2026 CAMBr Chicagoland Race Series Powered by SRAM

Women's race discount (25%) - use discount code WomenSave25 at checkout

Welcome to the 2026 CAMBr Chicagoland Race Series Powered by SRAM!  Pick one, or two, or take the challenge of racing all three! Whatever you decide, you'll be part of something special. We look forward to seeing you this summer.

Single Speed is only available in the Novice, Sport, Comp, and Expert races
Fat Bike is only available in the Novice, Sport, and Comp races
Clydesdale is only available in the Sport race (over 220 lbs)

Age categories are determined based on the participant's age as of December 31, 2026 - not your age on race day.

E-assist is only permitted for Adaptive cycles.  E-bikes (and any other non-human-powered bikes) are expressly prohibited from competing.  This rule does not preclude Adaptive riders from competing in the category of their choice.  Please refer to the Racer Handbook for a full list of rules.

Registration opens April 1, 2026.  Note that prices go up two weeks before each race ($55 for Novice, Sport, Comp and Expert), and again two days before each race ($65 for Novice through Expert).  By encouraging racers to register earlier, we are able to better coordinate race organization.

The Event
CAMBr’s 3rd annual mountain bike race at Paul Douglas Woods takes place on July 27, on one of CAMBr's newest trail systems. The Paul Douglas Pursuit is part 2 of a 3 race series that includes the Raceway Rally and the Palos Meltdown. The 2025 CAMBr Chicagoland Race Series Powered by SRAM will test your riding skills over some of the best single-track trails in the Midwest. This is a spectator friendly venue, so bring the whole family along to cheer you on!  Paul Douglas Woods is located in Hoffman Estates, IL just 2 miles north west of Woodfield Mall and just off of I-90 on Central Rd. and only 30 miles from downtown Chicago. There are race categories for everyone. Sign up today and get ready to have an absolute blast!

Packet Pickup
Racers can pick up their racer packet on Saturday July 26, from 12 PM until 3 PM, at Crank Revolution (https://www.crankrevolution.com/), 1636 W. Algonquin Rd, Hoffman Estates, IL 60192. Race day packet pickup on Sunday is at Paul Douglas Forest Preserve (Race Day Site) from 7:30AM onward.  We recommend Saturday to beat the crowds!

Parking
There will be limited parking at Grassy Ridge Meadow parking, with additional parking at DMG MORI USA and BIG DAISHOWA Inc off of S. Freeman Rd.  There will be parking signs at all the parking entrances and additional signs leading to them. There will also be racer, spectator, and volunteer signs leading to the main event area.

Race Color Scheme
New for 2025 - we will be using the following color scheme to differentiate the various categories and courses:


Race Day Schedule

Note – Award Presentation times are approximate times

Series Racers
Depending on the size of the field, Series racers in the Novice, Sport, Comp and Expert races may be called up to the front at the starting line.  "Series racers" refers to racers who are registered for all three races in the Series.

Special Categories:
Fat Bike is only available in the Novice, Sport, and Comp races.
Single Speed is only available in the Novice, Sport, Comp, and Pro/Expert races
Clydesdale is only available in the Sport race.

Adaptive Mountain Bike (aMTB)
Strictly for riders with mobility impairments. E-assist permitted for this race only

Cash Prizes
See https://runsignup.com/Race/PalosMeltdown/Page/Awards

IMPORTANT:  Course maps are published for informational purposes only, for registered racers only.  Cook County Forest Preserve rules prohibit speed training outside of the scheduled race day.  All trails at Paul Douglas are directional and open to multiple user groups including cyclists, runners, hikers. Depending on the day of the week, runners and hikers go the opposite direction of cyclists.  EXPECT THE TRAILS TO BE BUSY DURING THE RUN-UP TO THE RACE, INCLUDING TRAIL WORKERS WITH EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY ON THE TRAIL.  NON-RACE TRAFFIC SHOULD AVOID THE TRAILS ON RACE DAY FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL.

Here's the map for the Novice/Juniors, Sport, Comp and Expert courses!  Please study them carefully BUT please don't ride unless trails are marked green or yellow on Trailbot!

