Table of Contents


Table of Contents ............................................................................... 2

Mountain Bike Events Today .............................................................. 3

Competitors Responsibilities .............................................................. 4

Sirbikealot Racing Event Types........................................................... 5

OCA approved skills camps and clinics............................................... 5

Discipline Descriptions........................................................................ 6

Timing and Placings ........................................................................... 7

Course Marshalls ................................................................................ 7

Competition Schedule ........................................................................ 7

Training.............................................................................................. 8

Expectations of Chief Commissaire .................................................... 8

Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and Risk Management ........................ 9

Environmental Considerations ............................................................ 9

Mountain bike course layout ............................................................. 10

OCA Downhill and 4X race regulations ............................................ 11

Signage ............................................................................................. 13

Course Markings .............................................................................. 13

Bad Weather and Course Changes .................................................... 14

Course Hazards ................................................................................. 14

Lightning .......................................................................................... 15

Act of God and Disasters .................................................................. 15

Event Course Marshalling and First Aid ........................................... 16

First Aid Location.............................................................................. 16

Vehicles on Race courses ................................................................. 16



Mountain Bike Events Today

Mountain bike events began back in the late 1970s when free-spirited riding enthusiasts in Marin County began racing down the Repak Double Track on pieced together “mountain bikes” - and this is where the sport began. While mountain biking’s popularity has grown tremendously over the years, the spirit of mountain biking is about adventure, the outdoors, and fitness. It is also a sport with a number of inherent risks that riders must accept before participating.

Unfortunately as mountain biking’s popularity increases so do the injuries associated with this sport. While most mountain biker’s understand this, our society as a whole is becoming more litigious and less willing to take responsibility for their assumed risks. Just recently in Ontario a lawyer hurt himself on a property and has launched a lawsuit against the property owners and managers.

Part of the excitement of living is trying out new things and accepting responsibility for your own fate. In mountain biking you are in control of the vast majority of risks that you are exposed to by riding at a speed and level that are within your ability.

For example, if you find a section too dangerous for your level of riding you can always dismount and walk, or if you are going too fast you can slow down by using your brakes, and if you get passed by someone in a race or out on the trail who is cutting you off you can move off to the side of the trail and slow down.

Falling is a part of mountain biking. There is a possibility that you could get hurt, and you might even break bones. In rare cases people will crash and be involved in a serious injury that could be life changing.

As a parent or guardian, if you are involving your children in racing, or any activity that has any inherent danger, you will also be signing on their behalf.

This document is not designed to scare would be participants away from mountain bike events, but is designed so they will understand how our events are put together, the considerations that we must make, and the steps we take to ensure a happy and safe event. The best safety system in the world is you, and you will determine to a large degree how safe the sport is.

Sirbikealot Racing’s experience and understanding of mountain bike racing means that our events are among the best organized, best marked, and best designed in Canada.

However, it is ultimately the rider’s responsibility to understand what is going on.


Competitor’s Responsibilities

1. Understand all the risks of the sport.

2. Take time to read and understand the waivers you are signing and this document.

3. Make sure your bicycle is in good working order, and you are riding with a certified full face helmet that has not sustained previous impacts. It is a good idea to replace full face helmets after every fall where the helmet impacts the ground, or every 2 years regardless of any impacts.

4. Make sure your full face helmet fits and is secured properly. You should also check to make sure that your children’s helmets fit and are secured properly.

5. If you have allergies or asthma please take your medication before you ride.

6. Make sure that you are fit enough, and have enough skills, to do the event you are competing in. If you have never raced before try a low-key weekly series event before attempting an Ontario Cup Event.

7. Do not attempt to ride race courses outside of the pre-ride times.

8. Understand the limits of the Ontario Cycling Association’s insurance and see www.ontariocycling.org or contact the Ontario Cycling Association for the latest information. As of 2006 the accident benefits are more limited (if you are licensed) with this type of insurance*, and we would suggest you look at alternative disability insurance in case of a catastrophic accident. The insurance covers everyone for $5,000,000 in third party liability* (as of 2006), which will cover you in the event you are named in a lawsuit resulting from a mountain bike race incident.

9. Behave responsibly to other riders on the course especially when passing riders, or being passed.

10. Wear a certified full face bicycle helmet at all times when you are on a bicycle at event sites. This applies even in parking lots.

11. Understand the rules of the particular event, and pre-ride the event course whenever possible within the assigned times.

12. Do not pre-ride the event course at any time during the race/event days as you may interfere or cause accidents in other events.

