The Epic, Graythwaite R2 – Rider Briefing

Here is the rider and spectator information, we are aware there is a lot of information but please do not use this as an excuse for not reading it thoroughly, and knowing what you need to do and what rules to follow. More information will be added as we approach the event.

Danger!
Racing mountain bikes is a dangerous sport. You should ensure you’re familiar with the warning signs and tracks should not be hit at race speed until you are comfortable with your ability on each stage.

As always we rely on volunteer marshals to make these events a success, if you know somebody who would be interested please ask them to fill in the form on this page, we aren’t too bad for marshals but its always worth having more especially with 8 stages this weekend – so if anyone has friends or family with them who can marshal please get them to sign up.

Round Sponsor is Graythwaite Estate

Parking, camping and race arena

We have our best race arena setup here, with camping, sign on, parking and the final stage finish all in the picturesque grounds of Graythwaite Manor,  please follow the signage to the designated free parking/camping area.  Showers on site will be £2 donation to North West Air Ambulance, we’ll man them in the late afternoon and early evenings and maybe in the mornings but please note they are not 24hr requiring somebody to man them and the generator. We’ll also have portable loo’s a marquee and an evening bar selling bottles of Kirkby Lonsdale Brewery ale.

Dogs are welcome – but please pick up after them.
Friends and family are welcome – but bring a huge group of non-racers/non-marshals to abuse the free camping and I may get miffed!

Estate parkland at Graythwaite Estate, Ulverston LA12 8BA
Google maps – dropped pin

Entry’s, Results & Series standings
Entry list is HERE
Series standing will be available on this LINK
The results link for R2 Graythwaite Epic will be HERE

What to expect?
Lots of off piste stages, no trail centre, big elevation, steep ups and downs, push ups as well as rideable transitions. We have new stages (with rideable transitions) and revamped classics – A 5 hour race lap is expected.

8 Stages
Transition 1 – 70% pedal 30% Walk
Stage 1 – Vinny’s Divorce Statement.
You’ll be pleased to know Vinny is still married, in fact the wife even did a days digging on this stage. This brand new stage is a perfect intro into the lap, starting with amazing views of Windermere you are quickly in the trees, riding rocky chutes and railing berms before a short sprint finish.  2 mins, 300ft, 20% average
Transition 2 – 50% Pedal, 50% Walk
Stage 2 – Tamed Scorpion.
Featured on every event since 2016 this stage was getting fairly battered and has always been a bit “gnadgery” so this year its been refreshed, widened and tamed.  More flow, less features but still a monster of a stage – the longest on the course. From the highest point of the lap, starting on a craggy outcrop you’ll soon be in the trees, and then the flatter section, but this stage is called scorpion for a reason – it just keeps getting steeper! The final section of the upper woods is brand new, and straight down, fresh loam feeds you into the bottom third of the stage known as “happy ending” After steep and technical woods you’re out into more open trees and fast flowing trail to put a smile on your face.  4 mins, 630ft, 16% average
Transition 3 – 70% -90% Walk (but short)
Stage 3 – Gary the Polar Bear.
After the short walk from the end of Scorpion your up at the start of a firm favourite, the short but immensely fun “Gary”. The technical start is typically raw Graythwaite, but then jump through the wall and into the more open woods for some warp speed singletrack all the way to the bottom. <2mins, 300ft, 18% average
Transition 4 – 95% Pedal on tarmac
Stage 4 – Ridgelines, Roots, Rocks and Roost
The name says it all, and this is the 2nd of the new tracks we have for you this year. In more open woodland for fast and flowy fun.  2 mins, 300ft, 16% average.
Transition 5 – 98% Pedal on tarmac (and past the Esthwaite water cafe)
Stage 5 – Remainiac
Running parallel to stage 4, and the 3rd and final new stage it is more fast and flowy fun in open woodland. 2 mins, 300ft, 18% average.
Transition 6 – 99% Pedal tarmac/fireroad (and past the Esthwaite water cafe again)
Stage 6 – Nicks Party Line
Back for a second year after a lot of love for this stage last year, starting with awesome views along a clear-fell ridge-line you soon drop into open woodland, with rock drops, jumps and slabs before a short traverse leads to a steeper section in the more dense forest (due to be felled straight after the event). Topped off with a flowy pedally fast finishing section. 3 mins, 400ft, 20% average.
Transition 7 – 50% Pedal 50% Walk
Stage 7 – Sublime Ride
All the way back to the top of black brows and stage 7 starts next to stage 1, but this time your going straight down!  You start out carving turns in open land, the bracken has not yet taken over so you can see the track winding down the hillside.  Not long till you’re at “that” steep S-bend, even more gnarly than previous years (just through use) we expect the b-line to be heavily used. As you head towards the trees to old rock-drop is out and everyone is funnelled into the old B-line instead, that bit may be easier but the next 50m or so has taken a battering and is super gnarly with exposed roots, slow down compose yourself and get the right line …..  see the bridge, and let go of the brakes and get some flow. The techy stuff done you can breathe and enjoy the rest of the stage – just 1 more to go! 2 mins, 300ft, 20% average
Transition 8 – 60-100% pedal depending how much you have in your legs up the steep fire road!
Past the Sawmill and a WATER opportunity.
Stage 8 – Sadists Surprise!
The final stage, and the most physical, where other stages have been built for the terrain, this one is all about the grand finish in the centre of the race arena. Starting high above the finish this stage has fast sections, techy little climbs, and climax’s in the big finish.  What’s the surprise? Well its a 6M high bank that you just have to get off and run-up cyclo-cross style mid stage ……  well it is a Sadists Surprise!  3mins, 400ft, 12% average

