Hopetech Women Enduro 2019 – Rider Briefing

Here is the rider and spectator information, we are aware there is a lot of information but please read it thoroughly, and know 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, stages 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 but will always take more – please get it touch.

Entry’s & Results
Entry list is HERE
The results link for the Hopetech Women Enduro will be HERE

What to expect?
We have repeated the well received course from the last two years. You will basically do a lap of Gisburns “the 8” red XC loop, and get timed on the 3 best descents.

3 Stages

The map below is correct, as it stands, we may need to change it but it seems we have sorted this short cut in time for the event.

Stage 1 – HOME BAKED

The first volunteer trail built in Gisburn Forest almost a decade ago. Great fun, my personal favourite section in Gisburn Forest.

Stage 2 – LONG WAY DOWN
Starting at the high point of the lap, we join the upper “Whelpstone” descent with the newest section of Gisburn Forest “Long way down” to time the longest descent available. The Hopetech Women enduro 2017 was also the opening of this trail so its 2 years old for the event.

Stage 3 – HOPE LINE
Finishing on the Hope line, well we did have too really, and its so much fun  🙂

Catering
The onsite cafe will be open all weekend.

Race Arena and Technical support.

We are fortunate to have great support for you at the event, just look at this list of exhibitors!

Hope Technology – demo bikes available for both Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th (for use during the race). Bikes must be reserved by emailing demo@hopetech.com
Hope will also have women’s specific merchandise for sale

Ride Concepts – one of the latest shoe brands on the market will be displaying their beautiful range

Juliana Bicycles – the original women’s mountain bike brand will be in attendance with demo bikes for both Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th. Again bikes should be reserved by emailing demo@hopetech.com

Fizik – our friends at Fizik will be showcasing some of their high quality women’s specific saddles

Flow MTB – will have a range of women’s apparel for sale

Pace Cycles – the family run business will have their range of bikes on display all weekend. They might also have some cute mascots on their stand – keep a look out.

Ergon – will be showcasing their quality products

Whyte – will have a range of their top quality mountain bikes on display

Cotic – will have a range of demo bikes available all weekend in a range of sizes. If you’d like to demo a Cotic head over to the Cotic stand to speak to Hannah who will help discuss which demo bike is right for you

Troy Lee Designs – TLD have long made lovely women’s riding apparel. They will be bringing their range along to the event to showcase

F-Riders Inc- will have a range of women’s apparel for sale

Crank Brothers – will be displaying their range of popular pedals

100% – 100% make some of the best winter gloves on the market. You’ll be able to check out their range at the event

Sweet Protection – will have their high quality women’s garments on show

Trail Maps – because everyone loves maps!

Other brands TBC!!!

Parking, camping and race arena

Please, if your arriving Saturday and vanning over park close together, we’ll be needing every inch of parking space.  Camping is in the field past the cafe, and will be signposted; we’ll allow cars in if the ground is hard, otherwise park on the fire road and take tents into the field. Vans can use the main car park.

Official Photography

Hope have a number of media guys there for video and still photo’s and photo’s will be published on the Hopetech Women Facebook page.

DialledinUK will be there snapping away for the PMBA Enduro race report and free photo album, but they also very much appreciate the support from Rootsandrain purchases. It’s what makes it possible for that team to show up and snap away!! They’ll be doing pics from £5 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

Thursday & Friday

Setup days – Gisburn Forest is open as normal, if you are here early please be aware of our course marking team on stages and slow down for their safety.

Saturday.
Race arena opens, camping available.

Group coaching sessions with Tracy Moseley, Cheri Mills, Helen Gaskell and Katy Curd. Groups are split into: beginner, intermediate and advanced. Each coach will be taking a morning and afternoon session and will focus on one or two of the Hopetech Women Enduro race stages.
Places are extremely limited and some sessions have already sold out. To reserve your place see the following link:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/hope-technology-20152692228

• Guided stage rides – for those who are racing and would like to recce the route with some other women, or for those who would like women to race with or for those who simply aren’t racing but want to see what it is all about, these rides are for you. HTW ambassador Julia Hobson and Rachael Walker will be taking guided rides around two of the race stages. These rides are not coaching sessions, however, the guides will be happy to stop to look and discuss at sections. To sign up for a stage ride please see the following link:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/hopetech-women-13191921540

Sunday.

07:46 Sunrise

08.15 marshal brief

08.30 Sign On opens (timing chip collection)

09.00 Set out for practice

09.15 Stages open for practice

11.30 Sign on Closes

11.40 Race laps start

13.00 first racers back

14.00 Final racers leave (Elite group)

16.30 All riders finished

17.00 Podiums

18.02 Sunset

The Venue:
The Venue: Gisburn Forest Hub – BB7 4TS

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
Remote Medical Services will be providing cover over the event. Full Medical Cover will be provided. Multiple Vehicles will be on hand if needed

Nearest A&E Hospital:
Royal Blackburn Hospital
Address: Haslingden Rd, Blackburn BB2 3HH
Blackburn T. 01254 263555

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 £3 for per day .

Camping for Caravans, Campervans & Tents – Available, no additional charge over parking charges

Follow the instructions given by the parking marshals during the weekend, its very important we all park well to fit everyone in the available parking space.

Race lap: The exact start times will be confirmed/selected on the weekend. Competitors will set off in group every 5 mins.

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.

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. A reminder that all racers are roving marshals, if you see a rider needing attention you must shout to the next marshal and check with the finish marshal that your message was heard.

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:

Women : U16, U21, Senior, Master/35+ , Grand Master/45+ & Elite
Ages are taken as age on 31st December 2019.

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. 

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.

Toilets   : 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 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 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 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