IMPORTANT:  Course maps are published for informational purposes only, for registered racers only.  Cook County Forest Preserve rules prohibit speed training outside of the scheduled race day.  All trails at Palos are two-way and open to multiple user groups including cyclists, runners, hikers, and equestrians.  EXPECT THE TRAILS TO BE BUSY DURING THE RUN-UP TO THE RACE, INCLUDING TRAIL WORKERS WITH EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY ON THE TRAIL.  NON-RACE TRAFFIC SHOULD AVOID THE TRAILS ON RACE DAY FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL.

Please check conditions on Trailbot or at https://www.cambr.org/trails_and_conditions.php before riding.

2025 CAMBr Chicagoland Race Series Powered by SRAM
AWARDS INFORMATION

Races in the Series

·        July 13 - Raceway Rally – Carpentersville

·        July 27 - Paul Douglas Pursuit - Hoffman Estates

·        August 10 - Palos Meltdown – Palos

Awards at each Race are given by Class

·        Adaptive Short Course:  Top 3 M/F Overall

·        Adaptive Long Course:  Top 3 M/F Overall

·        First Timers:  Top 3 M/F Overall, Top 3 M/F in each Age Group (10 and under, 11-13, 14-16, 17-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+)

·        Juniors:  Top 3 M/F Overall, Top 3 M/F in each Age Group (10 and under, 11-13, 14-16, 17-18)

·        Novice Men: Top 3 M Overall, Top 3 M in each Age Group (19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+), Top 3 M Fat Bike, Top 3 M SS

·        Novice Women: Top 3 F Overall, Top 3 F in each Age Group (19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+), Top 3 F Fat Bike, Top 3 F SS

·        Sport Men: Top 3 M Overall, Top 3 M in each Age Group (19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+), Top 3 M Fat Bike, Top 3 M SS, Top 3 M Clydesdale

·        Sport Women: Top 3 F Overall, Top 3 F in each Age Group (19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+), Top 3 F Fat Bike, Top 3 F SS

·        Comp Men: Top 3 M Overall, Top 3 M in each Age Group (19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+), Top 3 M Fat Bike, Top 3 M SS

·        Comp Women: Top 3 F Overall, Top 3 F in each Age Group (19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+), Top 3 F Fat Bike, Top 3 F SS

·        Pro/Expert Men: Top 3 M Overall, Top 3 M in each Age Group (19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+), Top 3 M SS

·        Pro/Expert Women: Top 3 F Overall, Top 3 F in each Age Group (19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+), Top 3 F SS

Cash Award Prizes at each Race are given by Class

·        Eligible Classes: Comp Men, Comp Women, Pro/Expert Men, Pro/Expert Women

·        The number of cash award winners will be determined by the number of registrants.  Requirements are based on the number of racers registered, rather than participating, to allow for reduced turnout resulting from unforeseen circumstances.

          o   0-4 registrants for a given class: No Cash Awards

          o   5-9 registrants for a given class:  Cash Award for 1st Place

          o   10+ registrants for a given class: Cash Awards for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place


Series Awards

To be eligible for placement in the CAMBr Chicagoland Race Series, participants must:

·        Successfully complete all three races in the Series

·        Compete in the same class (Novice, Sport, etc.) at all three races in the Series

·        Register with the exact same name at each race.  (First Name and Last Name).  If you register for different races under different names, your Series Results will not be linked together.  Series results will not be updated to merge names that are not the same.

Earning Points

·        At each Race, participants will earn points matching their Gender Place in their given class.  1st place earns 1 point, 2nd place earns 2 points, etc.

·        Your Series Total will be calculated by the sum of your three individual race scores.

·        For example, if a participant finishes 5th in their gender at one race, and 4th in their gender at the other two, their Series Total would be 13 points (5+4+4).

·        Lowest Series Total is best.

·        The lowest possible Series Total is 3 (first place in three events)

·        In the event of a tie, the winner of the tie shall be the participant who placed highest at the last race.

