Virtual mountain bike racing is brought to you exclusively by singletracks.com. Since the concept is new, all racers should familiarize themselves with the following information. Because the idea of GPS racing is still evolving, please note that rules may change from time to time in order to make the experience more enjoyable for all. Once you've familiarized yourself with the setup, use the buttons above to view information on upcoming, current, and past races.

First things first: All racers should ride in control AT ALL TIMES and follow the IMBA rules of the trail. Also be sure to ride within your limits; there's no reason to go out and kill yourself for this race. Because this is not an officially sanctioned or sponsored event, singletracks.com and Blue Stampede LLC CANNOT be held responsible for any injuries or other problems you may encounter.

Now, with that out of the way, read through the following Frequently Asked Questions to find out what GPS racing is all about!

• Do I need a GPS unit to participate?
  Believe it or not, NO, you don't need a GPS unit. Most of the race course checkpoints are chosen based on landmarks or trail features so anyone with a stopwatch should be able to find them. A GPS unit will certainly make the race more enjoyable because users can see how far they have to go to each checkpoint and also allow the unit to keep track of times for them (users with stopwatches will need to note the exact time at each checkpoint in hours:minutes:seconds [be sure to write it down!] You will be asked to enter your times using a 24-hour clock).
  - Get more information on GPS units.
• How do I read the course map images?
  The course map shows the trail in green and the GPS route in blue. Obviously riders need to stay on the trail (i.e. DO NOT try to follow the straightline routes). The numbers indicate checkpoint numbers and also the starting point for the various stages. For example, checkpoint #2 indicates the start of stage 2.
• Who may enter?
  Registered users of singletracks.com can enter any race during the race period (usually a two month window). If you aren't registed, it takes only a moment.
• How many times can I race?
  Users who are not happy with initial times may re-race the course as many times as they like. This may be important to improve specific stage times or to reclaim a top spot once a rider has been knocked off.
• How do I enter/view results?
  You may enter a race once the race has begun. When a race is current, you may click the "enter" link on the race information page and you can also view the current results. Once the race is completed, you may no longer enter but the results will still be viewable.
• How do I time the race?
  Basically, the time NEVER stops during your race. This means if you stop to take a break, the clock keeps ticking. Of course you can walk your bike if you need to just like in a real mountain bike race. Your main objective is to complete the stage as quickly as possible, but always in a safe manner.
• Can I create my own course?
  Yes, if you're interested in creating your own course, please take a look at one of our upcoming, current, or previous races to get an idea about the information we'll need. First off, the trail must be listed on singletracks.com (if it's not already, you can add it now). You'll need to provide a GPS route file (in GPX format) along with an image of the route overlaid on a trail map. Finally, you'll need to tell us a bit about each stage for course info. We'll set the start and end dates (with your input) and have your race posted for you in no time!
• Can I buy a race number plate?
  Coming soon, singletracks.com will be selling individually numbered bike plates just like the one shown above. Check back for more information about price and availability.

GPS mountain bike racing is brand new and singletracks.com is the only site to bring it to you. Please give us feedback on your experience or any ideas you might have on making the races more enjoyable. In the future prizes may be awarded to top riders so remember to do your best. Oh yeah, and please don't waste your time or our time cheating or making up split times; this will only ruin the experience for others. Enjoy!