2018 Spring Thaw Mountain Bike Series

Winter may still have a few tricks up her sleeves, but let's find comfort in knowing the Spring Thaw is back! Celebrate all the fun that spring brings with three different locations to choose from: Early Mountain Vineyards, Conway Robinson State Forest, and Pocahontas State Park.
At EMV and Conway, mountain bikers will complete as many laps as possible in the allotted time for their division. Most laps and fastest times determine placing. Mountain bike loops will be just less than 5 miles in length. 1.5-hour participants cannot start the last lap after 90 minutes; 2-hour racers can’t take another lap after 120 minutes; and 2.5-hour participants cannot start their last lap after 150 minutes. At Pocahontas, Beginners will compete one approximately 12-mile loop, Sport Class will race 2 loops (about 22 miles), and Experts will tackle the loop 3 times (total of about 32 miles). We will capture race times with our bib chip timing system as you enjoy the trails .
Feel like doing some trail running that morning, too? We have you covered! Check out our Spring Thaw Trail Runs held on the same day at all three locations!
Saturday, March 17 - Early Mountain Vineyards
Please click here for the participant email sent Tuesday (3/13) full of race-day information!
Wine at the finish line! We've partnered once again with the folks at Early Mountain Vineyards in Madison, VA to bring you a fun-filled day of mountain biking and then settling in with a fine Virginia wine in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Early Mountain, part of the Monticello Wine Trail, is set on a historical site with gorgeous grounds and a downright awesome tasting room. The onsite trails are super fast and non-technical. Click here for the course map. You can tackle 1.5 hours, 2.0 hours, or 2.5 hours on the fun fast trails. Once you cross the finish line each participant can partake in a wine tasting (included with the registration fee) and spend the rest of the day relaxing in the beautiful and cozy winery!
Saturday, April 7 [new date] - Conway Robinson State Forest
This event has been rescheduled to April 7th due to snow and trail conditions. Click here for the email.
As you may know from past Spring Thaws, Conway Robinson State Forest is a fast and super fun venue. This 444-acre forest nestled in the heart of suburbia has fast, not-technical single and double track that is just fantastic for riding. Each lap is 5K. Riders doing the 1.5 hour event will avoid the back technical sections. 2.0 hour and 2.5 hour riders get to take in the the technical orange trail as part of each lap. Velofix (NOVA) will be on site for any bike support you may need on race day!
Saturday, March 31 - Pocahontas State Park
Click here for the participant email with race-day info sent Wednesday, March 28. We can't wait to see you!
Bring on spring with at Pocahontas State Park with some mountain biking on awesome trails! Join us at one of Virginia’s most popular state parks, just 20 minutes from Richmond, VA. Beginners will complete a 12-mile loop; Sport class will complete a 22-mile loop; and Experts will complete a 32-mile loop on the Lake View 1, 2, and 3 MTB loops. This course has a bit of everything, including a few water crossings, nice flowing sections, and a few fun obstacles, all with a view of the beautiful lake. Jimmy'z Mobile Bike Repair will be on site for any bike support you may need on race day.

Location
3/17 Early Mountain Vineyards
6109 Wolftown-Hood Rd
Madison, VA 22727
3/24 Conway Robinson State Forest
Race parking: 13575 Heathcote Blvd, Gainesville, VA 20155
Packet pickup/race start/finish: 13300 Lee Hwy, Gainesville, VA 20155
3/31: Pocahontas State Park
10301 State Park Rd., Chesterfield, VA 23832

Schedule
Conway Robinson State Forest
8:00-10:45 am: Packet pickup opens at the race start area
(9:00-11:00 am: Please note: Trail runners on course.)
11:00 am: Race start for MTB
12:45 pm: 1.5-hour MTB awards
1:15 pm: 2-hour MTB awards
1:45 pm: 2.5-hour MTB awards
Early Mountain Vineyards
8:00-10:15 am: Packet pickup opens at the race start area
9:00 am: Wine tasting begins
10:30 am: Race start for MTB
12:30 pm: 1.5-hour MTB awards
1:00 pm: 2-hour MTB awards
1:30 pm: 2.5-hour MTB awards
Pocahontas State Park
8:00-10:45 am: Packet pickup opens at the race start area
(9:00-11:00 am: Please note: Trail runners on course.)
11:00 am: Race start for MTB
12:45 pm: One loop MTB awards
1:15 pm: 2 loop MTB awards
1:45 pm: 3 loop MTB awards

