WA Cyclocross
Graeme Brown Gravel Cross

Details
Date
Sat, 16 Nov 2019
Course
Gloucester Park
Entries open
Fri, 18 Oct 2019 9:00 AM AWST
Entries close
Fri, 15 Nov 2019 3:00 PM AWST
Pay online by
Sat, 16 Nov 2019 11:59 PM AWST

Graeme Brown Gravel Cross

proudly organised by the super vollies of WA Cyclocross on behalf of Perth MTB Club


Grades & Entry Fees

Category Race Information Price
Gravel Hot Mile Male 1600m Gravel Track Sprint, 3 Heats of , heats of 16 - first 5 through to the Mens Final $5
Gravel Hot Mile Female 1600m Gravel Track Sprint, Heats if more than 16 entries or straight to the Womens Final $5
GravelCross Showdown Male Racing one lap of the GravelCross Course, Two Heats of 24, Big Final (fastest 12 per race) and Small Final (remaining 12 per race) $10
GravelCross Showdown Female Racing one lap of the GravelCross Course, Straight Final if less than 24 entries $10
U20 Gravel Cross Male Racing with the GravelCross Thirty Field $20
U20 Gravel Cross Female Racing with the GravelCross Thirty Field $20
GravelCross Thirty Male Join in the fun and race around the GravelCross track until time is up, if you make it past under 25mins you keep going $30
GravelCross Thirty Female Join in the fun and race around the GravelCross track until time is up, if you make it past under 25mins you keep going $30
GravelCross Forty Male Join in the fun and race around the GravelCross track until the time is up, if you make it past under 35mins you keep going $45
GravelCross Forty Female Join in the fun and race around the GravelCross track until time is up, if you make it past under 35mins you keep going $45

Day License via MTBA Shopping cart

Category Price Clink on link purchase directly from MTBA
MTBA Recreation Member Race Day Upgrade $15 https://www.mtba.org.au/product/mtba-recreation-member-race-day-upgrade/
Discounted MTBA Race Day Licence (CA, BMXA, TA members) $15 https://www.mtba.org.au/product/discounted-mtba-race-day-licence-ca-bmxa-ta-members/
Junior Race Day Licence (18 years and under) $24 https://www.mtba.org.au/product/junior-race-day-licence-18-years-and-under/
Adult Race Day Licence (19 years and over) $38 https://www.mtba.org.au/product/adult-race-day-licence-19-years-and-over/

Day License via CA Shopping cart

Category Price Clink on link purchase directly from CA
CA 3 race membership (basically 3 races in 3 months membership) $51.20 https://eventdesq.sportstg.com/index.cfm?orgID=4912&eventDesqID=14967

General Info

  • Kid's Categories: - kidz - any bike U13 - preferably will have a valid MTBA/CA license ($10 day license available)
  • Junior Men's Categories: - PMBC U20 Gravel Cross (race with GravelCross Thirty)
  • Junior Women's Categories: - PMBC U20 Gravel Cross (race with GravelCross Thirty)
  • Men's Categories: - Graeme Brown Coaching Gravel Hot Mile, Slater Air GravelCross Showdown, The All Star Lock and Key GravelCross Thirty, MultiPlant Gravel Cross Forty
  • Women's Categories: - Graeme Brown Coaching Gravel Hot Mile, Slater Air GravelCross Showdown, The All Star Lock and Key GravelCross Thirty, MultiPlant Gravel Cross Forty

  • Any Bike can race, must have working brakes, any tyre width as well.

  • Bring your bike; race, ride, have fun, heckle, be heckled, even drag a mate/partner/besty down to ride/race with.

  • The WACX Philosophy: GravelCross19 is all about inclusion, encouragement, challenging yourself, having fun and racing bikes under lights!!


RACE SCHEDULE


Main Activity Start Time Duration (mins) Finish Time
Gates Open 1530 60 1530
Course Open 1545 75 1700
Bar Opens 1600 300 2100
Gravel Hot Mile Mens Heats, 3 + Final, Women Final 1630 30 1700
GravelCross ShowdownMens Heats, 2 + Big and Small Final, Women Final 1705 55 1800
Kids (U13) any bike - must wear helmet (please write names on number plate) 1810 20 1830
Gravel Cross Thirty - Men, Women and U20 Combined (30 mins) 1845 45 1930
Gravel Cross Forty - Men and Women Combined (40 mins) 1940 50 2020
Course Break Down 2020 20 2040
Presentations - All grades, so hang around and heckle some more 2045 10 2100
Relax, reflect and celebrate the best night of gravelcross in WA 2100 20 2120
Cyclocross on the Big Screen 2100 45 2145
Bar Closes 2200
Gate closing so please depart 2200
Post Race catch up TBA 2215 60 2245
Course breakdown and pack up Sunday 18th may 0900 120 1100

Event timings subject to change depending on entry numbers.


