FN Epic. Competitor Briefing Updated Please read carefully. The Pump N Pedals FN Epic 100km, 50km and 30km races

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1 FN Epic Competitor Briefing Updated Please read carefully The Pump N Pedals FN Epic 100km, 50km and 30km races Mountain biking is an adventure sport which carries with it inherent risks. Riders need to be self sufficient and prepared for tough weather and trail conditions and at all times ride to their ability. The Mareeba Mountain Goats Inc. will do everything in our power to make the event a memorable experience for all participants. Collection of race packs There will be 3 options for collection of race packs before race day. Please bring a copy of your registration confirmation and ID. There will be NO collection of race packs on race day for 100km competitors unless pre-arranged with race organisers. Please mareebamountaingoats@gmail.com See event schedule for race pack collection times and locations: Click here to view event schedule Race packs can be collected on race day near the Start/Finish area for competitors riding in the 50 Kays of Epic and Taste of Epic events. Start and Finish Location The Little Transfield Trails at Davies Creek Mountain Bike Park Click to view map As you are driving along Davies Creek road please pay attention to the signs and follow the directions of the SES or LIONS club volunteers 1

2 Facilities at race start and finish 1. Port-a-loos. But to avoid the cue, better to get up early and leave this bit of baggage at home. 2. Food and drink. Steakburgers, pasta, sandwiches and chips plus a range of cold drinks available for purchase from 10am 3. Café Crema should be on site by 6am to assist all espresso requirements 4. No showers or bike wash facilities, but there is a beautiful swimming hole down the road. Expected weather conditions Mean maximum temperature = 30.6 C Mean minimum temperature = 17.5 C Start times See event schedule: Click to view schedule Course All courses will be crossing and travelling on public roads for short distances. Riders are expected to exercise extreme caution and be wary that local traffic will be using these roads. This is especially pertinent around the start and finish location at Dinden State Forest. Remember give way to all traffic and always keep left. 30km (~28km) 2

3 The 30km course will start/finish at the Davies Creek MTB Park trailhead. The course is comprised of majority single track and fire roads. Competitors will begin by riding the following trails: velodrome, twin gullies, sticks and stones, balboa and tank trail. Instead of entering the trails into McGrath s Maize, competitors will continue along the fire road heading West towards the State Forest Boundary Gate. 30km riders will turn right at this location and continue on our temporary trail network before rejoining the existing trail network and finishing at the start/finish area (McGrath s maize, The Link, The Bone, Dingo Run and Youthful Yindin). There will be NO Food or Drink stations on the 30km course - competitors must be self-sufficient. 50km The 50km course will start with a reverse loop of Youthful Yindin, following the red arrows on white background. Competitors will then return to the start finish area and cross Davies Creek Road and enter Bridle Creek Road. From this point on competitors will follow black arrows on white background. Competitors will follow Bridle Creek Road for approximately 3.5km before turning right into the single track (Devils Link Trail). Lions volunteers will be at this location (checkpoint Whiskey 1). Competitors will exit the Devils Link Trail and turn right and follow the powerline road back to Davies Creek Road. N.B. the trail returning back to Davies Creek Road has steep ascents and descents and BIG water bars. All competitors should exercise caution whilst traveling this route. At Davies Creek Road competitors will turn right along a public road and proceed to the start/finish area. Competitors will then race/ride along the trail network in the normal direction of travel (traversing trails velodrome, twin gullies, sticks and stones, balboa and tank trail). Instead of entering the trails into McGrath s Maize, competitors will continue along the fire road heading West towards the State Forest Boundary Gate and Emerald Creek Falls. Riders will enjoy the normally off limit trail areas of Adler Hill before returning to Davies Creek Mountain Bike Park for the finish. There are two food and drink stations for 50Km riders along the course. 100km The 100km will be a great challenge for competitors and we hope it will bring competitors back to the event year after year. It will take in some of the best trail areas that Mareeba and the surrounds have to offer. The first 60km of the 100km race will take in the trail areas in and around Davies Creek Road and Clohesy River Road, before completing the final 35km which is identical to the course ridden by the 50km riders (please see above). The initial 60km course differs significantly to the final third of the race as it has a great deal more climbing and more difficult terrain to negotiate. The difficulty does reward the rider however with some spectacular views and scenery. Some sections may be technically very difficult for some riders and will be signed appropriately for competitors. Riders must ride to their ability. Experienced and advanced riders will cherish these thrilling sections. All sections of this trail are rideable should you have the skill and the legs, for 3

