Sabie Experience 2011 » Race Rules (as at August 2011)

The rules and regulations pertaining to the Sabie Experience 2011 may change slightly in the weeks leading up to the race. The final version will be communicated at the race briefing on 14 December 2011.

Mountain Bike racing is by nature self-reliant and often held in remote areas. All Sabie Experience competitors must participate with an understanding and acceptance of this ethos.

1.	Riders
	1.1	All riders must be at least 19 years or older on 31 December 2011.
	1.2	Riders taking part in the shorter Sabie Experience Lite must be a minimum of 15 years old on 31 December 2011.
	1.3	All riders must be healthy, and in a very fit state of training.
	1.4	All riders must have good technical bike skills for off-road conditions.
	1.5	All riders must be in possession of a minimum of a Cycling SA Cyclosport license to take part in the event. (Day licences are not permitted for stage races from 2011 onwards)
2.	Categories
Teams will be allocated to one of the following categories:
	2.1	Sabie Lities (Rider who are 13 or 14 on the 31st December 2011 may enter and ride the first two stages of the Sabie Lite) hey may enter as individuals or teams of two. This category is only open to this age group. Each rider will receive a finishing time and a finishers medal.
	2.2	Open Men (Two males of any age 19 years or older as at 31 December 2011)
	2.3	Mixed (one male/one female of any age 19 years or older as at 31 December 2011)
	2.4	Open Women (two female riders of any age 19 years or older as at 31 December 2011)
	2.5	Sub Veteran (Team members of either gender to be between 30 and 39 years of age as at 31 December 2011)
	2.6	Veteran (Team members of either gender to be between 40 and 49 years of age as at 31 December 2011)
	2.7	Masters (Team members of either gender to be 50 years or older as at 31 December 2011)
	2.8	Where team members fall into different age categories, the team shall race in the category of the younger team member.
	2.9	All categories must have a minimum of ten teams entered to constitute a category. Where less than ten teams are entered in a category, the organisers reserve the right to combine categories
	2.10	The Lite Race will be a separate event with a maximum of 250 teams and will receive a timed result but there are no prizes.
	2.11	Rules applicable to the allocation of category and other prizes for the race:
		2.11.1	1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes for overall category winners after four days.
		2.11.2	Daily stage 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams in each category will receive medals
3.	Medical Condition
	3.1	Participants may only start any stage of this race if they are in good physical and medical condition.
	3.2	During the Sabie Experience the Senior Medical Officer reserves the right to withdraw any participant who he may deem physically or psychologically incapable of continuing with the race.
4.	Registration
	4.1	Registration for the Main race and the Lite will take place at the York Timbers Sports Grounds on Wednesday 14th December 2011 from 11h00 until 17h45
	4.2	Both partners must preferably report at the same time for registration of their team. It is NOT required that bikes be brought to registration.
	4.3	No late registrations will be accepted, unless arranged with the Race Office.
5.	Race Briefings
	5.1	A full initial race briefing will take place at the Bambanani Sports Centre, York Timbers Sports Grounds at 18h00 on Wednesday, 14th December 2011.
	5.2	All other daily Stage briefings will take place at 17h00 at the Bambanani Sports Centre, York Timbers Sports Grounds. Riders are expected to attend these as important information related to possible changes to the following day's stage and particular hazards could be announced. Riders who do not attend the race briefings and are not aware of changes made will not be accommodated if they miss their start time, or any similar issue related to their not attending the race briefing.
6.	Prize Giving and Award Ceremonies
	6.1	An award ceremony for each stage will also be held each evening at 17h00 at the York Timbers Sports Grounds, to present the riders with awards and overall leader jerseys for each stage.
	6.2	All riders receiving an award are required to attend. Absence may result in a time penalty.
	6.3	The Final Award Ceremony will take place at approximately 14h00 on Sunday, 18 December after the final stage at the York Timbers Sports Grounds.
7.	Bicycles
	7.1	Only mountain bikes in good, safe working order, at the discretion of the Chief Commissaire, will be allowed to start the stage each day. Unprotected sharp bar ends, in-operative brakes, etc will not be permitted.
	7.2	Maintenance of the bicycles used in the race is the responsibility of each participant and the Chief Commissaire reserves the right to insist that a participant repair or attend to a bicycle should the Commissaire be of the opinion that it is unsafe or dangerous.