Total lap stats
15 miles (24km) & 3500ft (1100M) Elevation
5 Hours
20 mins of racing

Tyre Choice

We of course suggest the awesome Vittoria tyres, with superb 2-ply enduro sidewalls as well as grippy rubber compounds in a 4C construction, with graphene 2.0.

With plenty of off piste sections we advise a MARTELLO rear, and up front with a MOTA. Ask at your local bike shop for these tyres, however Vittoria will also be providing technical support in our race arena and will have a range of tyres for racers on the day. If you do need tyres at the event there will be a special discounted price on tyres, air liners and sealant.

We also have 3 Vittoria spot prizes, for stage 4, 4th, 44th and 444th

Why all the 4’s?  Well Vittoria are the only MTB tyre company producing a 4C / 4 compound tyre so we are celebrating this with spot prizes

Prize : A pair of 2 ply  4 c tyres and an Air Liner but to qualify to enter they need to like and share our post on vittoriauk FB.

Race Arena and Technical support.

We are fortunate to have great support for you at the event, please support our sponsors as they support your event.
Vittoria tyres – Technical Support & Product Display
Sixth Element – Product Display & Advice; Team pit area
Hope Technology – Pro-Pit area
Orange Bikes – Pro-pit area
Box Components  – Product Display & Advice; Team pit area
Surf and Turf – Hot food and drink
Sport Ident – Timing and results screens
Pedal Addiction – Race support/service
Trailside Sports Therapy – Massage Tent
Pace Cycles – Display and demo
SJ Campers – Display
Bar – with Kirkby Lonsdale Brewery Ales  £2.50/bottle
A short drive away is Grizedale MTB – Spares & Repairs

Official Photography

DialledinUK will be there snapping away for the Official race report and free photo album, but they also very much appreciate the support from Roots and rain purchases. It’s what makes it possible for that team to show up and snap away!! They’ll be doing pics from £5.75 and full album sets of individual riders for £14 (best value by a mile) sets can be anything from 5 photos to 20+ photos, please try and support our little collective working to give you a great range of shots. Please do remember that these are for personal use, if your sponsors want to use them for commercial use (social post sharing is fine with photographer credit) then please get them to contact us.
DialledinUK is comprised of

Jerry Tatton  JWDT Photography
Adam Sherratt and Jerry Tatton are DialledinUK

Their space on roots and rain can be accessed here

EWS Qualifier Points

Riders will need to have a membership prior to the Graythwaite Epic Enduro race in order to be eligible to collect EWS Global Ranking points. Points will not be assigned retroactively if riders purchase the membership after the race.