Fees
Early Mountain Vineyards
1.5-Hour MTB Race
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$20 Opening (Until 1/20/18)
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$25 Early (Until 2/17/18)
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$30 Late (Until 3/16/18)
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$40 On site/race day
2-Hour MTB Race
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$25 Opening (Until 1/20/18)
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$30 Early (Until 2/17/18)
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$35 Late (Until 3/16/18)
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$45 On site/race day
2.5-Hour MTB Race
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$30 Opening (Until 1/20/18)
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$35 Early (Until 2/17/18)
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$40 Late (Until 3/16/18)
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$50 On site/race day
Conway Robinson State Forest
1.5-Hour MTB Race
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$20 Opening (Until 1/28/18)
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$25 Early (Until 2/25/18)
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$30 Late (Until 4/6/18)
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$40 On site/race day
2-Hour MTB Race
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$25 Opening (Until 1/28/18)
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$30 Early (Until 2/25/18)
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$35 Late (Until 4/6/18)
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$45 On site/race day
2.5-Hour MTB Race
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$30 Opening (Until 1/28/18)
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$35 Early (Until 2/25/18)
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$40 Late (Until 4/6/18)
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$50 On site/race day
Pocahontas State Park
One Loop (~12 miles, Beginner) MTB Race
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$20 Opening (Until 2/4/18)
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$25 Early (Until 3/4/18)
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$30 Late (Until 3/30/18)
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$40 On site/race day
Two Loop (~22 miles, Sport Class) MTB Race
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$25 Opening (Until 2/4/18)
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$30 Early (Until 3/4/18)
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$35 Late (Until 3/30/18)
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$45 On site/race day
Three Loop (~32 miles, Expert) MTB Race
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$30 Opening (Until 2/4/18)
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$40 Early (Until 3/4/18)
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$45 Late (Until 3/30/18)
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$50 On site/race day
Young Warrior MTB Race
This event is for those racers age 16 and younger who aren't quite up to racing 1.5 hours but still love to mountain bike and want to get in on the fun! Young Warriors race 1 loop only at the cost of $20. (Please note that we also have a 16 and younger category in the 1.5- and 2-hour events.)
SPECIAL YOUTH PRICING: All participants age 16 and younger can race any distance for $20. When you enter an applicable birth date at the registration page, you will see a "Special Pricing" option to click. (No other discounts can be applied.)
SPECIAL “THAW DEAL”: Race all 3 for $50 (shortest distances) , $60 (middle distances), or $75 (longest distances). Tempting, right?!
Every participant will receive a sweet hat at their first Spring Thaw race! Event shirts are available for purchase during online registration up to 10 days before the event for $10.

Results
Once you cross the finish line, you can head over to the timing trailer to get your results on site. Results also can be found online here.

Categories
Race Day Categories
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Ladies and Gentlemen, each distance
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Under 16
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16-29
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30-39
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40-49
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50+
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Young Warriors
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Race Pics
We'll have a photographer out on the course to capture some great pictures of your riding skills. Click the race name below to view photos from that event:
2018 Spring Thaw at Early Mountain Vineyards

Volunteer
The heart of a great event is its volunteers. If you have a passion for helping out and are interested in volunteering, we'd love to have you join the fun! We have options for individuals, groups and families. Donations to charities are available. Looking to complete service hours? We can help you out with that too. Click on the venue you would like to help out at to sign up as a volunteer.
March 17 - Early Mountain Vineyards

Post-Race Food and Awards
Recharge with some post-race grub and be sure to stay for the awards ceremonies! Thanks to Early Mountain for the free post-race wine tasting at that location!

Race Rules
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Entry fees are nonrefundable. No exceptions.
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Once we receive and accept your entry, you will not receive a refund if you cannot participate.
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You must be in good health and physically prepared to take on the challenge of any of the events.
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Race numbers are required to participate.
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Participants are permitted to wear earbuds or headphones, but for safety reasons, they are not recommended.
- No race-day category changes. Failure to complete your prescribed course will result in a DNF.
- No chip, no time, no points. If you forget to wear your bib chip, we will not be able to give you an official race time and you will get a DNF.

Waivers and Forms

Cancellations and Transfer Policy
Click here for information.
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