4 those of you that don t there is only a few short distances and sections that may require you to hop off the bike and give it a friendly push up the climb. Please note due to cyclone Ita, the Ganyan loop at Clohesy River Road will not be used this year. This section will return to the event in 2015 pending significant work. 100km event competitors will commence the race by completing a lap of the Little Transfield Trails in reverse (anticlockwise) following the RED arrows on white background. Competitors will pass through the start/finish area and therefore will be able to take more water or food on board. Competitors will then cross Davies Creek Road and enter Bridle Creek Road, which they will follow all the way to Clohesy River Road. At Clohesy River Road competitors will turn LEFT. Follow Clohesy River Road for approx. 9km before entering Veivers Track on your LEFT. A SES/LIONS volunteer should be at this position to assist riders with food and water/electrolyte. Veivers track has some steep slippery climbs and some technical descents. At the end of Veivers track, competitors will cross Bridle Creek road and head directly into the single track known as Devils Link. From this point the course is identical to the 50km course. Course arrows and Crosses 1. This arrow will be used for the 30km, 50km and 100km competitors 1. If you see a cross it means you have gone the wrong way 4

5 2. The RED arrow on white background is for the 100km riders only for the first 21km of course and for the first 2.5km of the 50km course. Food and water locations 100km competitors We have kept costs down by asking riders to be self-sufficient. However there will be limited complimentary water, Gatorade powder, bananas and muesli bars available at the following distances: 1. ~21km. This is the start/finish area. Your own pre-prepared food and drink can be left here for easy access km Check point Charlie km This is the start/finish area. Your own pre-prepared food and drink can be left here for easy access km Check point Echo 1 There will be food and drink for sale at the start/finish area. What riders will need to bring with them 1. Plenty of water and electrolytes. a. Riders should anticipate using approximately 500mL - 1L of fluid per hour during intensive exercise. N.B. This is dependent on the individual and should be used as a guide only. b. 100km riders will be passing near the original start location at the following distances and will therefore be able to access their own extra supplies if needed i. ~21km ii. 56km 2. Food and nutrients. 3. Money for pre or post race purchases. 4. Specific bike requirements 5

6 a. Bikes should be recently serviced with particular attention being paid to the brakes. If conditions are wet, competitors should bring a spare set of brake pads. Good tyres will also be essential to allow climbing of steep gradients. b. 2 tubes and tyre levers c. Puncture repair kit d. Pump or CO 2 canisters e. Chain link f. Multi-tool, with a chain repair tool g. Chain lube (possibly a wet weather type). No one likes chain suck and there are a number of sandy creek crossings h. Gloves i. Helmet (meeting AS/NZS 2063) 5. Snake bandage (there has been sightings over the last 2 weeks) 6. Mobile phone (if your phone doesn t have a compass on it, download one online) 7. Simple first aid kit (to treat abrasions and gastrolyte sachets for severe dehydration) 8. Sunscreen Cut off times The aim of is to have everyone finish by no later than 3:30pm, therefore we will be having cut off times for 100km participants. The following cut off times will apply: 1. 56km mark 12:30pm. This is the start / finish area. Marshalls will provide competitors advice as to how they are to proceed if given a warning about time cut offs. Failure to comply with a Marshall s direction will result in disqualification. Rubbish You must not dispose of your gel/wrapper or other rubbish on the course. Shove your wrappers in your pockets or up in your knicks until you get to the next feed station. It is completely unacceptable to litter along this course! Spectators Best location will be the Little Transfield trails, Davies Creek Mountain Bike Park (ie start and finish location). The cross country race day car park will not be used for parking to allow competitors and their families to set up pop up shade covers. We are also planning on using our resource management site as a sand pit for the younger kids, so bring along some trucks or spades and buckets to play with (with names on them). Event Safety General Mountain Bike Safety This is a LONG event and contains varied trails including: single track, fire trail and public roads. There are some technical sections and fast downhills especially in the initial 60km section of the 100km event, so riders need to ride 6

