Event Description
Welcome to the Catalyst Race Series- Weekend Festival which begins Friday night, November 19th with dinner and concludes Sunday, November 21st after breakfast, with a race to be held on Saturday, November 20th, 2021. The Festival will serve as the conclusion to our first series of races and events at Touch of Nature. The first phase of the Touch of Nature Multi-use Bike trail, approximately 10 miles of completed trails, officially opened on May 1, 2021 after five years of planning, fundraising, construction, and thousands of hours of volunteer work. All proceeds for this racing series are dedicated toward the ultimate goal of constructing an additional 20 miles of trails at Touch of Nature.
For the Weekend Catalyst Festival, includes one Car Camping space for Friday and Saturday nights, Race Registration, Post-Race meal, and Post-Race Festivities. Cost for the Basic Package for the Festival weekend is $85.00 for racers and $40 for non-racers. Everyone staying for the weekend MUST be registered.
In addition to the Basic Festival package, a Meal Pass may be purchased for an additional $45.00 per person. The Meal Pass includes dinner on Friday night, Breakfast and Dinner on Saturday, and Breakfast on Sunday morning.
If car camping isn’t your thing, please visit Touch of Nature's website for upgrading the lodging options. Costs are in addition to the Festival Weekend and include comfy hotel style rooms, bunk style rooms, family size cabins, and primitive cabins. Please visit the website for a description of the lodging options and call 618-453-3956 to book the lodging of your choice.
Presented by the Bike Surgeon, the Shawnee Mountain Bike Association (SMBA), and Touch of Nature, this is a festival with the third of three racing events scheduled this fall at SIU’s outdoor education center. Please thank all of our sponsors: SIU Credit Union, River Radio Group, Shawnee Trails, Phoenix Cycles, Francis Brummer, Sabens Martial Arts Academy, Murphysboro Smile Design, The Joos Cap, Blue Sky Vineyards, St. Nicholas Brewing Co., Honey Stinger, Elevate Therapy & Performance, Kuat, Orange Seal, and Wolf Tooth.
Thank you all for your support and we hope to see you in November!
Event details and schedule
November 19, 2021 - Friday Night: Dinner at Touch of Nature’s Freeberg Hall at 6 pm time. Festivities at 7:30 pm.
November 20, 2021 - Saturday:
- Event Schedule:
- 8:00 am-9:30 am – Breakfast available
- 9:30 am – Registration opens at Freeberg
- 10:45 am – Race Course pre meeting at Freeberg Hall
- 11:00 am – Bar and Grill Open
- 11:00 am – Expert Mens and Womens start
- 11:15 am – Sport Mens and Womens start
- 11:30 am – Beginner Mens and Womens start
- 11:30 am – Junior Mens and Womens start
- Kids boys and girls start after all racers have finished - Approximately 2 pm
- Awards - after all racers are finished
Saturday - pm festivities. Dinner -5-7pm, Adult Beverage Bar available.
November 21, 2021 - Sunday - Breakfast is served 8am-9:30am
- Course info
- All start locations are in Camp 2 and have an open road section before entering main singletrack trail system
- Expert course – Three 10-mile laps
- Sport course – Two 10-mile laps
- Beginner and Junior – One 10-mile lap
- Kids - Fun Loop
- Arrival info:
- Packet pick up opens at 9am at Freeberg Hall in Camp 2 at SIU’s Touch of Nature Environmental Center. There will be directional signs to the race start once you have entered the Center.
- Parking information:
- Riders and spectators will be able to park in either of the 2 parking lots located in Camp 2. Parking for spectators will also be available at the main trailhead located at the main entrance of the Center. Spectator viewing locations on the race course will be available as well BUT spectators will need to hike out to those locations from the trailhead parking area.
- Waivers and ID:
- Waivers are completed online during registration. Additional waivers will be available on site at registration if needed. NOTE: Juniors and Kids under 18 REQUIRE a parent or guardian signature on the waiver to be able to race.
- What to bring:
- Items you need to race in the category you register for.
- All entry fees include one meal and one drink.
- What to wear:
- HELMETS ARE REQUIRED.
- Other details you don’t want to forget:
- Race start times are subject to change due to weather or other issues.
- Race may be rescheduled due to inclement weather. These decisions are made by site director and race promoter. Racers will be refunded in the case of cancellation due to weather.
