Race Rules & Indemnities
SUBSTITUTIONS BY RIDER
Substitutions are allowed up until 31st July . Admin fee of R120 is applicable. Contact katie@gogravelmidlands.co.za
GoGravel will not carry over any entry to the following year or any of our other races.
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ENTRY CANCELLATION
Cancellation before 31 May incurs a 20% admin fee.
Thereafter any cancellation will pay a 50% fee. No cancellations 4 weeks prior to the race.
GoGravel will not carry over any entry to the following year or any of our other races.
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DOWNGRADING FROM 100KM
Should you wish to downgrade from the 100km to the 50km:
25% admin fee will be incurred before End June
No refund for any changes made after this date.
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In case of cancellation of the race due to force majeure, or any other event outside of the control of the organisers, or anything resulting from covid restrictions/protocols on our event, where the organisers are forced to cancel the event , no refunds will be payable for cancellations. We will however transfer race entry fees to 2025. Riders will have no claim whatsoever including but not limited to a refund against the organisers or any of their sponsors. This will include entry fees and or flights and other expenses.
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GENERAL
Normal CSA race rules apply, please ensure you are have read them
No one 19 or younger may ride the 100km event. (CSA ruling)
No one younger than 15 may ride the 50km route.
A rider not wearing a helmet at any stage of the race will be disqualified immediately. All helmets must comply with international “ANSI” standards. Appropriate running/riding attire, including a shirt, must be worn at all times. Eye protection is strongly recommended. It is recommended that fully enclosed footwear be worn. It is recommended that sun-block with a minimum SPF factor of 30 is used during the race. No earphones allowed.
RIDERS & BIKES
Mountain bikes must be in good working order to be allowed to start the race. Only one bike per rider is allowed. Bike Marking: Bikes must be marked with official race Timing number board. It is the rider’s responsibility to ensure that his/her bike is appropriately marked. Bikes must be race-ready at the start of the race. Race ready means the following: The bike is correctly marked No modification to the number board. The number board is visible from the front. Maintenance of bicycles during the race is the responsibility of each rider. In all cases of maintenance and repair, riders are required to complete the full distance of the stage with their bikes and within the time allowed. Minimum age of participation for the 100km event is 19 years. Riders must be in good health and well trained. Any riders on specific personal medications are responsible for supplying and carrying such medication.
GRAVEL / E-BIKES
Gravel and E-Bikes are allowed to partake in the race. E bikes will be in a separate category and will start 5-10 minutes after the main race. Both gravel & e-bikes will be covered by CSA should they crash/have an accident during the duration of the race in any format.
FIRE- we are in the height of fire season. Please do not smoke out on the route. GoGravel cannot be responsible for fires caused in the neighbouring farms.
MEDICAL
During the race, the Medical Officer reserves the right to withdraw a competitor who is not deemed physically capable of continuing the challenge. Any medical expenses incurred will be from the competitor’s account and will be claimed from his/her medical aid. All competitors need comprehensive medical aid which will cover any medical expense that may be incurred whilst participating in the GoGravel, which is conducted in the spirit of self-contained, self-reliant backcountry riding/running. It is strongly advised that each rider has MySoS on his/her phone.
RACE TIMES
Timing will start with the start gun at the announced time. The start line will remain open for 10 minutes after the start gun. Competitors who start later will not be credited with a late start. Any competitor who cannot make the start deadline must report to the organisers. The finish cut-off time will not be adjusted for competitor’s who are permitted a late start.
FINISH
The finish line closes at 3:30pm. Individuals which are deemed by the Race Organisers to arrive at the finish line after the cut-off time will be swept off the route by the sweep vehicle. These riders may continue the race, but will not qualify as race finishers.
SPECTATORS
No spectators are allowed on the route. Rider will be D'Q if their supporters are found on the route.
HYDRATION
Competitors retain the ultimate responsibility to carry enough water with them and to ensure they are hydrated along the route
SUPPORT
Competitors may receive assistance from a fellow competitor along the route. Bike repairs may be performed on the route but without obstructing other riders. Watering and limited food will be supplied by the Race Organisation along the route.
WITHDRAWALS DURING RACE
Individuals that cannot continue the race, for whatever reason, must immediately inform the Race Office. This can be done at the Finish, or by calling 061 433 5786. In the event of a search and rescue operation being initiated for a rider which has withdrawn, but has not informed the Race Office, the cost of the search and rescue operation will be transferred to the competitor.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
Individuals may be disqualified at the discretion of Chief Commissaries / Race Office for any one or more of the following reasons including, but not limited to: Riding at any point on any stage without a helmet. Breaking of the GoGravel Race Rules as described above, Bad Sportsmanship, Any littering. Abuse of Race Officials and Landowners, use of earphones.Breaking CSA rules.
BASIC TRAIL RULES AND ETIQUETTE
Competitors must complete the entire distance of the race, and the responsibility for following the official route lies with the rider. A competitor is not permitted to take any shortcuts, or take other advantage of a similar nature against opponents. Competitors must act in a polite manner at all times, and permit any faster runner/rider to overtake without obstructing. Competitors must respect the countryside and follow the official route. Competitors must avoid polluting the area, and not leave any waste or litter. No glass containers of any kind are permitted on or near the course. Competitors must not use offensive or abusive language during the race, act in an unsporting manner, be disrespectful to the officials, landowners or ignore the race regulations. No littering or unnecessary damage to the environment will be tolerated. Litter, relating to sports nutrition or water bottles will be tolerated within the direct area of the water stations. Competitors need to obey normal road rules at all times - stay left, slow down at corners etc.
SWEEP
A sweep will follow the back of the race at all times. Each competitor needs to ensure their bike is properly secured onto the trailer. GoGravel will provide ropes etc but it is up to you to ensure it is secure to avoid bike damage. We will hold NO responsibility to any bikes being damaged.
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HEALTH & SAFETY
GENERAL
It is important that competitors look out for one another and stay within the trail route at all times. Should he/she be in trouble, you should contact the necessary backup before leaving the individual.
MEDICAL EVACUATION
Evacuation plans will be in place to evacuate competitors from remote areas should this be necessary.
WATER IN DAMS AND RIVERS
It is strongly recommended that one does not drink the water from any of the dams or rivers which you will be crossing. Clean drinking water will be provided at the water tables along the route.
RESPECT TO THE COMMUNITY
All competitors need to respect the fact that without the support of the landowners and local community, this event would not be possible. Please show your appreciation for this whenever possible.
CANCELLATION BY THE ORGANISER, DUE TO FORCE MAJEURE AND SEVERE WEATHER
If GoGravel is forced to cancel the event due to severe weather conditions or fires that puts riders’ safety at risk, the riders will not have any claim against the organisers or any of their sponsors of whatsoever nature in these circumstances.
GoGravel reserves the right to change the route for inter alia, safety and security reasons without notice.
If GoGravel is cancelled in total as a last resort due to events beyond our control (force majeure) – relating to, inter alia, political turmoil, natural disasters, strikes, protest action or any other major disturbance beyond our control, riders will have no claim whatsoever including but not limited to a refund against the organisers or any of their sponsors. This will include entry fees and or flights and other expenses.
GoGravel will do everything in our power to reroute and to run the event in a safe and secure manner should any event of force majeure arise.
RIGHTS RESERVED
GoGravel Midlands reserves it's rights to change the event rules and regulations at their discretion and without notice.
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