RESULTS:

These are unofficial, but are pretty much accurate. We switched servers in the off-season and I had a problem uploading results over the weekend. It's been fixed as of this AM, but I've been packing up and driving all morning, so look for them in the results area later tonight. Click below for complete results and look for them to be posted on the same day as the event in the future. MM

TT RESULTS
XC RESULTS 

OVERVIEW:

REGISTER ONLINE

DOGMA:

At the conclusion of the 2007 season we assigned ourselves the goal of bringing a little good 'ol backcountry Colorado back to the MSC. Stage #1 of the 2008 MSC Endurance Series is one giant step in that direction as we head to the spectacular high-desert backdrop of Fruita, CO and it's mind-bendingly fun trail network. Most of you have ridden there, but it's possible that a lot of you haven't made the trek to Rabbit Valley and it's dirty little secret, The Western Rim Trail. You're in for a treat. The WR serves as the backdrop for Sunday's XC and it'll demand that you bring your A-game. This is a course for well-rounded riders who's skill sets blend both fitness and technical prowess. The Sport and above levels will ride the long course while lower categories will take on a shorter, but equally fun loop.

We'll kick things off with an off-road time-trial on Saturday that uses trails 3,4 and 5 just west of the trailhead. Riders will head out in 20-30 second intervals and will race against the clock in an attempt to post the fastest time for their category. The TT (or prologue if you prefer) is EXACTLY like a Tour de france Time Trial...think of that big yellow start ramp that you've all seen on TV in July. Subtract the ramp and funny pointed helmets, exchange the French tarmac for twisty red desert trail and voila! - off-road TT, Fruita-style. See - they're like twins separated at birth.

The TT format is also a thoughtful way to address the potential issues that a large numbers of riders can visit on a venue, namely widening the trail. Fruita's well-known for having some of the best and most distinctive singletrack in the world and by sending you out one-by-one on Saturday we hope to minimize, if not completely negate the effects of our presence. At the end of the day all of us as riders are fully bought in to the philosophy of conservation. With that in mind we respectfully ask all of you to carry this philosophy with you in the front of your mind at MSC #1.

The McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area (NCA) was created in October 2000 to protect the NCA’s nationally significant resources for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. The National Landscape Conservation System, of which the NCA is a part, adds to these special designations by focusing on the opportunities and management needs of BLM’s national treasures.

With the generous assistance of the local BLM office and the good guys at Over The Edge Sports we're going to be posting some info on how best to conduct yourselves in their backyard. Make sure that you stop back here and read it and even beyond that, take a few moments to really think about it. For the first time ever each of you will be required to sign a code of conduct agreement that we along with the BLM will craft.

Great venues are hard to come by. Help us keep this one (that means you especially, Mr. overly-entitled empty Clif Shot litterbug guy. You all know who you are.) Got disagreements? We're usually pretty open-minded about stuff, but you'll have to do some fast talking to convince us that RESPECT isn't the proper attitude here. Feel free to take a shot tho' - contact info below.

Sincerely,
The Ape

CODE OF CONDUCT:

Learn it, love it, live it. All riders will be required to sign it prior to receiving a number plate. FRUITA CODE OF CONDUCT

PER RIDER FEE:

There will be a $4/rider/event user fee assessed at registration and packet pickup for ALL RIDERS. This includes season pass holders. Thanks for understanding that this fee underwrites the preservation and maintenance of the incredible network of trails in and around Fruita. Just like their counterparts at the USFS the BLM folks are underfunded, understaffed and charged with protecting our ever-dwindling national legacy. The size of the area that these guys and girls manage is difficult to get your head around, and it's some of the very best riding in North America. This fee underwrites that mission. Complaints? Comments? Shoot - you all know my email address from last year. Fire away...

REGISTRATION & SEASON PASSES:

PREREGISTRATION INFO: Online registration's gonna be handled via the good folks at SBO once again in 2008. Head HERE to get started. You'll be able to register online up until midnight on the Wednesday preceding the event (the 9th). Wanna hardcopy? Here's One: RABBIT VALLEY REG FORM. Feel free to mail it or fax it in. Mailed entries MUST be postmarked by Saturday the 5th. Faxed entries are due by midnight on Wednesday the 9th. I'm a big softie at heart, but there will be no exception to these deadlines. Miss them and you'll have to register on-site...where you'll pay a $5 penalty per event. If you'd like to register for a season pass by mail or fax here you go: 2008 MSC SEASON PASS REG FORM

We get this question every year for every event...about 100 times: "I missed the online registration deadline - can I still register on-site?" The answer is yes, you can. You pay a $5 late fee per event, but you can still register (see on-site registration deadlines below please.) At Rabbit Valley you can also register for a season pass (with no late penalty). This is the last time you can get an endurance series season pass.