13. Always ride in control and within your ability (applies to racing as well).

14. If another rider is injured on the course please assist them only if absolutely necessary and let a first aid/marshal know about the injured party. Do not move the individual if it is a suspected spinal, and make sure that other participants coming down the race course make their way around the injured party safely until help arrives.

15. Injured participants are responsible for all ambulance costs.

16. You have waived your right to sue Sirbikealot Racing, it’s staff, volunteers, the Ontario Cycling Association, the Canadian Cycling Association, other associations, and/or venues by participating in our events. Even in the event of our negligence you, the participant or spectator, waive your right to sue.

17. Any event registration fees paid to Sirbikealot Racing are non-refundable.



*See the Ontario Cycling Association at www.ontariocycling.org for the most recent information.




Sirbikealot Racing Event Types

Ontario Cup Downhill, Super D and 4X Mountain Bike Events



This is the highest level series of downhill, Super D and 4X mountain bike events in Ontario. There are a number of categories depending on your age and/or ability level and these events require either a one-day license, or a full license, or a citizen permit depending on your category. Riders can gain upgrade points at these events as they progress through the different category levels.

On occasion, Ontario Cup downhill, Super D and 4X courses differ between categories. Sometimes the most technically advanced sections of the course will only be offered to the higher level categories.

Ontario Cup cross country events have categories for most levels of mountain bike riders. Any mountain bike rider competing, regardless of category, should be comfortable with a variety of terrain and riding single track.

The levels generally start with beginner, moves up to sport, expert and then to elite. Some of the categories aren’t based on this system, but only use age designations.


Sirbikealot Racing Skills Camps and Clinics



Camps and clinics designed to help riders of every level of ability will be offered. These camps are designed to make racers better and safer at their sport. Their format may range from race runs, to section training and in-class instruction.

These camps generally are scheduled at near the end of Saturdays practice. Please ask registration for details.

These camps will be free to all participants with a full UCI licence or event licence. All riders must assume all risk associated with these camps. Riders without a valid licence will NOT be allowed to participate.


Discipline descriptions:

Downhill:

Individually timed event where riders descend towards a finish line at a lower altitude that the start line. Competitors depart the start line at timed intervals (30 or 60 seconds). Rider with the fastest time wins their category. Course length varies, ideally between 1-4km, however longer distances are allowed if deemed a safe level of risk. There should be less emphasis on pedaling and more emphasis on technical skills.

4X:

Four riders descend a course or track simultaneously. The course offers a minimum of 3 good racing lines to allow safe and fast passing. High berms characterize the course. Start order is established through qualification heats. Course length should be 30-45 seconds.

SUPER-D

This timed event is a perfect mix of XC and DH racing, a little up and lots of down. It’s a great race for XC and DH competitors or for trail riders who love a flow filled ride. Come out and ride with your friends in the amateur class or press for the fastest time of the day in the open class. Medals and prizing for every Super D race, plus overall series points.

Ages 13+ men and women Saturday’s 9am-12pm practice, 1pm race

18 and under amateur, 18 and under Open 19-29 amateur, 19-29 Open 30+ amateur, 30+ Open women’s class

Once registered for a Super D race, you will have access to the Super D course and DH practice course (full face required). DH practice day registrants will not be allowed on the Super D course, the Super D course is for registered Super D racers only.


Timing and placings:

DH: Finish times will be rounded to the nearest 1/100th of a second. In the event of a tie

between riders in the same category, both riders will occupy the same finish position and will receive equal points. The next lowest finish position will be eliminated; the rider occupying the next position following the tie will receive points and prizing according to his place (example: if there is a tie for 2nd place, the next rider classified following the tie will be in 4th place). Any cash prizes due to the tied position and the eliminated position will be summed and divided evenly between the two riders.



Course Marshalls:

Course marshals will be used in areas where safety is NOT of the top priority but rather to keep the flow of the course going during practice and race times. At no time is the course marshall to administer medical aid. If a medical emergency occurs they are to radio to the start area to “STOP RACE” and have the closest first aid official take care of the medical emergency. Course Marshalls have the authority to stop riders if:

i) the course is becoming congested

ii) there is a rider down on the course

iii) the course taping or signs need to be fixed

iv) any other reason that the safety of the riders or course are in jeopardy



Competition schedule:

Downhill Races: The start interval will be 30 seconds for all categories except Elite and

Junior Expert (including Junior Women), where it will be 60 seconds. The top 10 Elite Male riders in the OCA Ranking will start last, in reverse order of ranking; the same applies for the top 5 Elite Female riders and top 5 Junior Expert Male and Junior Female riders. A break of at least 2 minutes will separate each category and may be increased at the discretion of the Event Chief Commissaire.



