh and no crazy entry prices!

What Category Do I Enter?

Our race categories are designed to encourage close competitive racing regardless of what position you finish in. The breakdown of categories is as follows. Please, please, please enter the correct category! There's no glory in entering a race that you are clearly too good for or there's no point in entering a race against people much quicker.

Beginners - Please before you enter this category ask yourself is this the right race for you. If you are fit and like and have any inclination to chase Strava times then this might not be the right category for you. As the name suggests this is for beginners, new riders or those that just know they aren’t super fit but like to have a go.

Fun - Next category up from beginners. This is the most popular category. It’s for those who may of raced before but want to just enjoy it and not really worry about how quick they are. If you like to go fast but you don’t spend hours a week on the bike and don’t class yourself as “quick” then this is for you. If you're entering this to "win" then this is not the race category for you.

Enthusiast - For the guys who race a fair bit, spend a lot of time training and generally rip round. Ideal for those that pick up top 10's on Strava on their quick training rides. Ideal for any Vets, Sport and quick Junior riders. Not a category for Elite or Expert riders.

Pro / Expert – Top level racing for the quickest guys around. Ideal for Elite, Expert and the very best Junior and Vet riders.

Single speed / Fat Bike – once again we’re offering a category for Single-Speed and Fat Bike. Tyres on a Fat Bike must be 3" plus

Retro Bike - The history of "Cannock Chase Classic" goes way back to the early 90's when mountain biking was just starting in the UK. We thought it would be great to see some of those old bike racing once again. To qualify for the retro category the bike must be pre 1998. Prize for best in class - The best looking Retro Bike in the event!

Children's Race's - These are for kids under the age of 12. For kids aged 12 and 13 then please enter the Youth category. We would recommend kids aged 14 and up choose one of the adults races.

The kids races have proved to be a massive success at every race we do. We generally got lots of really enthusiastic kids wanting to race their bikes and it makes a great spectacle to watch. The one piece of feedback we get is how fast some of the kids are and how difficult it is for new riders to take part and feel like they are on the same level. We've also noticed that we're getting really quick riders entering a couple of races as they look for a bigger challenge.

We've decided to test a new format for the Spring Classic. It's based around children entering an event based on their ability rather than their age. New comers can race in a simple 10 minute event or those with speed and experience can step up and ride a longer more challenging race. You guys chose which suits.... All we ask is that you enter the suitable event based on ability rather than the one you think you (or they) can win.

Breakdown is as follows

Youth - (14 to 16) - 3 Boys and 2 Girls (Full laps of the adult course)

Kids - Racers - 30 minute race based on a half lap of the main course. Will include a couple of technical sections and hill climbs. Ideal for kids that are super confident and fast for their age. They would be competing regular basis

Kids - Fun Times - 15 Minute race based on a shortened version of the main course. Will include a technical section or 2 but nothing dangerous. The most popular category. Riders will be reasonably fit and confident and Cannock Chase trails.

Rogues - Newbies - 10 minute race based around the arena. Designed for new riders from young Balance Bikers to older riders who would like to be part of an event.

E-Bikes

The race will based over 3 laps of the main course. No age or ability categories. One single race for all. All e-bike's must be restricted in line with UK regulations i.e limited to 15.6mph. Spot checks will be carried out as will tests on the top 3 finishers.

Women's Racing

Over the past few years we've subsidised the entry for the women's races to encourage more ladies to come along and try mountain biking. We've seen a steady rise in numbers at the events which is fantastic. For 2022 we have made the decision to continue to subsidise (excluding Elite due to the increased prize fund) the entry fee for the women’s categories. Some may disagree with our decision to do this but we've seen a dramatic increase over the years so we're sticking with it.

Lap Numbers

Rouge's Boy & Girls (10 Minutes)

Storm's Boy & Girls (15 Minutes)

Sabre's Boy & Girls (30 Minutes)

Youth Male & Female (M - 3 laps / F - 2 laps)

Beginners Male & Female (M - 2 laps / F - 1 laps)

Fun Male & Female (M - 3 laps / F - 2 laps)

Enthusiast Male & Female (M - 4 laps / F - 3 laps)

Pro / Expert Male & Female (M – 5 laps / F – 4 laps)

Single Speed Male & Female (M - 3laps / F - 2 Laps)

Fat Bike Male & Female (M - 3laps / F - 2 Laps)

Retro Bike Male & Female (M - 3laps / F - 2 Laps)

E-Bikes Male & Female (M - 3 Laps / F - 3 Laps)

Time Table

09.00 - E-Bikes Male & Female

09.01 - Youth Male & Female (Yes on the course at the same time as the E-Bikes. We've tried it twice and didn't get any issues.

