FAQs

  • The NW Cup is a downhill race series based in the greater Pacific Northwest. It began 2006 and has grown year after year.

  • Anyone! The NW Cup uses four skill-based racing categories. Categories are designed to match riders with similar experience levels and are further divided by age and gender.

    Cat 3 - Beginner

    For riders who are new to downhill racing or just getting started. This is the most common entry point for first-time racers.

    Cat 2 - Intermediate

    For riders with some racing experience who are comfortable on more technical terrain and racing at a faster pace.

    Cat 1 - Expert

    For advanced riders with significant racing experience and strong technical skills.

    Pro

    For elite-level riders competing at the highest level of the series.

    Riders who want to move from Cat 3 into Cat 2, Cat 1, or Pro will need to apply for a category upgrade through USA Cycling.

  • If this is your first downhill race, welcome! The NW Cup is a great place to start.

    We recommend most new riders begin in Category 3 (Beginner). From there, riders can progress through the categories as their experience and speed increase.

    For a helpful overview of how bike racing works, check out the USA Cycling First-Time Racer Guide:
    https://usacycling.org/first-time-racer

  • Yes. All NW Cup racers must have a USA Cycling race license to compete.

    We recommend getting an annual USA Cycling license, which is often the best option for most riders.

    Good news for first-time racers and youth riders:

    • First-time racers: Your first annual race license may be free, you only pay the base membership fee.

    • Youth (U19): Race licenses are free, with a membership fee starting at about $20 with auto-renew.

    • U23 riders: Annual race licenses are available at a reduced cost.

    You can purchase or manage your license here:
    https://usacycling.org/member

    A one-day license may be available at registration, but riders planning to race multiple events are usually better off getting the annual license.

  • The entry fee provides entry into the race and some USA Cycling benefits. Each resort offers a 3-day discounted lift pass. For Dry Hill, the shuttles are included in the entry fee.

    All NW Cups are 3-day events. You are not required to be there all 3 days, but it is ideal for getting the optimal amount of practice. As per USA Cycling, riders are required to do at least 2 practice laps prior to their race runs.

  • A detailed schedule will be published shortly before each event. In general, this is how it goes.

    -Rider Check-in Friday and Saturday

    -Category specific training Friday and Saturday

    -Seeding Saturday afternoon

    -Sunday racing and awards

  • Riders pre‐register prior to the event but are still required to check in on‐site.

    Subscribe to our site to be notified when registration opens for each event.

    All riders must check in prior to practicing. Registration will be open on both Fridays and Saturdays.

  • Coaching on course is allowed only for Category 3 racers who are race age 10 and under.

    Eligible racers will receive a coaching plate at registration. If the rider wishes to have a coach follow them during the race run, the coach must remain paired with that rider for the entire run.

    If a coaching plate is seen on course without the assigned rider, the coaching privilege will be revoked.

    These rules are in place to help younger riders safely experience racing while keeping the course clear for competition.

  • We strongly recommend as much protection as possible. While the only true “requirement” is a full-face helmet and a mechanically sound bike, we suggest elbow, knee, chest, and hand armor.

    The safer you are, the better the overall experience.

Categories Explanation for the NW Cup Downhill Series

Every year we fine-tune the categories for the NW Cup based on the previous year's results. Given how the series has grown over the past decade, we have typically been expanding the categories by splitting out categories in an effort to give as many people as possible a chance to stand on the box at the end of the weekend. With that, we need to consider the rules from  USA Cycling in regard to categories.  

First off, there are a few general rules to consider:  

  1. In an effort to keep full podiums, we reserve the right to combine classes if there are fewer than 3 people registered in a category. 

  2. Our priorities are Safe‐Fun‐Fair, and the Categories are a tool to achieve this. 

  3. Your age is determined by how old you will be on December 31st of the current year. (Example: A Cat 2 male rider turns 15 in November, he would race Cat 2 15‐18 all year, even at our April race) 

  4. If you have an annual license you must present either the license or some proof that you have a current license.

  • In order to race Pro, the racer must have a Pro license issued by either USA Cycling or the UCI. This is not something we can sell or even renew at the races.

    Pro Men & Pro Women

  • Category 1 (Expert) are the highest skilled amateur classes available. See USA Cycling for the requirements to get a Category 1 license.

    Typically Cat 1 races the same track as the Pro Classes

  • Category 2 (Intermediate) is available to all racers, even if it is their first time racing. Cat 2 typically uses a more challenging course than Cat 3 and first time riders are always encouraged to give Cat 3 a try first.

  • Category 3 (Beginner) is considered the best place to start and get accustomed to racing the clock. It’s just as competitive as all of the other categories. Most of the time, we encourage people to start here.