ON-SITE REGISTRATION: We'll be set up at Over the Edge Sports from noon to 8PM on Friday. You can register here (or pick up your packet if you're already pre-registered). We'll move on-site registration to the venue on Saturday morning and will open up shop promptly at 6:30AM (where the first person to show up...and this'll be around 5:45...will be christened "nerd" for the rest of the year. There's always one.) Even though it's not entirely appropriate for a TT, each category will be designated a 'wave' for registration deadline purposes. Registration for your 'wave' will close one hour prior to it's designated 'start time'. Again, no exceptions. The timing folks need a bit of elbow room to get the job done right and all you guys need to do to meet them halfway is to devote a minor bit of mental bandwidth to planning ahead. This helps us get races off on time and award ceremonies started on time.

Just wanna race Sunday's XC? No problem. On-site registration and packet pickup will open at 7AM on Sunday and remain open until one hour prior to the start of the last day's wave. Once again, registration deadlines remain one hourprior to the start of your wave.

COURSES:

The Fruita Fat Tire guide book that’s published by Over the Edge Sports in Fruita has maps of both courses. The Western Rim is on page 78-79 and the off-road TT is on page 84-85. We’ll be using the outside loop of trails 3 & 4 in a clockwise direction for the TT. Plan on the XC distance being between 10-25 miles depending upon category. The TT will be 5-6 miles.

TT MAP & ELEVATION PROFILE: HERE
XC MAP & ELEVATION PROFILE: HERE

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE TIME TRIAL:
- the start and finish are in the Rabbit Valley parking lot
- we'll be racing on the course represented in solid red and following the yellow arrows indicated on the maps in a clockwise direction.
- for you 'take everything literally' types, the actual course markings will be white signs with black arrows
- all riders will leave in 20-30 second intervals
- we will not have individually assigned start times for the TT. Please be at the start 10 minutes prior to your group's start time and we'll get you out on course promptly.
- the timing folks will not be on-site until late Friday afternoon. Although we'll be holding registration at OTE on Friday from noon-8PM, you'll have to pick up your chip and ankle strap at the venue on Saturday morning. Give yourself plenty of time!
- if for some reason your name is not on the start list do not, I repeat DO NOT freak out. Refer to the category start times listed here and plan on getting started with your group. Out registration and timing folks will track your data down and get you started with your group.
- we estimate that the TT's going to take between 25-45 minutes (ability-dependant)

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE CROSS COUNTRY:
- the start and finish are in the Rabbit Valley parking lot
- we'll be racing on the course represented in solid red on the map
- Junior Beginner, Junior Sport and Beginner Men and Women will depart from the parking lot, head out Kokopelli and return on Trail 2. The turnaround point is designated as "Trail 2/Koko" on the map. The course is about 10 miles for these groups.
- Sport Men and Women, Clydesdales, JR X Women and Singlespeed Women will be completing 1 complete lap, approximately 20 miles. These groups will depart from the parking lot, head out Kokopelli, complete the Western Rim trail (clockwise), return on Kokopelli and then Trail 2 back to the road and finish at the parking lot.
- Pro Men and Women, Semi-Pro Men, Junior Expert Men, Expert Men and Women & Singlespeed Men will ride the same course as the previous category. This is a bit different that previously stated, but based upon the advice of the local billy goats. See next bullet point,
- UPDATE 4/9/08: the overwhelming consensus among the locals is that the 20-mile course is appropriate for Experts and Pros. Based upon this and the fact that it's a very early first race of the year, we're going to take their advice for the categories originally slated for the long course.
- neutral feed will be at the beginning of the Westerm Rim section. That means that you'll hit it twice. We'll have water-bottles w/ H2O (and hopefully some volunteers to hand 'em up!)

* EXPERT 50+ MEN! What do you guys want to do this year, expert or sport distance? There's a thread that's been started in the cross-country forums. We'll accept votes until Sunday April 6th.

