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NMBC PRESENTS:
MURDERHORN MAIDEN - PART THE THIRD

May 25th, 2024

Get ready to buckle up, ladies, because the NMBC is back with the third edition of the Murderhorn Maiden – the ultimate all-female enduro race in Nanaimo!

We celebrate and welcome female-identifying individuals!

We’ve got something for everyone, whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out: killer trails, awesome fellow lady shredders, nothing but good vibes, and a touch of friendly competition. Taking place on the epic Mount Benson trails, you can expect some of the fastest, flowiest, and longest stages that Vancouver Island has to offer. Get ready to break a sweat, show some love for women on bikes, and, most importantly, have an absolute blast.

But wait, there’s more! Like any rad event, we’re throwing an epic afterparty to keep the good times rolling. Join us for drinks and delicious grub at the afterparty hosted by none other than Wolf Brewing. It’s not just a race – it’s a celebration of badass females tearing it up on two wheels. Don’t miss out!

ABOUT THE COURSE

Get ready to dive into the awesomeness that is the Murderhorn Maiden – named after the Simpson-themed trails nestled on the legendary Mount Benson in Nanaimo. Picture this: you’re about to embark on a trail adventure featuring iconic paths like Sexy Flanders, Max Power, Up and Atom, and Uterbraten. Some might rock the black diamond badge, but fear not! These trails were crafted by the most incredible builders whose mission is to ensure every rider has a blast.

Course details are live!

You can find this years course on Trailforks.

RACE / RIDE CATEGORIES

We’ve made an effort to partner with the crew @ RIDELAB for more consist and most importantly, representative categories for riders and racers alike. For our event, Givers and Senders will ride the same course but are divided by experience level and confidence. If you are a more advanced rider, we highly encourage you to consider the Sender category!

CRUISERS

This is your group if you are a relatively new rider. You enjoy riding single-track that has small obstacles but larger ones are intimidating. You are learning how to climb and descend effectively.

Course length ~12 KM

GIVERS

Been riding for a while now, are confident on a bike and love challenging yourself. You are comfortable riding singletrack that has various obstacles. Descents are fun as long as they contain obstacles which are easily and visibly rollable.

Course length ~20 KM

SENDERS

You love to ride your bike on all terrain and all obstacles are welcome challenges. You are able to climb technical singletrack. Long descents with obstacles are exciting for you!
 
Course length ~20 KM

EXPERTS

You thrive on navigating your bike through any terrain, embracing every obstacle as an exhilarating challenge. Mastering technical singletrack climbs is your forte, and tackling long descents filled with obstacles gets your adrenaline pumping! Your are here to race!

Course length ~25 KM

RIPPERS

This is our junior group – it is perfect group for youth riders who are still getting the hang of things. You find joy in cruising on single-track trails with small obstacles, though the bigger ones might seem a bit daunting. As a rider in the learning phase, you’re honing your skills in effective climbing and descending techniques. You must be 15 or younger as of Jan 2024 to enter the event as a junior. We will have separate prizes for younger and older rippers.

POWERHOUSES ⚡

Experienced riders with a zest for challenges, you confidently navigate your e-MTB through various terrains. In our adaptive group, we celebrate diverse abilities, embracing riders who find joy in overcoming obstacles on singletracks. Descents become thrilling when they feature easily rollable and visible challenges, making our inclusive community a welcoming space for all. Note: this is a category design to extend the inclusivity of this event and is NOT intended as a general e-MTB enduro group.

Course length ~20 KM

THE AFTERPARTY!!

As the sun sets on a day filled with epic rides, it’s time to gather the squad, significant others, and our incredible volunteers for an evening of pure awesomeness. Picture this: good vibes, delectable eats from a top-notch catering crew, and, for those of legal age, some ice-cold brews courtesy of our hosts at Wolf Brewing. All-ages welcome to come celebrate!

It’s all about celebrating your victories – conquering those trails deserves a proper toast! Soak in the tunes, enjoy the company of friends, and fill that belly to the brim. Quick heads up: this shindig is a separate ticket from the race event, so make sure you snag yours for the ultimate afterparty experience. Let’s wrap up the day in style – it’s going to be legendary!

wolf-brewing-logo
MM Socials

REGISTRATION OPENS JAN 10, 2024 @ NOON!

RACE DAY AGENDA

 

Get ready for an exhilarating day packed with adrenaline-pumping enduro mountain bike racing and a vibrant afterparty celebration! Did we mention that we have amazing supporters and there will be TONS of prizes!

Rider Check-in
8-9 AM

 Rider Meeting
9:30 AM

RACE!
Expert/Giver/Sender/Powerhouse  Start: 9:45 AM

Cruiser Start: 11:30 AM

Rippers Start: 1:00 PM

 Awards, Prodiums, and Draw Prizes
2:30-3:00 (est.) PM

AFTERPARTY (with more Draw Prizes)!
5PM TO LATE!

OUR AWESOME SPONSORS

coal city
RIDELAB logo

FAQs ABOUT ENDUROS

What if I can't ride everything in the course?

No worries – here’s the lowdown: it’s totally cool to hop off and walk through those tricky sections! There’s absolutely no pressure to conquer everything on two wheels. Just keep in mind, if there’s a fellow rider itching to cruise on through behind you, give them a friendly wave and let them zip on by. It’s all about having a good time, whether you’re pedaling or strolling. So, ride at your own pace, enjoy the trail, and soak in the experience!

What if someone catches me on a segment?

No sweat! It’s a common scenario in the racing world. Typically, the rider catching up from behind will shoot you a heads-up with a friendly “rider” or “racer” shout. When the coast is clear, just carve out some space and let them cruise on through. And here’s the rad part – as they zoom by, you’re bound to get a pumped-up “get it, girl!” and a “you’re shredding! Keep it up!” to keep those good vibes rolling. It’s all about the camaraderie on the trail, so embrace the cheers and keep owning those trails

HOW DOES TIMING WORK?​

1. Arrive at the start of the stage. If you want to adjust who’s before or after you, simply talk to your fellow racers, everyone wants to be respectful of each other’s experience. 

2. Racers time in/out of stages sensors strapped to your bike

3. Drop in and GO! Full steam ahead, or some steam ahead, it’s up to you. Ride within your limits and have FUN. Just roll through at the end of the stage. 

What is an enduro? As opposed to other styles of racing.

Curious about enduro? Let’s break it down! Imagine a racing style that’s all about multiple ‘stages’ – timed stretches of trails, mostly cruising downhill. The twist? Your climbs aren’t against the clock, so you’ve got the freedom to take it easy, have a chat with pals, munch on some snacks, and soak in the scenery. Then, when it’s go-time, unleash your shredding skills on the descents!

Here’s the scoop: all the timed stages add up, and the speed demons ruling the overall stages take home the glory. The best part? It’s your call on how much climbing and descending you’re up for. We’ve got a mix of categories, so whether you’re feeling the climb or itching for those downhill thrills, we’ve got a spot for you. Get ready to own those stages!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

All great events need great people to put them on. Help us keep everyone on track, safe, and having a great experience. 

We’re in need of the following areas: 

  • Rider Check-in
  • Parking assistants
  • Course Marshalls
  • Cleanup

Zero experience necessary, but some awareness of the network would be an asset.