Mountain Bike Race Series

The Kelso Mountain Bike Race Series is BACK for 2023!

Races begin on May 30th and run every Tuesday until the Finale Event on August 29 (last race August 22.) With 13 races in total, some of the best climbs in southern Ontario, and multiple distances/categories this is a great addition to your training program or a fun way to challenge yourself to achieve a personal best.

NEW IN 2023: The Kelso Mountain Bike Race Series is proud to introduce chip-based timing, supported by MyLaps!

Sign up for the series (13 races + finale event) and have access to as many races as you want; or sign up for individual races whenever you are available. We encourage everyone to sign up for the series as it’s such a great value and it makes signing in each week so much easier.

REMINDER: Single racer registration closes the night before each race.

REGISTER HERE

Rates & Dates

2023 Full MTB Race Series (Best Value)
Novice, Sport, Expert

Member:
$185 +HST (until May 25)
$222 +HST (starting May 26)

Non-Member
$285 +HST  (until May 25)
$342 +HST (starting May 26)

Beginner

Member:
$85 +HST (until May 25)
$102 +HST (starting May 26)

Non-Member
$135 +HST  (until May 25)
$162 +HST (starting May 26)

Sign-up for all 14 events at one amazing price point, plus get a race series t-shirt included in price!

Get your Conservation Halton Membership here!

Single Event – Race Entry and Park Access

Single event entry and single day park access. Please note single event riders will NOT be included in season end standings, even if you race multiple

Member:

$33 +HST

Non-Member
$33 + HST (Does not include Gate Fee)

Full Kids Race Series

Member
$60 +HST

Non-Member
$60 +HST (Does not include Gate Fee)

Park Access

Get your membership here.

*Renewal discounts available for current pass holders – contact Visitor Services for more details

Time Activity Location
5:30PM – 6:30PM Sign-in and Plate Pick-up
(No registration at this time, no stragglers please)
West Lodge
6:40PM Kids and Beginner Race Start
6:45PM – 6:55PM Race Start (waves) Base of Updraft Chair
8:00PM (approx.) Draw Prizes West Lodge Patio

Open House & Registration Night May 16, 2023 4:00 – 8:30 pm
Race #1 May 30, 2023
Race #2 June 6, 2023
Race #3 June 13, 2023
Race #4 June 20, 2023
Race #5 June 27, 2023
Race #6 July 4, 2023
Race #7 July 11, 2023
Race #8 July 18, 2023
Race #9 July 25, 2023
Race #10 August 1, 2023
Race #11 August 8, 2023
Race #12 August 15, 2023
Race #13 August 22, 2023
Finale & Awards Night August 29, 2023

Weekly MTB Courses & Race Results

Race Date Course Results
May 30, 2023 Course Map Beginner Race Results

Kids Race Results

Novice Race Results
Sport Race Results

Expert Race Results

June 6, 2023 **Not counted in final season points totals Course Map Full Race Results

Beginner Race Results

Kids Race Results

Novice Race Results

Sport Race Results

Expert Race Results

June 13, 2023 Course Map Full Race Results

Beginner Race Results

Kids Race Results

Novice Race Results

Sport Race Results

Expert Race Results

June 20, 2023 Course Map

Novice Course Map

Full Race Results

Beginner Race Results

Kids Race Results

June 27, 2023 Course Map

Novice Course Map

Full Race Results

Beginner Race Results

Kids Race Results

July 4, 2023 Course Map

Novice Course Map

Race Results
July 11, 2023 Course Map Full Race Results

Beginner Race Results

Kids Race Results

July 18, 2023 Course Map

Novice Course Map

Race Results
July 25, 2023 Course Map Full Race Results

Beginner Race

Kids Race

August 1, 2023 Course Map Full Race Results

Beginner Race

Kids Race

Full Series Points

August 8, 2023 Course Map Full Race Results

Beginner Race

Kids Race

August 15, 2023 Course Map Full Race Results

Beginner Race

Kids Race

August 22, 2023 Course Map Full Series Results

Full Series Points

Beginner Race

Kids Race

 

Race Category Selection

Kelso MTB Series Race Category Selection

Kelso is proud of its race series and wants to ensure you get the best experience possible. Each of our race categories are listed below to assist you in selecting the appropriate category.