MORE KILLER GRAND JUNCTION AND FRUITA MTB INFO:

www.gjmountainbiking.com - these guys have a great site with tons of local info. They were also cool enough to supply the maps for the race. Give 'em a visit!

SCHEDULE: (subject to change)

Thursday and Friday - all day
Courses are open for pre-riding and inspection. Courses will not be closed to the public during this time, so please be careful out there and consider this an opportunity to be cool to another user group (if you encounter one). The simple diplomacy of a wave and a nod really does do wonders for our relationships with other user groups.

Saturday: Shimano Off-Road Time Trial
8:30 WAVE:
8:30 - Junior Beginner Men 18 & Under
8:40 - Junior Sport Men 18 & Under
8:50 - Beginner Men 19 +
9:30 WAVE:
9:30 - Sport Men 19-29
9:45 - Sport Men 30-39 / Clydesdale
10:00 - Sport Men 40+, JR/Junior X Women
10:15: Sport/Beginner Women
11:00 WAVE:
11:00 - Junior X Men, Expert Men 19-29
11:15 - Expert Men 30-39, Expert/SS Women
11:30AM - Shimano Kid's Race (at TT start)
12:00 - Expert Men 40+, Singlespeed Men,
1:00 - Pro/Semi Pro Men, Pro Women
OTHER:
11:30 – shimano kid’s race, kids moto area (tt start)
2:00 – awards ceremony, all categories, main tech/expo lot
6:00-8:00 – Dale’s Pale Ale social, OTE bike shop (sorry, no Wahoo’s this weekend - look for them to fire the large-bore taco cannon at SV#1)

Both courses will be open for pre-riding (and the general public) until race time. That means that the trail will be shared with other user groups. Be careful out there.

CATEGORIES:

PRICING:

XC (pre-registered/on-site)
Junior = $26/$31
Beginner, Sport, Singlespeed & Clydesdale (200# and up) = $38/$43
Expert = &43/$48
Pro and Semi-Pro = $45/$50

Off-Road Time Trial (pre-registered/on-site)
Junior = $26/$31
Beginner, Sport, Singlespeed & Clydesdale (200# and up) = $28/$33
Expert = $33/$38
Pro and Semi-Pro = $35/$40

Prices do not include USAC licenses (one-days or annuals) or BLM per rider fee of $4

TIMING AND RESULTS:

Provided by ChampionChip of the Rockies. You guys may remember them from Eldora a few years back - they did a fantastic job. CJ Timing will be handling most of the timing chores for the rest of the series.

PARTY:

That's right I said party. At Over the Edge Sports on Saturday night from 6-8PM. Wahoo's won't be on site (as it turns out, it's a bit too far them to feel comfortable transporting food - they plan on firing the taco cannon at SolVista #1 tho'.) Dale's, the OTE guys and Boo the big black dog will be there. Plan on joining us and having a beer or two.

VOLUNTEER / POST-RACE GET-TOGETHER

Come join us at The End Zone for a final chance to hang-out and tell lies. Everyone who volenteered over the weekend is especially welcome. We'd like to buy the volunteers dinner and we've got a nice raffle set up for all of you that gave so generously of your time.

The End Zone Sports Pub
152 S. Mesa
Fruita, Co 81521
970-858-0701

The Kelley family purchased the business from the Greager Family 2 years ago.  Since that time they've remodeled by adding a family restaurant and dining room. They've changed the “Bar “into a “Sports Pub” with over a dozen TV’s and Big Screen Projectors.

Pool Tables, Shuffleboard, Darts and Video games. Weekly Pool Leagues and Texas Hold'em Poker. Wednesday is Ladies Night and Free Pool. Poker and Trivia games. Come in on Wednesday or Saturday nights for the Prime Rib Special, it’s delicious!  Or order from the extensive menu. Restaurant hours are 11am to 9pm daily, Pub hours are from 11am to close with Happy Hour  4-7pm Everyday. Stay and have a drink after dinner in the pub.

WAHOO'S SEASON KICKOFF PARTY!

WHEN:
Saturday, March 29th, 7-10PM at the Wahoo's at I-25 and Hampden (6300 East Hampden).