09.02 - Beginners Men

09.02 - Beginners Ladies

10.15 - Fun Men

10.16 - Fun Women

11.45 - Kids - Newbies

12.15 - Kids - Fun Times

13.00 - Kids - Racers

14.00 - Elite / Expert Men / Enthusiast Men

14.01 - Elite / Expert Female & Enthusiast Ladies

14.02 - Single Speed / Fat Bike Men / Retro Bike Men

Pre Event Information

We will send out a pre event email to all competitors 4 days before the event. No numbers or details will be sent out in the post. Amongst other things this email will confirm start times and lap numbers. Prior to this email please consider the race start times and lap numbers below for reference

Race Timing

All events will be electronically timed. Full results will be available straight after the final racer in that particular category finishes. Results will be available online after the event.

Photography

We have a professional photographer onsite during to the day. Pictures will be available as a free download on the day or after the event

The Course

As for the course, expect a real mountain bike course. What do we mean by that? Well plenty of nice techy, but fast flowing single track. and some lung busting climbs mixed up with a few fire road sections. As with all our events we try to create a few new sections with the backing from the Forestry Commission ready for the event. If you are a newcomer don't be put off by the "real mountain bike" talk. Our course are 100% ride able by all levels and we don't put anything too dangerous in the course, plus anywhere that has a difficult section in will have a 'chicken route' alternative. The course will be around 5 / 6km in length and take an average of 20mins (Top riders) 30mins (first timers) to complete. The course will be similar to one used for last years Winter classic but with changes to make it different and interesting.

If you are nervous about the course then look out for our special Pre Event course ride toward the beginning of February. Details will be posted up on our Facebook page

Sponsoring / Exhibiting At The Event

We are always looking for like minded companies to partner with at our events. Should you be interested in getting involved in the event then please email [email protected]

Directions to the venue

The venue at Tackeroo is ideal for holding events at. Easily accessible from the North or the South Tackeroo is around 15 minutes from the M6 motorway junctions at Cannock (South) or Stafford (North).

Facilities

• Toilets

• Camping - FREE

• Parking – Free, there’s lots of hard standing parking at the venue

Photos - Free download after the event

• Food & Drink - we've managed to secure ‘real’ coffee car vendor, Per-Cup, to attend the event. For the true coffee lovers they'll be offering proper coffee. We'll also be offering a wide selection of home baked cakes & savoury treats

• Onsite drink water - there are a number of taps around the parking area with fresh drinking water.

• Massage Therapy will be set up early Sunday morning offering pre-race treatment and post race treatments. The effects on the legs of a good massage cannot be under estimated.

• Run & Ride Store will be offering the essentials should you forget something and dare we say something breaks. Of course all will be at a reduce "special offer" rate

• We'll have trade stands from some of the biggest cycle companies in the UK along showing off their new 2023 range

Rules

• Helmets must be worn at all times whilst you are on course with your bike.

• Your bike must be in good working order and suitable for the terrain.

• Any areas on the bike that could cause damage to yourself or others during a crash must be covered. E.g. open ends of handle bars / bar ends.

• Suitable clothing must be worn for the conditions.

• Abusive or offensive behaviour towards the organizers or other competitors will not be tolerated. Please refrain from using any offensive language.

• Please remember that you will be in a public place and whilst we have the backing from the Forestry Commission to use the land we must still share it with other members of the public.

• Please be courteous towards other competitors when passing. If passing a back-marker please give them plenty of warning that you will pass on the left or right. You must then wait for a suitable moment. Remember everybody has the same right to be on the course as you. Anybody found to be barging past or endangering others will be disqualified.

On-line entry is available now using the section below. Entries will be taken on the day with a small surcharge (£5.00) (subject to availability).

Other Information

We will not be sending out race numbers prior to the event. Please arrive with enough time (we recommend at least 1hr before your event start) to sign on. Signing on will be open at 8.30 in the morning so to give any keen riders time to get sorted well before their start time. At signing on you'll need to find your name against your correct category and sign your name. For any under 18's we will need a parent or guardian to sign for you. By signing you are agreeing to follow the rules and regulations of the event (these will be posted on the rider notice board at signing on). You'll be issued with your race number and cable ties.

Entry on the day will be available with a surcharge of £5.00 (£2.50 for the U8's, U10's and U13's categories). Please ensure you allow for more time to enable you to complete a brief application form. It is advised where possible that you enter via the website, this will remain open until midnight Wednesday 26th Feb.

Cancelations / Making Changes

We will be happy to process any cancellations up until 2 weeks before the event. You will also have the option to change details, move category or transfer entries to another rider or have a refund.

Transfer of entries will carry a surcharge of £1.00 and can be completed up to 2 weeks before the event start date.

Refunds will carry a admin fee of £5.00

Sorry but no changes or refunds can be processed after this date