Training:

Downhill and Super D – Each rider must complete at least two (2) training runs on pain of disqualification. The start commissaire shall ensure that this rule is applied. On the morning of the race, a training period of at least 2 hours must be provided.

It is highly recommended that each rider walk the course before the first training session.

Riders must start all training runs at the official start gate. Any rider starting a training run below the start line shall be disqualified from the competition.

Riders must have their plates on their bikes while training.

During all official training periods, the course must be fully marked. First aid personnel and sufficient course marshals must be present.



4X Race: Training will occur the morning of the event, then qualifications will begin where each racer with have 3 qualification runs, the top ranked riders move onto the finals.

Riders must start all training runs at the official start gate. Any rider starting a training run below the start line shall be disqualified from the competition.

Riders must have their plates on their bikes while training.

During all official training periods, the course must be fully marked. First aid personnel and sufficient course marshals must be present.



Expectations of the Event Chief Commissaire

The organizer is responsible for sending the OCA a post-race package consisting of: race results, sign-on sheets, race membership and one-event membership fees (including waivers and parental waivers for those under 19), incident reports, and signed results unless otherwise agreed upon with the OCA and the chief commissaire.

The Chief Commissaire must file the official Event Evaluation form. He/she may assist with completing the Post Event form if required.

It is required that the Chief Commissaire meet with the organizer for a short event debriefing before leaving the site within a reasonable time frame of the event completion.



Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and Risk Management

The Race Organizer must prepare and coordinate all parties for emergencies, including course marshals, first aid and medical evacuation (ambulances, etc). The Emergency Action Plan is the document which describes all measures that will be used to deal with emergency situations, and must be in place at least one week before race day.

A copy of the EAP must be provided to the OCA for approval, and posted prominently at the registration area and posting boards at the event venue. It should describe, at minimum, evacuation routes, first aid services, location of the nearest hospital, locations of first aid at the race venue and emergency contact numbers. It should be posted at registration, and copies kept with the organizer and chief commissaire.


Environmental Considerations

Environmental concerns for Mountain Bike competitions have been recognized by Sirbikealot Racing, OCA, UCI and IMBA.

It arises, in part, from the desire of many different user groups often seeking access to the same land at the same time:


1. Sirbikealot Racing is committed to the policy of environmentally sustainable use of the natural environment.

2. Sirbikealot Racing also recognizes that Mountain Bike competitions raise special issues. These include:

The concentration of large numbers of competitors and spectators in a small location over a short period of time. This may become significant in areas of high natural beauty or sensitivity. The overall image of Mountain Bike can easily be affected by the publicity associated with Mountain Bike competitions. Adverse publicity can last for a long time and can lead to undesirable constraints in access.



3. Consider carefully the significance of:

· locality, the characteristics of the terrain and its ecological features.

· ease of restoration of the ground including repair to trails and regeneration of

vegetation.

· Capacity of the venue to support and cater for the number of visitors you expect

· Significance of your event on the local economy.

· Accommodation infrastructure.

· Safety aspects including the availability of Emergency service personnel.

· Marshals should be made responsible for their local section of the course and whilst in the area should ensure it is clean and tidy when they leave for the day.


Mountain Bike Course Layout


Mountain bike event courses are made up of singletrack trails, double track trails, and in some circumstances even follow paved roadways or fireroads. Trails have many obstacles including but not limited to:

• treesuneven ground surfaces,
• steep inclines/descents,
• stumps,
• fallen logs,
• tree branches,
• rocks,
• mud holes,
• changing ground surfaces.

These obstacles may pose potential challenges to competitors. Competitors are responsible for ensuring they are aware of any changing conditions.

“Easy” or “Hard” options give riders the choice of what section they might want to ride, but these sections meet up at the same spot very soon afterwards. The “Easy” section usually takes longer to complete than the “Hard” section giving more advanced riders an advantage and allowing less advanced riders an option around a technical feature.



OCA DOWNHILL RACE REGULATIONS


For 2008 and beyond the UCI rules of racing will NOT be the benchmark for Ontario Cup downhill, Super D and 4X. Instead the Ontario Cycling Association (OCA) will use the following rules as they are better suited for the races found in Ontario and the rest of Canada. Riders are responsible for knowing the current race and event rules.



