The Muckmedden 6hour is this Sunday!  Here is some essential pre-race information if you’re coming along……

Overview

The Muckmedden 6hour is a challenging Endurance mountain bike race open to Solos and Pairs.

Access

Access to Pitmedden is via two entrances (one in Perthshire near Abernethy and one in Fife near Auchtermuchty). Look out for signage on the day.

From Perthshire: (A913 between Abernethy and Aberargie) – Follow signs to “The Scottish Off-Road Driving Centre” and continue on the Glenfoot Road for 1.6 miles. Look out for the Forestry Commission sign on the left-hand side and turn left onto the forest road. Parking will be directed by a member of Muckmedden staff. Please drive carefully (under 10mph) and follow the Marshal’s directions.

From Fife: (A91 Cupar Road, Auchtermuchty) – Turn onto B936 Burnside (which leads to Distillery Street and then Newburgh Road), after 600 metres turn left off Newburgh Road onto Mournipea. Follow the road for a further 2 miles (continuing on the forest road when the tarmac ends). Parking will be directed by a member of Muckmedden staff. Please drive carefully (under 10mph) and follow the Marshal’s directions.

Parking

Parking space in Pitmedden is limited so please follow the instructions from event staff in order to keep all access roads and the race route clear. Vehicles should be parked on the grass verge at designated sections of fire road. For obvious reasons of safety please leave enough space on the fire road for emergency vehicles to pass your vehicle/pits safely.

Campervans/Caravans

There is no official camping but if you wish to stay on site overnight in a vehicle/campervan/caravan please email info@muckmedden.co.uk and we’ll advise you on where you can park.

Pit Area / Gazebos

There are a limited number of trackside areas for any teams/riders who wish to set up a pit area/gazebo etc. These will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis. If you wish to book a place for your pit area, please email info@muckmedden.co.uk with the size you require, and we’ll try to find you a suitable spot. 

Facilities

Toilets will be situated within the event village, as will several food and drink trucks selling everything from breakfast rolls to wood fired pizza and gourmet coffee/cake.

Sixth Element will be in the event village showcasing and selling their carbon wheel sets. Bloomfield Bikes will be offering bike repairs and spares (where possible) and will have a fleet of demo bikes including Lapierre and Frog BikesMSC Tires will have a full stock of different sizes and types of tyre. Ride Retro will also be in the event village selling a range of merchandise and displaying classic bikes from the golden age of MTB.

Gail Gordon will be providing sports massage for those tired legs in the Main Registration Tent during the race (there may be a cost/donation for this service).

Far Lane Adventures will be running 3 x 1-hour long skills coaching sessions for kids (£5 per session). To book a place contact Paul on 07702 060588 or email farlaneadventures@gmail.com

A feed station will be in position at the farthest corner of the course where riders can refuel with fluids and snacks during the race.

Race Registration

Rider registration opens at 7am on Sunday 7th April in the event village. Riders must sign-on and collect race number(s), zip-ties and a timing chip before 8.30am.

Timing

Chips must be worn on the right ankle.

If you are competing as a pair, you and your team mate will share a timing chip and pass it between you like a relay baton (this can be done either at the transition in the event village, or in your team pits area if you have one). Remember, the timing chip must be given to your team mate prior to them going out on a lap, or it will not count!

Format

There will be a mass start from the event village at 9am. If you believe you will be competing at the “sharp end” of the field, you should position yourself as near to the front of the grid as possible (without pushing in).

Please be realistic with your ability! If you do not believe you will be competing with the fastest riders on the grid, please position yourself nearer the back to avoid holding up faster riders and causing yourself and other riders unnecessary stress. It’s not the World Cup!

Solos and Pairs have six hours to complete as many laps as possible. New laps may not be started after 3pm but any riders who are already on course have until 4pm to complete the lap they are on. At 4pm the timing system will be switched off and laps after this time will not count.

Race Route

A lung-bursting *8.3mile course with 280m of ascent per lap (*TBC).

The first lap contains an extra fire road section to help spread the pack before hitting the singletrack.

The course will be more technically challenging than a regular Cross Country/Endurance event (#xcwithattitude) so you can expect lots of slippery roots, gnarly rock gardens, tough climbs and technical downhill sections with large drop-offs and chutes. Any large features that are not roll-able (such as drop-offs and gap jumps) will be clearly sign-posted and an easier line will be marked out wherever possible. Look out for the signs!

In order to allow some overtaking opportunities on the descents, some downhills will have two options marked as “XC Line” and “Enduro Line”. The Enduro line will be more technical than the XC Line and better suited to more advanced riders on full-suspension bikes.

If you’re in any doubt about riding any of the features (especially on your first lap), get off and walk down and decide whether or not to tackle it on your next lap. The aim of the game is to finish in one piece!

Safety

Riders looking to pass should politely and clearly call; “Passing on the Left/Right” and wait until a safe opportunity to pass.

Safety on the course is paramount and riders are expected to look out for each other on the course.  If you come across an injured rider or a potentially unsafe situation, you are encouraged to stop and assist, provided it doesn’t put you in any danger. If a rider is clearly injured, shout for help or flag-down another participant to inform the nearest Marshal.

The forest is still open to the general public so please be respectful to other forest users at all times and follow signs, arrows and Marshal’s instructions. Anyone found to be abusive to the general public will be disqualified from the event.

Equipment

(Mandatory)

Fully fastening, undamaged safety helmet

Bar end plugs

Fully-functional mountain bike

Closed-toed shoes

Sufficient fluid/snacks

(Recommended)

A robust sense of humour

Packable, thermal/waterproof layer

Riding gloves

Spare tubes/noodles, quick-links, multi-tool, mini-pump/co2 cartridge

Litter

Pitmedden is a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) with vulnerable plant and wildlife. Any riders found dropping litter will be automatically disqualified from the event – including energy gel and bar wrappers. Each Marshal will be issued with a bin liner and there will be bins in the event village and at the feed station. Please use one of them!

Larch Disease

In order to help prevent the spread of Larch Disease in our forests it is vital that you wash your bike and kit before coming to the event and clean them at the bike wash in the event village before you go home again. Thanks.

Podium and Raffle

At 4.30pm in the event village all riders and Marshals have the chance to win £1000’s worth of prizes but riders MUST be there to claim any prizes! Event Staff are also in the prize draw (they don’t have to be present to claim their prize as they might still be clearing the course).

If you have any queries at all, please email info@muckmedden.co.uk