MTB Disciplines and Local Racing Opportunities
To take your riding to the next level, racing is a great place to start. Test your skills and fitness on the trail!
There are several disciplines in the sport of mountain biking. They all have something different and unique to add to this amazing sport! Each discipline challenges you in a different way.
This page is a resource with descriptions of a few disciplines and our favorite local racing opportunities.
Links are included to take you directly to websites where you can get more information along with race schedules and volunteer opportunities. Have fun discovering the world of mountain biking.
Cross Country MTB Racing
Cross country racing is a highly competitive, endurance focused, mass-start racing atmosphere. Racers ride over rough terrain that includes anything from unpaved fire roads to technical single track filled with rocks, roots, and ruts. The distance and number of laps are different for each group depending on location, rider age, and trail conditions. Races can vary from 1.5 miles (JR age riders) to 30+ miles (pro level riders).
ICUP
I-CUP races are held at different locations from St. George to Snowbird. There is one race each month from March through August with a finale in November this year.
These are fairly competitive with racers from across the state.
All ages and skill levels can participate; they even have a category for 9 and younger. Some of their races are USAC sanctioned, so pay attention to those details when registering.
MID WEEK MTB
Mid Week races are a total blast! They are usually held on Tuesday evenings and start in the spring. They are held across the Salt Lake Valley and into Park City.
During the winter, they host a fat bike race at Soldier Hollow.
Mid Week has free kids races at some venues and splits racers into categories that will test your skills.
Midweek loves volunteers! If you volunteer at a race you get a free race entry.
USA Cycling
USAC hosts races across the United States. One of those events is usually at Soldier Hollow. If you like racing and want to see where you stand against the fastest racers in the US, this should be a top priority.
You have to have a license to participate. License’s are free for riders under 18 years old. You do NOT need a UCI license to race in the US.
USAC races can be tricky to navigate at first, so feel free to reach out with any questions.
NICA
“NICA is guided by values of fun, inclusivity, equity, respect, and community. Every youth is empowered to be part of a thriving and engaged cycling community. We build strong minds, bodies, character, and communities through cycling.”
NICA gives mountain bikers in Jr High and High School opportunities to participate in competitive mountain biking. Check out the Utah MTB League for more information and to find a team to join.
Enduro Racing
Enduro is a cross between endurance and downhill. There are generally 3-8 timed stages that are extremely technical and vary in steepness, difficulty, and length. Stages are usually between 2 -15 minutes of all out effort. Riders transfer to each stage by pedaling, hike a bike, or lifting to the top. Transfers are not timed. Spectating can be tricky but is really fun and engaging if you are willing to hike to technical features on the stages. The winner is the rider with the lowest cumulative time.
YOUTH ENDURO SERIES (YES)
An enduro series just for kids! Ages 18 and under can compete. This is a great introduction to Enduro racing. It is a total blast and your skills will be challenged. Full protective gear is highly recommended.
YES also has an adult non competitive class for parents who want to ride for fun.
After each race there is a raffle and podiums. If you have a child wanting to explore enduro, this is the perfect place to do so!
MID WEEK MINI ENDURO
Mid Week mini-enduro’s are a great introduction to the world of enduro racing. Mid Week races are smaller in that you only race 2 stages on a weeknight. But don’t let your guard down- the locals are highly competitive and show up to win!
Sign up for a category ranging from beginner to pro. There is a huge raffle after each race and volunteers are appreciated.
Keep a look out for the Women’s only Mini-Enduro just for the ladies.
BIG MOUNTAIN ENDURO (BME)
This is the real deal! Pro’s from all over show up to race these world class venues. Events are across the United States and held rain or shine.
Race 6-8 stages over 2 days on extremely technical terrain including world cup downhill runs and back country trails. Transfers include riding big miles with huge elevation gain to test your endurance.
Every category races the same stages. Be ready to push your limits like never before!
USAC National Champs
Race against the best of the best in the United States. Every year USAC hosts the Gravity MTB National Championships.
Gravity Nat’s is a fun atmosphere to watch or compete in all the gravity events including dual slalom, downhill, or enduro.
Plan on 1 day of racing with 3-4 stages on extremely technical terrain. You will have ample time to practice and rub shoulder with vendors from across the country.
Other Racing Disciplines
Here are some other races and venues that we love. Feel free to Google them for more information. I love going to different races because I get to explore new areas. There are so many more opportunities then I can list so google, talk to people, and have fun exploring the world of mountain biking!
CYCLOCROSS
Cyclocross is a unique form of racing that can best be described as a cross between road cycling, mountain biking and steeplechase.
It generally takes place in a park or other open land and includes stairs, bridges, and other obstacles that racers must get over or go through. Competitors race multiple laps in a set amount of time. The winner is the one who finishes the most laps the quickest.
The Cyclocross season is generally in the fall. Both racing and spectating are fun and exciting at these events!
Check out these local Cyclocross series:
SHORT TRACK
Short track is an endurance-oriented event that features cross country type racing on a short circuit.
This is a spectator friendly event to watch and a race typically only lasts 20 minutes.
Short track is often used to determine what place racers will line up for a cross country race.
Look for short track racing at:
ENDURANCE
Endurance races are similar to cross country but a much longer distance and last longer in time.
Some endurance races that may interest you are:
DUAL SLALOM
Dual Slalom is a gravity event where two riders compete head-to-head against each other. Racers weave in and out of gates while going down the face of a hill.
There are usually two identical runs. The courses are short, lasting around 30 seconds. Riders race against their competition on both runs. Then their times are added together and the rider with the lowest cumulative time advances to the next round, while the loser is eliminated.
Check out these dual-slalom races:
DOWNHILL
Downhill racers are lifted to the top of a run and timed coming down the face of a mountain . They come down one at a time, racing against the clock.
Racers get one run and the rider with the fastest time is the winner.
Some great downhill races are:
OTHER ENDURO RACES
OTHER XC RACES