	7.3	The participants must start and finish the event with the same bike.
	7.4	Riders may not change their bike or frame of their bicycle during the race without the permission of the Chief Commissaire. Change of a frame will only be allowed in the case of a warranty breakage.
	7.5	Rims, spokes, tubes, tyres, wheels, gears, hangers, sprockets, cables, brakes, forks and shocks may be replaced.
	7.6	Limited bike maintenance and spares will be provided by various local bike shops on registration day and after each of the stages.
	7.7	No outside assistance for bicycle repairs will be allowed during the stages. Participants may only accept assistance from their Partner or another competitor in the same race.
	7.8	Riders are expected to complete the full distance of each stage within the time allowed. Repairs to bicycles during the stage must be carried out within this time limit.
8.	The Team
	8.1	Each team consists of two riders.
	8.2	The team will start, ride and finish each stage and the prologue together, with a maximum of 2 minutes interval between the riders at any point.
	8.3	The team members may assist one another with bike repairs and maintenance, and with first aid
	8.4	No towing between riders by means of any mechanical or physical devices is allowed
	8.5	If one team member is, for any reason, unable to complete a stage or the race, the remaining team member will be permitted to join up with another rider or team to complete the race. He/she will be allocated a race time, but will be classified as an "Individual Finisher" of The Sabie Experience on condition that all other qualifying criteria are met.
	8.6	Where a team of 2 riders breaks up for whatever reason, the TEAM will not qualify as a finisher of the Sabie Experience [please also refer to the "Rider and Team Status Protocol" below]
9.	Helmets and Riding Attire
	9.1	Only recognized hardshell cycling helmets complying with recognized standards will be acceptable. The Chief Commissaire will rule on the permitted use of any questionable helmets.
	9.2	Any riders not wearing their helmets, with the retention strap properly fastened, at any time during the race will be disqualified.
	9.3	Generally accepted cycling clothing, including a shirt, must be worn at all times during the race.
	9.4	Proper, fully enclosed cycling shoes, or at least running shoes must be worn.
	9.5	It is strongly recommended that protective eyewear be worn.
10.	Compulsory Equipment
	Although paramedic and medical services will be provided during the race and for a period after the completion of each stage, the self-reliant and remote nature of a mountain bike race requires that each team carries the following items to be prepared to deal with emergencies they may experience:
	10.1	A multi-tool per team to effect repairs to bikes.
	10.2	At least 1 spare tube per rider.
	10.3	At least one good pump and a puncture repair kit per team.
	10.4	At least 1.5 liters of hydration liquid per rider at the beginning of each stage. (2 x water bottles).
	10.5	At least one cell phone per team. It is recommended that each team carries simcards for both Vodacom and MTN service providers as reception is not covered fully in the mountain around Sabie. (Please keep your phone off to conserve battery life, and only use it in an emergency).
	Optional Recommended Equipment
	10.6	Windbreaker or preferably a lightweight rain jacket.
	10.7	Sterile First Aid dressings.
	10.8	Adhesive plasters.
	10.9	Sun block with a minimum factor of 15.
	10.10	Foil survival blanket.
	10.11	Lip Balm
	10.12	Whistle
11.	The Race and Stages
	The race will consist of a team prologue stage on day one and three marathon stages on days 2 to 4. All four days will count toward the overall race results. The Lite Race will be of a similar format with the same team prologue in day one and three shorter stages on days 2 to 4.
	11.1	ALL STAGES for the main eventwill start and finish in the grounds of the York Timbers Sports Grounds initially over arterial tar roads, then forest roads, jeep track and single track, including some extended climbs, downhills and undulating terrain, ranging in distance from 55 to 76km. Surfaces range from good to rocky, rutted and slippery, especially if wet climatic conditions are encountered.
	11.2	At least three feed stations (water, energy drinks, and fruit at the second point) will be provided at appropriate points.
	11.3	The prologue stage will start and finish at the same venue, with teams starting at 30 second intervals. Teams will be allocated start times by the race organizers. The route will follow short steep climbs, single tracks, and fast downhills on rocky, loose and slippery surfaces. The distance will be approximately 32km. No feed station will be provided on the prologue. The total race distance will be between 220 and 240km. The Lite event distance will be confirmed but there will be one water point on stages 2 � 4.
	11.4	Riders must complete the full distances of all 4 stages of the race as a team to be "Sabie Experience Official Finishers" and record an official result.
