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Register to ride! : Rules & Regulations
The Cape Outback® MTB Expedition is a 4-day multi-stage 2-person team mountain bike expedition staged in the Western Cape, South Africa.
1. Riders, Categories & Teams
1.1 Teams will consist of two riders. For safety reasons team members shall never be separated on the route more than two minutes.
1.2 Riders that separate from their team members more that two minutes shall be penalised.
1.3 Rider separation checks shall be done at each stage along the route as well as at the finish line.
1.4 There are four categories namely men, ladies, mixed and veterans.
1.5 Riders shall be at least 18 years of age on the day the expedition starts.
1.6 To be entered in the Veterans Category both riders must be at least 40 years of age or must turn 40 during the year in which the expedition takes place.
2. Position Placement
2.1 The Cape Outback® MTB Expedition is not a timed event.
2.2 Position placement is done on a points system called the FTT-system.
2.3 The total number of points that a team has received shall determine its overall position as well as its category position.
2.4 The position placement of the 2nd rider of the team across the finish line will determine the position placement of the team.
3. Cut-off Times & Withdrawals
3.1 Each stage will have an announced cut-off time.
3.2 To receive any points for a stage both team members must complete the stage inside the cut-off time.
3.3 Cut-off times are fairly generous and will allow for back markers to also finish.
3.4 The cut-off time of each stage is applicable to all riders, irrespective of their personal situation.
3.5 Only riders that complete all stages within the cut-off time, will receive the Cape Outback® MTB Expedition Finishers Medal.
3.6 Any riders missing a cut-off time will be allowed to continue with the expedition, but will not qualify for the Cape Outback® MTB Expedition Finishers Medal.
3.7 Any rider that withdraws from any stage must inform the nearest expedition official.
4. Formation of New Teams
4.1 If a rider withdraws and his/her partner wishes to continue with the expedition, a new team may be formed.
4.2 New teams can only be formed after a stage has been finished.
4.3 The formation of a new team is the responsibility of the rider, but it must be done in consultation with the expedition office.
4.4 A new team will receive a new team number and number plates.
4.5 A new team will start with zero points.
4.7 Riders in new teams can still qualify for the Cape Outback® MTB Expedition Finishers Medal, provided that they finish every stage within the cut-off time.
4.8 All the expedition rules will apply to new teams as well.
5. Bicycles, Numbers & Protective Gear
5.1 Each rider is responsible for the maintenance of his/her own bicycle and to ensure that it is in a safe and working condition. Bicycles that are not in a sound working condition, will not be allowed to start any stage.
5.2 No tri-bars are allowed on the expedition.
5.3 The race organisers shall supply a technical support area at each over-night venue where bicycles can be repaired and serviced.
5.4 The race number of both team members must be attached to the front of each bicycle in front of all the cables.
5.5 The number board may not be removed or altered in any way (cutting, adding stickers, obscuring logos, etc.)
5.6 Wearing a helmet, that meets "ANSI" standards, is compulsory at all times.
5.7 A cycle shirt and short must be worn at all times.
6. Seconding & Support
6.1 Medical assistance shall be provided by the expedition organisers along the route.
6.2 No outside assistance or seconding is allowed. This includes drafting, nutrition, hydration, medical support, bicycle repairs or any physical assistance.
6.3 Riders may receive assistance from their team partner or other participating riders.
6.4 Riders may only draft behind their team partners or other participating riders. No other drafting is allowed.
6.5 Towing between riders is not allowed.
6.6 Supporters are not allowed to follow the expedition route (by any means of transport). Supporters are, however, allowed to view the expedition from approved viewing points and only by using public roads to get their.
6.7 Participating teams will be penalised if their support team transgresses any Seconding & Support rules.
7. Recommended Equipment
7.1 A first aid kit containing the following items:
- 2 x sterile dressings
- 2 x stretch ("crepe") bandages
- adhesive plasters
- foil survival blanket
- sunscreen with a high SPF
- whistle
7.2 A fully charged cell phone (for both riders) with the expedition emergency number pre-programmed. This number will be provided to all riders before the expedition. It is a good idea to have both a MTN and Vodacom simcard with you. Please note that the organisers do not provide a specific cell phone charging facility.
7.3 Basic bicycle repair tools:
- Multi tool or bicycle repair tools
- Spare tubes
- Puncture repair kit & pump
- Replacement derailleur hanger
8. Compulsory Equipment
8.1 A minimum of 2.5 litres of hydration fluid (for each rider).
8.2 Night riding equipment (during night/day stages).
8.3 Any personal medication.
9. Hydration & Nutrition
9.1 All riders are responsible for their own hydration and nutrition.
9.2 Water and energy drinks will be supplied at the water stations.
9.3 The location of water stations along the route will be communicated to riders before the start.
9.4 Water at water stations is for drinking only.
10. Registration & Briefings
10.1 The expedition registration will take place at the expedition office at the starting point of the first stage on the day before the start of the expedition.
10.2 Both riders must report for registration (preferably together) with a photo ID of themselves (i.e. bar coded ID, passport, drivers licence).
10.3 No late registrations will be allowed.
10.4 The compulsory pre-expedition briefing will take place at 19h30 in the Entertainment Hub the night before the start. This will be immediately followed by the stage 1 briefing.