Our recommendation is to select the category that best suits your current endurance and skill level. Moving up is possible. We have provided some guiding factors to assist. Moving down can be done, but should be avoided. Riders moving down in category have often selected the wrong category initially, or have moved up too soon. Ideally you are choosing a category that you feel you can ride competitively in.

The kids race uses a closed circuit. Riders will complete as many laps as possible within 20 minutes. As a Kids Racer your goal should be to have fun and develop your ability to complete more laps in the same amount of time. As you improve, you can add to the challenge by riding over some of the features on course during your laps.

Moving Up?

Are you finishing in the top 5 – 6 riders every week? Can you ride every feature comfortably?
If you have a 20” tire and answered yes to the previous questions, you can consider moving to Beginner.

The Beginner’s Course is a closed circuit. Riders will complete as many laps as possible in 30 minutes. The course is longer, and considerably more challenging than the Kids Course. Your goal should be to have fun and hone your skills. Work towards completing more laps each week; and as your confidence grows, challenge yourself to ride each of the features on course.

Moving Up?

Riders considering the move to Novice should be finishing in the top 5 – 6 for lap counts and riding all features on the Beginner course with confidence. A full lap of the Novice course will include 3-4X as much uphill climbing, and a full descent from top to bottom. The novice category will involve being passed by more advanced riders on a shared course at high speeds.

The Novice Course shares laps with both Sport and Expert Riders. Novice riders will complete 1 lap of the full course at roughly 6 – 8 km. Novice riders will occasionally have designated routes that will remove technical portions of the course. Novice riders should be comfortable being passed by other riders. It is necessary that Novice Riders be able to complete a lap without a chaperone.

Moving up?

Riders considering a move to Sport should be finishing in the top 10 fastest for the novice category. A move to sport will double the length of the ride and will remove all Novice course modifications. Riding the full course on a non-race night is recommended. Riders moving up should be able to ride most features on course without dismounting.

The Sport Course shares laps with both Novice and Expert Riders. Sport Riders will complete 2 laps of the full course at roughly 12 – 18 km total. A sport rider should have the endurance to ride 2 full laps, and the skill to handle riding most of the technical features they encounter on the trail at speed without dismounting. Sport riders should also have the capability to overtake a slower rider safely with a proper notification and a pass that does not impede the other rider.

Moving Up?

Riders considering a move to Expert should be finishing in the top 15 fastest for the Sport category. A move to Expert will require 3 full laps. Expert riders require considerably more endurance and should be able to ride all technical portions of the course without dismount.

The Expert Course shares laps with both Novice and Sport riders. Expert riders will complete 3 laps of the full course at roughly 18 – 25 km total. An Expert rider should have endurance for 3 full laps in under 1 hr and 20 min. It is recommended that riders uncertain of this category ride the course on a non-race night to test their times and confidence. Expert racers should possess the capability to overtake a slower rider safely with a proper notification and a pass that does not impede the other rider.

 

MTB Race Series FAQ

The Kelso MTB Series kicks off with the first race on May 30th, 2023 and run every Tuesday through August 22nd, 2023.

We offer 5 categories to choose from:

Kids Race – A dedicated short track that targets young riders. The course is exceptionally easy, rideable on run-bikes and nearly every other options. Parental assistance is encouraged if needed and the focus is on fun and accomplishment.

Beginner Race – A dedicated short track that is built for newer riders that want to build some skill and participate in a race environment. We recommend a minimum of a 20″ wheel as well as a handlebar controlled front, and rear brakes.

Novice – 1 lap of our full course. This is a great category for younger riders, or riders with less stamina or ability. You will ride with the sport and expert riders, but you will have your own separate start. The single lap makes this an easier full race option. Keep an eye out for the Novice Race Cut-offs on course!

Sport – 2 laps of our full course. This is typically our largest categories with a wide age and ability range. You should have the ability to manage 2 laps of the course without depleting your energy level to exhaustion. 2 laps may take you 45 min to an hour and 20 min. Sport riders should be more confident riding at faster speeds and comfortable with the 12 to 16 km (approx.) in length.

Expert – 3 laps of our full course. This is our most advanced category. Most riders in this pack have previous race experience, and can ride laps at reasonable speed with relative ease. Riders should be comfortable riding the longer distances at greater speeds. Expert riders will typically finish between 45 minutes and 1 hour.

If you need more help deciding what category best suits your skill level or whether its time to move up,click here.

Your ability will heavily dictate your race experience. Each ability category is based on a distance or # of laps… following that, your speed will dictate how long you will ride for.

