FAQs

FAQs

Got a question? You’re not alone. Check out our FAQs for our most commonly sought-after race info. If what you need isn’t here, shoot us an email at community@clippedinforlife.org.

• Do you have pre-race instructions?

  We’ll send out pre-race instructions for the 2024 race on Thursday, June 13th to all registered racers. Once sent, instructions can be viewed via this link: https://mailchi.mp/clippedinforlife/mle-2023-race-instructions

• How are results timed?

  You are timed via an RFID timing chip sticker on the back of your race number plate. Your time will begin on Stage #1 after you roll over the timing mat at the start line, and it will stop when you get to the end of Stage #1. Take a breather, debrief with friends…and when you’re ready, your time will start again when you begin Stage #2. Bomb through that, and your time will stop again when you get to the Acorn Creek Trailhead parking lot. Rinse and repeat for Stages #3 and #4. 🙂 This means you can enjoy the aid stations and the boat transfer without worrying about your time.

• When/where are results posted?

  When results are ready, they’ll be posted here.

  Results will be posted as soon as possible after all racers have finished. Results come in from 8 different timing points for this race (some without cell service!), and the last person to start Stage 4 could very-well bomb through it and be on the podium. Point being, we can’t finalize results until everyone has at least started the last stage!

• What’s the best bike to use?

  A short travel (Trail/XC) mountain bike will be best over the course of all four stages. A hardtail will also do well under a skilled rider and a long travel trail/enduro bike will be fun on these trails.

• Will there be aid stations, and what's provided?

  Yes, we’ll have fully-stocked aid stations at the end of each Stage. Exact supplies depend on what’s available when we go shopping, but you can expect water, electrolytes, sodas, and an assortment of foods for refueling such as fruit, chips, pickles, pretzels, trail mix & nuts, and nutrition bars.

  Be prepared to be somewhat self-sufficient with regards to food. By that we mean that you should bring some bars/gels in your pockets, and not plan on relying solely on Aid Station supplies. This is an Epic, not a schmancy Gran Fondo. 😉

  We’ll likely include a more detailed list of supplies at aid station in our pre-race email sent out to racers on Thursday, June 15, 2023.

• Where do I park to take the start line shuttle?

  Parking in Historic Folsom is free. All racers taking the shuttle to the start line should park in one of these spots:

  • Parking Garage at 905 Leidesdorff St (no rooftop bike racks). Please park at the top level!
  • Historic Folsom Station North Park & Ride lot at 951-975 Leidesdorff St

  Click here for additional Historic Folsom parking info and please pay attention to any other lots that have parking time limits. Please DO NOT park in the Lake Natoma Inn parking lot unless you are a hotel guest.

  START SHUTTLES LEAVE HISTORIC FOLSOM AT 6:45 AM SHARP. If you do not have your bike and yourself loaded by that time, it will be your responsibility to drive yourself to the start.

  BIKE LOADING

  Box trucks will be located next to Packet Pickup on Saturday morning (see Packet Pickup FAQ for location). A huge thanks goes out to Mike’s Bikes for letting us use their box trucks. Bikes will be hung from hooks in the ceiling. Please bring us a clean bike to go in the box trucks. To expedite loading bikes, please bring a multi-tool so you can turn your handlebars sideways and remove your pedals!

  Why do we do this? To fit more bikes on the trucks, and to transport your bike safely. Plan on bringing that multi-tool to the start so you can fix your handlebars and pedals.

• Can I shuttle myself to the start?

  Due to severely limited space for vehicles at the start line, racers are strongly encouraged to use the start line shuttle included in your race entry for you and your bike. Racers park for free in Historic Folsom to catch the shuttle up to the start line at 6:45am.

  New in 2024! To better manage traffic at the start line, a Start Line Access Pass will be REQUIRED to access the Magnolia Ranch Trailhead parking lot, including drop-offs. If you prefer to provide your own transportation to the start line in lieu of taking the provided shuttle, you will need to purchase a Start Line Access Pass during registration for $20.

  Access to the Magnolia Ranch Trailhead parking lot will be strictly limited to race staff, official shuttles, and those that purchase a Start Line Access Pass. Please note, all vehicles must be cleared from the Magnolia Ranch parking lot when the race starts at 8:30am.

• What is your refund policy?

  Deferrals: If you are unable to attend this year’s race for any reason, you may request to defer your registration fee to the following year for a $25 non-refundable fee. You will receive a credit in the amount of your original registration to apply towards next year’s race (any increase in race price will apply), and your registration cannot be deferred a second time. Deferrals must be requested via email by Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at 11:59pm.

  Transfers: You may transfer your registration to another racer of your choice for a $25 non-refundable fee. Transfers must be requested via email by Thursday, June 6, 2024 at 11:59pm. Please include the name and contact information of the racer you are transferring to.

  Deferrals and transfers are only available to registrants for the current year’s race and are not retroactive.

• When/where is packet pickup?

  Packet Pickup will be held in Historic Folsom during the following times:

  • Friday, June 14th from 5-7pm in the Zittel Family Amphitheater (200 Wool St, Folsom, CA 95630)
  • Saturday, June 15th (race morning) from 6-6:45 on Sutter Street in front of Hacienda Real (702 Sutter St, Folsom, CA 95630)

  Bikes will be loaded onto box trucks on Saturday ONLY (no Friday night loading). It is critical that racers arrive EARLY on Saturday morning to check-in (if you didn’t on Friday), load their bike, and get on the bus.

  Any race plate that is not picked up when the start shuttles leave at 6:45am will be brought up to the start at Magnolia Trailhead, and you can pick-up the remainder of your schwag after you finish.

• Hey, no Beginner categories? What gives?

  Even though we break the course down into smaller bite-sized, eight mile segments, keep in mind this is still a 39-mile epic Trail/XC race with 32 miles of racing. Not something that is usually available to Beginners. It’s June, it will get hotter the longer you’re out there, and make it even tougher to get through. Beginners should pair up with a buddy and race as a relay team!

• How does the two-person relay work?

  If you’re a beginner level rider or you’re not feeling the full distance, try our two-person relay! Each person in a 2-Person team must do two of the four Stages, but teams may divide them up however they want (e.g. Person #1 does Stages #1 & #2, or #1 & #3, etc.).

  Both relay team members need to register separately! You will each pay your portion of the entry fee during registration. Please make sure to enter the same team name as your teammate during registration. Race entry for teams includes shuttle to the start and boat transfer for one person; and t-shirts, post-race meal voucher and fun for both people. Teams are responsible for coordinating their own transportation between stages.

• Are the trails open during the race?

  The Cronan Ranch trail system (Stage #1 and some of Stage #2) will be closed to the public until 11:00 am. So race hard and keep moving. Be aware of other trail users on Stages #3 and #4.

• Do you need any volunteer help during the race?

  Absolutely! An epic race requires epic support, including course marshals, packet pickup, bike shuttle loading, aid stations, and more. Click here to sign up as a volunteer.

• What about lodging?

  Lake Natoma Inn
  702 Gold Lake Dr, Folsom, CA 95630
  Click Here or call (916) 351-1500

  Lake Natoma Inn is located in Historic Folsom, walking distance from our start shuttles, partner restaurants, and awards ceremony! Call the hotel front desk to book and mention Mother Lode Epic. Rates starting at $152.10 before tax for Traditional King or Double Queen, single or double occupancy, subject to availability. Rooms are first come first serve, book as soon as possible to guarantee a room at the best rate!