7 within their ability and ensure that they are always in control. Caution signs will ONLY be placed at the most hazardous locations along the trail. The trail can vary quickly, from flowing single track to rutted sections with steep sides and drop offs, to very fast downs with large water bars. No section of this trail will be closed to other users so you may expect to see: horse riders, motorbike riders, walkers, runners, 4x4 drivers and hopefully a few cassowaries. Please give way to all other traffic and trail users. Road Safety There are sections of this trail where riders will be travelling on public roads that will be open to vehicles (there are no road closures for this event). We will be placing signs to warn motorists of your presence. However to stay safe ensure the following: 1. Obey road rules (including keep left) at all times during the event. 2. Obey signed instructions provided by Mareeba Mountain Goats Inc. 3. Obey instructions given by SES volunteers and Marshalls. Riders should ride defensively and remember that safety is your responsibility. Specifics Davies Creek Road Riders will be travelling along Davies Creek Road and crossing it during the event. When riders are crossing Davies Creek Road during the 100km and 50km event they should ensure the road is clear of traffic before proceeding. First Aid The SES will provide first aid. If you need first aid while on course please approach a course marshal or dial 000 or 112. First aid will also be available at the start/finish area. If you pass an injured rider on the course please stop to help them and report any incidents to the next marshal you see on course. We will adjust your finish time accordingly for any time spent assisting injured riders. Emergency instructions In the case of an incident please follow these steps. Minor incidents: sprains, fatigue, non-urgent incidents and general reporting if you have safety concerns about the course. 1. Report to the next feed station or course marshal. Non-urgent evacuations will be made from the feed stations. Evacuations will be done when there are available resources. Major incidents: broken bones, snake bites, severe bleeding, and heat exhaustion. In addition please report immediately any bush fire that you can see or smell to the Race co-ordinator 1. You or another rider must provide first response and injury management until a qualified First Aid provider arrives. 2. If mobile phone reception available dial

8 3. If no mobile phone reception available, direct a following rider to advise the next course marshal of emergency asking them to take particular note of your location. We will have dedicated motorbike and 4 wheeler riders doing continuous loops of the course to monitor participant safety. If at any time you need assistance please flag one of these guys down. Withdrawing from the event If you intend to withdraw from the event you must inform a SES volunteer unless you are assisted from the course by first aiders or emergency services. Riders will need to inform the SES volunteer that they are retiring from the event and ask the SES person to radio central (delta) command Once you have withdrawn from the event, you may contact a friend to collect you. If no one is available to collect you we will endeavour to transport you back to the start/finish line. But as a non-emergency, this will take considerable time to occur. Warning Before participating in this event you should be sufficiently skilled to do so. The course as mentioned is a combination of single track, fire trail and dirt road. Some sections of the trail are technical and some of the downhill sections are very tricky. Always ride within your limits and get off the bike and WALK when you need to. Riders should ensure that they are fit enough to complete the event. Riders need to be in good health and should not have any illness that may affect their ability to participate in the event. Event Rules 1. This is a self-supported race. 2. No littering 3. Your race number must be visible on the front of your bike at all times. 4. To withdraw from the event you must do so by advising a course marshal (SES volunteer) or race command. 5. Stay on course, and do not take short cuts. If you get lost, return to the last sighted directional marker. 6. You must obey all road rules. 7. Give way to all vehicles and other trail users, especially emergency services, during the event. 8. You must obey marshals and SES volunteers. 9. Always assist injured riders. 10. Passing. Riders should do so in a safe location and call track right if passing on the right or track left if passing on the left. Please be considerate of other riders, as we want everyone to have a good experience during this event. 11. Do not use headphones during the event as this will reduce your ability to respond to audible warnings and the surroundings around you. 12. You must sign at registration that you have read and understood this document. 8

9 Final note from Race Director/Co-ordinator Thanks for taking the time to read the above information. Event safety is paramount to the Mareeba Mountain Goats Inc. to ensure that everyone enjoys the experience, and comes back again and again to participate. Presentations For approximate presentation times please see the Event Schedule. Event organisers will wait for the majority of riders to have cleared the course before presentations begin. Cancellation, Refunds and Transfer to another event length We understand that circumstances arise where you may no longer be able to participate in the event. Cancellation and Refunds Full refund if you advise us by anytime before 3 October Nil refund after these dates or up to the discretion of the race organisers. For refunds please mareebamountaingoats@gmail.com In the event that the course is, in the opinion of the Event organisers, unsafe (for example by reason of heavy rain, bushfires, "acts of god"), organisers may, in their sole discretion, attempt to re-route the course, find an alternative shortened course or cancel the Event. If the event is cancelled, re-routed or shortened, no refund or transfer to another event will be made. Due to the scale of the Event and travel & commitment involved by competitors, it is not practical to re-schedule the Event to any other weekend. 9

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