  • Course Set up and build: 'build it and they will come' head down Saturday 16th November and help build the course you race. If you can't bang in the poles help with rego, timing, ongoing course maintenance, marshals, anything - before or after your race. Just ask or use your initiative. No need to be precious - because cyclocross.

  • Free Practice: - additional free practice (partial course) will be available whilst kids racing is on.

  • Presentations: - See race schedule.

  • Start procedures: - The Chief gravelaire will do a call up (cash donations on the night can improve call up position)

SPECIAL NOTICES:

  • any bike welcome, any tyre width but don't forget your helmet

  • it would be great to see a penny farthing ride this course


AFTER PARTY


GRADING

What Grade? ....please be guided by your motor

"What grade should I ride in Gravel Cross and CX?"

A lot of people struggle with finding the right grade in CX, generally for one of two reasons; 1) They race, but are new to 'cross, or 2) They have never raced.

We will be opening entries soon so please be guided by the following advice when requesting a grade...

"be guided by your motor"

What does that mean? It means that you should ride against riders of similar strength, not drop down because of some perceived disadvantage around tech skills.

Some examples: If you race A grade on the Road/MTB or at your local crit, we request that you enter Elite grade for CX.
If you don't race but you are a similar level to some of your training buddies who race B grade on the Road/MTB, enter B grade. If you have never raced and aren't able to gauge a grade off any of your training partners, you should enter C Grade and see how you go.

You will be asked for Grading Information at entry. Please provide information that helps the Handicappers either confirm your requested grade or determine the correct grade for you. Information helps get you into the correct grade. Also note that you request a grade, and that may be changed by the Handicappers. The published Final Start List is confirmation of your grade for race day.

WACX can and will encourage riders that are capable of riding the next grade. If you are in a lower grade and are consistently lapping times that are above the mean time in the grade above you will be promoted.


TIMING

WACX is currently self timed and requires volunteers for this to happen - please help us to time you.

Before the start of any CX race we need at least three people to enure the results are accurate.

  • A caller (call out race numbers for the scribe and tapper)

  • A scribe (to record the numbers, called out by the caller and to help with adjustments, as it can be crazy busy)

  • A tapper (to record the numbers, called out by the caller)

Preferably GX 40 wave should be administered by riders from GX 60 and reciprocated.

I understand that many riders like to see their times, if you do please help out.

Don't complain if you're not happy with the timers efforts, as it doesn't fit the WACX ethos.


LICENSING - Basically this is your responsibility unfortunately its very confusing - please read below.

  • Everyone who races needs to be licensed for insurance purposes - including kids. Many licensing options exist, depending on age & what you ride (see below)

Wouldn't it be awesome if the MTBA offered an annual CX only race License which covers CX riders at CX races only and out training for around $70. (Please email members@mtba.asn.au and ask for them to develop a CX option, you know it makes sense.)

It is your responsibility to ensure you (or children under your care) to have the correct license that covers you (or children under your care) to race in a cycloross race hosted by WACX.

Mountain Biking Australia options https://www.mtba.asn.au/membership/

  • Family Membership https://www.mtba.asn.au/membership/membership-types/familymembership/
  • Senior Membership (19+) - 1 Year: $129 + Club Fee (usually $20)
  • Senior Membership (19+) - 3 months: $55 (usually $20)
  • Junior Membership (13-18 years old) - Year: $93 (usually $20)
  • Junior Membership (13-18 years old) - 3 months: $38 (usually $20)
  • Dirt Master (3-12 years old) - 1 Year: $45 (usually $5)

WACX recommends joining Perth Mountain Bike Club http://perthmtb.asn.au/about/Join-Us

Cycling Australia options http://membership.cycling.org.au/Packages/Racing

  • RACING ELITE Adults 19+ From* $350
  • RACING MASTER Adults 30-64 From* $265
  • RACING MASTER Adults 65+ From* $168
  • RACING JUNIORS Juniors 13-18 From* $178
  • RACING KIDS Kids 8-12 From* $75

*prices may vary depending on state and club.

