Glentress Dirt Crits are back for 2025 . Bringing classics back to the valley  such as "The Tea Tent", A cracking short crit circuit on the new GT trails and plenty of grass roots level racing for riders aged 16 and under.

The race format will be as close as possible to the standard of previous yeas with riders racing from under 8 to under 16 on a short crit style circuit at Glentress Mountain Bike Trail Centre. We will meet at the START/ FINISH area from the World Champs. There is no parking there. You must not park in the closest car park either unless you have a blue badge for disabilty parking.

The race series will consist of 3 races taking place over 3 spring / summer evenings in April and May. All circuits will be closed to the public for the short duration of the races.

Sign on is between 5.30 and 6 pm for all riders. First race at 6.15 (final times TBC). Last race and podiums approximately 8pm.

Dusk (or low light) is around 8.40pm.

Entry is £6 per round online, and £8 on the evening. On the evening entry will only be available IF there are spaces.

Notes on the viability of grass roots racing.

Parents or carers of the riders can volunteer to marshal for an evening or all three events. Contact chrisprefix@gmail.com if you can help.

We only need a few extra people each week but the event cannot run without volunteers. This year, as ever, the Dirt Crits are being run by people giving up their spare time. In fact the people organsing the event have been involved since the start of the Dirt Crits, most of the organisers children competed whist their parents took on roles making the event run. In some cases their children have now completed professional racing careers. It is simply unfair and not sustainable to expect these very old (not saying who) and tired volunteers to keep going. You can volunteer during the sign up, it doesn’t take much to get involved and you can still keep an eye on your kids whilst helping. It  is a very compact course. We need marshals, lap counters, sign on people, tea tent people. If you can’t help with any of those roles please bring some donations for the tea tent (all home baking, sweet and savoury) is welcome). It is easy to see how the event is organised and run and you can learn from the experienced volunteers if this is your first go.

We’d rather be turning away offers of help than riders.

The Dirt Crit Format.

The format of the event is a mass start race. Races are gridded by age for the start then laps of a relatively non technical MTB XC course. Winners will be the top 3 riders in female and open categories. The open category is open to any gender whereas the girls race is only open to those born biologically female.  This is in line with policies dictated by British Cycling. If you have confident girls at home they can race in the open race, if they want.  The course is really short but there are lots of laps. The intensity is a little like hill reps so all riders must be confident riding new Glentress Blue trails whilst fatigued.

A note on Age Grouping

It isn't quite what it says on the tin. If you are new to bike race age categories, race entry is in 2 year bands.

EG. Anyone turning 16 within the year and anyone turning 15 within the year will be racing in 16 and under. There may be people still waiting to turn 15 for example on Aprl 24th but who have a birthday later in the year. So they could still be 14. They will still race in the 16 and under category.

This two year banding cascades down to 8 and under. It can be quite a headache!

8+under = born 2017-2019

10+under = born 2015+2016

12+under = born 2013+2014

14+under = born 2011+2012

16+under = born 2009+2010

Info for Riders

This is a grass roots event aimed at encouraging children onto their bikes.

The rough rules:

We follow British Cycling's rules but supplement them with the following:

• All races in the Dirt Crit series are open to riders from 6 to 16 years of age (age on 31st Dec'19) until each race reaches capacity and then no further riders will be allowed to start. It is first come, first served for entries.
• Please help us portray an accessible image to mountain biking. No riders are permitted to warm up or cool down on turbos or rollers at this event as there are plenty of trails at Glentress.
• The events are all very short therefore we do not allow the consumption of energy gels or high energy juices (unless it is to manage a diagnosed medical condition).
• Do not warm up on the race track without a number board or between races. The track is closed to the public so we need to know it is only our riders on the track.
• Only ever follow the direction of the course when riding on the course.
• Practice will not be marshalled so: Children, please ride round with your parents or a responsible adult.
• Always follow the directions or instructions of our volunteer marshals, they are giving up their time to keep you safe.
• Do not ride or walk on the course during other people’s races
• Race considerately and if you need to pass a slower rider set a good example by politely calling "rider" and waiting for them to let you past. Do not barge past - ever.
• If you are holding up faster riders please look for a safe place to let them past. You must be happy with this space, pull to the side and let the faster rider(s) past)
• Have fun, hope for a spot prize each week which will be given to reward the right kind of attitude or behaviour.