Llangollen 2021 – Rider Briefing

Firstly
If anyone feels for any reason that they do not want to attend you can still sell on your entry .  Normal T&C’s are listed in the FAQ including how to sell on an entry up until the Wednesday before the event.

Will it go ahead?
Yes, for as sure as we can be in these times it will. Welsh guidelines currently allow this event but we will continually monitor any changes.

What will change?

The event will be very much like the last 2 Graythwaite events, the racing itself will be pretty much as it was pre-covid, we are still unable to have spectators & dwell areas, so no results screen (results will be online updated every 10-15 mins).

Can I still ride with my mates?

Yes, no;  we will be mandating 2M rule at ALL times. We’ll also be doing individual starts from the arena not 12 every 5 mins.  If you group up on the transitions you MUST maintain social distancing at all times. Be aware if we do get inspected for compliance and people are not complying we can be stopped. So it is important you follow social distancing, you are all used to it, many of you will have been riding in small groups and obeying the rules. Please do the same at the event,  it’s not that hard in this individual start sport to keep your distance.
Racer and chaperone groups will of course start as a socially distant group, keeping 2M distant from anyone not in your bubble.

Women’s only group

Ladies you can still “ride with your mates” as above, however the first group out on the course will be a women’s only wave. In these covid times its not so much a group start, however if you like the idea of only having women around you at the stage start, then this could be for you. It is not expected that you will complete the lap in a single group; that is unlikely however we are offering this women’s only wave as it was well received at the last round.

What do attendees need to do?
If you attending the event, as a racer, driver, family member, friend or mechanic you must carry a face covering and sanitiser gel at all times. You must self check before attending the event (see below).  Your camps must maintain 6M distances, you must stay 2M away from others at all times, you must practice good hand hygiene. If you are in a queue likely to be over a few minutes please use your face covering.  Please also consider bringing some wipes, for touch surfaces.
Lastly, please read and follow any signage and instructions eg near the water point there will be hand sanitiser and a “Sanitise before operating tap” sign.

Pre-event symptom check – this is direct from the government, strictly enforced.

All participants, officials, volunteers and spectators must undergo a self-assessment for any COVID-19 symptoms. No-one should leave home to participate in sport or officiate if they, or someone they live with, has any of the following:

• A high temperature
• A new, continuous cough
• A loss of, or change to, their sense of smell or taste

Should an individual have demonstrated any such symptoms, they must follow NHS and PHE guidance on self-isolation.

Who can NOT attend ?

• any person who has tested positive for coronavirus in the previous 10 days,
• any person who has had close contact in the previous 10 days with any person who has tested positive for coronavirus,
• any person experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19;
• Spectators – Supporters and other spectators should generally be limited  to only those persons who need to attend, e.g. parents or guardians of children who require their attendance for health or safeguarding reasons. Where a small number of spectators do have a reasonable excuse to attend, they are to remain physically distanced from each other and from the area of play at all times, including accessing and leaving the venue, use of any facilities (wearing face coverings as appropriate where facilities are indoors) and whilst watching game play.  Any such spectators should not use this as an excuse to socialise, and should be discouraged from shouting, cheering etc.

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,  if anyone has friends or family with them who can marshal please get them to sign up.  Handy way to spectate with no spectators allowed.

Round Sponsor is One Giant Leap Llangollon

Parking, camping and race arena

We have camping, sign on, parking and toilets all in the sheep farm where OGL is located.

Dogs are welcome – but please pick up after them, and be aware we are on a sheep farm with sheep in neighbouring fields.
Spectating is not available, and the exact Welsh government wording is listed above in “who cannot attend” we discourage any attendees other than racers.

Tan Y Graig, Llangollen LL20 8AR
Google maps – dropped pin

Entry’s, Results & Series standings
Entry list is HERE

The results link  will be HERE  bear in mind there will be no results screen on the day, so you will have to check this link to see the results.

What to expect?
Fast, rough and steep DH tracks with some “enduro” link sections. Tightly packed onto 1 hillside with 1 way up to all stages.

5 Stages  

Stage 1 – Gentle Giant
The main line with a little tweaking, the easiest stage of the day.

Stage 2 – KAYUT
Starting a little further down the hill “Kevs As Yet Unnamed Track” is still being built, top section as per Stage 3 in 2019 then onto the new extended lower section. Any delay with the track build  and we can use what we used in 2019. However the build is going well – see “Off Grid and Working Hard” social media for info or to follow the build – Insta, Facebook and You Tube.

Stage 3 – Ride the Lightning
This is the stage we were hoping to get to use in 2019 but ran out of time to finish the building. Originally started by Brian Mundy, and completed by Martin in lockdown its now ready to race. As the start is shared with other stages we drop straight into the guts of this awesome stage.

Stage 4 – Gully line
While based around the upper part of “Ride Portugal” the roughest DH track on the hillside the gully end is full enduro and is also “the stage with the climb” contrasting the first half of the stage with the rest its really a stage of 2 halves.

Stage 5 – Esquilo
Using parts of Son of Squirrel and Ride Portugal this was stage 1 in 2019 and its steepness surprised many, improved for 2021 and a fitting finish to the event.

Total lap stats
TBC – but a over 1000M of timed descent

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 having booked dry weather we advise a MARTELLO rear, and up front the new MAZZA. Ask at your local bike shop for these tyres.

Race Arena and Technical support.

Not much possible under CV19 guidelines
Podium catering
Bar and Bean coffee and drinks
Sign on and timing.
Portable toilets and showers.

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

Other Photographers

Please email me if you want a photographer space.  Priority will be given to those photographers that normally attend the events. without a pass there will be no stage access. We are on private land, and there is no spectating catered for. You will need a CV19 specific risk assessment, as well as your normal risk assessment and PLI.

EWS Qualifier Points

Riders will need to have a membership prior to the 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 2021 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.

Prizes
We will be having podiums at Llangollen – great to have these back!

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 & showers on site .
Course walks possible.

Saturday.

Marshal Brief 08:30

Sign on will be open from 09:15
Catering open from the morning – time TBA
Practice starts 09.30 from arena – Stages open 10am.
Practice finishes 17.30 – stages closed after this time.

Sunday.

07:30 marshal brief

08:15 Timing chip collection opens for women.

08:20 First riders depart (Womens only group)

08:30 Timing chip collection opens for men.

08:45 First mixed group departs

09:00 Stage one opens

12:00 All racers have departed

12:30 first racers back

17:30 last racers back

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

The Venue:
Tan Y Graig, Llangollen LL20 8AR
https://goo.gl/maps/JTe33xjxF682oyjB9

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.
A full medical plan to ensure we are not reliant on NHS services has been produced under CV19 guidelines.

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 – on ground Fires are not permitted – you will be ejected from the site.

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 individually – 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.

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. **Be aware if the marshal chooses to wear a face covering there will not be a whistle**

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 – please try to give maximum space to overtakers.

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/chaperone. 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 : U15, U18, U21, Senior, Master/30+, Vet/40+, Grand Vet/50+
Women : U16, U21, Senior/Open , Master/35+
Unisex : Hardtail (additional category)

Ages are taken as age on 31st December 2021.

Go Pro’s / Action Cameras –  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.  **Be aware if the marshal chooses to wear a face covering there will not be a whistle**

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 affected you are authorised to have a re-run

Spectators : Spectators are banned, no spectator areas provided (CV19 restriction)

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 areas. Please note that we will be required to restrict photography/media passes at this event.

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.

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 can’t 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 to 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 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