Series Award List

·        Adaptive Short - Men – Top 3

·        Adaptive Short - Women – Top 3

·        Adaptive Long - Men – Top 3

·        Adaptive Long - Women – Top 3

·        Juniors Male – Top 3

·        Juniors Female – Top 3

·        Novice Men – Top 3

·        Novice Women – Top 3

·        Sport Men – Top 3

·        Sport Women – Top 3

·        Comp Men – Top 3

·        Comp Women – Top 3

·        Pro Expert Men – Top 3

·        Pro Expert Women – Top 3

Cash Award Prizes for the Series

·        Eligible Classes: Comp Men, Comp Women, Pro/Expert Men, Pro/Expert Women

·        The number of cash award winners will be determined by the number of registrants.  Requirements are based on the number of racers registered, rather than participating, to allow for reduced turnout resulting from unforeseen circumstances.  Moreover, minimum series registration requirements reflect the number of registrations at all three races combined.  As an example, if the same five individuals register for all three races, this totals 15 registrations for a given class and the requirement is deemed to have been met for a cash prize to be awarded to the Series winner.

          o   0-14 registrations for a given class: No Cash Awards

          o   15-29 registrations for a given class:  Cash Award for 1st Place

          o   30+ registrations for a given class: Cash Awards for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place

All awards are subject to change without notice at Race Director discretion.

Chicago Area Mountain Bikers (CAMBr) is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization of hundreds of riders who work to ensure that mountain bikers have diverse and challenging local opportunities to enjoy their sport. Our members have donated thousands of work hours to build and improve area trails.  The CAMBr Chicagoland Race Series is a key source of funds in CAMBr's annual budget, as well as a focal point for local riders to get together and share their love of the sport.

CAMBr's mission is to educate bicyclists, promote responsible trail use, prevent trail closings, and maintain and build multi-use natural surface singletrack and freeride cycling opportunities in the Chicago area. CAMBr seeks to promote trail and freeride bicycling through stewardship, environmental and social responsibility, education, and a spirit of cooperation among all trail users, the conservation community, and governing bodies.

Regardless of whether you're a mountain biker, trail runner, hiker, or equestrian enthusiast, if you frequent the natural surface trails across Chicagoland, you've directly experienced the positive impact of CAMBr's efforts. Your backing is what enables us to persist in our mission of advocacy, trail expansion, and fostering responsible trail etiquette.

Please consider joining CAMBr, volunteering at a workday, or donating.  Visit www.cambr.org for more information on all this plus our trails, trail condition reports, and much more.

The Event
The Palos Meltdown is the third and final race in the Series.  With racing for all ages and abilities, this historic event draws riders from all over the region.  The race is held within the Forest Preserve District of Cook County's Palos Forest Preserves, on an extensive singletrack trail system built and maintained by CAMBr, just half an hour outside of Chicago. The trails are flowy, fun, and built with all levels of rider in mind. The event strives to keep a fun family atmosphere while providing a both challenging and fun race experience for first timers to the seasoned elite athlete.

Packet Pickup
Racers can pick up their number plate and shirt (if you ordered one) at Pulaski Woods (start-finish location) on Saturday August 9, from 11 AM until 3 PM, or on Sunday August 10 (race day) from 7:00 AM onward at the big CAMBr tent next to the finish line.  We recommend Saturday to beat the crowds!

Race Color Scheme
New for 2025 - we will be using the following color scheme to differentiate the various categories and courses:


Race Day Schedule

Series Racers
Depending on the size of the field, Series racers in the Novice, Sport, Comp and Expert races may be called up to the front at the starting line.  "Series racers" refers to racers who are registered for all three races in the Series.

Special Categories
Fat Bike is only available in the Novice, Sport, and Comp races.
Single Speed is only available in the Novice, Sport, Comp, and Pro/Expert races
Clydesdale (riders over 220 lbs) is only available in the Sport race.

Adaptive Mountain Bike (aMTB)
Strictly for riders with mobility impairments.  E-assist permitted for this race only.

Cash Prizes
See https://runsignup.com/Race/PalosMeltdown/Page/Awards

Here's a video of last year's race:

Here's the map for the First Timers' and Adaptive courses!  Please study them carefully BUT please don't ride unless trails are marked green or yellow on Trailbot!

IMPORTANT:  Course maps are published for informational purposes only, for registered racers only.  Cook County Forest Preserve rules prohibit speed training outside of the scheduled race day.  All trails at Palos are two-way and open to multiple user groups including cyclists, runners, hikers, and equestrians.  EXPECT THE TRAILS TO BE BUSY DURING THE RUN-UP TO THE RACE, INCLUDING TRAIL WORKERS WITH EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY ON THE TRAIL.  NON-RACE TRAFFIC SHOULD AVOID THE TRAILS ON RACE DAY FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL.