WHY?
- find out about the new on-site automated registration system (Never fill out another waiver! Or entry form!)
- get entered into the database and be automatically registered to win a free season pass of your choice (Gravity, Endurance or Super-D)
- find out about our the new Women's Team competition
- purchase a season pass or register your team
- hit the BFP staff up with questions about the 2008 schedule
- great food and cheep beer and margs!
- get the straight poop on the 2008 schedule
- win a Fox F100 or 36RC2

LODGING:

Fruita's full, and what few accommodations are left won't be offering any discounts to racers. The folks in GJ are just up the road tho', about 7 miles further and they'd love to have your business. Give the folks at the Holiday Inn a call - they've got a great rate for MSC folks, are really, really, really nice and are super-easy to get to. The Holiday Inn is the least expensive, but the Residence Inn and Courtyard by Marriot are incredible values as well (free breakfast anyone?)

HOLIDAY INN - GRAND JUNCTION: The Holiday Inn Grand Junction Hotel is Grand Junction, Colorado's hotel of choice. Conveniently located off I-70 in the heart of Colorado Wine Country we offer 291 completely renovated rooms with voice mail and complimentary high-speed internet access. The Holidome Indoor Recreation Area includes indoor pool, hot tub, arcade, and fitness center in an atrium setting. The outdoor pool and hot tub is surrounded by a grass courtyard. Coco's Bakery Restaurant and Bar offers excellent food and drink at moderate prices. Pet friendly.

RESIDENCE INN BY MARRIOT GRAND JUNCTION (PET FRIENDLY!!!) Special $129.00 (breakfast included) rate for Mountain States Cup, call 1-800-936-1903 to reserve a room; ask for the Mountain States Cup Block.

767 Horizon Drive
Grand Junction, CO
Marriott.com/GJTRI
(970) 263-4114 Fax
(970)263-4004 

Amenities include: All Suite Property, Indoor Pool, Indoor Whirlpool, 24 Hour Fitness Facility, Billiards Room, Sport Court, Outdoor patio with a gas grill, Pets Friendly, fee applies, Complimentary bike wash area provided, Secured bike storage provided, Guests can use Courtyard amenities as well

COURTYARD BY MARRIOT GRAND JUNCTION Special $109.00 (breakfast included) rate for Mountain States Cup, call 1-800-935-4176 to reserve a room; ask for the Mountain States Cup Block.

765 Horizon Drive
Grand Junction, CO
(970)263-4414
(970)263-4424 Fax
Marriott.com/GJTCY

Amenities include: King Rooms with a full size pull-out sofa, Queen/Queen Rooms, Indoor Pool, Outdoor Whirlpool, 24 Hour Fitness Facility, Complimentary bike wash area provided, Secured bike storage provided, Guests can use Residence Inn amenities as well

CAMPING:

We'll have limited camping on-site and it'll be pretty rustic. Plan on bringing your own water and a leave-no-trace ethic. Camping on-site will be $10/car and $15/RV flat fee. This money isn't helping is pay for the corporate jet. It offsets the cost of pumping out the poo vaults on-site after the event (a BLM requirement).

RESULTS/AWARDS:

Pending publication of race schedule.

HOW TO GET HERE:

It's Fruita, baby. If you're a mountain biker the path to the promised land is probably already engrained on the trippy double-helix of your DNA. Rabbit Valley is about 10 miles west of Fruita on I-70. For those of you who're geographically challenged, head here: www.maps.google.com. Punch in "Fruita, Colorado" and you're golden. To get to Over the Edge exit I-70 at exit 19 (the Fruita exit). Head north from the ramp and take a right at the first stop sign. Go through the roundabout continuing east on the main drag and you'll see OTE on your right.

TECH/EXPO SPACE, VOLUNTEERS, SPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES:

Download tech/expo info here: 2008 MSC TECH/EXPO GUIDE. If you're interested in volunteering of finding out about sponsorship opportunities, please give us a shout at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

We've got a Rabbit Valley Rally FAQ posted in the forum section of the site. Before you send us a note, head over there to see if your question hasn't already been asked and answered. If it hasn't, chances are someone else is wondering about the same thing. Take a minute to post it there - we try to get to that stuff pretty quickly and in most cases, because it's public info, we prioritize the forums above email correspondence. If it's something not for public consumption or you just have a need to vent feel free to drop me a line at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Litterbugs, rude racers and trail-braiders are encouraged to write. Someone's eventually gotta talk all of you out of your personal Trees of Self-Love-and-Absorption. I promise to be gentle.