The 2023 Trail Blazers race details will be released soon! To be the first to know when registration opens, click here to add your name to our mailing list!
2022 Race Details
Event Photos:
Thank-you to Vixen racer Genna Flinkman, owner of Departure Photography, for taking photos of all the kids at the race. To view and download photos, go to:
https://www.departurephotography.ca/Trail-Blazers-22/ Password: Vixens2022
Saturday, June 4, 2022 | Gold Bar Park | REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED
Online Registration Closes June 2, 2022
In conjunction with our team sponsors Mud Sweat and Gears, Ottalaus Inc, Bell, Alley Kat Brewing, Roasti Coffee Co, and RebelZen Fitness, Vixen Racing will be hosting a children’s and youth mountain biking race this spring.
All kids and youth aged 16 and under are welcome to sign up to race. Please see “Race Categories” below for age recommendations.
WHEN: Saturday, June 4, 2022, race plate pick-up opens at 8:30am. Online registration closes June 2, 2022
WHERE: Gold Bar Park -10955 50 St NW, Edmonton, AB (Check-in Registration will be near Picnic Area 4)
Note: Parking is limited and filled up last year. If possible, please use the parking available in Rundle Park or Capillano Park and ride to the event area.
REGISTER: Eventbrite Registration is now closed.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Email stephanie.grundke@graham.ca if you are able to lend a hand on race day! Volunteer draw prizes courtesy of Alley Kat Brewing & Roasti Coffee Co.
RACE CATEGORIES:
Strider
The “Strider” category encompasses the youngest first-time mountain bike racers.
Only those with strider and push bikes will be allowed to race in this category. Recommended age for Striders is 6 years old and under. The Striders Race will have a primary focus on fun, offering very few technical sections. Boys and girls will race together in this category unless there is a high number of registrations.
Striders will race on the grass around pylons set up in an open field.
Little Pedalers
The “Little Pedaler” category is new this year, and also encompasses the youngest first-time mountain bike racers. This category was added specifically for kids who have graduated from a strider to a pedal bike, but not quite ready to race in the “Little Ripper” category. Recommended age is 6 years-old and under. The Little Peddlers will have a primary focus on fun, offering no technical sections. Boys and girls will race together in this category unless there are high numbers of registrants.
Little Pedalers will race on both grass and a small section of dirt trail.
Take a look at the 2022 race course (one lap required)
This is a new category to allow striders and children beginning to ride with pedals on their bikes in two separate categories.
Little Rippers
The “Little Ripper” category also encompasses the youngest first-time mountain bike racers. Recommended age for Little Rippers is 8 years old and under. The Little Rippers Race will have a primary focus on fun, offering very few technical sections. Boys and girls will race separately in this category.
Take a look at the 2022 Little Rippers race course!
Gnarly
The “Gnarly” category is offered for beginners. Riders in this category will be first-time racers from all age groups and graduates from the “Little Rippers” race category. The emphasis of this racecourse will be fun, with mild technical sections to challenge the riders’ abilities and introduce them to mountain bike racing. The recommended age group for this category is 9 to 12. Boys and girls will race separately in this category.
Take a look at the 2022 race course (one lap required).
Geared
The “Geared” category is offered for riders who have tried a Trailblazers mountain bike race in the past and are looking for a new challenge. The emphasis of this race will be fun, with increased technical skills development. Riders in the Geared category will primarily be graduates from the Gnarly category and older first-time racers. The recommended age group for this category is 11 to 14. Boys and girls will race together but will have separate awards in this category.
Take a look at the 2022 race course (two laps are required).*
*Upon request of both racers and parents, this course is longer than the 2021 race course.
Dialed
This category offers a mix of difficult climbs/descents and technical single-track sections. The recommended age group for this race category is kids ages 13 to 16. Boys and girls will race together but will have separate awards in this category.
Take a look at the 2022 race course (two laps are required).*
*Upon request of both racers and parents, this course has been made more difficult and longer than the 2021 course with an additional gravel climb, technical descent, and additional lap.
