The 2004 Georgia Mountain Bike Series, presented by the Georgia Association of Promoters (GAP), will be a dual-sanctioned NORBA state cross country championship series this year. This will allow participants to receive national ranking and qualify for the U.S. National Mountain Bike Championships.
The series schedule contains eleven events running from March to October. To qualify as a series winner and for banquet awards, a racer must start in at least five series races. A GAP License is required to earn series points. NORBA membership is optional for Beginner and Sport class riders, but required for Expert and above. All riders holding both current GAP and NORBA licenses will receive a $3.00 discount on their cross country race entry fee at each event.
The Georgia Pay Dirt Program will continue to be a cornerstone of the series. Pay Dirt is a program designed to encourage and promote regular involvement in the maintenance and construction of trails. Racers who volunteer at least three hours during a recognized and approved volunteer program earn points for each hour worked, up to the equivalent of a first place finish (one time only) in the series standings. The Pay Dirt points are counted in addition to a rider's nine best series finishes. Awards are also given to the top three racers with the most volunteer hours.
In 1997, Georgia mountain bike race promoters, members of the North Georgia Bicycle Dealers Association (NGBDA) and the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA) met to work out a promising new race series for the state of Georgia. The goal of the group was to form a statewide cross country race series that would crown the best mountain bike racers in Georgia. The result is the Georgia Mountain Bike Series and Georgia Pay Dirt Program, now starting its seventh year. More info at www.bike4fun.com.
2004 GEORGIA MOUNTAIN BIKE SERIES
March 7: Yard Sale Race...Oconee Heritage Park, Farmington
March 28: NGBDA Georgia Pines...Dauset Trails Nature Center, Jackson
April 24-25: Twilight...Hawkes Creek Farm, Athens
May 14-16: SORBA Helen Fat Tire Festival, Alpine Helen Festhalle, Helen
June 20: Early Harvest Race, Chicopee Agriculture Center, Gainesville
July 18: The Summer Sizzler, GIHP Olympic Course, Conyers
August 1: Newnan Summer Festival, Windridge ATB Park, Newnan
August 29: Macon Madness MTB Race, Georgia Children's Home, Macon
Sept. 18: SORBA Tumbling Creek MTB Rumble 8, Gainesville College
October 2: SORBA Carters Lake MTB Classic, Ridgeway Park, Ellijay
October 31: NGBDA Georgia Series Finale, Oconee Heritage Park, Farmington
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