West Virginia Mountain Bike Association Points Series

2024

Meeks Mountain MTB Hoedown

Family
$75

This membership is for if you are signing 3 or more family members for race membership. A parent and two kids, two parents and two children etc. All members must reside at the same address.
Individual
$40
Junior
$20

This membership is just one racer for the season under the age of 18 for the entire season.

The WVMBA points series is a Cross Country mountain bike race series here in West Virginia. This endurance-oriented event is a mass-start competition, divided by category or ability, that features riders competing over rough terrain including everything from unpaved fire roads to technical singletrack filled with rocks, roots and ruts.

A common cross-country mountain bike course includes significant elevation gain and tricky descents. To accommodate the off-road conditions, competitors’ bikes are equipped with wide, knobby tires for better traction and suspension systems to soften the impact of riding over uneven terrain. Bike-handling skills, a keen sense of awareness and an element of bravery are all vital characteristics of a successful cross-country mountain bike racer.

The West Virginia Mountain Bike Association (WVMBA) Points Series allows competitors to accumulate points towards a yearly championship status. WVMBA attempts to compose a series of sanctioned races that are judged as historically exceptional events. WVMBA expects to award over $4,000 in cash and prizes to series champions at the conclusion of the final series race. The goal of the series is to encourage racers to participate in more races, participate in trail work, and generally improve the quality of mountain bike riding and racing in WV.

Series Points:

XC Points Series: Top 6 results (must finish 5 to qualify) = Series Champion

Points for each race are awarded to the finishers in each class based on a 20 point system.

20 points for 1st
19 points for 2nd
18 points for 3rd
etc

One point will be awarded to those finishing 20th place and below.

To qualify for the XC series, the racer shall complete a minimum of 5 series races. The racer's final series points standings will be calculated based on the total points from the racer's best 6 races.

Category Descriptions:

Our descriptions below are to help assist in getting started in the right place and serve as a guide. We hope that you choose wisely when making these decisions on classifications to race in.

Cat 1 / Pro:

Previously called “Expert” - This category is the advanced racer category where racing times are between an hour and a half to two hours. Racing distances for this group will range from 18 miles to 24 miles through the season. Who is suited to race this class? Riders who train aggressively to be competitive and likely spend more than a few hours on their bike a week.

Cat 2:

Previously “Sport" - Intermediate rider and racer, time on course will range from 1 hour to 2 hours with distances ranging from 12-16 miles throughout the season. This class would be for riders who ride a few times a week, have good handling skills, or for previous expert level riders who aren’t training as much. All racers may choose to race the Open class.

Novice / Just For Fun:

Previously “Beginner” - Novice level riders and racers. This class is an introduction to cross country racing and is meant to let you give it a shot. Races range from 1 hour to 1 hour 15 min ride time and can range from as little as 5 miles up to 12 mile courses. WVMBA novice races are still challenging as you learn how to pace yourself in the West Virginia rock and rooty terrain. This would be for new riders and racers who don’t take the time to commit to riding or training a lot and may be more the weekend warrior.

Race Classes:

All WVMBA Point Series events must include all of the standard WVMBA Classes regardless of field size. These classes may not be combined.

The following classes will be recognized at WVMBA XC races:

* Denotes Series Eligible vs. One Race

* Cat 1
Previously Pro/Expert

Men Open
Women Open
Junior Boys (18 & under)
Veteran 35+
Singlespeed

* Cat 2
Previously Sport

Men Open
Women Open
Girls 18 and Under
Junior Boys 17-18
Junior Boys 16 and under
Men Veteran 35+
Women Veteran 35+
Masters 45+
Grand Masters 55+
Clydesdale (>200 lb)

Novice
Previously Beginner

Men Open
Women Open
Youth Girls 8-11
Youth Girls 12-14
Youth Girls 15-18
Youth Boys 8-11
Youth Boys 12-14
Youth Boys 15-18
Just For Fun!

