bikeportal.org.ua

1. Teams
Teams consist of one rider in “solo” categories, two riders in “pair”, four in “four” and four (including minimum one female rider) in “mixed”. After the beginning of the race team composition cannot be changed. Riders from each team can ride in relay after one another, the relay order is determined by the team. Only one rider from any team can ride the course of the race at any given time, the relay procedure is described below in point 5.

2. Outside assistance
Bicycle replacement while a rider is riding the race course is prohibited, at the same time it is allowed to provide technical assistance to a rider riding the course. Also it is prohibited to ride the race course during the race by riders not taking part in the race (without race numbers on their bicycles), in case when it is necessary to provide technical assistance to another rider, you must let the race officials know before setting off to ride on the course. A rider can receive food and drink at any point of the race course. Before a rider can start riding the race course, they can change their bicycle, but their race number must be attached to the bicycle before starting.

2a. Bicycle specification
Any bicycle fit for riding over cross-country terrain can be used in the race, with wheel diameter of 26, 28, or 29 inches. No tandems, motorcycles or scooters.

3. Race course and direction of the race
As soon as a rider starts riding the course, he/she must continue to move clockwise on the course and must complete the lap for the lap to be counted as completed in the results. If a rider, for whatever reason (mechanical breakdown, fall, injury, etc) cannot complete the lap, he must return to the start (trying not to move on the race course in counterclockwise direction) and inform the race officials about non-completed lap. Such lap will not be counted as completed in the results and the time taken for such lap will be added to the time of the previous lap by the team/rider. ATTENTION: only one rider per team can ride the race course at any time of the race. If a rider cannot complete a lap, he must return to the “start-finish” zone and pass the race relay to another rider from the team.

Most important is to have a bicycle in good working order, then you will not have to carry it to the start-finish!

4. Unsportsmanlike behavior
Substitution of a registered rider with another person, racing a different category to the one entered, riding outside the marked or unmarked race course, cutting the race course short and other unsportsmanlike behavior, when noticed and verified, will lead to rider and team being disqualified. Riders must stick to the race course when riding the race.

5. Passing of the relay
Race relay from one team rider to another happens only in the “start-finish” zone. When a rider A is riding the race course, rider B who will be taking over from rider A must place his bike in the bike area for relay and must wait for rider A in the relay area. When rider A completes the lap and enters the start-finish area, he must touch rider B in the relay area. Rider B then mounts his bicycle and starts riding the race course. If rider A will ride another lap, he must go through start-finish area for time keeping and continue on the race course.
If the rider taking over is not in the relay area (for example, he is sleeping), rider A can go to the next lap or can go and find rider B.
If a team violates the race relay procedure, it is fined with 5 minute time penalty which has to be waited out at the start. For second violation the time penalty is 10 minutes, third violation by the same team will lead to the team disqualification.
The exact procedure for team relay will be shown at the race briefing before race start.

5a. Time keeping
Time keeping is performed at the start-finish zone. Time is also kept at two race check points along the course. Time keeping is from 12:00 on Saturday to 12:00 on Sunday. Start-finish zone closes for relay 30 minutes before the end of 24 hours of the race.

6. Minimum number of laps
Each male“Solo” rider must ride a minimum of 13 laps, each female “solo” rider – 12 laps. Minimum number of laps for each rider in team categories – 5, for female riders in “mixed” category – 4. If any riders do not complete the minimum number of laps, the team result will not qualify. That is why it is important for the teams to plan the relay carefully, not all riders can ride at night.

7. Obligatory equipment and requirements for participants
Each race participant must wear a protective bicycle helmet and use a bicycle in good working order, riders with broken bicycles will not be allowed to race and technical state of bicycles will be monitored through random checks during the race. Before starting the race a well-visible race number corresponding to registration number of the rider must be attached to their bicycle. Riding using other riders’ starting number will lead to the rider and team being disqualified. During the night hours, from 20:00 to 5:30 in the morning, riders can start the race course only with working sufficient bicycle lights, it is compulsory to have white light of sufficient power at the front and red light in constant (non-blinking, putting rear light into blinking mode will lead to 5-minute time penalty! ) mode at the rear. If there are no lights, the rider cannot start the race course during night hours. When riding past the two race check points, riders are kindly asked to state their race number.

7.1 Lights
Part of the 24-hour race takes place in the night hours, when riders must ride with bicycle lights – rear red light and white front light. Riders are not allowed to race without lights during night hours. Please note that it gets dark in the forest already from 20:30 and the sun rises at 5:30, therefore your light batteries should last for 8-9 hours.
The front light power should be a minimum of 5 watt halogen equivalent. Riding during night hours without lights is prohibited, because it is dangerous to the rider.

7.2 Additional recommendations
Riders are recommended to bring several changes of cycle clothing, enough food, hydration packs and/or water bottles, tent (for sleeping or resting in), sleeping bags, cooking stoves and utensils. Each rider is also recommended to have 1-2 spare tubes, tube patch kit, chain lube, tools for repairs.

8. Quiet time
After 22:30 please no noise in the base camp

9. Registration
All riders and teams must be registered in advance before race registration closes as indicated in the race announcement, there will be no registration on the day of the race. Team replacements can be made before 11:00 of the race Saturday. After this teams are entered into the race protocol and no changes can be made. All team members must be near the start-finish zone at 11:50 on Saturday, with race numbers attached to their bicycles.

10. Security
Regardless of the friendly and positive atmosphere of the race, there may be someone who will like your bicycle as much as you do. Therefore, please keep an eye on your things and don’t leave them unattended. Please also keep an eye on your tent/camping area and do not leave it empty, and do not throw your things around.

10a. Issues or problems encountered during the race
If you notice anything wrong along the race course, which can negatively affect the race – people removing the course marking, or strange behaving people on the course, any acts of aggressive behavior – please inform the race officials as soon as possible.

If you were part of a serious accident, you MUST inform the race officials. You must stop the race and wait for the doctor who can provide necessary medical assistance.

11. Start
Start happens in three groups: first for team categories, then to male “solo” 10 minutes later, and for female “solo” another 10 minutes later. In team categories, each team must nominate one rider who will start the race. The riders starting the race must be nominated 5 minutes before the start and must position themselves at the start line at 11:50.

Start is a “Le-Mans” style start, the riders have to run the first 50 meters to their bicycles. Riders line up at the start line and run to the start-finish zone where their bicycles are located. They mount their bicycles in the start-finish zone and start the race.

12 Terminating the race
If deemed necessary, a rider can terminate the race before the finish time. If a rider is terminating the race the race officials must be notified so that his result is stopped, the team does not receive any penalties for this. Please remember that your team result will qualify only if minimum number of laps has been completed by each of the team riders! (An exception to this rule can be injury by one of the team members, being drunk does not count as an injury).

13. Finish
The race ends at 12:00 on Sunday. Racers must complete their finishing lap for it to be counted. The start-finish zone closes for relay 30 minutes before the end of 24 hours. Team riders arriving to the finish less than 30 minutes before the end of 24 hours will not be allowed to ride next lap, and their result will be completed then.
The winning position is determined by the number of laps ridden, and if the number of laps is the same – by who has taken less time to ride them. Example of results distribution:

1. Team A 33 laps, 24:02:00
2. Team B 33 laps, 24:15:00
3. Team C 32 laps, 24:01:00
Team A has won with 33 laps and total time of 24:02:00. Team B finished second also with 33 laps, but with time of 24:15:00. Team C finished 3rd with 32 laps.