Final Instructions for Graythwaite May 2021

Lets Go!

I apologise for information overload, but please take the time to digest the information.

Firstly please go slowly when arriving at the estate; we get to open the “South Gate” which is not normally used, so please keep to 10mph and we can keep the residents of the estate happy. Most of you will come from Newby Bridge, through Lakeside and once you have passed “Low Graythwate Hall” and its Topiary then you’ll see the walled Graythwaite Estate and big gates (usually add some banners and signs to make it obvious).  As soon as your through the gates please keep your speed to a crawl,

Everything in these “final instructions” is in addition to the rider briefing – http://www.pmbaenduro.co.uk/graythwaite-epic-ews-qualifier-bnes-2021/

I’ve said before, and I’ll say again this isn’t the event we would ideally like to put on, but it is the event we can put on, with a less social atmosphere. Its also the only event we have approved for the year. I do expect Llangollen and Kirroughtree to get approval eventually; but its important that we follow all the Covid guidelines to prove we can run events under these conditions and maximise the chances of having more events. We miss podiums, results screens and being able to group up but that is just how it is. I know not being allowed a bike wash is not ideal, but please bring a bucket and wash your bike at your car/camp.  Please do not wash bikes at the water taps – you’ll just create a boggy mess.

We are running almost as we did last September, however I have had to tackle the perceived issues from September of grouping on features in practice – and hence have gone all French and asking riders to do full runs only.   With this announcement many many of you have asked for pre-event course previews, so that’s been sorted.

Vinny, the lead builder on stages 1 & 6 will do “good riding” previews of his stages early in the week, his YouTube is https://www.youtube.com/user/Vinwoir

Jerry, our very own “shite on a bike” media guy has put out videos of him struggling down the stages on his YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/jeronius/videos

And I’ve done something somewhere in-between, with some pauses to talk about lines and features here, and below  https://youtu.be/PU928xZRoWs

Please be aware that stage finishes are close to roads, visible to the public, and last year was a problematic grouping area. We don’t need undue attention of the event so please try and move on quickly from a stage finish. Please try and head off and find somewhere on the transition to the next stage for a rest or snack stop. If the finish is experiencing grouping we will need to pause the stage until the area is suitable for more racers to come down, this does not aid smooth running of the event.  Reminder if you bring “extra” people to the event and they try and go near stages its you who gets DQ’d – we had issues last September with spectators crowding the roads at the end of stages as well as racers.

One thing you definitely do not want to do is post videos or pictures that show that you have violated the rules above…..  as much as I love coverage from the event normally if your mate films you and you post that footage that’s not going to be ignored.  Its just that sort of media that got attention from last Septembers event, you have been warned.

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.

Bullet points

1) Bring and carry a mask and sanitizer,  you will need a mask if you want to visit the cafe. No “I’ll just stick my face in my riding top” shenanigans please.

2) Camp 6M apart and spread out use whole parkland, but do not camp/park under trees – risk of falling branches in wind.

3) Don’t forget to carry a face covering and sanitiser at all times (bring with you there is no supply on-site).

4) Verbal sign on + select start wave #2 to #16 – coordinate with people you want to ride with which group to select.  As always we ask that podium hunters take the final group, slower riders take earlier groups. Wave #1 is women only; however women may ride in any group.

5) 2M Social distancing rule in operation at all times.

6) Come with a clean bike – larch disease control.

7) Do not look at the 20km distance and think its an easy lap, its 4-5 hours

8) We are not allowed a bike wash (Covid) – please do not wash bikes at the water taps or leave the taps running to make a mud bath by the taps. Bring a bucket at wash by your camp.

Parkland area layout

If you have been here before you are aware we normally just use the central bit and that includes a big arena and the final stage finish/KS drop run out. This year to maintain maximum distances we are asking you to spread out and use the whole parkland. Please avoid the tree lined edges, where branches may fall and also hold the water more.  We have stretches of plastic roadway at key positions off the central roadway onto the parkland to stop these bits getting muddy, please do not camp in and block these corridors.

If you haven’t been before note the size of the venue parkland compared to Windermere on the right.

Below is a more detailed illustration.  Anyone can park/camp in any area within the parkland, the northern section marked “secondary area” is just further from facilities but these have there own. Its also higher ground so a firmer for larger vehicles that are less likely to need water/showers/loos.

The usual main area I’ve marked as main area just as its lower ground and I fear it getting soft if we have rain. However its near the toilets and water, facilities smaller vehicles tend to need to use. The other areas are also open to use, some specific high-risk trees have taped boundaries,  but please do not park under any tree/branches for your own safety. the very edges of the parkland are soft near the trees also

Catering will be by “sign on”
Bar and Bean
Rawthey Grill
Dudes Dough (Pizza)

Showers will be down near “water”  they wont be available 24hrs as they need manning when running and the generator going but we aim to run them mid afternoon to early evening.

Face coverings & Sanitizer

These are compulsory items for you to bring with you. There are none for sale on site.  We will have sanitizer stations on site, located at key points of the arena facilities including loos, taps, timing & sign on however out on the enduro course  there are none.  However there are no touch points, gates or places where we expect you to need sanitizer, but please carry it in case you feel you should sanitize.  You will need to wear a face covering to collect your timing chip and your lap starts straight after that. You should not need it again till handing your chip back, however if there is a delay on a stage start where you will need to queue for 15min or longer we will ask that you don your face covering. You may choose to don it at other times too, please take personal responsibility for using it where appropriate.

Verbal sign on & wave select

Sign on will be split into 3 separate tents at least 10M apart.  I haven’t worked the exact splits yet (they will be signed)  But for example surnames A-E, F-L & M-Z.  When you Q feel free to keep your bike – its a handy 2M distancer. Face covering required in the queue.

You will see our sign on staff and give them your name, they will look up your number and ask you for a start wave.  select start wave #1 to #16 – coordinate with people you want to ride with which group to select.  As always we ask that podium hunters take the final group, slowest riders take group 1. Your wave will have a 15min window to collect your timing chip, the start time of that 15min window will be written on the back of your number board.  Do not come early (or late) but please come in that 15 min window so we can minimise Q’s and grouping. There are 45 people per wave, 15 from each of the 3 sign on tents/surname ranges.
Environmental help :  Also at sign on you will have a choice of hemp string, or plastic zip ties.  How many choose NOT to take plastic zip ties will indicate to me how quickly you want is to move away from single use plastics at the event.  We have biodegrade tape on Stage 1, Hemp tape (edible by and a tasty treat for the deers) probably on Stage 4.

Please note your issued number board is for the entire year of 2021 PMBA Enduro Events – so keep it for Llangollen/Kirro – again this is about single use plastic reduction

2M Social distancing rule in operation at all times.

I’m not sure this needs more explanation, you have all be doing this for the last 15 months. Bear in mind a bike is a good 2M distancer for Q’s.  Please take extra attention to where the event is visible to the public, stage finishes, road transitions and the cafe stop – and as well as SD-ing please avoid grouping.

Do not look at the distance and think its an easy lap, its 4-5 hours

It is the Epic, your pushing up the big push up for S1/2/7  and have a little push to S3. Your likely to have a cafe stop, it will take 4-5 hours for the 22km, and almost 1000M elevation.  Take enough fluid and food with you, we are unable to provide a water/flapjack station in this covid era

Tyres

With a bit of extra moisture around I’d go for a Vittoria Mazza rear and Mota front  🙂