(Points are not tracked)

* E Bike Cat 1

Men Open
Women Open

(Races the Cat 2 XC distance and course)

* E Bike Cat 2

Men Open
Women Open

(Races the Cat 2 XC distance and course)

All age classifications are based on the racer's age on December 31st of the current year. Race organizers may opt to create additional ability categories within the age classifications but only official WVMBA classes will be recognized for points in the WVMBA Points Championship Series. Races completed outside of recognized Points Series classes will not qualify as "races" and no series points will be awarded for those races.

Note: The sport of mountain biking is about camaraderie and sportsmanship. A big part of sportsmanship is honor. We don't believe that this sport should ever need mountain bike police. Each racer shall behave honorably and is expected to know and understand WVMBA rules when signing up for a race. We ask that you follow these rules and sign up for the class in which you would normally race. Whether you race USAC or have any other license is irrelevant.

Number Plates:

No changes or alterations to a WVMBA number plate are permitted, this includes cutting down the size of the number plate, placing stickers on the number plate, or any type of writing on the front of the number plate. If any number plate has been changed from its original state, a replacement fee of $10.00 for a new number plate will be charged to the racer that the number plate was originally assigned to and the racer cannot compete in a WVMBA event until the plate is replaced. Every rider is required to use the same number plate at each WVMBA event. If a new number plate is required by a racer due to the original number plate being lost, left at home, or stolen the racer may be charged a $10.00 replacement fee. If the number plate is lost during a race, please notify a WVMBA official after finishing the race.

Tie-breaking:

The final race of the series breaks ties. (Example: Racer 1 & Racer 2 both have 100 points after the final race points are calculated. The winner of that final race is the series winner). If neither racer races the final race, the racer who completed the most races in the series wins the series. If they have the same amount of completed races, the racer with the most 1st place finishes, 2nd place finishes or 3rd place finishes, etc. will win. If still tied, the racer who completed the series final race is declared the winner. If they both complete the same last race, that race will be the tie breaker.

General Rules:

1

Ignorance of the rules is not an excuse. All racers are expected to understand and comply with these rules.
2

Racers shall complete the entire event on the same bicycle with the exception of cyclocross races where bike exchange can only be done in approved areas.
3

Racers must perform their own bike repairs.
4

Racers must carry their own spare parts and tools. Cannibalizing other bikes is not permitted.
5

Food and water can be taken from anyone, anywhere on the course.
6

Racers taking food or water must not impede the progress of other racers.
7

Racers riding bicycles have the right of way over racers pushing bicycles. When practical, racers pushing should yield the most rideable portion of the trail when being passed.
8

A racer pushing or carrying his or her bicycle can overtake a racer riding his bicycle provided that it does not interfere with the riding racer.
9

Riders must alert those they are passing (lapping) vocally using the announcements "PASSING on your LEFT (RIGHT)!" or "TRACK LEFT (RIGHT)!" It is the responsibility of the passing rider to overtake safely. Riders being lapped must yield at the first reasonable opportunity.
10

When two riders are vying for position, the leading rider does not necessarily have to yield position to the challenging rider. However, a rider may not bodily interfere, intending to impede another rider's progress; this is considered to be highly unsportsmanlike behavior.
11

Short-cutting the course by any racer shall result in a disqualification.
12

Foul riding, use of profane or abusive language and other unsportsmanlike behavior will be taken very seriously. Such behavior by any racer shall result in a warning or disqualification. This will be strictly applied when such behavior is directed at course officials, volunteers or spectators. The penalty imposed is at the discretion of the race director.
13

Federal, state and county laws and ordinances will be abided by at all times.
14

Protests can be made only by registered racers. Protests will be made in writing and delivered to the race promoter or official any time after the end of the race, up to 30 minutes after the posting of the final results. Protests should contain any information that supports the protest, including description of the incident, witnesses, names, addresses, phone numbers and signature of the protester. A $25 fee shall be submitted, in cash, with the protest. The race promoter or official, after their own discovery, will promptly rule on the protest. The fee will be forfeited to the race promoter if the protest is denied or refunded if the protest is upheld.
15

The WVMBA Official or Promoter and delegated timer has the final say in any ruling.
16

Wearing a bike helmet is mandatory while warming-up for, or racing in, any WVMBA sanctioned event.
17

Bicycles shall be in good repair with both front and rear brakes in good working order.
18

Violation of any of the above rules may result in disqualification.