	11.5	The cut-off time for stages 2 to 4 will be 8 hours [unless advised otherwise by the Chief Commissaire and the prologue cut-off will be 3 hours. Cut off times for Lite event will be 5 hours.
12.	The Start
	12.1	The start chute willl open at 06h15 for stages 2 to 4, and the stage starts at 07h00.
	12.2	Teams will be allocated to start zones A to H according to their accumulated overall team time for all stages, with the fastest teams in A through to the slowest teams in H. Approximately 50 teams will be allocated to each zone.
	12.3	From stage 2, the riders wearing the leader's jerseys will have the option to start in front of Zone A, if present at the start as from 06h30.
	12.4	The start zones close 10 minutes before the start.
	12.5	Any riders not in their start zones 10 minutes before the start will be required to start in the last start zone at the back. It is also the teams' responsibility to ensure that they are at the start on time even if the start is delayed for whatever reason.
	12.6	The start will remain open for 15 minutes after the start for any late starters. Late starters must advise the Chief Commissaire of the late start so that official sweep and other vehicles can be advised accordingly.
	12.7	The prologue will start from 07h00 (first team to leave) until approx.10h30 (last team to leave), depending on the number of teams. A start list will be provided at Registration. Teams are to report to the start officials 20 minutes before their allocated start time. Late teams will be allowed to start, but may not move past riders already loaded into the start channel, and their starting time will still be recorded as their allocated time.
	12.8	The Lite Race will start at 7:30 on stages 2 � 4. Start times for the Prologue are still to be determined.
13.	Individual and Team Times
	13.1	Only team times and official individual entries will be regarded as official results, and be published as such. Individual times will however be recorded for riders who have lost a team mate during the event.
	13.2	The team time will be determined by the time at which the last team rider crosses the stage finish line.
	13.3	Timing will start with the start siren or gun at 07h00 each morning on Stages 2 to 4, and with the allocated start time for the prologue on stage 1.
	13.4	Lite will be timed as a separate event.
	13.5	Riders who start later than 15 minutes after the designated start time will not be included in the stage results and will be responsible to follow the route on their own and to catch up with the sweep vehicle.
	13.6	Any rider/team not able to make the start deadline must report to the Chief Commissaire before 07h15 for permission to make a late start.
	13.7	The cut-off time will not be adjusted for any rider permitted to make a late start.
	13.8	The finish line closes at 15h00 for stages 2, 3 and 4 and 12h30 for stage 1 (prologue).
14.	Seperation Time Penalties (STP's)
	14.1	Riders must ride with their partners at all times.
	14.2	Team rider separation will be measured at the finish of each stage, but may also be measured at checkpoints anywhere in Stages 2 to 4. If necessary, an STP marshal may instruct the riders to stop at an appropriate checkpoint for a few seconds to scan their number. Riders not complying with his instruction to stop will receive an appropriate STP penalty, as determined by the Chief Commissaire.
	14.3	More than one STP may be enforced on each of stages 2 to 4.
	14.4	Riders who are separated by more than 2 minutes from their partner at any point on any of the stages will receive a Separation Time Penalty (STP) of 30 minutes for a first infringement.
	14.5	A second STP during the stage or race will result in a further 60 minutes penalty.
	14.6	Three STP's over the duration of a stage or the race will result in disqualification.
	14.7	STP's will be applied to both stage results and the overall results.
	14.8	No STPs will be applied to the Lite Event.
15.	Rider Indentification and Timing
	15.1	No timing chips (eg. Winning Time or Championship) are required for the event.
	15.2	Both riders in a team must display their Sabie Experience race number at all times during a stage. Riders not displaying official race numbers will be regarded as non-participants, and prevented from continuing on the route by marshals.
	15.3	Race numbers must be properly attached to the handlebars of the bike with cable ties provided, and must be place in front of cables etc so as not to be obscured in any way. Riders will be required to remove and reaffix numbers if they are found to be obscured.
	15.4	Riders must not cut, modify or mutilate their race numbers in any way. No stickers may be added or removed.
	15.5	It is each riders responsibility to keep their race numbers relatively clean and legible at all times, and no rider may start a stage with a dirty number. Loss of a race number will cost R25 to replace.
