Blankets Creek 3 and 6 Hour Mountain Bike Race - POSTPONED UNTIL NOVEMBER 23rd DUE TO HURRICANE HELENE!
THE 2024 RACE HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL NOVEMBER 23RD DUE TO HURRICANE HELENE. While we were hoping the incoming hurricane track would shift away from us, it looks like we're going to take a hit from this one so we have made the decision to postpone the event until November 23rd. While it is always a bummer to have to reschedule an event, we want to provide a good experience for everyone registered as well as take into account the safety of our volunteers and those travelling to the event.
ALL ENTIRES WILL AUTOMATICALLY TRANSFER TO THE NEW DATE - THERE IS NOTHING YOU NEED TO DO ON YOUR END.
We are excited to announce that Free Flite Bicycles will be the presenting sponsor of the Blankets Creek 3 and 6 Hour Mountain Bike Race. Owner Dan Thornton and the Free Flite crew have been long time supporters of SORBA Woodstock and were major contributors to the Trail Fund that helped fund the construction of the Van Michael Trail, Loop 3 of the Explorer Trail, and the Mill Trails at Rope Mill Park. Free Flite Bicycles has locations in Marietta, East Cobb and Sandy Springs.
Thursday September 26
Optional early Packet Pickup from 4-7 pm at Free Flite Bicycles, Canton Road location. BONUS MUG FOR THE first 20 to check in at Free-Flite!
Address:
2949 Canton Road, Suite 1000
Marietta, Georgia 30066
770-422-5237
Saturday September 28
7 am – Blankets open for Pit Row setup
7 am to 9 am – Racer Check-in (NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION)
9:30 am to 10 am – 3 Hour and 6 Hour Race Starts (Start waves by category)
1 pm - Awards Ceremony for Junior 1 and Junior 2 racers
1:30 pm - Awards Ceremony for 3 Hour Race
4:10 pm – Awards Ceremony for 6 Hour Race
SORRY, NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION
Directions to Blankets Creek Trails
Blankets Creek Mountain Bike Trails
2261 Sixes Road
Canton, GA 30114
From the south, take I-575 north to exit 11, Sixes Road. Turn left onto Sixes Road and go approximately 1.7 miles to Blankets Creek Trails, which will be on the left. The trails are just past the Cherokee Charter Academy School, on the opposite side of the road.
Race Entry Fees
Before Sept 7:
6 Hour Race
All Solo Riders - $65
All 2 Person Teams - $110
3 Person Male, Female, or Coed - $150
3 Person Junior Male, Junior Female, or Junior Coed - $135
3 Hour Race
All Solo Riders - $55
Solo Junior 1 (14 and under, 1 lap) - $45
Solo Junior 2 (18 and under, 2 laps) - $45
(+$2 to $5 for online registration fee for all online registrations)
After Sept 7, add $5 PER PERSON to each entry
No race day registration.
300 Rider Limit - Register early
A large portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to SORBA Woodstock for their continued maintenance and upkeep of the Blankets Creek and Rope Mill Trails.
On-Line Registration
2024 RACE UPDATE AND RACE PROCEDURES (READ BEFORE RACE)
2024 START WAVES
2024 Blankets Creek 3 and 6 Hour Accident Waiver - FILL OUT AND BRING TO RACE CHECK-IN
Course Maps, GPX Files, and Descriptions HERE
Pit Area/Parking Layout
2024 Registered Competitor List
Online registration will close at 5 pm on Friday, Sept 27 or sooner if the event fills up.
Please contact lisa@mountaingoatadventures.com if you encounter any problems while trying to register, and we will try to help you out.
Categories and Awards
We are offering solo, two, and three person team categories in the 6 Hour event, and a shorter 3 hour race with solo categories. Full Category List is below:
6 Hour Categories
Solo Male Expert/Open
Solo Female Expert/Open
Solo Female Sport (all ages)
Solo Clydesdale (200 lbs+)
Solo Male Sport (all ages)
Solo Male 40-49
Solo Male 50-59
Solo Male 60+
Solo Open Singlespeed
2 person Expert/Open (all ages, any gender composition)
2 person Male, Female, and Coed
3 person Male, Female, and Coed
3 person Junior Male, Junior Female, and Junior Coed
All 6 Hour Cateogories race for Medals and Prizes. 6 Hour Solo Open Male and Open Female race for cash payout. All first place 6 Hour race winners receive a custom podium shirt.
3 Hour Solo and One/Two Lap Junior Categories
3 Hr Solo Open/Expert Male
3 Hr Solo Open/Expert Female
3 Hr Solo Sport Male 10-14, 15-18, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59
3 Hr Solo Sport Female 10-14, 15-18, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59
3 Hr Solo Beginner Male 10-14, 15-18, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59
3 Hr Solo Beginner Female 10-14, 15-18, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59
3 Hr Solo Singlespeed Male
3 Hr Solo Singlespeed Female
3 Hr Solo Clydesdale
3 Hr Solo Male 60+
3 Hr Solo Female 60+
3 Hr Solo Novice (First Timer) Male
3 Hr Solo Novice (First Timer) Female
Junior 1 Male and Female (14 and under, ONE LAP ONLY)
Junior 2 Male and Female (15-18, TWO LAPS ONLY)
All 3 Hour divisions race for medals. Solo 3 Hour Open/Expert divisions race for medals and prizes.