Event Schedule
| 8:30am | Race plate pick-up opens (Goldbar Park) |
| 9:30am | Race plate cut off for Little Rippers |
| 10:00am
~10:10am |
Little Rippers boys race- Group 1 (1 lap)
Little Rippers boys race- Group 2 (1 lap) |
| ~10:20am
~10:30am |
Little Rippers girls race- Group 1 (1 lap)
Little Rippers girls race- Group 2 (1 lap) |
| 10:40am | Little Rippers awards & prize draws |
| 10:20am | Race plate cut off for Striders, Little Pedalers & Gnarly |
| 10:50am
~10:55am |
Striders boys race
Striders girls race |
| ~11:00am
~11:05am |
Little Peddlers boys race
Little Peddlers girls race |
| ~11:15am
~11:18am |
Gnarly boys race- Group 1 (1 lap)
Gnarly boys race- Group 2 (1lap) |
| ~11:21am | Gnarly girls race (1 lap) |
| ~12:00pm | Striders, Little Peddlers & Gnarly awards & prize draws |
| 11:40am | Registration cut off for Geared & Dialed |
| 12:10pm | Geared boys and girls race (2 laps) |
| 1:00pm | Dialed boys and girls race (2 laps) |
| ~2:10pm | Dialed & Geared awards & prize draws |
| 1:50pm | Volunteer draw sponsored by Alley Kat Brewing and Roasti Coffee Company |
Race Plate Pick Up: The registration table opens for parents to pick up each child’s race plate at 8:30am. Each race category has a cut-off time for picking up the respective race plate. Race plates will not be handed out after the cut-off times noted above- this will be strictly enforced to ensure that our volunteers have the time they need to record race results. Do not expect to get a race plate after the cut-off time.
COVID Safety Procedures
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- There is a risk of COVID in Edmonton, and we want to provide a safe racing opportunity for your children. Please note that the following safety precautions will be in place:
- All current public safety protocols will be required at the time of the event
- Medals will be handed out when each group finishes (not when the entire race is over) to avoid big crowds.
- Racers are to yell “Passing on the left” or “passing on the right” and are expected to work together to make a safe pass, kids do not need to pull over and stop. Each race course has a mix of single track and open field to allow for safe passing.
- If you or your child are feeling unwell and/or have symptoms related to COVID-19, or have been exposed to COVID-19 please do not attend this event.
- There is a risk of COVID in Edmonton, and we want to provide a safe racing opportunity for your children. Please note that the following safety precautions will be in place:
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REQUIREMENTS & WHAT TO BRING:
Please note that each racer REQUIRES a well-fitted, CSA-approved bicycle helmet, close-toed shoes, and a mountain bike or strider bike in good working repair in order to participate in the race. Parents should bring water, food, a lawn chair, weather-appropriate clothing (for during the race and staying to spectate afterward), sunscreen, bug spray, and any medications or supplies that could potentially be required. Light snacks will be provided for racers, and basic First Aid equipment will be available on site.
Tickets will be available for purchase online . Tickets are limited and are expected to sell out prior to the event.
For concerns or inquiries, please contact at Stephanie 780-242-3796.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Q: Are masks required?
A: Whatever public health measures that are in effect on race day will be required.
Q: Are there prizes?
A: Door prizes and swag will be available to all kids who register online. Names are automatically entered into a draw for prizes. Prizes and swag are courtesy of Mud, Sweat & Gears, Bell Helmets, Ottalus Inc, Alberta Bicycle Association, EMBA, and Women on Wheels.
Q. Are boys and girls racing separately?
A. Boys and girls will race separately in all categories except Striders and Little Pedalers.
Q. Do you need volunteers?
A. YES, if you would like to volunteer please email Stephanie.Grundke@graham.ca. We have prize draws (courtesy of Alley Kat Brewing and Roasti Coffee Co) for our volunteers. Alley Kat will also host an exclusive volunteer appreciation event at the Brewery.