Illiniwek min-Duro

Illiniwek: 10 years of trails!

October 2022 commemorates 10 years since the official completion of the Illiniwek singletrack trail system. And what better time to roll out a new event? Join us to revel in all the awesome that is Illiniwek and help build a new chapter for QC mountain biking events.

Overview

We're trying a new event format catering to those looking for more downhill in their lives. The Illiniwek min'Duro is a small Enduro style event featuring the area's longest singletrack descents. What's an Enduro you may be asking? Not quite a Cross Country race, not quite a Downhill race, but fits somewhere in-between. Enduro consists of timed, primarily downhill, stages with non-timed transfer routes in between. Riders must complete all stages and transfers under their own power, on the same bike, self-supported, and before the stage cutoff times or risk disqualification. Times for each stage are combined for a final finish time.

Event Details

Signup

Meet at the North trailhead parking lot at 1:30pm to get signed up/in. Sign in will close after the first 40 riders or at 1:50pm. Riders will be assigned a number plate which must be affixed to the bike and visible from the front for our timing volunteers. Event is open to the public. No entry fees. No payouts. Men's and Women's categories only. FORC merch/swag to be given away as prizes.

Starting Location

Riders will mass start at 2:00pm from the North Trailhead parking lot.

Timed Stages

• Stage 1 - South Climb [0.55 mi] (Cutoff time: 2:15 pm): A blast from the past, this once bi-directional trail was switched to one-way travel years ago and now's your chance to ride it the fun way. Wide open to start, a few tight blind corners in the middle, and a pedal to get to the finish.
• Stage 2 - North Descent [0.47 mi] (Cutoff time: 3:00 pm): Fast, tight, twisty, with some exciting berms/turns/rollers when at speed.
• Stage 3 - South Descent [0.39 mi] (Cutoff time: 3:40 pm): Wood berms, drops, and plenty of speed plus a flat sprint to the finish to wake up the legs.

Transfers

• Start to Stage 1 (2.55 mi): Use road along connector trail to enter South Climb and take to top of hill. Turn right at top of hill and follow Upper South Loop in CCW/pink direction. Ride entire Upper South Loop trail to the start of Stage 1.
• Stage 1 to Stage 2 (1.29 mi): Follow the road along Connector trail to the end of North parking lot and hop on the Connector trail. Turn right at the North Climb trail. Stay right at top of North Climb intersection and proceed to North Loop 4-way intersection. Turn right and ride the Upper North Loop (CCW/pink direction). Upon return to 4-way intersection, turn right to Stage 2 start.
• Stage 2 to Stage 3 (2.68 mi): Follow Connector Trail until North Parking lot. Follow road along Connector Trail to enter South Climb to the left and ride to top of hill. Turn Right at top of hill and complete Upper South Loop trail in the CCW/pink direction until arrival at Stage 3 start.

Course Stats

• Total Timed Stage Distance: 1.41 mi
• Total Transfer Distance: 6.52 mi
• Descent: ~300ft

Volunteers

We'll need help timing and recording each stage. Ideally three people per stage or 6-9 people in total. If you'd like to help out contact us here: via email or respond to the volunteer post over on the forums.

• Starter: Positioned at the start of each stage and will coordinate release of riders while in communication with the Timer via radio.
• Timer: In charge of maintaining the clock and signaling to Starter when to release riders.
• Recorder: Will keep track of rider starting and finishing times and compute the individual stage times for each rider.
• Cleanup: Need a couple people to pull tape and course markings when the event is done.

Post Event

Stick around after the min'Duro for a cookout and spontaneous group rides. Bring a chair, beverages, something to throw on the grill, and a side dish to share. Grill will be provided.

FAQ

• Can e-bikes participate? We're not currently supporting an e-bike category. Maybe in the future, but trying to keep it simple at the moment.
• How seriously should I take this event? Not very seriously. Timing will be done to the nearest second and by stopwatch (no fancy wrist chips or timing mats). We're using this a test run for potential larger Enduro event in the future so expect some bugs needing to be worked out during racing.

2022 Recap/Results

A sunny but chilly day at Illiniwek, with leaves just starting to change, made for a "pretty good day." 18 riders participated in the QC's first ever MTB Enduro event; 3 ladies and 15 gentlemen. Hard packed but dusty trail conditions made corners tricky for riders and the falling acorns threw a little extra spice into the mix. min'Duro results are published here.