6 Hour Solo Expert Payout Schedule
You must be present at the awards ceremony to receive your award. Awards and prizes will not be mailed. If you win something and bail on the awards ceremony, your prize will be added to the raffle goodies pile or given to a race volunteer.
Mountain Goat Adventures Operational Changes for COVID-19 (Updated 12/1/23)
• Health screening questionnaire for all event volunteers and staff per CDC recommendations. Participation for those recently testing positive for COVID-19 based on current CDC quarantine recommendations.
• Masks are not required for any aspects of this event, as all activities are outdoors.
• Waivers should be printed and signed at home and brought to the race. Hand sanitizer available for event staff and participants checking in.
• Some participants/volunteers may choose to wear a mask or maybe they just want to maintain some personal space. Please be respectful and continue to practice social distancing with those individuals.
• Condensed pre-race group meeting. A detailed participant Update will be emailed to participants ahead of time, which goes over all details of the event.
• Results will be posted at mgaresults.com so that participants can view the results immediately via phone and via tablets at a results station we will set up.
• Portable Restrooms and handwash stations will be available at start/finish area.
• Awards will be held in a large outdoor open area.
Camping and Lodging
SORRY, NO OVERNIGHT RV PARKING IN THE BLANKETS CREEK LOT.
The closest hotels are in Woodstock, Georgia.
Camping is not allowed at Blankets Creek Park, however there are several campgrounds along Lake Allatoona, which is 20-30 mins north of Blankets Creek, depending on which location you choose.
The US Army Corps of Engineers has a variety of camprounds available HERE.
T-Shirts and Swag
Your registration fee includes a soft and comfy cotton blend T-shirt and carabiner bottle opener. The deadline to be guaranteed a shirt in the size requested is Sept 10th. If you register after Sept 10, you will still receive a shirt, however, limited sizes/styles may be available. If you register late and we run out of event specific shirts, you will receive a Mountain Goat logo tee with your registration. Shirts run true to size. Ladies shirts are slightly longer and more fitted.
2024 shirt design and color:
Race Scoring
Mountain Goat Adventures utilizes Chip Timing using MyLaps Bibtag Technology and our Real Time Results System. Lap times will be visible in real-time from your wireless device at Mgaresults.com . Instant gratification!
Race Rules
- All participants will be required to wear a bicycle helmet at all times while riding. Penalty is DQ.
- Outside (non racer) assistance is only permitted in the pit area. Non racers may not assist out on the course. Racers may assist other racers and are encouraged to do so.
- Spectators and hecklers need to maintain 6' distance from racers at all times per CDC social distancing guidelines
- All food and drink for the race must be either carried with the racer or staged in the pit area. There will be no water stops on the course
- E-bikes are allowed with the following stipulations: There will be no special categories for E-bikes, thus those wishing to ride an E-bike may do so in their usual race category, but they will be ranked behind all non-E-bike finishers regardless of their finish time in the results. This allows those who need the assistance of the E-bike to be able to participate a way to do so. Any riders who intend to ride an E-bike must notify the race director before the event so we can keep track of them for results reporting. Any rider utilizing an e-bike that was not cleared by the race director before the start of the race will be disqualified.
- Teams must bump wheels with their teammate when switching riders.
- Due to the number of racers on the trail, earbuds are prohibited.
- Race numbers must be visible at all times and must be mounted to the handlebars on the front of the bike.
- Littering is not permitted. First offense is 15 minute penalty, 2nd offense is DQ.
- Cutting the course is not permitted. Penalty is DQ and public ridicule.
- In the event of an unfixable mechanical, the racer must complete the lap along the entire course with his/her bike to receive credit for the lap. You MAY back track or shortcut back to the pit to fix your bike, but you will not receive credit for that lap. Do not enter the timing/exchange area if you are coming back from an incomplete lap. Please be honest.
- Please exercise caution and good sportsmanship when passing other racers on the trail. Announce your intention to pass rather than just forcing your way by with no warning. Most riders will gladly let you pass.
- Solos need to complete one lap to be considered official finishers. Teams need each person to complete at least one lap to be considered official finishers
- Once you reach your pit, you may change any equipment you want, including bikes, and you may stay there as long as you'd like.
Cancellations, Transfers, and Inclement Weather
Please note EVENT ENTRIES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE once you register, as we plan for your attendance by purchasing your race shirt and swag, meals, insurance, etc and most other costs associated with your entry need to be paid up front. No refunds will be given in the event of an act of God or event beyond the control of the Race Organization (i.e. COVID) that requires cancellation of the race for the saftey of participants. If the event is rescheduled all entries will be transferred to the reschedule date.
We do, however, understand that injuries happen, you got sick or life was just too chaotic to train for one of our events so we have a no-penalty transfer policy. You may transfer your entry to another racer in the SAME EVENT without penalty until Sept 23, 2024. You are responsible for finding the person interested in buying your entry and working out payment with them. Entries do not transfer to other events nor do they transfer year to year. If you would like to sell your entry to another racer, please contact lisa@mountaingoatadventures.com with the name and email of the person you wish to transfer your entry to no later than Sept 23.
The race will run rain or shine, however, the Race Director reserves the right to cancel or modify segments of the event as deemed necessary for participant safety or preservation of trail. Once the race has started, no refunds will be given due to delayed start or early conclusion of the race.
Any Questions?
If you have a race question that was not answered above or would like to inquire about sponsorship opportunities, please email the race director at lisa@mountaingoatadventures.com