FATS Flow Master XC MTB Race

WE ARE DEEPLY SADDENED TO MAKE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND WE DO NOT TAKE THIS LIGHTLY. 

FLOW MASTER 8 HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

IF YOU REGISTERED FOR THE EVENT, YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED AN EMAIL WITH COMPLETE DETAILS. 
IF YOU’D LIKE TO SUPPORT THE EFFORTS OF TRAIL RESTORATION IN OUR AREA, YOU CAN STILL MAKE A DONATION THROUGH THE REGISTRATION SITE, UNTIL THE REGISTRATION DEADLINE.  
THESE FUNDS ARE NOW MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE AT F.A.T.S AND ALL OF OUR LOCAL TRAILS, AS A RESULT OF HURRICANE HELENE.

WE GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND YOUR SUPPORT.  

STAY TUNED TO THE SORBA-CSRA CHANNELS FOR UPDATES ON TRAIL WORK DAYS AND WAYS TO HELP OUT!  

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GENERAL INFO
FATS Flow Master is a local trail fundraiser event put together by SORBA-CSRA and Andy Jordan’s Bicycle Warehouse!  
The goal is to have a good time racing bikes with friends, both old and new, while raising funds for local trail maintenance, improvements, and projects.
100% of the net event proceeds directly benefit the local trails and SORBA-CSRA. 
Over $50,000 has been invested in the local trails since the inception of Flow Master thanks to all the registrants!

-Event limited to 175 Racers.
-Non-sanctioned event.  No race license needed. 
-Registration deadline is Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 8:15am unless max capacity has already been met.
-Entry Fee is Non-Refundable, but can be transferred to another participant (fees apply).
$50 plus processing fee until September 9, 2024.
$65 plus processing fee September 10, 2024 through October 16, 2024.
$80 plus processing fee October 17, 2024 through October 19, 2024.
-Now offering referral discounts!  Get 5 friends registered using your unique referral code and get $20 back!
-Free Flow Master T-Shirt for all registrations completed by Sunday, September 22, 2024.
-Additional T-Shirts may be purchased during registration through September 22, 2024, with net proceeds going to SORBA-CSRA.
-Course is 20 miles and includes Great Wall, Skinny, and Brown Wave trails, plus some gravel.
Course direction TBD  Click here for route on Strava.
-3 hour course cutoff
-Chip timing by Go Race Productions.
-NO AID STATIONS ON COURSE, PLAN YOUR HYDRATION AND NUTRITIONAL NEEDS ACCORDINGLY!
-Custom Flow Master Winner’s Stein by Tommac Garrett Ceramics for Overall Male and Overall Female winner.
-Prizes and trophies awarded to top 3 Men and top 3 Women overall, including the coveted custom Flow Master Fender by Ground Keeper!
-Custom Flow Master Silipints for top 3 racers in each age category. 
-Racers must be at least 15 years of age at time of race.
-Follow and share the fun on Instagram @fatsflowmaster
-Check out photos from prior year's event by Robbie Ready Photography and Matt Smith Photo Design.

WANT TO SUPPORT THE CAUSE, BUT DON'T WANT TO RACE? 
SIGN UP AS A VOLUNTEER, GET A FREE FLOW MASTER TRUCKER HAT, AND ENJOY WATCHING THE RACE ACTION!

SCHEDULE
-Volunteer meeting Thursday, October 17 from 6:15pm to 7:30pm at Andy Jordan’s Bicycle Warehouse.
-Early Check-in, packet pickup, and race number plates will be available on Friday, October 18 from 3:00pm to 6:00pm at Andy Jordan's Bicycle Warehouse.  You must pick up your packet in person and have your photo ID with you. 
You'll also be entered in a prize raffle for doing early packet pick up and we'll have prior year Flow Master tees for sale, $5 each! 
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR NUMBER PLATE.  NO NUMBER PLATE ON RACE DAY, NO TIMED RACE FOR YOU.  DO NOT LOSE, OR FORGET, YOUR NUMBER PLATE.
-Saturday, October 19, sign in, packet, and timing chip pick up from 7:00am to 8:20am.  Bring your photo ID.
-YOU MUST PICK UP YOUR TIMING CHIP ON RACEDAY BY 8:20AM SHARP.
-8:25am pre-race briefing.
-Racer start staging will begin at 8:40am.
Approximately 5 minute downhill ride to the start line on FS662 x FS662-D Intersection.
-Mass start at 9am SHARP.  It will be up to each rider to seed themselves in the line up.  If you’re not sure where to get in line, take a look at prior results.
-Wet Trail Policy will be in effect.  Should weather or wet trail conditions keep the race from occurring, the Flow Master will be cancelled and no refunds will be given (remember, we're raising funds for the trails).  If weather is a threat, the decision to cancel the race will be made by Friday, October 20, 2023.  This information will be posted on the official race site.  If trail conditions can not handle the race on Saturday, but weather conditions permit a race, SEE BELOW FOR PLAN B.

PARKING
-484 Woodlawn Road - Clarks Hill, SC 29821
-Parking is limited, so carpooling is strongly recommended.
-Staff will be on hand directing you where to park.
-NO PARKING ON GRAVEL ROADS!
-Parking will be available in main FATS Parking lot.  Overflow parking will be available in lot on FS 662A.

LODGING & CAMPING
-Closest camping available at Petersburg Camground at J. Strom Thurmond Lake.
-No camping allowed at FATS.

FLOW MASTER RULES
*Event Director will start race at 9:00 am SHARP.
*Race is completed when the last rider crosses the finish line (approx 12:00pm).
*3 hour rider cutoff
*All riders are required to wear a helmet.
*All riders are to be completely self-sufficient, this is an unsupported race. 
*Participants must have proper hydration and nutritional items with them, plus emergency bike repair items, for the ride.
*Event directors have the right to pull a participant from the course/race if they're falling too far behind.
*Headphones, ear buds, bluetooth speakers, etc are strictly prohibited during the race. 
Any racer found using these devices, or any similar device, during the race will result in an automatic disqualification. 
*Cell phones are allowed on the course.
*It is recommended that all riders wear orange or other high visibility color due to hunting season.
*Stay on the designated course and on the trail.
*Do not litter.
*The gravel roads are open to the public and may have traffic- proceed across the roads with caution.
*The rider with the fastest time wins.
*If someone has crashed & needs help, help them.
*If someone has crashed, please notify the next volunteer you see on the course of their approx location.
*Slower riders yield to faster riders. When passing, give directions, e.g. "rider on your left".
*Course marshals will be at various road crossings and on the trail.
*We are here to have fun and raise money! If somebody has problems, help them so they can continue to ride. You may need their help later!
*You must finish the race on the same bike that you started the race on.
*Race can be ended due to trail conditions. Winners will be determined based on Race End Time.
*ALL riders must inform Event Director when dropping out of event.
*Course sweeper has the right to pull a rider from the race if the rider has fallen too far behind or if there is a health/safety concern.
*This is not a sanctioned event, USA Cycling rules do not apply.
*E-Bikes are strictly prohibited on USFS trails.
*Event Director has final word on all decisions.

PLAN B
A roughly 6.5 mile race course utilizing the nearby forest service roads. It will still be a mass start, it will still be an all out sprint for the finish, and it will still be a fun time on your bike while raising funds for the local trails.