Rules and conditions

RULES & CONDITIONS

The Highland Fling Rules & 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. All riders must register in person from 2.00-10.00pm on the Saturday or 6.00-7.00am on the Sunday.
  2. All riders must attend the mandatory Rider Briefing on Sunday morning.
  3. Each rider is responsible for their race plate. One race plate will be provided per rider, and these must not be swapped between competitors! Loss of raceplates will result in your time being unable to be recorded.
  4. The raceplate must be mounted to the front of your handlebars.
  5. Australian road rules apply at all times on forest or classified roads.
  6. Riders may not exceed the posted speed limit.
  7. 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).
  8. Riders must give way to all other traffic they may encounter, including horse riders and walkers.
  9. Riders must leave gates as they find them.
  10. Only registered racers or course marshals may ride on the race track.
  11. Riders are only eligible for a place in the category in which they start the race.
  12. Full Flingers will complete all three stages. Half Flingers will complete stage 1 and Stage 3. 100Mile Flingers will complete Stage 1, Stage 2 (twice) and then Stage 3.
  13. All riders must check in with the transition official prior to starting the next stage. This is done by crossing the relevant timing mat.
  14. Riders are responsible for ensuring they pass through the timing stations as follows:

    End of Stage 1

    • Full Flingers
    • Half Flingers
    • 100Mile Flingers

    Start of Stage 2

    • Full Flingers
    • 100Mile Flingers (twice)

    End of Stage 2

    • Full Flingers
    • 100Mile Flingers (twice)

    Start of Stage 1

    • Full Flingers
    • Half Flingers
    • 100Mile Flingers
    • Some Flingers

    End of Stage 3 (End of Race)

    • Full Flingers
    • Half Flingers
    • 100Mile Flingers
    • Some Flingers
  15. Riders who fail to complete must advise a marshal/race official at the earliest opportunity.
  16. Solo riders must use the same bike frame for the whole event.
  17. Riders can accept mechanical assistance on the course by any registered racer, but outside assistance is permitted at the Wingello Oval Transition Area only. Here riders will be able either to stock up on spares, or to carry out repairs on the spot. 100Mile Flingers may also receive assistance at the Mile High Lounge before their first and between their first and second loops of Stage 2.
  18. Riders can only accept food and drink from other riders currently in the race or race officials except at the Wingello Oval Transition area
  19. Food will be available to purchase at the Start/Finish, Wingello Oval Transition Area and Wingello village shop.
  20. Water will be available at the Start/Finish, at Wingello Oval Transition Area and at the Frequent Riders Lounge (approx 29km into Stage 2). You may be able to obtain water at other locations along the route – taps, rivers, and creeks – however the quality of this is not guaranteed. You should begin each stage with at least 2 litres of fluid.
  21. Each racer must have or be carrying the following whilst racing:
    • 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
    • 2 litre liquid carrying capacity
    • Food e.g. energy bars, gels etc
    • Toolkit with minimum pump, puncture repair, inner tube
    • 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)
    • Whistle
  22. Riders must clearly display their bike number mounted on their handlebars at all times whilst racing.
  23. Riders must wear a fastened, Australian approved cycle helmet.
  24. Profane or abusive language, or unsportsmanlike behaviour is grounds for disqualification of any solo or team rider.
  25. 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 their team being pulled out of the race and recorded as a DQ. It is the rider’s responsibility to ensure that the correct course is followed.
  26. 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.
  27. 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.
  28. 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.
  29. All protests must be made to a race official in a polite, non-abusive manner. Abusive protests will not be heard. Protests may be made up to 15 minutes after the final results are posted. The Event Director has the final decision on all protests.
  30. 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.
  31. 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.
  32. Please do not leave any rubbish out on the track. Anyone found doing so will be disqualified.
  33. The Event Director has the right to call off the race either before or during for any reason he sees fit. This can include reasons related to the safety of riders or members of the public.
  34. If the race 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 Event Centre safely.
  35. 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.
  36. Riders racing as someone else (eg swapping entries or bike numbers) are subject to disqualification.
  37. The minimum ages for riders (taken as the age on the day of the race) are: 16 (Half Fling), 18 (Full Fling, 100Mile Fling), 13 (Some Fling)
  38. Specific to Elite Women in Full Fling Only – Any Elite Women rider in the Full Fling who is found to have been or are being deliberately paced by a male rider who is known to them will be subject to disqualification. Pacing is defined as having a male rider riding with an Elite Women rider for any length of time or distance (defined as more than 5km or 15minutes) and who may be providing assistance by way of drafting, provision of food/drink or bike spares. On course checks may be carried out to ascertain such activity that is against the spirit of marathon style mountain bike racing.
  39. Ignorance of these rules is not an acceptable defence.