Hello Solstice riders,

Just a few days is all that separates us from the 15th Anniversary 2012 24 Hours of Summer Solstice.  Please take the time to read this email and forward it to your teammates if they aren't on the list.

Specialized Bike Demo

Take out a Specialized 29er on a lap and find out why 29ers are taking over the mountain bike world.  Specialized has also donated an amazing 29er Epic as a draw prize on the weekend (value $3,500) that every racer has a chance to win. Also hang around for special draw prizes courtesy of Specialized!

Course Map (course is being shortened a bit, please see details online)

Here is the course map. The course is marked and ready to rock!

Event Schedule:

Friday, June 22
2:00 pm......................Campsite Move In Anytime After
5:00 pm - 9:00 pm......Registration - Inside Main Chalet.

Saturday, June 23
8:00 am - 11:00 am.......Late Registration - Inside Main Chalet
(Waiver signing open all day for late riders).
10:00 am.......................Volunteer Meeting.
11:00 am.......................Rider Meeting.
12:00 pm........................Race Start.
3:00 pm.........................Kids Race Registration.
4:00 pm.........................FREE Shimano Kids Race.

Sunday, June 24
10:00 am........................Spectator fun / mud for some riders.
11:00 am........................Famous Freezie Chug Fest.
12:00 pm........................Final Laps.
1:15 pm..........................Awards and draw prizes.

3-4 Person No Night Teams            

1)      Participants will not be allowed to continue through the transition area for additional laps after 7:30 pm.   All No Nite Category riders must exit the course no later than 8:45 pm (if you ride outside of this range we will not count your time).  Keep in mind that it will be darker within the forest as dusk approaches so ride with caution.   

2)      We will start riders for the second duration of the event at 6:00 am under the start scaffolding to the left hand side.  You will not need to check in with the transition area, but you will need to keep your chip with you.  

3)      You must start your lap before 12:00 pm like everyone else, with your laps only counting if you come in prior to 1:00 pm.

Shimano Kids' Event - 2012!

Bring the kids along for the Shimano Kids event at 4 PM on Saturday. We are including a number plate and prize at no cost with the entry (supplies are limited, however)!  Souvenir kid's Solstice t-shirts are available on site for $10 each.

Start time is 4 pm Saturday for 6 and under, 4:20 pm for 7 & 8, 4:40 pm for 9 and over, and parents are asked to register at 3 pm at the main chalet. It is the parent/caregiver's responsibility to make sure your child's helmet is properly adjusted, and the bicycle is in good working order.

Also have your kids check out the Splash Pad swimming pool located at the beach of Lake Albion.

Every year our volunteers have a blast being part of the event.  Each volunteer will receive a t-shirt, and heartfelt thanks from our staff for the much needed help.  Please forward this email to anyone who may be interested in helping us out for 3-4 hour shifts in the timing tent, feed station or road crossing. (If you have already done so - thanks!!)

The volunteer meeting is at 10AM on Saturday morning of the event if you want to sign up for any shifts.

Please obey all posted signage at the event.  Most team cars will fit on your campsites but for those that do not, including spectators, please park in the designated overflow parking areas.  Please do not park on the sides of roads within the park as this makes maneuvering emergency vehicles very difficult.  Parking infractions will be enforced so please think before putting it in park!

Campground Notice (After 11pm it is quiet time)

After 11 PM on both nights we ask that the music be turned off and you don't talk loud or yell around the campfire.  We encourage you to bring the quiet 4 stroke generators instead of the big and loud 2 stroke generators if you are in the generator area (non-generator areas will be asked to turn them off at night if bothering other people). Charging for batteries is available for Sigma, Topeak and Light and Motion (bring your chargers in case, and we'll find you power).  Unfortunately Niterider is no longer at the event.  Also note special deals will be available at Sporting Life for Light and Motion lights!!!

Registration

Registration will take place on Friday night from 5PM - 9PM, and Saturday from 8AM -11AM.  One team member must pick up the teams race plates, timing chip, t-shirts and race kit. Each individual team member must sign a waiver to receive a sticker for their race plate approving them to race.  All participants under the age of 18 must have this waiver signed by a parent or guardian. 

Expo Area

Please check out our expanded expo area this year including an expanded Sporting Life store!

 Proper Passing Etiquette

This event is designed for riders of all ability levels.  Chico Racing has a zero tolerance policy for aggressive riding meaning that multiple complaints against a rider will result in that entire team's disqualification, subject to Chico's discretion.  Let's keep this a fun, enjoyable and safe experience for everyone.

Solo Area Elmview

Elmview has access to water, and a shelter, that the solos will need to share.  This "new" solo area will also feature power that people can hook up to.  Soloists please bring extension cords (50 foot, 100 foot - longer the better).  We will also have porta potties and a handwash station at the solo area in Elmview.  Showers will be located in the Sleep Hollow Campground next to Elmview.

Any further changes to your team, or team size, will have to be made on site.  Teams downgrading in size will receive no refunds.

Campsite Listing

The campsite listing has been posted and updated (please check your current campsite as they might have been changed).  Campsite listings are here.

Shimano Tech Support
Usually reserved for World Cups, Shimano's awesome wrenches will be o­n hand to make emergency adjustments to your bikes. Please have your bike adjusted prior the event as this is a service for riders needing mid-event adjustments!

24 Hour On-site Food Services

Scarlett House Catering  will be bringing Pasta, excellent BBQ, Wellington Draught Beer, Coffee, McChico's and more on site - so bring your appetites.

Lighting Technical Support

Topeak, Light and Motion and Sigma are the official lighting systems and they will be providing o­n site charging and technical support. We will have a manned charge station for those of you wanting to charge "other" system batteries (bring your charger). Light and Motion offered up some rental systems, however they are all rented out.  

Sporting Life: 15th Anniversary 2012 Solstice Louis Garneau Jerseys 

Limited edition 2012 jerseys are available with a "normal" Louis Garneau fit. Women's and men's jerseys are both available. There are no reserved jerseys this year!

On Site Massage Therapy
Once again, ON-SITE MASSAGE THERAPY will be available for this year's 24 hour events. They will be located in the main sponsor area from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon (that's right they massage straight through the night). All therapists are registered with the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario, (meaning if you have benefits coverage you can send in the receipt and be fully reimbursed for all treatments).

Park Fees and Splash Pad Swimming Area

Racers are free for the weekend however friends and spectators will need to pay park fees of $6.50 for adults, $5.50 for seniors with children under 15 free.  The water play park is also now open for a small additional fee for everyone.

Family Camping

We have some additional family camping sites (non-serviced) located down by the beach area, but along the course, and close to the water park.  This is a quieter area for your families to come and camp.  You will need to pay Albion Hills Conservation Area for these sites additionally and there is no pre-booking, but tons of space for them. 

Special thanks to all of our sponsors for their support this year: 

Kijiji.ca, Sporting Life, Specialized Bicycles, Shimano, eLoad, Louis Garneau, Pedal, Light & Motion, Sigma, Serfas, Kicking Horse Coffee, Joyride150, Opus Bikes,  Norco Bikes,  Hammer Nutrition, Wellington Brewery, Camelbak, OCA, Blackburn, Defeet, Preparing the Trail, Albion Hills Conservation Area, and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.     

For information on the specifics of the event please check out our technical guide here.

We will be out of the office on set-up for the duration of the week.  If you have any further questions please refer to our website at www.chicoracing.com .

Happy trails,

Adam Ruppel