Long before there was a CAMBr Race Series, there was the Palos Meltdown! With racing for all ages and abilities, this historic event draws riders from all over the region. The Meltdown is held as a fundraiser for Chicago Area Mountain Bikers (CAMBr - a registered 501(c)(3) organization) to help build and maintain the extensive and varied system of mountain bike trails at Palos - now close to 30 miles in total. 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.
Racers can pick up their number plate and shirt (if you ordered one) at Richards Bicycles in Palos Heights (www.rbikes.com) on Saturday August 24, from 11 AM until 3 PM, or on Sunday August 25 (race day) from 7:30 AM onward. We recommend Saturday to beat the crowds!
2024 Schedule
8:45 a.m. Opening Ceremonies
9:00 a.m. First Timers / Family
9:10 a.m. Adaptive Mountain Bike (aMTB) Short and Long Course
10:00 a.m. Men’s Novice (6 age group waves at 2-minute intervals)
10:20 a.m. Juniors
10:25 a.m. Awards presentation - First Timers and Adaptive
10:35 a.m. Women’s Novice
11:50 a.m. Awards presentation - Novice and Juniors
12:00 p.m. Men’s Sport (6 age group waves at 2-minute intervals)
12:30 p.m. Women’s Sport
1:00 p.m. Raffle winners announced
1:30 p.m. Kids Race
2:00 p.m. Pro/Expert Men
2:10 p.m. Pro/Expert Women
2:20 p.m. Comp Men
2:30 p.m. Comp Women
2:40 p.m. Awards presentation – Sport
5:00 p.m. Awards presentation - Pro/Expert and Comp
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
