Le Mans start |
Buffalo Pound Race Venue |
Competition from across Western Canada |
Champagne on the Podium |
Friendly competition |
Great Smooth and Flowy Trails |
Solo Champions 2005 |
Strong female competition |
Medals and Awards |
Mical Dyck: Serious Competition |
4-Person Team Champagne Ceremony |
$1,400 Grand Prize 2007 |
Annual bonfire social |
Volunteers enjoying camping |
Campers making breakfast |
Enjoying a post-race drink |
Event T-shirts from 2008 |
Its not just about racing. |
Pro Electronic Timing |
Victory never tasted so sweet |
|
Saskatchewan isn’t flat... but you’ll wish it was.
The Blocks Cycle XC8 is an 8-hour endurance mountain bike race for solo racers, and a massive relay for teams of 2 or 4 people. In its 5th season, the XC8 is Saskatchewan’s largest and most popular mountain bike event. It has a unique flavour you will not find anywhere else, and has become the ultimate social event and grudge-match between British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.
No matter if you’re a strong racer or a recreational rider, the XC8 is about challenging yourself, having a great time, and it will be an experience you’ll never forget. The experience doesn’t end when the clock stops, XC8 is an entire social event. The atmosphere is festive with competitive racers and recreational riders meshing in genuine love for the sport.
Come and experience the XC8.
Event Venue: Buffalo Pound Prov. Park
The race course is located inside Buffalo Pound Provincial Park, north of Moose Jaw, SK. Park Entry fees apply. The park contains a wide variety of trails that have been favourites of bikers for many years. Buffalo Pound was the site of Canada Cup XC races in 2000 and 2002, and home of the XC8 since 2005. Don't be fooled by the grand prairies of Saskatchewan. Racers from across Canada have found out (the hard way) that Saskatchewan is not flat.
You will be riding in the scenic Qu'Appelle valley, overlooking Buffalo Pound Lake. The valley was formed by post-glacier meltwater which created a channel over 2 kilometers wide and stretches 400km across Saskatchewan. It is up to 150 meters deep (492feet) and now contains many creeks, rivers, and lakes primed with great trails.
The event site provides both camping and washrooms just steps away from the Start/Finish area. The park will be open during our 2009 event, so showers WILL be available.
The Race Course
Ride the flowy scenic trails of Buffalo Pound Provincial Park, and have plenty of friendly people to share them with. Each season we choose a new combination of trails and keep the race course secret until the day before the race.
The course is designed with safety in mind for the average to intermediate rider to complete with success. You will enjoy a well marked and groomed 9-10km loop of trails with challenging technical sections, fast downhills, smooth and flowy singletrack, and over 800ft of challenging climbs per lap. The race course offers something for everyone no matter what your skill, including breathtaking panoramic views of the Qu'Appelle valley. Some maps from previous seasons are available here.
XC8 Solo
Without a doubt, racing the XC8 individually as a solo racer is the ultimate challenge. Many different people choose to race solo including elite athletes and weekend warriors who just want to know they can finish it. You will complete as many laps as possible and race at your own pace. You can take snack breaks, enjoy the event, or hammer away for the entire 8 hours. You are in contol of your own destiny.
XC8 Teams
8 Hours a bit too much for you to handle on your own? Tag out! Form a team with your friends or co-workers to share the experience. We offer two team sizes: 2-Person (doubles) or 4-Person (team) where you can race any gender mix you like, or you can race the new Female Doubles option.
Post-Race Events
There is a Catered Dinner starting near the end of the race which is included in your race entry fees (and free of charge for all volunteers).
Our official awards ceremony features the complete podium experience to truly congratulate the top three finishers in each category. Race winners will be awarded XC8 medals and the overall solo male and female will take home XC8 Solo Champion Trophies and a combined Cash Prize of $1000!
All participants and volunteers are eligible for a schwack of draw prizes furnished by Blocks Cycle and Norco. Also, don't miss the Impromptu Awards, where we award some 'interesting' prizes you might not like to win.
A bonfire will be raging at the campground -- socialize and just hang out after one very long day on the bike.
Racer Bonuses
Our events are high class and we like to give you an experience you won't soon forget. The following is included in your entry fee:
Camping Friday-Sunday
Catered Dinner at end of race
Food and Drinks at the Snack Tent during the day
Event Free Gift (limit first 100 registrations)
FREE Massage Therapy (limited space, donations welcome)
and more!
Camping and Food
Camping on site (Friday and Saturday nights) is included for all racers and volunteers (and their families) at the event site. The camping area is within eyesight of the start/finish area so you'll never miss a moment of the action. Showers and washrooms are available. You are welcome to setup camp on Friday afternoon and enjoy your stay until Sunday morning.
Hotel accomodation is available in Moose Jaw, which is just a short 20km away from the park.
There will be a variety of food and drink available throughout the day to keep your energy and fluids up, but be sure to bring your own food and drinks as we cannot guarantee quantities will last all day.
Volunteers
Our volunteers receive the same benefits of a full racing participant. We value your time and energy and have tasks available throughout the day from Course Marshalling, Organizational, Finish Line/Timer, and many others. We welcome any volunteers and can use as many as we can get. Please contact us if you are interested in helping us out in race day.
|