WVMBA Ebike Additional Rules 2024:

All current WVMBA race rules are in place and must be abided by; these rules are additional to compete in the E-bike class.
Class 1 Ebikes ONLY.
- No throttle
- Pedal Assist Bicycles with an electric motor Peak Power of <= 750 watts that provides motor assistance only when the racer is pedaling and only up to a speed of 20 mph.
- Approved Drive Units only. (manufacturer's label of compliance is the minimum standard)
- Freely operable pedaling system: rear wheel drive train of pedals, crank, chain and gear system.
- Motor engages only with pedaling
- Motor assistance cut off at 20 mph (32 kmh)
Bicycles must remain locked, i.e., no modification of wheel sensor from factory circumference or any other modification to manipulate the factory set speed of the bike. If caught with tampered/modification to equipment you will not only be disqualified from the e-series and traditional series but be on member suspension for all WVMBA events for two years.
WVMBA/Race Officials carry the right to a 5 min ride on your bike if an official protest is submitted for aftermarket tampering. WVMBA is not liable for any damage to your bicycle.
Production Rule: OEM drive unit and matching frame combination model required (matching year NOT required). Electric conversion kits and after-market frames are prohibited. Once qualified for the meet, the bicycle's frame may not be replaced.
Drive Units: Current list of approved drive units: Bosch, Shimano, Panasonic, Yamaha and Brose.

Analog Bikes have the right of way, you must yield to a racer in a different class to pass you when appropriate.

No battery swapping during the race
Additionally, the following options for e-bikes in regulated competitive events are allowable.
- Limited start assist/walk mode (no pedaling) up to 4 mph (6 kmh)
- A single battery (no extra batteries permitted)

Sandbagging:

Racing in a class that has an ability level below that which a racer possesses is sandbagging. Sandbagging is not cool!

Category Upgrading:

You may advance as quickly as you wish. Otherwise, as a rule of thumb for Novice and Cat 2 racers, you should advance to the next higher class the following year after placing in the top 5 to 10 percentile in five of five races in any given season. (Note: Upgrade carefully, downgrading never looks good!) WVMBA does not make mandatory upgrades however, as necessary, racers may be placed in the Open Class. As an affiliate of USA Cycling you will accrue points at each of our races to rate you against other riders in our country. As such, when you accrue points you will earn category upgrade points. Please use your USA Cycling license as a minimum for class discretion. If your license says Cat 2 you are expected to race the Cat 2 race or higher but you may choose to race up in Cat 1 to get upgrade points as well.

Category Downgrading:

A rider who feels like they have advanced too quickly or have unforeseen medical problems preventing them from racing at a level they once did may request a downgrade by emailing info@wvmba.com their request and reasons for request. If you carry a USA Cycling license you must follow their procedures for downgrading; otherwise, you will race the category your license states. Riders may not downgrade to the Novice or Beginner category. Reasons WVMBA will consider for downgrade: unsafe riding and/or lack of ability to compete in the current category.

Racer category will be considered that to be the category in which the racer spent the majority of the previous season.

Downgraded racers must race Open in their new (downgraded) category, rather than age group.

Series Payout and Awards:

Series payouts and awards will be provided at the final series race of either series. If a racer is eligible for a series payout and/or an award and cannot attend the final race of the series, the payout will be donated to a local trail organization that you choose. Awards will not be mailed-out so the racer must make arrangements with WVMBA to pick-up at a bike shop, at a following season race, or at an in-person WVMBA board meeting. Series payouts are cash or check for Cat 1. Cat 2 awards will be chosen by the WVMBA board.

USA Cycling

By partnering with USA Cycling we are joining a larger point series along with gaining affordable focused insurance for our promoters, land managers, and participants. Each WVMBA Sanctioned race is a qualifying race for the National series. By being part of these available points we have a larger draw. Racers in other states can participate in our race and get points through the USA Cycling body allowing them to move up the ranks in the National Series.