ON-LINE REGISTRATION ONLY

Early Pre-Registration closes Thursday, July 20 at 8:00 PM

<< Register HERE for Early Pre-Registration >>
 

Late Pre-Registration closes Saturday, July 22 at 8:00 PM

<< Register HERE for Late Pre-Registration >>

No Day-Of Registration....Pre-Registration Only

No Day-Of or Day-Before Class Changes

Race Numbers:

Racers who have NOT raced a Series race this year will pick up their race number on race day.

Racers who HAVE raced a Series race this year will use their existing race number and will NOT pick up a new race number.

(Note that if you have raced a Series race this year, but have now registered for a DIFFERENT class, you will pick up a NEW race number for your NEW class on race day).

Award ceremonies will follow each class of racing.  Medals (1st, 2nd, 3rd) will be awarded for all classes/subcategories as follows:

Kids Comp (Age Group)
Citizen (Age Group, Clydesdale/Athena)
Sport (Age Group, Clydesdale/Athena)
Comp (Age Group, Single Speed, Fat Bike)
Marathon (Overall)
Elite (Age Group, Overall)

2023 Race Information

Bluff Rider's Charge has access to 7+ miles of wooded singletrack to tailor-make an ability-based course for each category. Your beloved trails will be prepped and ready to shred, courtesy of the Mount Kato Trail Crew!

The MNMBS, Mount Kato, and the Mankato Interscholastic Cycling Team re-joined forces in 2019 to re-energize the iconic Bluff Rider's Charge. All proceeds from the 2023 race will benefit More Families on Bikes, a Mankato-based organization that cultivates the family cycling culture as an independent activity provider.

NOTE: neutral support will not be available in 2023.

Yes, it's back for 2023!

Free pre-ride? Yup, just sign-in with a representative of the Mankato Interscholastic Cycling Team and your daily trail pass fee is covered.

Complimentary hot dogs off the grill? You know it. They taste SO much better after a hot lap at The Mount.

Reindeer Games? Of course, even Rudolph can play...

Who: Bluff Rider's Charge participants, family members, and friends

What: Pre-Ride the 2023 Bluff Rider's Charge race courses* **

When: Saturday, July 22nd, 12:00 noon - 5:00 pm

Where: Mount Kato Mountain Bike Trail System

Why: soak-up the awesome Minnesota Mountain Bike Series culture and get some Mount Kato trail time!

*the elements of the Kid's Comp course will be open to pre-ride, the actual race course will be marked the morning of Sunday, July 23rd.

**Citizen, Marathon, Sport, Comp, and Elite courses will be fully marked.

Reminder that courses are NOT open for pre-riding ON RACE DAY.

Bluff Rider's Charge is going grassroots for our 2023 concessions!

BOLO for made-with-love food offerings prepared by the Mankato Interscholastic Cycling Team chef.

Sloppy Joes, Chips, Cookies, Pickles...

NOTE: concessions are cash & check only.

Oh, and we also have mountain bike races...

Use the 'Mount Kato Mountain Bike Trail System' link for a bird's eye view of the complete trail system, course map, and on-board video links!

*Specific course elements are subject to change based on course conditions on race day and discretion of the race director and property owner.

Thanks to the Mount Kato trail development crew, we introduced an ALL NEW Kid's Comp course in 2021: a 2-lap, 4 mile event using the Mount Kato trail sectors of:

Reed's Way, The Maze*, Back Home, & Cabin Run.

By popular demand, we plan to use this course again in 2023--spectators will have the opportunity to view and encourage Kid's Comp riders at their start, completion of Lap 1, and their finishes!

*Kid's Comp racers will ride 'The Maze' sector in the reverse (counter-clockwise) direction during their race. 'The Maze' is NOT to be ridden in the reverse direction at any other time, including pre-ride!

This classic 2-lap event at Mount Kato includes:

Kato Climb, Frog Pond Loop, Outlook Traverse, Back Loop, Gets Tight, Cedar Climb, Killer Toad Loop, Dead Horse, The Maze, Back Home, Cabin Run.

All use the same course as outlined below.

Marathon class riders have the added challenges of the Staircase climb and the technical descent of Ridge Run 2.0:

Kato Climb, Frog Pond Loop, Outlook Traverse, Back Loop, Gets Tight, Cedar Climb, Killer Toad Loop, Dead Horse, The Maze, Staircase, Ridge Run 2.0, Back Home, Cabin Run.

What better way to invest four hours of your day?!

UPDATE: the Sport Men & Women; Comp Women course has been amended--for 2023, this race course will use the Ridge Run 2.0 descent (previous editions have used 'Luge').

Sport class riders have the added challenges of the Staircase climb and the technical descent of Ridge Run 2.0:

Kato Climb, Frog Pond Loop, Outlook Traverse, Back Loop, Gets Tight, Cedar Climb, Killer Toad Loop, Dead Horse, The Maze, Staircase, Ridge Run 2.0, Back Home, Cabin Run.

UPDATE: the Elite Men & Women; Comp Men course has been amended!

OK, we're giving Mad Squirrel a rest for 2023...sigh.

All of your other favorites are still in the mix, who will adapt to the new race course and be on the box?

Kato Climb, Frog Pond Loop, Outlook Traverse, Back Loop, Gets Tight, Cedar Climb, Killer Toad Loop, Dead Horse, The Maze, Staircase, Ridge Run 2.0, Back Home, Cabin Run.

Mt. Kato area maps

Mount Kato Ski Area
20461 Hwy 66 | Mankato, MN 56001

Driving Directions from Minneapolis/St. Paul and points north:

Take US Hwy 169 South from the Twin Cities to Mankato/North Mankato. Exit right onto Riverfront Dr. and go about 8 blocks--turn left onto Sibley (under the overpass) and continue six blocks to right turn onto Blue Earth Street. Left at the stop sign onto Hwy 1 (old Hwy 66), follow for 1.5 miles to Mount Kato on your left.

Driving Directions from points south:

Take US Hwy 169 North/60 East. Turn left onto Hawthorn Road/Hwy 90 and go about 2.5 miles. Turn left onto Hawthorn Road/Hwy 90 and go about 2.5 miles. Turn left on Hwy 66 (south of Mt Kato) and less than a mile from there Mt. Kato will be on the right.

Camping is available at two locations near Mt. Kato:

Land of Memories