Riders can purchase / renew their 2019 EWS memberships at :  https://www.enduroworldseries.com/

Please make sure you edit your entry on SI entries and fill in your EMBA membership number so we can easily match you to any earned points

BNES Team Points
If you are going for BNES Team points (series only) please make sure your team names are IDENTICAL so we (well those awesome folk at Roots and Rain) can tally the points.
“Each team’s top three results at each event will be used to work out a team ranking. One result can be placed per category and riders can change between races. The overall series winning team will be announced at the final, with points worked out in the same way as for individual riders.”

BNES Series Positions
Will be on Roots and Rain – link  – massive thanks to Roots and Rain for supporting the BEMBA and its National Enduro Series!

KS – Style it up

Our Instagram competition returns, grab some style in front of the photographers on our KS feature and post on Instagram with the hashtag #KSdrop

Russell Spirit of Enduro Award

Every event the organisers, marshals, sign on staff and riders witness or hear about outstanding acts of resilience, bravery, kind heartedness and fellowship in the race community. So the “Spirit of Enduro Award” was born. So if you witness the spirit of enduro in someone, be they a rider, event staff, spectator or anyone else just fill in a form (in the sign on tent) to nominate them and we’ll present it to  worthy winner.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday

Setup days – no part of stages/race arena are open to the public, our course marking team are on the stages so for their safety please keep away.

Friday.

Race arena opens, free camping available. Portable loos on site and showers will be open from for a bit in the evening, £2/shower donation to NWAA please .

Saturday.

Marshal Brief 9:00

Sign on will be open from 9:15
Surf and Turf catering open from the morning – time TBA
Practice starts 09.30 from arena – Stage 1 open 10am
Practice finishes 16.30 – stages closed after this time (and gates on S8 locked)

18.00 – Vittoria Q&A & Airliner Demo – Ask Vittoria or our ambassador Tom absolutely anything! Ask away, he may pass if your question is inappropriate, so ladies keep it clean please.
18.00 – Happy hour at the bar – 3 bottles for £5  (usually £2.50 each)

Sunday.

05:30 Sunrise

0745 marshal brief

0810 Sign On opens (timing chip collection)

0830 First riders depart

0900 Stage one opens

1200 All racers have departed

1300 first racers back

1430 Bottle bar opens (TBC)

1730 last racers back

1745 Final results

1800 podiums

1830 done and dusted

2054 Sunset

2100 Bottle bar closes*    *maybe

Catering opening times – TBC.

Sponsors are:  Hope Technology,  Orange Mountain Bikes, Vittoria Tyres, Sixth Element, Datatag Security, Box Components,  KS Dropper Seatposts, Sweet Protection, Kirkby Lonsdale Brewery, Mudhugger, Saxx Underwear & Ride Slovenia.

The Venue:
Estate Grounds, Graythwaite, Ulverston LA12 8BA

Organisation:  SMK for PMBA Enduro

Race Director: Kev Duckworth email: pmbaenduroseries@gmail.com mobile: 07979 911337
Chief Marshal: Karen Long
Medics : Remote Medical Services – http://www.remotemedicalservices.co.uk/

Medical
RMS will be providing cover over the event. Full Medical Cover will be provided. Multiple 4 Wheel Drive Vehicles will be on hand if needed

Nearest A&E

Timing
As per all PMBA Enduro events, we will be using the awesome SI Air+ contactless timing system, the preferred system of the Enduro World Series.

