The third PICL race of the season at a brand new venue and close to our home territory. This is an Eastern Gold Conference event meaning that only teams from that conference will be attending, so the crowds and parking situations should be easier than state-wide events. Racing for both Middle and High school riders will occur on the same day and there is no need to make any travel arrangements. See the official PICL event page and GVMTB team specific information below:
Event Snapshot
PitZone Registration Required by 9/22 at 8p EST ( see PitZone to confirm or add )
Single-day PICL racing event (Whole team races on Saturday)
Race Course uses a “Rally” Format - see how it works
~45 minute car ride to Birdsboro
Lodging NOT Required
No team activities outside of the Race
PICL Event Official Page (Full Event Information)
GVMTB Specific Event Information
No lodging required - Birdsboro preserve is a local venue reachable within 45 minutes from the Malvern area on a Saturday morning, so there is no need to secure any lodging for the race.
SATURDAY ( Full Team Races)
08:00-9:30 a - GVMTB Pre-ride
Attending pre‑ride is important because it lets riders see the course at a relaxed pace and plan their strategy. Coaches will announce exact pre‑ride times on race day and run multiple laps so later arrivals can still join.
9:30 a -12:00 p - Race Preparation
This period is intended for riders to prepare for their races by:
Resting in the team tent area
Taking in proper nutrition and hydration. Water and some nutritional snacks will be available in the tent, but you are welcome to bring your own supplies
Completing bike checks. Best to do in advance, but coaches can assist with checks
Engaging in race‑related discussions. Coaches will be available to answer questions and provide helpful tips about the upcoming races
Discuss the “Rally” Race Format - a new “Rally” based format will be followed for this race, which is different than usual PICL races. Coaches and riders will discuss strategies on how best to tackle this rally course while in the tent. See the course layouts below for more details on the course and its format.
Warming up before the race. a sample rider warmup plan is below and should be followed according to rider’s specific race times:
45 mins prior to race - stretch
40 mins prior to race - ride warmup laps
20 mins prior to race - final fueling/hydration/bathroom break
15 mins prior to race - staging for the race
9:55 a - Racing Begins for Middle School
The Middle School racers will stage first according to the below times:
6th Female - 9:55 AM
7th Female - 10:00
8th Female - 10:05 AM
MS Adv Female - 10:07 AM
6th Male - 10:15 AM
7th Male - 10:25 AM
8th Male - 10:45 AM
MS Adv Male - 11:10 AM
The Middle School course is a moderately difficult course with an even mix of climbing and descending. Riders can expect more technical terrain than usual at Birdsboro and a different “Rally” based format where riders complete 1 lap of the 5.0 mile course, but broken down into a sequence of relaxed “transition” and race-paced “timed” segments. Find out more about the “Rally” format and see the course breakdown below:
Birdsboro Middle School Rally Course with Timed Segments
Race Segments (Red = Transition/Blue = Timed)
Transition segment of 1.9mi / 0.3mi Timed segment
Red Transition segment of 0.75mi / 0.5mi Timed segment
Red Transition segment of 0.9mi / 0.6mi Timed segment
11:05 a - Racing Begins for High School
The High School racers will stage once all Middle School racers have started and will follow the below staging times:
JV3 Female - 11:10 AM
JV2 Female - 11:10 AM
JV1 Female - 11:20
Varisty Female - 11:15
JV3 Male - 11:25 AM
JV2 Male - 11:55 AM
JV1 Male - 12:05 PM
Varsity Male - 12:20 PM
The High School course is a moderately difficult course with an even mix of climbing and descending. Riders can expect more technical terrain than usual at Birdsboro and a different “Rally” based format where riders complete 1 lap of the 7.6 mile course, but broken down into a sequence of relaxed “transition” and race-paced “timed” segments. Find out more about the “Rally” format and see the course breakdown below:
Birdsboro High School Rally Course with Timed Segments
Race Segments (Red = Transition/Blue = Timed)
Transition segment of 1.9mi / 0.5mi Timed segment
Transition segment of 1.9mi / 0.3mi Timed segment
Red Transition segment of 0.75mi / 0.5mi Timed segment
Red Transition segment of 0.9mi / 0.6mi Timed segment
No planned activities after the race - Birdsboro Preserve is just outside of Reading within 45 minutes of our home territory and the whole race event will conclude in 1 day, so there will not be any additional activities planned outside of the racing event.
Race Recap
Standings
Highlights
check back here after the race to watch the GVMTB highlights from the race
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