• Read these rules
• Check yourself in and out of each special stage
• Behave in a safe and responsible manner when racing
• Stop and help an injured rider, you are considered a travelling marshal

 

General

• You can practice the course on Saturday, race only on Sunday.
• There is to be no camping or fires at the race site, see individual event page for more.
• Riders must make their way unassisted to each special stage.
• There are 5 events in the series; 4 National Points Rounds and a National Championships, each carrying equal points.
• The overall ranking is calculated based on the final round plus your best three other results.
• Each event is limited to 300 riders.
• There are trophies and prizes for the top 3 riders in each category for each event and the overall series.
• There is a cash prize for the fastest rider on each special stage in each event.

 

Categories

• 16 to 29 years old
• 30 to 39 years old
• 40 to 49 years old
• 50 and up
• Women's Category
• Pro Category

Riders must be at least 16 years old on the 1st of January 2012.

 

Registration & License

• There will be a briefing from the race director in the departure area 15 minutes before the start of the event.
• On registering, you agree to the rules of the event.
• Entry for each event closes one week prior to the event if not full before then.
• Entry may not be taken on the day of the event.
• Registration closes at 11.30am on the morning of the event.
• You can start the event in any order between 10am and 12.30am; you could ride together with a group of your pals for example. Pro category riders depart at 12.45. Presentation at 16.00.
• Entries are non refundable less than two weeks from the event. If you are unable to compete for medical reasons we will refund you on receipt of a doctors note. It is also not possible to transfer entries to any other events, next year’s event, or a different competitor.
• You must present your Cycling Ireland licence (British Cycling Licence or similar) at registration or purchase a general one day licence at a cost of €15.
• Entries fees are €40 before the 1st January and €50 thereafter.
• Entry opens 1st December.

 

Bikes

• You cannot change your bike for individual special stages, you must use the same bike for an individual event.
• Bikes will be marked at registration and checked on completion of the event.
• Different bikes can be used for different events.
• In the case of mechanical failure, parts such as wheels, tires, saddles, forks, etc can be changed if needs be but extra time is not provided for this.
• All bikes must have bar plugs.
• Bikes must be in perfect working order.
• Competitors may not modify race number plates.
• The race director has the right to deny entry to the event they feel a bike is not of a suitable standard.

 

Personal Equipment

• You must wear a helmet (open xc type OR full face dh type) at all times, including transition sections.
• Competitors found not wearing a helmet shall be disqualified immediately.
• Gloves, knee and elbow protection are recommended but not compulsory.
• Each competitor must be completely self-sufficient and cannot get external assistance for the duration of the race except in the car park area.

 

Mandatory Kit

• Mobile phone
• Basic first aid kit (Minimum: 1 x Dressing Pad for heavy bleeding (field dressing); bandage, plasters)
• Survival bag or foil blanket
• Energy food and drink
• Wind/ Waterproof Top (weather permitting )
• Bike repair kit (tube, pump or CO2 canisters, allen keys, chain tool)
• It is advised that you use a small rucksack or suitable bag to carry above items. You may also secure items to your bike.

You must bring all mandatory equipment with you throughout the race. Pre-race, during and post races checks will be undertaken. Time penalties will be imposed for missing mandatory kit so please ensure you comply in the interest of safety and fairness.

 

The Course

• Details of the course will not be made known before the event.
• Gravity Enduro is not a cross country or downhill competition. It takes place on a circuit marked with a variable number of mostly downhill special stages.
• There are 4 or 5 special stages per event, with transfer stages in between.
• Transfer stages are not timed and do not count for the overall standing.
• Special stages close at a specified time, to ensure the event finishes on time. Riders will be notified at registration on the morning of the event
• Riders must check themselves in and out of each special stage by swiping their timing chip against the transponder.
• Riders must complete the special stages in ascending order, Stage 1 followed by Stage 2 etc.
• The special stages are designed to suit a mid travel trail bike, not specific xc or dh bikes. The course will be taped as wide as possible to allow overtaking.
• This course is marked with signs, and some sections double taped, others you have to follow the trail.
• If a competitor exits the special stage course, they must re-enter the same point and restore the tape as they found it.
• If a rider is spotted cutting a special stage course by a marshal they will be disqualified.
• If three or more riders report another rider cutting a special stage course, they will be disqualified.
• The route may have narrow sections and exposed rocks, steep climbs and descents and is not suitable for untrained or beginner riders.

 

Timing

• Each rider receives a timing chip on the morning of the event, which must be worn on your wrist.
• Riders may depart between 10am and 11.45am on the day of the event, in no particular order. Pro category riders depart at 12noon sharp.
• Riders can start as soon as they reach the beginning of the special stage, there are no start times or running order.
• There will be minimum 30 second time intervals between riders starting a special stage or more depending on the nature of the track.
• If a faster rider is behind you on a special stage, be polite and allow them to pass. If you are the faster rider, be patient, give lots of warming and clear directions as to what side you will pass. For example; shout left, if you intend to pass on the left hand side of the rider in front.
• If you are obstructed by another rider or stop to help an injured rider you may repeat the stage. You must first check out of the stage, then cycle back up the hill without assistance in this case.
• If, while passing a slower rider, you cause them to crash or run off the course, you may be disqualified.
• You may NOT repeat the stage if you suffer a mechanical failure on course.
• Riders who retire must return to the car park as soon as possible following the instructions of race marshals
• They must also remove their number plate from the bike or cross it with an X.
• The ranking of each competitor is the sum of the special stage times, plus any time penalties.

 

Emergencies

• It is the duty of each competitor to assist any competitor who appears to be injured or in difficulty and possibly alert the race director.
• The race director reserves the right to penalize or disqualify competitors that do not meet this standard.
• Competitors who withdraw from the event must notify the race office as soon as possible.
• Competitors must adhere to the rules of the event and the rules of the road, particularly during sections on public roads.

 

Points Assignment

There are 5 events in the series; 4 National Points Rounds and a National Championships, each carrying equal points. The overall ranking is calculated based on the final round plus your best three other results. Points are awarded for each event as follows:

1° 250

2° 200

3° 170

4° 150

5° 130

6° 100

7° 90

8° 80

9° 70

10° 60

11° 50

12° 40

13° 35

14° 30

15° 25

16° 22

17° 20

18° 18

19° 16

20° 14

21° 13

22° 12

23° 11

24° 9

25° 8

26° 7

27° 6

28° 5

29° 4

30° 3

 

Complaints

Complaints regarding the conduct of the event, rankings or the behavior of other competitors and any other type of report must be submitted to the race director, written and signed by the competitor no later than 30 minutes after the podium presentation. The cost of the claim is € 50 which will be returned only in case of acceptance of the complaint. The race director shall communicate their decision within 60 minutes after the submission of that claim unless further investigation is required.

 

Insurance

Gravity Enduro events are held under Cycling Ireland event regulations and as such all participants must be members of Cycling Ireland. The Gravity Enduro organisers shall not be held liable in any way for any loss, damage or accidents that may occur during any Gravity Enduro competition, on the same track either before or after an event.