WACX recommends joining South Perth Roulers CC https://www.southperthrouleurs.com.au/memberships/


REGISTRATION

  • There are usually **ADULT on-the-day entries:** - All adult riders should pre-register as on-the-day entries as they are PITA WACX is run by volunteers on the day entries are a time keepers and number issuing head ache. |
  • WACX insists that all riders to pre-reg. It takes 3mins to enter online.|
  • Scratching: - online entrants can withdrawal with a self-serve, automated refund within EntryBoss prior to the scratching cut-off.
  • Licensing: - All riders need to be licensed to race. Either Cycling Australia or MTBA Race Competition licenses, or an on-the-day MTBA license ($10) - bring correct change, available at the rego desk |
  • Unlicensed Riders: - If you are unlicensed, we recommend having a look at MTBA 2 Month Free trial licenses from the MTBA website. https://www.mtba.asn.au/join/|
  • Kids U13 can get a $10 on-the-day participation license. Older kids need a race license (Junior Membership U13-U18 see above), a day license or even a MTBA FREE trial license. https://www.mtba.asn.au/join/|

One massive benefit from having a license is 24/7 insurance whilst racing & training and we encourage all unlicensed riders to join a club and get licensed purely so they are covered.|

  • Time Management: - Please aim to arrive with sufficient time to rego (at least 30mins before your race starts), get ready, familiarise yourself with the course, say hi to mates and to warm up. Most people need at least an hour, 60mins, prior their race start. |

KIDS RACING:

  • Kids enter on-the-day. Pre-entry is not necessary. Kids are guaranteed a start (note: must be licensed for insurance purposes).
  • No license-no start
  • Please register your child(ren) collect plate ($10 one off plate fee, $10 participation license - if required), write their name on the front, zip tie it on and be at the start line for 1750 start, ready to cheer them on.
  • We don't do timing

WAITLISTING

You will be advised of your entry status by email after entering. It is possible that you will be waitlisted for your chosen grade if the rider count exceeds our pre-set limits (noting these are quite high for cross and generally not an issue). If you are waitlisted, you are basically waiting for a spot to come available through Scratchings or riders being re-graded. Many waitlisted riders end up riding so don't give up all hope of getting a ride. If you'd rather not wait and want to be removed for the waitlist, please Scratch yourself from the race.


ABOUT Cyclocross in WA for 2019

Cyclocross is a very specific type of bike racing. For the most part, the course is off-road but there are sometimes portions of pavement included in the course. You can expect to encounter grass, dirt, mud, gravel, sand, and a whole slew of other assortments and combinations. The races are based on a set time (measured by numbers of laps), not distance. Depending on your category, a race can be as quick as 30 minutes (for beginners), or as long as 60 minutes (for elite men).

While the Mens/Womens Elite, Mens and Womens B and Men's C Grade fields will be limited to Cyclocross bikes in 2019 (Drop bars, <33mm tyres),

WACX has created and Open Category in Mens for any bike, this will help with correct grading.

Women's C grade is still open to any kind of bike you like, so grab your mountain bike and come on down.

In most cases, race officials wait to see how quickly riders complete the first lap before deciding how many total laps will be completed. Depending on course conditions and pack motivation, the total time may be a few minutes less or more than the race flyer lists.

Courses are twisty circuits and typically, but not always include barriers, as well as other ‘features’ that will necessitate hoping both off, and back onto, your bike. Those brave (and skilled) enough can bunnyhop their bikes over them. Often there are hills, sand pits and muddy sections that are too difficult or slow to ride, and thus a racer will shoulder their bike and run with it.

Cyclocross is a winter sport, with the first race around the end of May, and the last in September. This means that if you look outside and see rain, hail, or shine (we have had all of these on the same day), the show will still go on, and often, the more inhospitable the weather, the more fun the racing.

Technically, cyclocross is a form of bike racing, but we also think of it as a lifestyle that involves grabbing any bike, and navigating any type of terrain or obstacle, in the fastest and most efficient way possible. It’s also an adventuresome style of riding, with a versatile bike that allows you to explore any gravel or dirt road, park or trail that you stumble upon.


Race Location

Venue: Gloucester Park
3 Nelson Crescent, East Perth WA 6004, Australia

FACILITIES:

Parking will be outside the gates, ride down if you can Toilets JD'S Food Van JP's Bar is Open

NEED TO CONTACT SOMEONE:


PLEASE SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING BUSINESSES THAT SUPPORT CYCLOCROSS

Entry prices

Online pricing:

U20 GravelCross
$20.00
GravelCross 30
$35.00
GravelCross 40
$45.00
GravelCross 60
$60.00
GravelCross Showdown
$10.00
Gravel Hot Mile
$5.00
Actions available