~~ TO BE UPDATED FOR 2025 ~~

ON-LINE REGISTRATION ONLY

Early Pre-Registration closes TUESDAY, JULY ?? at 11:59 PM

<< Register HERE for Early Pre-Registration >>

Late Pre-Registration closes FRIDAY, AUGUST ?? at 11:59 PM

<< Register HERE for Late Pre-Registration >>

Pre-Registration Only

No Day-Of or Day-Before Registration

No Day-Of or Day-Before Class Changes

Race Numbers:

Racers who HAVE NOT raced a Series race this year will pick up their number plates on race day.  KEEP your number plates for use ALL season.

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

(NOTE:  Number plates are assigned PER RACE CLASS.  If you've raced a Series race this year, but have now registered for a DIFFERENT race class, you will pick up a NEW number plate for your NEW race class on race day.)

***REMEMBER your number plates on race day.  REPLACEMENT number plate will incur $10 SERVICE CHARGE***

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)

2025 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 Mankato Interscholastic Cycling Team!

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 2025 race will benefit More Families on Bikes, a Mankato-based organization that cultivates the family cycling culture as an independent activity provider.

NOTE: availability of neutral technical support is pending for 2025.

Yes, it's back for 2025!

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 2025 Bluff Rider's Charge race courses* **

When: Saturday, August 2nd, 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, August 3rd.

**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 kicking it old school again for our 2025 concessions!

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

Cinnamon Rolls (AM), Sloppy Joes, Chips, Potato Salad, Cookies, Pickles, bottled & canned beverages...

NOTE: concessions are cash, check, and Venmo 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.

As we have seen the participation in the Kid's Comp class steadily grow since 2021, we plan to use this course again in 2025--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?!

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.

All of your favorite race-worthy trails are in the mix--who will lap fast & consistent 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