	15.6	Race leaders are obliged to wear the leader jerseys provided.
16.	Nutrition and Hydration
	16.1	The Sabie Experience will take place over the hottest and most humid season in Mpumalanga. Temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius can be expected. However, cold, misty conditions down to 12 degrees Celsius can also be experienced at high altitudes. Ensure that you have appropriate clothing.
	16.2	Riders must ensure that they keep themselves properly hydrated and carry sufficient nutrition for at least 45km of riding.
	16.3	The Sabie Experience will provide water, limited volumes of energy drinks, coke and fruit (second waterpoint only) at neutral feed stations at accessible and appropriate refreshment stations on the route.
17.	Seconding and Support
	17.1	Riders may not receive outside assistance or help, other than from their team partners or fellow competitors, at any point along route.
	17.2	No outside seconding, assistance or feeding other than that provided by the Sabie Experience at an official refreshment station is permitted.
	17.3	Bike repairs may be carried out on the route without outside assistance, but care must be taken not to obstruct other riders.
	17.4	No towing between riders by means of any mechanical or physical devices is allowed
	17.5	Riders are not permitted to draft behind cycles not participating in The Sabie Experience, but may however draft behind their partner or other participating riders on Stages 2 to 4. During the Prologue (stage 1) riders may only draft behind their own team partner. Teams observed or reported to be following closely behind other teams for extended distances (300m plus) on open roads, during the Prologue, will be deemed to be drafting, and may be penalized by the Chief Commissaire.
	17.6	No drafting is permitted behind any other vehicles on the route, including private motorcycles and race support vehicles.
	17.7	Supporters are not permitted to follow or drive ahead of riders or be on any section of the course, while the race in is progress, on any of the stages, but may access a number of vantage points and public road crossings to vocally support the teams. These points will be demarcated on maps and explained at the stage briefings.
	17.8	Cyclist that arenot entered in the event are not permitted to ride on the course or any sections of the course. Refer to Rule 15.2. If such riders are found to be on the course and they can be linked to a participating team, that team will be penalized at the discretion of the Chief Commissaire.
18.	Withdrawals and Formation of New Teams
	18.1	Any team not able to continue the stage or race, for whatever reason, must inform the Race Office immediately. This can be done at the start of any stage, the finish, at STP checkpoints, at a feed zone, or preferably by mobile phone (Sandy 082 410 8094).
	18.2	In the event of a search and rescue operation being launched for a rider or team who has withdrawn, but has not informed the Race Office, the cost of such an operation will be for the team concerned.
	18.3	In the event of one member of a team being incapable of continuing in the race, this must also be reported to the Race Office so that the remaining rider may be assisted to form another team, if possible. The formation of the new team however remains the rider's responsibility.
	18.4	The formation of new teams may only take place between stages and before 06h00 each morning before the start. The details of the new team must be supplied to the Race Office and Chief Commissaire.
	18.5	Single riders are not permitted to start any stage on their own unless with permission from the Chief Commissaire.
	18.6	Newly formed teams will not qualify for team rankings or as "Sabie Experience Official Finishers", but individual riders who complete all four stages within the required cut off times will be allocated a race time and will receive a medal.
19.	Protests
	19.1	Any protests must be submitted in writing, on official protest forms available from the Race Office, to the Chief Commissaire, by the team/rider concerned within the allocated time period after crossing the finish line.
	19.2	A deposit of R200 must accompany the protest, before the protest will be considered.
	19.3	If the protest is upheld, the deposit will be refunded. If it is not upheld, it will be donated to the Sabie Experience Community Fund
	19.4	Race protests must be submitted within 15 minutes of the team crossing the line or within 30 minutes of the results being posted respectively. Race results will be posted no later than 16h30 stages 2 to 4, and 12h00 for stage 1
20.	Ethical and Environmental Considerations
	20.1	Littering on the stages, damage to property, lighting of fires or damage to the environment will not be tolerated.
	20.2	Physical and/or abuse of Sabie Experience Crew and Officials, or fellow competitors will not be permitted.
	20.3	Infringements of the above rules will result in disciplinary action and possible disqualification.
	20.4	Limited littering by riders within 10m of the neutral feed zones will be allowed, but riders are requested to kindly use litter receptacles provided.