It’s important you have a read of all the info here – It will answer almost any question you could possibly have, there is a lot here but please take the time to look through it…..

Fires – Fires are not permitted.

If you lose or damage your transponder you have to pay for it – The cost is £50.00

Parking is FREE for the whole long weekend, Friday-Monday.

Camping for Caravans, Campervans & Tents – FREE for the whole long weekend, Friday-Monday.

Follow the instructions given by the parking marshals during the weekend

Race lap: The exact start times will be confirmed/selected on the weekend. Competitors will set off in groups of 12 every 5 mins – choose your start time at sign on

You MUST report to the set off point close to sign-on at your designated time to get your transponder switched on otherwise you will get no times for the stages, you will also receive a briefing before your race lap. Feel free to ask questions.

We will not confirm nor deny that Kev will be doing the rider briefing in briefs to highlight the comfort of the Saxx Underwear.

Red Flags / Yellow flags & Whistles: During practice Red and Yellow flags will be in use – The yellow flag means slow right down, There may be a rider on course or perhaps on the floor but out of the way. Red Flag means STOP This means what it says – There will be an incident ahead and someone’s safety is at risk if you continue. If this happens during your race run you should make your way back to the start of the stage and go again – When you arrive back at the finish you will notify the chief timer that you had a re-run and they will calculate your time.

Racing: Only red flags will be used in racing – If you are red flagged during racing, you should wait until you are given permission to continue by the Marshal, and then continue safely to the bottom and speak with the marshal who will let you know what you need to do.

Rider Etiquette: During practice and race you may come up on or be caught by another rider: Every rider must act in a polite safe manner at all times and permit any faster rider to overtake without obstructing

Track walk: It’s advised that you walk/inspect the trickier parts of the stages before riding – There are many features and varied terrain sections. Watch out for our 2/3 arrow caution/extreme caution signs to warn you of even trickier bits. If you see a Extreme caution sign there will be an easier rollable line which could be a separate taped line or within the main tapes.

Rules for Under 16 Riders
As organisers we have a duty of care to look after all our racers. Any racer that is under 16 years of age on the first day of the event must ride/race accompanied by an adult (Min age 18) support racer/rider. If the support rider does not wish to obtain an entry and race we will issue a wristband with ‘support rider’ and for this there is no charge – In this instance there will be no timings given and no transponder issued. The support rider/racer must accompany the youth rider for the duration of the event.

All PMBA Enduro events are available for ages 11+, however we strongly advise that parents entering children under 16 contact us beforehand, so we can advise you of what the event might entail and give you the information you need to make an informed judgement on the suitability of the event for your child.

Categories:
Men : U14, U16, U19, Senior, Master/30+, Vet/40+, Grand Vet/50+ & Elite
Women : U16, U21, Senior/Open , Vet/40+
Unisex : Hardtail (additional category)

Ages are taken as age on 31st December 2018.

Go Pro’s / Action Cameras – We have been able to allow 1 new position for helmet cams this year, in race or practice. That is a factory fitted helmet mount. However we have clarified the rules on peak mounting, this must only be on top of the peak, not below. Please be aware it will be the start marshals call, if they are not sure you will be asked to remove it. If you are, please do not argue, they are doing their job; as always abuse of our marshals will not be tolerated. Stick on mounts may be fitted to your helmet, but not used, however we do advise against using stick on mounts to your helmet at all.

Please remember these are for your safety. Start marshal discretion is final on these rules, if they don’t like a “legal” mount for any reason please respect their judgement. These are in line with current UCI recommendations.

ALLOWED
Bike Mounts – below cockpit level
On top of Peak 
Manufacturer fitted helmet mount

Transitions: It’s compulsory to follow the marked transitions on your race lap, please obey marshals instructions.

Whistles: Every time a rider passes a Marshal they will blow his/her whistle. This lets people around know that there is a rider about and it also lets you know that in the instance of hearing a second whistle as you pass then there is someone right behind you.

