MONT 24 hr Mountain Bike Race Rules and Tips

There are no formal official National rules regulating 24 hour mountain bike racing, generally the rules for most 24-hour events have evolved over time, as the race format grows. Commonsense should apply at all times.  Rules may differ from event to event, and what may apply in one event may not apply in another. Please understand this and read the rules for each race. The current rules for the 2010 Mont 24 Hour MTB Race are here:

MTBA

The 2010 Mont 24 Hour MTB Race is run under the auspices and general guidelines of MTBA including the permission of ASDA to attend the event.

The Course

Race Course. The course is a 18km single loop course consisting of singletrack and fire road. It will be marked by the use of a mixture of arrows, bunting, and crowd control barriers.  There will be sections throughout the course where there is no markings however there will also be no decision points either - just keep riding. At each decision point (which way now!) the course will be marked. At the end of each lap the course passes through the Timing Tent and Transition Zone.

Course General. The course is held within the confines of the Sparrow Hill MTB Trails network. The full boundary of the forest is fenced off. At no stage should you need to lift your bike across a fence.

Checkpoints. There will be at least one checkpoint out on the course. It will be manned for the full 24hours and race numbers will be checked. Please say hi to the checkpoint team. Additional spot check points may be conducted at random locations. The Checkpoint has radio contact with the Race HQ.

One Way. Once on the course all riders must ride only in the correct direction on the course. In the event of a breakdown or injury a teammate can be sent out to meet you and continue the race from the checkpoints.

Course Modifications. The Race Director and Trail Crew may need to alter the course at any time throughout the race. This will be done only in extreme circumstances that could include diversions due to excessive rainfall, mudslides, fallen trees, wild animals (like drop bears and pole cats), track damage or any other form of development necessitating a course change. The course modification will be made so as to limit any disadvantage to any individual team.

Emergency Vehicles. If an injured rider has to be evacuated, then an emergency vehicle may have to move through the Forest to conduct the evacuation. The Emergency Vehicle will have hazard lights and headlights on at all times. Riders should slow down to let the vehicle pass if required.  

Rider and Bike

Helmets. All riders must wear an Australian Standards approved cycling helmet whilst riding a bike at the MONT 24hr race or a helmet of acceptable international standard as published on the MTBA website from time to time. Fully enclosed skate helmets are not allowed.

Race Numbers (FRONT). Each rider is given an individual race number featuring their team name and their name printed on it. This must be fitted to the handlebar area of the bike in order for your lap to be timed and counted you must ensure that your race number is legible (zip ties are provided). Do not deface, or trim the race plate smaller or wrap it around your cables in such a way that it is not legible. If timing cannot read your number, your time may not be recorded and your lap time will not count. Your race number is yours to keep after the event; it will make a great souvenir over the bar.

Race Numbers (REAR). Each rider is given a race number plate for the rear of the bike. This must be fitted to the seat rails (zip ties are provided) or fitted low on the rider's back and must be visible from behind at all times. Rear number plates are used to encourage a high standard of rider etiquette with particular regard to passing maneouvers (see below).

Fit to Ride.  If in the opinion of a Transition Marshal or the Race Director, it appears that a rider is not fit to ride, that rider will be directed to be reviewed by the First Aid crew before being allowed to commence a lap.  Fit to ride means that you are capable of completing a lap without endangering yourself or other competitors. The decision to be allowed to continue to race rests with the advice received from the first aid crew and will be applied absolutely. Teams can swap the rider for a fitter rider, so that the team doesn't lose time. We actively encourage teams to undertake this review pre-transition, as part of normal team management and for team captains to ensure that their riders are fit to ride. 

Registered Riders Only. Only registered riders and those given approval from the Race Director (eg: first aid, media and course sweeps) are allowed onto the course. Spectators are permitted in the Forest but are asked not impede the riders in any way.

Licence. All riders must have an MTBA licence/ receipt or have purchased a 'Day licence' before riding on the course. Only nominated team members can race. No new members can compete after the race has commenced.

Outside assistance. No outside assistance is allowed whilst on the course. This means you can only accept help from non-competitors back in transition. Of course, fellow riders can help you out on the course and we encourage them to do so.

Types of Bikes. Serviceable and rideable Mountain Bikes with 26', 29' and even those new fangled 650b wheels are allowed. Both front and rear brakes must be in good working order. Whether the bike is geared or singlespeed is entirely up to you (or the race category you have entered). Dragsters are also allowed on the course but must be rideable with both brakes functioning (but be ready to be labelled a loony). You may change bikes as many times as you like at transition. Other bikes may be allowed at the discretion of the Race Director. Tandems are not permitted on the course.

Lights. All competitors must use adequate front lighting on their bike or person after the designated time for night laps. For safety reasons and also for enjoyment of night riding it is advised to use a good quality bike light so you can see where you are going. All competitors must have a red rear light affixed to their bike or person after the designated time during night laps. Additionally, an emergency front light is also required should your main light fail (a head torch, flashlight, etc will suffice). The Transition zone staff will not let you enter the course unless you have the lights on your bike or person after the designated time. The designated time will be announced by the Race Director but will be somewhere around 5:30pm for lights on and 6:00 am for lights off.