Please check conditions on Trailbot or at www.cambr.org/trails_and_conditions.php before riding.

We will publish the 2025 course maps about 2 weeks prior to race day

IMPORTANT:  Course maps are published for informational purposes only, for registered racers only.  Cook County Forest Preserve rules prohibit speed training outside of the scheduled race day.  All trails at Palos are two-way and open to multiple user groups including cyclists, runners, hikers, and equestrians.  EXPECT THE TRAILS TO BE BUSY DURING THE RUN-UP TO THE RACE, INCLUDING TRAIL WORKERS WITH EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY ON THE TRAIL.  NON-RACE TRAFFIC SHOULD AVOID THE TRAILS ON RACE DAY FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL.

Please check conditions on Trailbot before riding.

Map indicating starting positions, routes for the start, finish, and laps (comp/expert), and of course the photo opportunity at the finish under the wooden arch.

IMPORTANT:  Course maps are published for informational purposes only, for registered racers only.  Cook County Forest Preserve rules prohibit speed training outside of the scheduled race day.  All trails at Paul Douglas are directional and open to multiple user groups including cyclists, runners, hikers. Depending on the day of the week, runners and hikers go the opposite direction of cyclists.  EXPECT THE TRAILS TO BE BUSY DURING THE RUN-UP TO THE RACE, INCLUDING TRAIL WORKERS WITH EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY ON THE TRAIL.  NON-RACE TRAFFIC SHOULD AVOID THE TRAILS ON RACE DAY FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL.

IMPORTANT:  Course maps are published for informational purposes only, for registered racers only.  Cook County Forest Preserve rules prohibit speed training outside of the scheduled race day.  All trails at Paul Douglas are directional and open to multiple user groups including cyclists, runners, hikers. Depending on the day of the week, runners and hikers go the opposite direction of cyclists.  EXPECT THE TRAILS TO BE BUSY DURING THE RUN-UP TO THE RACE, INCLUDING TRAIL WORKERS WITH EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY ON THE TRAIL.  NON-RACE TRAFFIC SHOULD AVOID THE TRAILS ON RACE DAY FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL.

PLEASE NOTE:  In order to maximize the distance for the Novice and Junior racers, the course does not follow the typical Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday OR Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday directions.

IMPORTANT:  Course maps are published for informational purposes only, for registered racers only.  Cook County Forest Preserve rules prohibit speed training outside of the scheduled race day.  All trails at Paul Douglas are directional and open to multiple user groups including cyclists, runners, hikers. Depending on the day of the week, runners and hikers go the opposite direction of cyclists.  EXPECT THE TRAILS TO BE BUSY DURING THE RUN-UP TO THE RACE, INCLUDING TRAIL WORKERS WITH EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY ON THE TRAIL.  NON-RACE TRAFFIC SHOULD AVOID THE TRAILS ON RACE DAY FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL.

CAMBr thanks the following photographers for their support of the race series!  Please allow time after the races are over for them to sort through and tag their photos - it is a huge task.

Michael Campbell Photography https://www.mcampbellphoto.com/
Lauri Novak Photography: https://laurinovak.com/
Butchie Impelido: https://bimpelido.myportfolio.com/

2025 CAMBr Chicagoland Race Series Results
2025 Raceway Rally: https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=3282 
2025 Paul Douglas Pursuit: https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=3281 
2025 Palos Meltdown: https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=3300  
2025 Series Scoring Results: https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=3283 

2024 CAMBr Chicagoland Race Series Results
2024 Raceway Rally: https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=3089 
2024 Paul Douglas Pursuit: https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=3108 
2024 Palos Meltdown: https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=3115 
2024 Series Scoring Results: https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=3120

2023 CAMBr Chicagoland Race Series Results
2023 Raceway Rally: https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=2907 
2023 Palos Meltdown: https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=2908 
2023 Paul Douglas Pursuit: https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=2909 
2023 Series Scoring Results: https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=2958

2011-2022 Palos Meltdown Results
2022 Results: https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=2725 
2021 Results: No Race
2020 Results: No Race
2019 Results: https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=2182 
2018 Results: https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=1964 
2017 Results: https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=1704 
2016 Results: https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=1500 
2015 Results: https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=1233 
2014 Results: https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=909 
2013 Results: https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=626 
2012 Results: https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=477 
2011 Results: https://www.ItsRaceTime.com/Results.aspx?ID=239  

Racers should read and understand the Racer Handbook and other materials on this website.

