TECH GUIDE

May 24/25, 2025

Snake Hill - Sundre, Alberta 

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Introduction 

Officially known as the Snakes Head Natural Area but customarily referred to as Snake Hill, it is a provincial natural area managed by the Town of Sundre. You’re unlikely to encounter one of the few garter snakes that inhabit it, but deer and moose are not uncommon. Large predators are also around but stay away when there’s human activity present - at least we hope that continues to be the case. The trails on Snake Hill were originally opened by the Biathlon Club and additional development took place for the Alberta Winter Games sometime in the 1980s. The cross-country ski trails are maintained by Town staff during the summer while the Bike’n Ski Club develops and maintains single track trails for mountain biking. During the winter, the Club grooms the trails for cross country skiing and fat biking. Welcome to our third year running an XCO in Sundre and good luck to racers aiming to represent Team Alberta!

 

Land Acknowledgement 

We would like to take this opportunity to respectfully acknowledge that we are gathering on Treaty 6 territory, the traditional and contemporary territory of the nêhiyaw (Cree), Dene, Anishnaabe, Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), Saulteaux and Nakota Sioux, whose footsteps have marked this land since time immemorial, as well as the Métis people of Alberta, who share a deep history with this land.

 

Race Organization

Race Organizer: Felix Lee - 403 819 2171 - flixlee@gmail.com

Medical Coordinator: Adam Hooson - 403 312 2549 - ahtl@live.ca

Volunteer Coordinator: Morgan McAdam - 403 559 7271 - spyhollow@gmail.com

 

Officials

Chief: Robert Armstrong

Panel: Peter Hienemeyer

Panel: Richard Link

Panel: Dixie Le Vesconte

Technical Delegate: James Kendal - jkendal@albertabicycle.ab.ca 

 

Registration - https://zone4.ca/register/ZradzG/

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You will need a race license to participate in each race on the weekend.  If you have a Provincial or UCI license then that will cover all events on the weekend.  If you do not have an ABA race license you will need to purchase a Single Event License (SEL) for each race you register for.  Single event licenses are $20.  These can be purchased when you register through Zone4.

Camping at the Sundre Rodeo grounds will be available, no services provided. 

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Categories and Fees

U11 $20

U13 $20

U15 $20

Novice Women/ Men $40

U17 Sport Women/ Men $20

U17 Expert Women/ Men $20

Sport Women/Men $40

Expert Women/ Men $40

Elite Women/ Men $40

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Relay Race $20 per team
Trailblazers $5 cash
Adaptive $20
 

Schedule

May 23 1800 XCO course will be fully marked in the evening

 

May 24 ABA Sanctioned Race schedule

0815: Sign on open
0815-0915: Pre-ride, number plate required
0915: Novice Men (2 laps, 9.0km)
0917: Novice Women (2 laps, 9.0km)
0921: U15 Men (1 lap, 5.0km)
0923: U15 Women (1 lap, 5.0km)
0925: U13 Men (1 lap, 5.0km)
0927: U13 Women (1 lap, 5.0km)
0930: U11 Men (1 lap, 5.0km)
0932: U11 Women (1 lap, 5.0km)

 

1030-1145: Pre ride, number plate required            
1150: U17 Expert Men (3 laps, 16.9km)
1152: Sport Men (3 laps, 16.9km)
1154: U17 Expert Women (3 laps, 16.9km)
1156: Sport Women (3 laps, 16.9km)
1158: U17 Sport Men (1 lap, 6.3km)
1200: U17 Sport Female (1 lap, 6.3km)

 

1350-1430: Pre ride, number plate required
1430: Elite Men (5 laps, 27.5km)
1432: Expert Men (4 laps, 22.2km)
1434: Elite Women (4 laps, 22.2km) 
1436: Expert Women (4 laps, 22.2km)

 

May 25 Club Sanctioned Race schedule

0915: Sign on open
0915-1000: Pre-ride for Relay Race, number plate required
1000-1200: Relay Race (Teams of 4)
1230-1320: Trailblazers Little Rippers, Gnarly and Geared
1320-1400: Trailblazers Dialed
1400-1445: Adaptive 
1500-1630: Adaptive

 

Awards will be held at the conclusion of each race, following posting of official results and the appropriate protest period.

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Directions 

Sundre rodeo grounds/ Sundre Ball diamonds.

From Olds, head west on Highway 27 to Sundre, turn north on Center Street, Turn west on Fourth Street (at Joko Convenience). Parking is available along the ball diamonds and along the rodeo grounds fence.  

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Team tents can be set up on the east side of the access gate by the start finish area and toilets. 

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Race course

Prologue

The first 500m of the course leads from the start line to the race loop. Once past the first climb, racers will pass by the LAP / FINISH area. 

 

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Race course

Novice, U15,13,11

https://ridewithgps.com/trips/172865523

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Race course

Sport, Expert, Elite

https://ridewithgps.com/trips/172839404

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Registration/ Start Line

Registration will be located next to the start line. On the west side of the access gate in the parking lot. Number plates will be available for pickup prior to your race start here. Do not modify your number plate in any way by trimming, cutting or folding. Number plates must be clearly legible when viewed from in front of the racer. Washrooms will also be available here. There is no water available on site, please be prepared to supply your own. 

 

Timing

Timing for the race will utilize Zone4 timing chips. Ensure your assigned chip is securely attached to your bicycle and returned at the end of the race.

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Feed/Tech zone

A single tech will be marked immediately before the lap through zone. This zone is not neutral. You must supply your own feed and technical support. The feed zone is located at the top of the technical root climb just past the lap through area. See diagram below. Please ensure no food, gels or electrolyte drinks hit the ground. Snake Hill is home to many animals and we do not want to disrupt their feeding habits. 

 

Finish

Upon completing the required number of laps, racers will follow the signage back to the start finish area

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Relay Race

New for 2025, we will be hosting a 4 person team relay event on Sunday. Racers will compete on a short course to see which team can complete the most laps! Register only your team captain. Teams may consist of any mix of riders you choose.

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Anti-doping statement

The ABA complies with and fully supports the UCI anti-doping regulations, the clauses of the World Anti-doping Code and its international Standards to which the UCI antidoping regulations refer and to the anti-doping regulations of other competent bodies as per the regulations of the UCI.

 

Medical and First aid

Medical services will be based at the start/ finish area for the duration of the race. There will be 2 medical personnel on shift for the race. Race marshals and ABA staff will have cell phone and radio communication in case of a medical emergency. 

 

ERP

Sundre Hospital- 709 1st Street NE 

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On site medical support will be available at the start/ finish area.