1. Qualifying runs will not exist, the OCA will use rider performances from past races to determine the placement of riders for the final timed run.

2. No minimum course length, however DH courses can be as short as 1 minute and up to 6 minutes in total length of mean time needed to complete the course.

3. Padding and straw bales of any kind WILL ONLY BE USED in rare cases to cover potentially dangerous obstacles. This IS NOT THE NORM and in no way are riders to depend on such protection.

4. The start area must be approximately 2m wide and the finish must be approximately 6m wide.

5. There must be an additional braking area of 20m after the finish line.

6. An approved full-face helmet must be worn properly both when racing and training on the course. The helmet must be fitted with a visor. Open face helmets may not be worn.

7. The UCI and OCA strongly recommends that riders wear the following protection:

• Back, elbow, knee and shoulder protectors made of rigid material
• Protection for the nape of the neck and the cervical vertebrae
• Padding on shins and thighs
• Broad full length pants made from rip resistant material incorporating protection for the knees and calves or broad cut shorts made from re resistant material plus knee and calf protectors with a rigid surface
• Long sleeved shirt
• Full finger gloves

8. Marshalls and first aid will use radios and their voices to yell “RIDER DOWN” when a rider is down on the course and course stoppage may be necessary.

9. All riders must display their number plate while training/practicing and racing.

10. Riders must start all runs at the official start gate.

11. The race organizers must provide a transport capable of bringing 100 riders and their bikes to the top of the hill per hour.

12. All DH/Super D races will have 3-4 fully qualified first aid officials. 4X races will have 2 fully qualified first aid officials.

13. Officials/marshals/first aid/commissaries or their team captains will all be required to meet with organizer before training or races.

14. Directional arrows are to be used at intersections or dangerous portions of the course.

15. In a potentially dangerous situation there must be 1 to 3 arrows pointing down 10 to 20m in front of the obstacle.

16. Any wooden bridges or ramps are to be covered with a non- slip surface (i.e. Chicken wire)

16. OCA and Sirbikealot Racing DH/Super D/4X events will NEVER paint rocks or roots on the course. If they are painted it is from another previous competition.



Signage

It is the riders responsibility to make sure they are aware of the significance of the signs mentioned below:

Sirbikealot Racing utilizes arrows on 1 foot by 1 foot choroplast (generally white or yellow background with a black arrow) to show directions of courses. At intersections we may indicate where not to go with a do not enter sign indicating the wrong way.

Caution tape is also used to keep riders on course and spectators off the course. Courses are usually taped from top to bottom with some exceptions.

One to three arrows facing down means “Caution Slow” as there is a section 5-30 meters ahead that is technically advanced

Some sections of course allow for “Easy” or “Hard” options (other terms might be used) where riders have a choice on which line they want to make. The “Hard” option is more difficult than the “Easy” option, and generally it is also takes less time.



Course markings:

Below is a sample of the course marking to be found on DH race courses.

• Technical Section Arrows, used to alert riders to challenging sections on course
• Used with consistence, to communicate relative difficulty of section to rider
• Inverted arrows indicate rider is approaching a technical section
• Single inverted arrow indicates minor technical section
• Double inverted arrow indicates greater challenge
• Triple inverted arrow indicates greatest challenge

ASSUMPTION OF RISK SIGNAGE:





Bad Weather and Course Changes

In the event of rain prior to the race the course may have to be re-routed. This is to the discretion of the course chief (at Sirbikealot Racing events it is OCA Technical delegate, Peter Appleton or Lee Allen) and the Chief Commissaire. Unfortunately bad weather can change courses to different degrees depending on many factors and the duration/magnitude of the precipitation. Riders are to be aware of any course changes.

Sirbikealot Racing considers four things when changing the course due to weather:


1. Safety of participants, volunteers and spectators.

2. Is the section rideable?

3. What is the environmental impact going to be on that particular trail if we leave it in the course?

4. How can we keep the finish times reasonable?


Rain routes are considered prior the weekend’s event, however it is often the call in the morning of the event as to how/what course changes will be made. Some courses cannot be re-routed around technical sections in the event of rain. In the event of good weather for the start of an event, we are in most cases running the dry course. Even if forecasts predict rain, we realize that mountain biking is a sport that takes place in the outdoors, and if we set up our courses for rain they would offer little challenge. If a rider feels the course is too slippery for their skills or comfort level they can dismount and walk the slippery sections – and are encouraged to do so.