  • Kids Lap = approx. 250m, ride as many laps as you can in 20 minutes.
  • Beginner Race = 1.5 – 2 km, ride how ever many laps you can in 20 minutes.
  • Novice Race = 1 lap of full course (usually 6 to 8 km) at a race pace
  • Sport Race = 2 laps of full course (12 to 16 km) at a race pace
  • Expert Race = 3 laps of full course (18 to 24km) at a race pace

As a general rule, our fastest riders can complete a full lap in roughly 18 to 20 min. While some of the more entry level riders will ride that loop in 35+ minutes.

You will select which category you want to ride in when you register. This should ideally be the category you wish to race in for the season. As a series rider you will earn points every time you race, these points are calculated based on the category you are in. If you wish to move UP a category (Sport to Expert for example) you will take your points with you and then begin to earn points within your new category. If you drop DOWN a category, we will need to wipe all your accumulated points to zero. We strongly recommend selecting 1 category and sticking with it for the season; focus on improving your times at that distance and then add laps in future years!

*In rare circumstance we will strongly “suggest” that a rider move up or down a category if there are safety or fair play concerns.

We have been proud to offer a FREE option for our newest riders for several years now and continue to do so in 2023! Kids wishing to come and try their hand on the kids loop are still welcome to come and do so for FREE. Those wishing to join us for the whole season, have their laps tracked and receive a draw ticket each week for some amazing prizes are now asked to pay a fee of $60 to cover some basic costs. If you wish to race for Free, please come out to the start line and keep pace with the other riders! We won’t track your laps, but the focus is on having fun! If you decide you want to compete, you can always sign up in future weeks! You may sample the race as often as you would like.

 

Uh oh! Such is life… this does happen. If you happen to forget your race plate, we will replace it for you for a fee. Each replacement chip/plate is $10. Come see us at the Visitor Service desk on race night and we can re-issue you a plate.

Our race season runs for the weeks scheduled. As an example, if race #4 were to be cancelled, it is simply entered in the record books as if it did not happen and we proceed with Race #5 the following week. There are no make-up races added.

We will only cancel a race if the trails are:

  • Too wet, muddy, or covered in water to ride safely
  • There is active thunder or lightning at the start of the race.
  • There is what we feel to be a relatively certain chance that it will be raining, up to or during the start of the race. i.e. If it is starting to rain at 3:00 pm, and the radar shows imminent storms for the area through the evening, and the forecast indicates the same or worse weather, we will cancel proactively.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! This is your best and most frequently updated resource. Follow us on social media (@ConservationHalton) and we will provide updates on races through the day. We will also post final decisions to our website, but will only do this once a decision is final. Race cancellations are made with our best available detail / forecasts by 4:30 p.m. on race days. We would only cancel a race after 4:30 p.m. for emergency reasons such as an un-forecasted thunderstorm.

 

All Full Series Riders who register before Week #3 will receive a Race T-Shirt. We will issue these mid-season. Wear them with pride!

 

Yep! The series is priced so that even if you miss a few races, it’s still cheaper to sign up for the series! It’s also a great way to support your trail network and sponsors!

 

Kelso Mountain Bike School


The trails are calling your name and there’s no better time to learn than now. Our team of MTB Instructors are here to introduce you to the trails, develop your skills, boost your confidence, guide you on epic rides and help you become the rider you want to be! Program offerings will target new riders, and the seasoned trail user; we will even have programs specifically designed to assist riders with improving their abilities for the Kelso MTB Race Series.

private lessons banner

A private lesson is a great way to build your skill and confidence while working one-on-one with an instructor. The individual attention allows each lesson to be completely catered to your skill and experience level. Lessons are two hours in duration. Each session includes instruction, ride time, bike assessment, and maintenance awareness. Those whom wish to add a friend or two can do so easily and build their own small group.

Private lessons are not available on a walk-in basis, so please visit parkvisit.ca to arrange your day and time. Our staff will have a few simple questions for you about your experience and equipment. We are also able to assist you with booking a rental bike.

Gate fees will still apply to MTB lesson participants

Duration:
One session of 2 hours

Availability:
Available through Parkpass Reservations to Kelso Summit

Pricing:
Lessons: $120 Additional Person: $35 per rider Add a Bike Rental: $39.99 **Does not include HST

professional mountain bike instructor logo

The MTB School is proud to employ PMBI Pros. All programs are led by certified instructors.