10.5 The briefings for stages 2 to 4 will be held the night before every stage at 19h00 at the Entertainment Hub.
10.6 All briefings are compulsory for all riders. Supporters are also welcome to attend.
11. At the Starting Line
11.1 All stages will start daily at the sound of the starters bell.
11.2 The starting chute will open 30 minutes before the start and will close 10 minutes before the start.
11.4 From stages 2 to 4 there will be a leaders section at the front of the starting chute.
11.5 Any riders arriving late will start at the back, irrespective of their points standing.
11.6 All riders must start at the official starting point. Any rider failing to do so will be disqualified from the expedition.
11.7 No rider will be allowed to start more than 10 minutes after the starters' bell.
12. Stages & Routes
12.1 It is each rider's own responsibility to follow the correct route.
12.2 If a rider exits the route for whatever reason and wants to rejoin the route, he/she must rejoin the route at the exact point where he/she exited the route.
12.3 The organisers reserve the right to change a stage or to completely abandon a stage if they deem it necessary.
12.4 If a stage is completely abandoned (before or during the stage), the stage shall be declared null and void and no points shall be awarded to any riders for that stage.
13. Medical Matters
13.1 All riders must be in good health and well trained before and during the expedition. It is the responsibility of each rider to ensure that he/she is fully prepared for an event of this nature.
13.2 The expedition organisers and the expedition medical officer reserves the right to prevent any rider from continuing the expedition. Their decision shall be final.
14. Rules off the Road
14.1 The Cape Outback® MTB Expedition does not have exclusive use of public roads during the expedition.
14.2 All traffic rules and regulations still apply on all public roads and must be adhered to at all times.
14.3 Riders must always keep to the left of the road and pass on the right.
14.4 The instructions of traffic officials and expedition marshals must be strictly adhered to.
15. Ethics, Environment and Etiquette
The organisers of the Cape Outback® MTB Expedition expect all riders to compete within the rules and to act with integrity and a respect for rider etiquette at all times:
15.1 No littering (throwing away of packaging, water bottles, bicycle parts, etc.) is allowed along the route or at the expedition villages. Riders must keep all trash with them and dispose of it at disposal bins at water stations or at the finish.
15.2 No environmentally irresponsible behaviour (deviating from path, etc.) is allowed along the route. The route traverses through ecologically sensitive areas and unacceptable behaviour will be penalised.
15.3 In addition to all expedition rules mentioned, the following rider etiquette is also expected of all riders at all times during the expedition:
- No smoking is allowed on the route.
- Open fires in campsites are only allowed in designated areas or portable braai facilities.
- The responsibility of following the correct route lies with each rider.
- Riders may not take any shortcuts along the route.
- All riders must allow faster riders to pass them without obstruction.
- No glass containers are allowed on the route.
- No toileting is allowed in the veld.
- Large sections of the route traverses over private land or under special concessions. Riders are strictly forbidden to trespass on any of this land that forms part of the Cape Outback® MTB Expedition route during any time of the year outside the official expedition dates.
- All riders are expected to act in a polite and respectful manner towards fellow riders, expedition organisers, support crews, land owners and spectators.
16. Prize Giving & Awards Ceremony
16.1 A prize giving ceremony will be held at the finish on the last day of the expedition.
16.3 Both team members must be present at the prize giving ceremony to qualify for any prizes, unless they are officially excused.
16.4 All category winners must be available for media interviews and photo opportunities directly after the prize giving ceremony.
17. Protests
17.1 Any protests must be submitted in writing to the expedition office on the prescribed form accompanied by a R200 cash deposit.
17.2 If the protest is upheld, the deposit will be refunded. If the protest is not upheld, the deposit will be forfeited and donated to a charity of the organisers' choice.
17.3 Riders must submit any en route protests within 30 minutes after crossing the finishing line and any result protests within 30 minutes after the results were posted.
17.4 The expedition organisers have the final say about the interpretation of the rules of the expedition.
17.5 The expedition organisers will decide over all protests. Their decision will be made and communicated on the same day that the protest was received. Their decision will be final.
18. Doping
18.1 The Cape Outback® MTB Expedition reserves the right to test any rider before, during or after the expedition for the use of any illegal substance.
18.2 Positive results will lead to a rider's disqualification as well as a lifetime ban from any future events presented by the expedition organisers.
18.3 The Cape Outback® MTB Expedition reserves the right to forward any test results to national cycling bodies.
19. Rules Updates & Changes
The organisers of the Cape Outback® MTB Expedition may change and/or update the rules of the expedition from time to time.
20. Penalties and Disqualifications
|
Transgression |
1st offence |
2nd offence |
3rd offence |
|
separation penalties |
20 points |
40 points |
disqualification |
|
riders trespassing on the route |
disqualification |
|
|
|
littering |
warning |
20 points |
40 points |
|
environmental damage |
warning |
20 points |
40 points |
|
riding without a helmet |
disqualification |
|
|
|
traffic rule violations |
20 points |
40 points |
disqualification |
|
use of abusive language towards officials, crew or fellow riders |
20 points |
disqualification |
|
|
doping |
disqualification |
|
|
|
taking short cuts |
disqualification |
|
|
|
not attending briefings |
warning |
20 points |
40 points |
|
insufficient night riding equipment (for night stage) |
stage disqualification |
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|
backup teams rendering support |
stages disqualification |
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|
backup teams transgressing on the route |
40 points |
disqualification |
|
|
removing/altering race number cards |
40 points |
disqualification |
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