If you see an injured rider: Please acknowledge you have seen them and continue to the next marshal to report the incident. If your race run is effected you are authorised to have a re-run

Spectators : Spectators are advised to follow marshal instructions, stay out of the taped zone and not to stand in crash area’s. Please be aware of safety signs erected close to the track.

Photographers: A spectator with a camera is not a photographer, actual professional or amateur photographers who can show PLI & attend a safety briefing can get a special wristband and have access almost all area’s. Please note that events such as Grizedale also require permission sought from the FC themselves also, with risk assessment – you can contact John at Grizedale for details of this.

Respect the officials and helpers & Follow instructions given: Anyone found to be swearing or giving abuse to any of our Event Staff whether that be Marshals, Timers, Helpers, Medics etc will be asked to leave the event. If you have a problem whether you’re racing or perhaps on behalf of your son or daughter then come and talk to any of the core team. (Organiser Kev  or Chief Marshal Karen) or any stage manager or marshal.
Those that know us always find we are reasonable and willing to listen and will help or advise the best we can.

Careful driving to event: Please be advised that when driving to the venue to be cautious while driving. There are narrow roads and you may be required to stop and reverse if 2 vehicles meet going opposite directions. Parking will be on grass

Toilets & Showers  : Portable facilities are available, showers will be open at set times – TBC – £2/shower

Litter: Please take your litter home with you. Please if you can check around your car before leaving. Litter includes goggle tear offs, inner tubes and gel wrappers – all these cannot be disposed of onto the floor, even during a race stage.

Race Timing: You will be issued with a timing chip on Sunday morning. You will be 100% responsible for ensuring that your transponder stays with you failure to do so will result in your time not being recorded. You will be able to set off 5-30 seconds behind the rider in front or as instructed by the marshal.

Armour: There are no specific armour rules for this event. Only that a helmet is compulsory. Full face helmet is advised. Knee pads & gloves are strongly advised. We cant advise strongly enough that knee pads, gloves & long sleeves should really be worn. We expect some riders to use full faces helmets on the stages but remind you that unless you are walking with your bike a helmet is 100% compulsory to be worn at all times, correctly fastened

Health & Safety: Anyone wearing headphones whilst riding on course (with a bike) will be disqualified – No second chances. You have been warned! Helmets worn correctly at all times whilst between the tape. No pushing back up the track during practice or racing, no walking the course during race runs. Absolutely no travelling in the wrong direction on the stages at any time. The arrows will lead you too the next stage, or if you wish to session a stage you may need to consult the trail map for a suitable route.

BAR END PLUGS MUST BE FITTED – You will not be allowed to enter the course without them

Self Sufficiency : No outside assistance is allowed and no racers riding as domestiques. However helping a fellow competitor is actively encouraged, just not one team member carrying a huge backpack of spares while others race without.

You will see a number of the rules and regulations require you do to certain things at certain times – Failure to adhere to these rules could result in you having to ride back to the car park, go back down the field or be disqualified – I’ve tried to make it simple and straight forward for everyone.

SMK/PMBA Enduro reserves the right to modify or cancel the event if circumstances beyond the control of the organiser should arise. This includes cancellation of event due to extreme weather, acts of God, violence, civil disobedience and war.
If the event is cancelled we will not be liable for costs of travel fares, hotels, or any other expenses that may be incurred.
It is your responsibility to ensure the race is going ahead before travelling. We will do our best to inform you if the race has to be cancelled but we do not accept liability if we are unable to contact you. We strongly advise that you check before making travel and accommodation arrangements.
If the event is cancelled we would endeavour to reschedule if possible. Please be aware that we may be unable to refund or part refund any entry fee. We are also may be unable to transfer your entry to another event.

See you all at the event; Kev as well as other members of the team will be around on Saturday and Sunday so feel free to ask any questions.

Regards
Kev Duckworth – Series Promoter