The Event
CAMBr’s 2025 mountain bike race series will be kicking off with the 3rd annual Raceway Rally on July 13. Part of a three-race series including the Paul Douglas Pursuit and the Palos Meltdown, the Raceway Rally will test your riding skills over some of the best single-track trails in the Midwest. This is a spectator-friendly venue so bring the whole family along to cheer you on! Raceway Woods is conveniently located in Carpentersville, IL just 2 miles north of I-90 on Rt. 31 and only 40 miles from downtown Chicago. There are race categories for everyone. Sign up today and get ready to have an absolute blast!

Packet Pickup
Racers can pick up their racer packet on Saturday July 12, from 12 PM until 3 PM, at Main Street Bicycles (https://mainstbicycles.com/), 39 East Main Street, Carpentersville, IL 60110.  Race day packet pickup on Sunday is from 7:30AM onward.  We recommend Saturday to beat the crowds!

Parking
Parking maps will be posted 2 weeks before the Race, June 29. There will be parking signs at all the parking entrances and additional signs leading to them. There will also be racer, spectator, and volunteer signs leading to the main event area.

Race Color Scheme
New for 2025 - we will be using the following color scheme to differentiate the various categories and courses:


Race Day Schedule

Note – Award Presentation times are approximate times

Series Racers
Depending on the size of the field, Series racers in the Novice, Sport, Comp and Expert races may be called up to the front at the starting line.  "Series racers" refers to racers who are registered for all three races in the Series.

Special Categories:
Fat Bike is only available in the Novice, Sport, and Comp races.
Single Speed is only available in the Novice, Sport, Comp, and Pro/Expert races
Clydesdale is only available in the Sport race.

Adaptive Mountain Bike (aMTB)
Strictly for riders with mobility impairments.  E-assist permitted for this race only

Cash Prizes
See https://runsignup.com/Race/PalosMeltdown/Page/Awards

IMPORTANT:  Course maps are published for informational purposes only, for registered racers only.  Kane County Forest Preserve and Dundee Township rules prohibit speed training outside of the scheduled race day.  All trails at Raceway are two-way and open to multiple user groups including cyclists, runners, hikers, and equestrians.  EXPECT THE TRAILS TO BE BUSY DURING THE RUN-UP TO THE RACE.  NON-RACE TRAFFIC SHOULD AVOID THE TRAILS ON RACE DAY FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL.

IMPORTANT:  Course maps are published for informational purposes only, for registered racers only.  Kane County Forest Preserve and Dundee Township rules prohibit speed training outside of the scheduled race day.  All trails at Raceway are two-way and open to multiple user groups including cyclists, runners, hikers, and equestrians.  EXPECT THE TRAILS TO BE BUSY DURING THE RUN-UP TO THE RACE.  NON-RACE TRAFFIC SHOULD AVOID THE TRAILS ON RACE DAY FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL.

IMPORTANT:  Course maps are published for informational purposes only, for registered racers only.  Kane County Forest Preserve and Dundee Township rules prohibit speed training outside of the scheduled race day.  All trails at Raceway are two-way and open to multiple user groups including cyclists, runners, hikers, and equestrians.  EXPECT THE TRAILS TO BE BUSY DURING THE RUN-UP TO THE RACE.  NON-RACE TRAFFIC SHOULD AVOID THE TRAILS ON RACE DAY FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL.

IMPORTANT:  Course maps are published for informational purposes only, for registered racers only.  Kane County Forest Preserve and Dundee Township rules prohibit speed training outside of the scheduled race day.  All trails at Raceway are two-way and open to multiple user groups including cyclists, runners, hikers, and equestrians.  EXPECT THE TRAILS TO BE BUSY DURING THE RUN-UP TO THE RACE.  NON-RACE TRAFFIC SHOULD AVOID THE TRAILS ON RACE DAY FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL.

If you are already registered and would like to switch waves, please follow these steps.  The deadline for switching waves is Friday of race week.

• Click on this link which will open in a new window
• In Upcoming Races, find CAMBr Chicago Race Series and click Manage Registration
• In menu click TRANSFER EVENT
• Click START TRANSFER
• Select a New Event
• Finish all steps and COMPLETE REGISTRATION.