Wild Horizons

Rules and Conditions

These may be changed/added to before the event.

For safety and to keep the event fair it is necessary to have a number of rules as follows:

  1. Participants must be experienced riders and be in good physical condition to participate in the BMC Mountains To Beach (BMC MTB).
  2. All riders must have completed the entry form, paid the entry fee, and read and agreed to the event waiver
  3. The minimum age for riders is 18 (taken as the age on 28 February 2009).
  4. MTBA or Cycling Australia licenses are not required. Riders are responsible for their own personal accident and ambulance insurance.
  5. All riders must register in person on Day Zero being Sunday 1 March in 2009.
  6. Registration and attendance at event and stage briefings is mandatory for all riders.
  7. Riders and supporters must obey the directions of event organisers and marshals at all times.
  8. Every rider and registered supporter will be provided with an ID wristband. This must be worn for the duration of the event. If a wristband is lost,please see an event official or a replacement.
  9. Australian road rules apply at all times on forest, classified or unclassified roads.
  10. Riders may not exceed the posted speed limit.
  11. Riders may only ride more than two abreast whilst overtaking and must remain in their lane at all times. They must not cross the centre of the roadway, or any double separation lines (unless entering or leaving the roadway).
  12. Riders must give way to all other traffic they may encounter, including horse riders and walkers.
  13. Riders must leave gates as they find them.
  14. Only registered racers or course marshals may ride on the event route, race or cruise stages.
  15. Riders are only eligible for a place in the category in which they start the race.
  16. Riders must ride, and complete, every race and cruise stage to be eligible for a placing. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the Event Director in the case of exceptional circumstances.
  17. Generous cut-off times have been set for all stages. A rider who is a DNF for a stage for any reason will be allowed to continue in the event and their stage times recorded but will not be eligible for a placing.
  18. All riders must check in pre and post stage at the official station. It is the rider’s responsibility to ensure that they do this. Failure to do so may result in a disqualification and, should a search and rescue operation be mounted, costs for this may be billed to the rider.
  19. Stage starts will not be held for any rider who is late. Riders may be allowed to start late but their start time will be that of their designated group.
  20. If a Pairs team member does not finish a stage, the Pair will be recorded as a DNF however the Pair may continue the event and receive a time for remaining stages. If one member of a Pair pulls out of the event for any reason the remaining member can complete the following stages and he/she will be given a time but will not receive a position in any category.
  21. During race stages 5, 9 and 11, and cruise stages 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10, Pairs members must ride within visual and vocal contact at all times (this is not via 2-way radio or mobile!). Should Pairs be found riding apart, or one member arrives more than a minute before their partner at the stage finish, the Pairs members will each be given a 30-minute time penalty. If this occurs more than once, the Pair will be disqualified.
  22. Riders who fail to complete a stage must advise a race official, either in person or by calling the number listed in the information pack, at the earliest opportunity. Failure to do so may result in a search and rescue operation, the costs of which may be billed to the competitor. Informing another participant is not acceptable in lieu of the above.
  23. Riders who do not finish a stage are responsible for their own transfer to the next stage or overnight location.
  24. Category winners of each stage will be calculated by fastest time for that stage. The overall category winners will be calculated by the fastest cumulative time for all race stages.
  25. Riders must use the same bike frame for the whole event. In the event of frame failure, a substitute frame (or bike) may be used at the Event Director’s discretion.
  26. Riders can accept mechanical assistance on the course by any registered racer, but no outside assistance is permitted during a race stage.
  27. Each rider must have or be carrying the following items during all stages:
    • Suitable mountain bike or cyclocross bike in good repair
    • Australian approved cycling helmet worn at all times
    • Race number plate mounted on handlebars with number clearly visible
    • Race wrist band
    • Minimum 750ml liquid
    • Toolkit with minimum pump, puncture repair, inner tube
    • Whistle
  28. In addition to items listed in 27 above, each rider must have or be carrying the following during stages 4, 5, 9, and 11:
    • 750ml liquid (i.e. 1.5litres total)
    • Food e.g. energy bars, gels etc
    • Space/Emergency Foil Blanket
    • Water resistant jacket (may be reviewed on the day)
    • First Aid kit (minimum of crepe bandage, bandaid strip, sterile dressing, 6 x painkillers e.g. Paracetamol)
    • Warm hat (for stages 5 and 9 only)
  29. During stage 7, each rider must have a white front light (minimum 5 watts), and a flashing red rear light. Both must be either bike or rider mounted. Each rider must also be carrying a backup white front light (helmet torch, second light, etc.).
  30. Riders must clearly display their bike number mounted on their handlebars at all times during all race and cruise stages.
  31. Riders must wear a fastened, Australian standards approved cycle helmet.
  32. Profane or abusive language, or unsportsmanlike behaviour is grounds for disqualification of any solo or Pairs rider.
  33. Failing to complete the whole course, taking shortcuts or using any unfair means of obtaining an advantage over other competitors shall result in the rider and, if applicable, their Pairs team being disqualified. It is the rider’s responsibility to ensure that the correct course is followed.
  34. Riders wishing to pass should call ‘Track, on your left’ or ‘Track, on your right’ and the rider being overtaken should yield, if necessary, at the earliest safe opportunity.
  35. If you need to return along a section of track, you may only ride if there is adequate room. You must give way to all oncoming riders at all times.
  36. Riders pushing their bikes should give way at all times to those riding. They should attempt to walk on the least rideable portion of the trail.
  37. All protests must be made to the Event Director in a polite, non-abusive manner. Abusive protests will not be heard. Protests may be made up to an hour before each day’s stage presentation. The Event Director has the final decision on all protests.
  38. In the event of injury or accident, riders must stop to assist an injured rider, prevent others from entering the accident zone, and inform a race official of the incident at the earliest opportunity.
  39. If you stop to give assistance for a health or safety reason, you may report this to a race official and let them know the reason and the duration of your stop. A time adjustment may be made. Note that this does not apply if you stop to offer mechanical assistance.
  40. Please do not leave any rubbish out on the track. Anyone found doing so will be disqualified.
  41. The Event Director has the right to call off the race either before or during any stage (including cruise stages) for any reason he sees fit. This can include reasons related to the safety of riders or members of the public.
  42. If any stage is called off after it has begun, as soon as you have been notified by a race official, you are no longer under race conditions and are responsible for getting yourself back to the stage start or finish safely.
  43. Any action deemed against the spirit of the event may result in disqualification. The Event Director has the final say in any decision at the Event.
  44. Riders racing as someone else (eg swapping entries or bike numbers) are subject to disqualification.
  45. A rider may not be towed by another competitor by any form of towing device e.g. bungee or dog leash. Any riders involved in this practice will be subject to disqualification.
  46. Ignorance of these rules is not an acceptable defence.