What will a championship cross country course look like?

Question

Accepted Answer

Under ASA Rule 34.2 and 34.3: Loops: championship and national courses use a 1km small loop and a 2km large loop, combined to make up each age group's distance. Each large loop should have at least 10m of climbing. Surface: open or wooded ground, mostly grass, with natural obstacles. Road crossings are kept to a minimum and covered with grass, earth or mats. Obstacles: avoid obstacles higher than 0.5m, ditches deeper than 0.5m, hidden or dangerous climbs and descents, and thick undergrowth. No narrow gaps in the small loop or the first 500m of the large loop. Marking: taped on both sides, about 5m wide away from the start and finish. The start area is at least 10m wide, with a false start line 1-5m behind the start line. Qualifying courses also need: no slippery areas, thick sand, loose pebbles or rocks; gradients no steeper than 1:10; bends of no more than 90 degrees; at most one chicane (at least 2m wide) on the 2km loop and none on the 1km loop; and no more than 10 speed reductions (bends, obstacles, waterhole) per 2km loop or 5 per 1km loop. Measurement: ideally by calibrated mountain bike or measuring wheel, with the report lodged with the province (and with ASA for championships).