Aug 15-21, 2022
Practices this Week, LAST CHANCE FOR RACE SIGN UP MONDAY 8/15, OUR FIRST RACE Info, Fundraising and Volunteering, Fanwear
Tuesday, August 16, 6:30-8 PM WEAR YOUR NEW JERSEYS!
Practice: Carver Lake Park Meet near the Lower Parking Lot. Arrive by 6:15 PM
August Booster Meeting, when the kids hit the trail! All parents welcome.
Thursday, August 18, 6:30-8 PM
Practice: Gateway Trail. Arrive by 6:15 PM, Park in soccer lots 7,8,9 by Wildwood Elementary.
Saturday, August 20, 9 AM - 1:30 PM
Cub Foods Grocery Packing Fundraiser 1059 Meadowlands Dr.
Parents and kids still needed for last shift. Sign up!
Sunday, August 21, 10-11:30 AM
Optional Family Fun Ride: Xcel Energy Mountain Bike Park, Shakopee MN. Arrive by 9:45 AM.
Monday, August 22, 6:30-8 PM
Maintenance Monday Coach Andy’s House. Arrive in the time window open-house style.
DEADLINE to Register for Races 8/15!
MONDAY AUGUST 15 is the FINAL DEADLINE to register for races this year! If you don’t register, you will not be able to compete in races. No exceptions!
Don’t make the mistake of assuming because you are registered with MCA, you are registered to race. It’s a different process. If you can’t find your name on this list (updated at 9:30 AM Monday), you aren’t registered to race. If you want to do that, you have to register by the end of day Monday, 8/15, by clicking on the link below.
What You Need to Know for Race One: Xcel Energy Mountain Bike Park, 8/27-8/28
Our first race weekend is less than two weeks away! Here’s the info you need to know about race week and race weekend. It’s a lot of info, but please read carefully—approx. 7 minutes.
RACE WEEK KICK OFF: MAINTENANCE MONDAY
August 22, 6:30-8 PM, Coach Andy’s House (4922 Stewart Ave, WBL, MN) Meet in the garage in the alley At the beginning of each race week this season, Maintenance Monday will be held to make sure your bikes are race-ready! Small repairs and tune-ups are made by coaches, with team members help. Please show up open-house style—earlier is appreciated.
RACE DAYS!
LOCATION
Xcel Energy Mountain Bike Park at Quarry Lake Park
6201 Innovation Blvd., Shakopee, MN 55379
This is a brand-new, 3.25-mile all-weather course that navigates around Quarry Lake in Shakopee. The trail is flat (130 ft of climbing per lap), fast and a good combination of woods and prairie riding—perfect to kick off the season or for new racers! This venue also provides some of the best spectator viewing of any venue: from the infield you will be able to see the riders multiple times race around the course!
DATES/TIMES
Saturday, August 27
Middle School Races (for us, Grades 7-8)
10:30 AM-4:30 PM
Sunday, August 28
High School Races (Freshman, JV2, JV3, Varsity—Grades 9-12)
7 AM-3:30 PM
Races are arranged by age group. When you view the schedule, you will see a designation of D1 or D2. We are a Division One (D1) Team, so look for those D1 times. SEE THE RACE SCHEDULE HERE. This schedule is the same all season long, except for the season finale race at Redhead.
For older riders, how do I know if they are JV2, JV3 or Varsity? This designation is going to be posted soon on the MN Cycling Association website. It’s also listed in your membership, licenses and certifications on the CCN website (where you registered for races). A general rule of thumb: JV2=10th Grade, JV3=10th Grade/Juniors, Varsity=Seniors.
What is a Call-Up, and how do I know what mine is? Beyond the race times for each age/skill group, there are “call-ups.” This is a number that indicates where you will be placed in the race line up. Call-ups will be posted on the MCA race website closer to race weekend. Link to race page below. This info will also be at our race tent.
Is the race weekend pre-ride back? YES! This year, you can pre-ride the course:
Friday after 4:30 PM
Saturday until 12 PM (last rider on course by 11:30 AM)
Sunday until 7:30 AM (last rider on course by 7 AM)
Pre-ride for Xcel is highly encouraged because the race course runs BACKWARDS from the normal course.
When do I arrive? If you can’t pre-ride, arrive at least one hour before your race begins. Of course, it’s always encouraged to come early and stay all day to cheer on your teammates!
Where to I go once I arrive? We’ll share the location of our tent during practice as our race day gets closer. Otherwise, look for our our orange tents, or hit the information trailer near the entrance of the venue and ask them for our location.
What do I bring as a spectator or racer? Handy guide from MCA here. Coaches will have your race plates, at least this first time.
Will there be food? There will be snacks for racers, and there will also be concessions for racers and families.
If the weather is bad the day of the race, how will I know it’s still on or timing is adjusted?
Text 2022XCEL to 84483 for text alerts to your phone if weather is impacting the race.
How can I see race times?
Unofficial results are posted here on race day: http://www.precisionrace.com/mncycling
Official results are posted on the MCA website in the days after the race.
If you haven’t done this before, once you get there, relax, ask a veteran all your questions. It’s a bit overwhelming, we’ve all been there before, but race weekends are the BEST weekends and soon you’ll get into the swing of it.
HOW CAN I HELP ON RACE DAYS?
Trailer Transport/Tent Set Up/Tent Take Down: See a coach to offer your help. Several people are needed for these jobs each and every race, and many people chip in, but it’s good to know we have the bases covered in advance so the load can be spread among the many families on our team.
Race Day Nutrition: See a Booster at the meeting on Tuesday, August 16 at Carver, or contact Lorray Rolfer.
MCA Volunteer Positions: There are a variety of positions available and parents are encouraged to volunteer at least one race during the season.
Fundraising/Volunteer Opportunities
Saturday, August 20
9 AM - 1:30 PM
1059 Meadowlands Dr
White Bear Lake, MN 55127
We need 4 riders and 2 parents to step forward to volunteer for the 12-1:30 shift for this fun and and fast-paced fundraiser! Get your volunteer hours in: they are necessary if you want to letter this year!
As our major fundraiser event of the year, our team will be selling fun shaped pastas, soups, chili kits and more with themes like sports, holidays, and activities. They’re great stocking stuffers, teacher or hostess gifts! Each item is around $7-9. Sell through August 31!
LOT PARENTS Help sign in/out riders at each practice, stick around in case they are needed during practice. It’s a “volunteer when you can, no long-term commitment” type of opportunity and a great way to get to know everyone on the team.
COMMITTEES Sign up for committees such as fundraising/scholarships, volunteer coordination, race day nutrition, and more. No experience necessary.
Team fan wear store is here! Order through 8/25 with the code 22mtbwbl22