Equipment. Riders are to ensure that they carry an adequate supply of water or other appropriate fluids, a full water bottle or equivalent in a hydration bladder when leaving transition. It is recommended that riders also carry puncture repair equipment at all times and lights when applicable.

Rubbish. If you carried or rode it in, then carry or ride it out.  Don't trash the track, there will be Gu Bins out on the course so if you need to dispose of rubbish, ruined tubes, broken chains etc then please use the bins or bring it back to transition. Leave nothing except footprints and tyre tracks.

Rider Etiquette. 24 hour racing is known and valued for good sportsmanship. Let's keep that tradition alive for the Mont 24 this year. We want everyone to have a positive experience during this event, and good attitudes while out on the track will go a long way to make it a great event for all. (Note: Poor sportsmanship may result in time penalties or rider disqualification and is at the sole discretion of the Race Director).

Overtaking. Riding on a course with many others means that you will be passed or will be overtaking a lot. This must be done safely and it is hoped with a positive attitude and good communication. A simple call of 'Track' by the overtaking rider alerts the slower rider that you are there and want to overtake. The slower rider should then pick a spot where they can safely overtake. The slower rider could use terms like 'Now' meaning that he/she is ready for you to overtake and the slower rider or may even call out 'My Left' or 'My Right'. You then quickly accelerate past the rider on the side indicated. You can also call out 'On your left' or 'On your right' to indicate which side you are passing on. It sounds complicated, but essentially it takes just seconds to complete. As the overtaking rider, don't expect miracles as riders of varying abilities compete in 24 hours events and the rider in front will choose when it is safe for them to pull over and let you by. Slower riders should not deliberately impede faster riders however. The rider being overtaken has right-of-way until the overtaking rider is past and clear by a bike length. Yelling 'track' from 25m away is not productive either, you must be close to the rider you wish to pass, not just trying to clear the road ahead. At all times, riders walking their bike must step off course to give way to a rider who is riding.

Transition.

Baton. Each team is given a baton which must be carried by riders whilst out on course. The baton is handed to the next rider going out at the Transition Zone by the rider who just came in.

The Transition Zone (TZ) is the area where you swap riders and hand over the baton. It is generally confusing and noisy, however, don't stress out in the TZ, after clearing the timing chute, move through and call out your team mates name or team name, more than likely your team mate is waiting for you and making their way into the TZ to do the changeover. If your rider cannot be located, attract the attention of the 'man with the microphone' who will call out your team name and usually the riders name as well. When you hear your name a loud shout of 'The MONT ROCKS' would be appreciated. Spectators are not permitted in the TZ.

As you come through the TZ, here are a  few simple rules to make life easier for everyone
1. WALK, WALK  WALK (there is no riding in the TZ)
2. Don't crowd the Timing Chute, hang back a bit as your chance will come.
3. Move forward about 10 metres past the end of the timing chute before calling out for your rider

Helpful hints for a smooth transition

- Don't expect a Grand Prix changeover (it ain't gonna happen)
- Have your Baton (small card on a Lanyard) ready for handover
- Help your team mate with the transition
- After you have completed the transition, VERY promptly clear the area and move outside the TZ to catch your breath, have a chat or warm down

Single File in Finish Chute. at the end of each lap you must pass through the finish line single file to aid in your lap being counted and timed. (At night, cover your headlight so as not to blind the timing team!)

Timing/results. The team with the most laps win. For teams on the same number of laps, the team with the fastest time wins. The race starts when the timing clock starts and finishes 24:00 hours later. At 24:00 the track will be closed and no more riders can enter the course. Riders already on the course can finish and their laps do count.

Results. Results will be posted on the hour in the registration tent.
Final Results will be available as soon as the last rider clears the course, and presentations begin, unless there is a protest. All results will be posted on the MONT24 website as soon as practicable after the race.

Finishers. All teams that complete at least one lap will be registered as a finishing team. You can finish the event at anytime however you maximize your potential for a category place by riding for the whole 24 hours (and achieve hero status to boot). Riders and teams can take a break at anytime throughout the event and your lap time is measured from when your previous team rider finishes a lap until you complete the next lap.

Licence. All riders must have an MTBA licence/ receipt or have purchased a 'Day licence' before riding on the course.

Accidents. If a rider comes across an accident they must stop to see if the fallen rider is ok and wait for the next rider to come along so that a message can be passed to the next checkpoint. Please pass on the information of the kms mark from the start and the injured rider's number. If the injury appears serious call '000' immediately.

Amendments. These rules may be amended until the start of the race. A full copy of the race rules will be held by the Race Director at the Timing Tent.

Protest. Protest will be heard in accordance with MTBA general guidelines. A copy of which is held by the Race Director at the Timing Tent. Any and all protests must be lodged with the race director within 15 mins of the race end.

Race Directors Decision. After giving due consideration to all parties, the Race Directors decision is final.