The bottom line is that mountain bikers around the World ride all kinds of technical courses in rain and mud. This is part of the sport of mountain biking and if you prefer not to ride in the rain, it is your decision and you should make the decision based on your skills and experience.



Course Hazards

Any hazard that you will find when mountain biking in the woods for recreation is still found on a mountain bike race course. Riders must be aware of their surroundings, and ride within their limits at all times.

Trees, stumps, log hops, rocks, boulders, slippery roots, tree pieces that could injure riders if they crash on them, and changing trail conditions are common on a mountain bike race course. Occasionally you will also find spectators, horseback riders, motorized trail users, dogs and other riders who have found their way on to our mountain bike course. Although we attempt to close race courses with signage and marshalling to other users (spectators excepted), it is impossible to keep a course closed 100% of the time.

As a course gets raced on the conditions of the terrain may change and riders should always ride in control.


Lightning

In the event of lightning during a race the commissaire or event chief will make a call as to what to do. Bottom line is that when you are outside in the elements, in the great outdoors, or camping there are often no perfect places to hide or find shelter. We might not have the opportunity to shut down the event, and riders are encouraged to make their own decisions with regards to lightning.

· Thunder always accompanies lightning. The "flash-to-bang" method may be used to estimate how far away the lightning is actually occurring. This method involves calculating the time between the time lightning is seen and thunder is heard by counting the seconds from the point at which lightning is sighted to the point at which thunder is heard. Divide this number by five to obtain the number of miles away the lightning is actually occurring. It does not have to be raining for lightning to strike. Lightning can strike from as far as 10 miles away from the rain band.

· If someone can see lightning or hear thunder, they are already at risk and should take shelter immediately. Certainly if there is less than 30 seconds between lightning and thunder, all individuals should have already left the athletic site and reached a safe location. Outdoor activities should not resume until at least 30 minutes after the last flash of lightning or sound of thunder.

· Know the location of the closest safe structure to the course and how long it takes to get there. Safe structures include buildings normally occupied or frequently used by people, such as a facility with plumbing and/or electrical wiring that acts to electrically ground the structure. If a safe structure is unavailable, a vehicle with a hard metal roof and rolled-up windows can provide a measure of safety. Do NOT touch the sides of the vehicle.

· Avoid tall trees and other tall objects, such as light-poles and flagpoles. Avoid metal fences, metal bleachers, standing pools of water, picnic shelters, outdoor tents, and open fields. Avoid being the highest object in a field.

Acts of God, Disasters

In the event of hurricane, natural or man-made disasters, or tornado warnings we reserve the right to cancel the event and no refunds will be given to riders. If at all possible we will reschedule later on the weekend of the event, but if the event needs to be cancelled indefinitely we cannot return entry fees to the participants as all the costs to run the event have been burdened by our company.



Event Course Marshalling and First Aid


Sirbikealot Racing uses the Canadian Ski Patrol System as providers of first aid at most of our events. First aid, course marshals and commissaries are connected via close radio system. Please obey marshalls and their commands, they are there to keep the course flowing well and ensuring that safe competition is the highest priority.

There is always a main first aid area located close to the Start/Finish area.

The course manager (Lee Allen) and main first aid coordinator will be responsible for locating injured parties on the race course once they have been reported to the main first aid area. Extraction is also their responsibility and the Pro Patrol/Resort has a backboard and basket on site at all events.



First Aid Location

A main first aid station is always in close proximity to the start/finish area, usually in the registraion chalet. Other first aid personnel will be located throughout the course, usually close to sections of higher technical nature.

Vehicles on Race Courses

Getting vehicles to the exact site of an accident on a race course is usually impossible, so the extraction vehicles generally park at the closest location possible.

Sirbikealot Racing utilizes four wheel drive pickup trucks and/or SUVs to extract individuals from racecourses. The extracted party will be placed in a litter basket on a backboard, which fits in the back of these vehicles and offers the softest ride out of the bush (if there is any chance of a spinal injury).

Vehicles on the racecourses, or around the parking lots, must drive reasonably and can not use unreasonable speed to respond to incidents. Every incident should be responded to in a reasonable manner and speeding beyond the general park limit of 20 km/h is unwarranted even when responding to an emergency call.

We also utilize an all terrain vehicle for locating injured parties, but we will not extract them using this piece of equipment as it is only intended for one person. Approved helmets must be worn when driving the quad at all times.







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