Gisburn Grassroots weekend 2023 – Rider Briefing

I’m mentioning this first as its very important for the smooth running of the weekend.  We have 3 events and 600 racers in the forest over the weekend, please understand where you can park and when.

Basically the main car park is for that days racers ONLY, no large vehicles. Motorhomes, large vehicles and camping on the event field only – no overnights in the main car park. If you are racing Sunday’s main enduro you are not allowed in the main car park on Saturday.

Parking is £FREE/included this year per day, we have paid the Forestry

Camping including Caravans, Campervans, vans – You may NOT use the main car park. You can only use the event field. There is no additional cost for overnight stays during the event on our field.

Friday
Event field open for camping/overnight stays, no overnights in the main car park.

Saturday 
Main car park: Saturday racers – women and kids events only. No overnights.
Weekend visitors : Event field
Camping & overnights : Event field
Cocklet, stocks and other smaller car parks – available for all visitors including Sunday racers

Sunday
Main car park: Sunday racers – main enduro only.
Weekend visitors : Event field
Camping : Event field
Cocklet, stocks and other smaller car parks – available for all visitors.

FREE Race for the U10’s – 1 stage mashup

Weekend racers have been emailed a pre-entry link, the link will be here for everyone else in early April

You MUST enter in advance, its free, limited to 100 kiddies

https://www.sientries.co.uk/event.php?event_id=11518

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 a track should not be hit at race speed until you are comfortable with your ability on that 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, or email pmbaenduroseries@gmail.com

Round Sponsor is Escape Bike Shop

Single use Plastic reduction – keep your number board for the year

Since 2021 as part of our plastics reduction schedule, and you will be allocated a number & number board for the year, you must bring this to all rounds you are racing or a replacement will cost you a £5.  You will have environmentally sustainable hemp string to attach it to your bike.  Our number board media is recycled and recyclable polyester (plastic bottles)

We also will continue hemp barrier tape, biodegradable plastic tape and tape reduction in our goal to reduce single use plastics.

Results & Series standings
Series standing will be available on this LINK

The results link for the day will be

https://www.sportident.co.uk/results/PMBA/2023/WKRound1/ (Saturday)

https://www.sportident.co.uk/results/PMBA/2023/Round1/ (Sunday)

What to expect?
All 3 events are “mashup” no official practice, all runs are timed, best run on each stage counts.

U10’s Free event
A one stage mashup on “27 berms” a trail that would take a professional just 35 seconds, but could easily be 2 mins for the U10s.
The event is FREE but pre-entry is required.
https://www.sientries.co.uk/event.php?event_id=11518

Womens and Kids event, ages 8+
A 3 stage mashup on trail centre stages only, same stages we used for the popular “Hopetech Women” Enduro’s 2017/8/9. Home baked, Long way down and Hopeline.

PMBA Enduro Round 1, ages 11+
5 stages, the 3 used for the Saturday events plus 2 other stages.
No surprise that the extra stages are:
Hully Gully after we spent a month repairing that at the end of 2022
DH/Enduro Line as that’s been staple of the courses at Gisburn

Stage map – please be aware all events will be signed all weekend, please follow the correct directions

Tyre Choice

We of course suggest the awesome Vittoria tyres,

With plenty of fast trail centre sections we advise a Martello front and rear. Ask at your local bike shop for these tyres.

Every year we have a raffle, every entry into every round is a raffle ticket, there are just 2 prizes to be won but they are HUGE!

• A £3000 bike voucher from Orange bikes.
• A Weeks holiday for 2 in Slovenia with Ride Slovenia!

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.

Escape Bike Shop – Technical Support, Spares & Repairs.
Vittoria Tyres – Tyre Technical support and display

Hope Technology – Hope Women, Hope Academy  & Tech support
Gisburn Forest Cafe – Hot food and drink
Sport Ident – Timing and results screens
PMBA Enduro Merchandise

Official Photography

JWDT will be there snapping away for the Official race report and free photo album, but they also very much appreciate the support from Rootsandrain.com purchases. It’s what makes it possible for that team to show up and snap away!! They’ll be doing full res pics from £6.50 and full album sets of individual riders for £15.50 (best value by a mile) sets can be anything from 5 photos to 20+ photos, please try and support us 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 Jerry .

Jerry Tatton is  JWDT Photography

Thursday & Friday.

Setup days – some parts of stages are not open to the public outside events, if you’re in the forest please be aware that our course marking team may be marking out; so please slow down for their safety.  Camping opens Friday noon.

Saturday.

Main car park: Saturday racers – women and kids events only. No overnights.
Weekend visitors : Event field
Camping & overnights : Event field
Cocklet, stocks and other smaller car parks – available for all visitors including Sunday racers

08.30 : Marshal Brief
09.00 : Sign on opens (Womens and kids, 3 stage enduro)
09:30 : Stages Open
14:30 : Sign on opens (U10’s free kids 1 stage enduro)
15:00 : Stage opens (U10s)
16:00 : Stages close (Womens and kids, 3 stage enduro)
17:00 : Stage closes (U10’s free kids 1 stage enduro)
17:30 : Saturday podiums

Sunday.

Please park sensibly to allow maximum capacity, listen to and pay our marshal the £3 fee;  100% of which goes to the Forestry. If you are there early please use the ticket machine

08:30 : marshal brief

09:00 : Sign On opens

09:30 : Stages Open

16:30 : Stages Close

1715 : Sunday Podiums

1730 done and dusted

Sponsors are: Escape Bike Shop, Hope Technology,  Orange Mountain Bikes, Vittoria Tyres, Sixth Element, Kirkby Lonsdale Brewery, Mudhugger, Saxx Underwear & Ride Slovenia.

The Venue: Gisburn Forest Hub, Stephen Park, Slaidburn, BB7 4TS.
Organisation:  SMK for PMBA Enduro

Race Director: Kev Duckworth email: pmbaenduroseries@gmail.com mobile: 07979 911337
Chief Marshals: Stuart Taylor & 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.

Timing
As per all PMBA Enduro events, we will be using the awesome SI Air+ contactless timing system, also the preferred system of most of the top UK Enduro events and 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 £3 per day, 100% of which goes to the Forestry **Now included for 2023**

Camping including Caravans, Campervans, vans – You may NOT use the main car park. You can only use the event field. Please pay for parking as normal there is no additional cost for overnight stays during the event on our field.

Follow the instructions given by the parking marshals during the weekend.

Red Flags & Whistles: During practice Red flags will be in use –  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. Only red flags will be used in mashup format enduro’s – 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

Caution: 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 an 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 generally available for ages 11+, this special grassroots weekend is more inclusive. However for all events 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 (main enduro):
Men : U15, U18, U21, Senior, Master/30+, Vet/40+, Grand Vet/50+
Women : U16, U21, Senior , Master/35+
Unisex : Hardtail (additional category)

Ages are taken as age on 31st December 2023.  Please note that U21 (for example) is not 21 and under, you must be 20 on 31st December 2023

Go Pro’s / Action Cameras – We allow a factory fitted helmet mount or a 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. Nothing must be attached under your peak, even a camera mounting frame. We had a specific repeat issue last year with “insta go” camera frames being left underneath peaks (no camera) this is not acceptable – please remove the frame too for a clean underside of your peak.

Please remember this is 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.

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 areas. 

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’s Karen & Stu) 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. We may need to use fire roads to park, please follow marshal instructions and take extra care on unsurfaced roads.

Toilets  : Permanent 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 race morning. You will be 100% responsible for assuring 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 to do 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, but if you are confused please just ask.

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 maybe 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