MTBO - Silvan, Richmond

This is the first MTBO event for 2026, at Silvan Forest Mountain Bike Park. The start window is 10:30 - 12:30. Course closure is 15:00. The event will be mostly on the Grade 2, 3 and 4 trails and gravel roads in Silvan, but competitors may use other trails in the area. All trails will remain open for moutainbiking, and MTBO competitors will be following trail directionality. If roads are used, these will be open to the general public and road rules MUST be obeyed at all times.

Course setting is done by Daniel Penney, while Rupert MacLachlan takes care of the controlling. We are in need of additional helpers (control collection afterwards, handing out maps, reading out safety instructions, just to name a few): if you can help, please let Rupert know! 

We will be available for questions from anyone new to the sport, so just let us know when you sign in on the day. Please make sure you have a safe working bike with good brakes. Helmets must be worn every time you are on your bike; you will absolutely be told off if you are seen without one!

*******

There will be four different levels/courses to choose from: Easy, Medium, Hard Short and Hard Long - please read the information below carefully, so you choose the right level for you!

Hard Long - Suitable for fit/experienced mountain bikers. Set around the 20km mark and ~700m elevation. Winning time will be around the 1.5 hour plus mark, so expect a long ride. Tracks will be grade 3-4-5 with limited options to skip any tracks you don't feel comfortable on, walk your bike if you don't feel comfortable riding. **4km ride just to get to the start. We will plan to get all long course riders to ride together to the start, but if you do want to start late bring your friends so you can chat.**

Hard Short - Suitable for experienced mountain bikers that don't need the extra Ks. Set around the 10km mark and ~400m elevation. Winning time will be around the 1 hour plus mark, so expect a long ride. Tracks will be grade 3-4-5 but with options to skip any tracks you don't feel comfortable on. 800m ride to the start.

Medium - Keen to mountain bike, but not for a long time? You will need to be comfortable with around 8km ~300m and grade 3 tracks. 

Easy - Designed for easy going, 'giving it a go' types, or parents with kids that are capable of riding in Silvan Forest. The ride will be around 4km with ~100m elevation.

*******

Extra notes:

• Although the courses will be based around the graded tracks above, there will always be an option to skip tracks, so feel free to bring the gravel bike if that's your style. 
• Easy/Medium maps will be printed on A4, Long/Hard will likely be A3.
• Map boards can be used or if you are new to MTBO then you can hold the map or tape it to your handle bars.
• E-Bikes welcome, just put "ebike" at the end of your name so people know.
• Teams welcome - Get your last team ride in before Spring Challenge! 
• 4km bike to start of Long course, 800m to the others.