21.	Traffic Regulations
	21.1	The Sabie Experience will not have exclusive use of any public or private roads during the race. Due to the recent forest fires harvesting and log transport operations may occur along the stage routes. For safety reasons, all riders are expected to stop or give way to machines, transport vehicles and forestry operations if necessary, until the road is clear and a forestry official or marshal waves the riders on.
	21.2	Riders must ride with due regard for other road users, and all traffic signs and regulations must be adhered to unless a traffic officer instructs him/her to do otherwise.
	21.3	Riders are not permitted to ride on the opposite (right) side of the centerline on a public road.
	21.4	Care must be taken when negotiating "blind corners" on forestry roads where vehicles and machines may be operating.
	21.5	Infringements of traffic regulations may result in disqualification.
22.	Basic Race Rules and Etiquette
	22.1	All riders must complete the entire distance of the race.
	22.2	While utmost care will be taken to mark and marshal the route, the responsibility for following the official route lies with the rider.
	22.3	No rider is permitted to take any shortcuts, or take advantage of any similar nature over other participants.
	22.4	Riders who leave the stage for any reason whatsoever must return into the stage at the same place from where they exited it.
	22.5	Any walking, running, or riding by any rider, with the intention of not directly rejoining the course, or any other activity in breach of the regulations, which takes place outside the demarcated stage area, can result in disqualification.
	22.6	A rider may not receive any outside technical assistance from anybody, other than his/her Sabie Experience team partner or a fellow competitor.
	22.7	Riders must act in a polite manner and permit any faster rider to pass unhindered as soon as conditions allow.
	22.8	Riders must respect the environment, and ride only on the official demarcated route.
	22.9	No pollution of any kind is permitted.
	22.10	No glass containers are permitted.
	22.11	Riders must not use abusive language, act in an unsporting manner, be disrespectful to The Sabie Experience officials, crew, marshals, medical attendants, supporters, the media or the traffic officials.
	22.12	Riders are expected to administer basic first aid to injured team partners and other competitors, and if required, take necessary steps to summons assistance in the case of a serious injury.
23.	Doping
	23.1	The Sabie Experience reserves the right, in terms of SA Mountainbiking rules and regulations, to implement doping tests on any riders.
	23.2	Positive results will result in immediate disqualification, and forfeiture of any result by the rider concerned.
24.	Penalties and Disqualification
Sect. Offence 1st Offence 2nd Offence 3rd Offence Remarks 6.2 Not Attending Award Ceremony Warning 30 min TP 1 hour TP   7 Bicycles Disqualified       9.1 Helmet Disqualified       10 Compulsory Equipment 30 min TP 1 hour TP Disqualified   11.5 Time cut-off DNF       12.5 Start cut-off DNF       14 STP 30 min TP 1 hour TP Disqualified   15 Rider Identification Warning 30 min TP 1 hour TP Repeat offender disqualified 17 Seconding & Support 1 hour TP Disqualified     21 Traffic Regulations 1 hour TP Disqualified     22 Basic Rules 1 hour TP Disqualified     23 Doping Disqualified
	24.1	The above penalties serve as a guideline for transgressions of the rules, but where any additional rule interpretation is requires, or where specific provision for any incident has not been made in these rules, the decision of the Chief Commissaire is final.
Status Protocol for Official Teams and Riders Item Code Color Category Explanation Start Zone Finisher Senior Categories Men White Men 2 males; both 17 yrs + As per team seeding based on overall time Yes Wom Pink Women 2 females; both 19 yrs + Mix Blue Mixed 1 female and 1 male; both 19 yrs + Sub Yellow Sub Veteran Either 2 males OR 2 females; both 30 yrs + Vet Green Veteran Either 2 males OR 2 females; both 40 yrs + Mas Orange Master Either 2 males OR 2 females; both 50 yrs +   Item Code Color Category Explanation Start Zone Finisher Rider Status TF As per Team Cat color Team Female Have completed all stages, AND within cut-off time As for Teams Yes TM Team Male Yes IF Individual Female RIDER has completed all stages, and within cut-off time; partner has NOT completed all stages, OR has withdrawn OR is DQ H Yes IF Individual Male H Yes RF Red Unofficial Female Rider has not completed ONE stage within the cut-off time; does not qualify as official finisher; receives red number board H No RM Red Unofficial Male H No OF n/a Out-of-Race Female "Red board" rider has missed a 2nd cut-off; required to stop riding and is out of the race; partner may continue to ride as an individual, if still official n/a No RM n/a Out-of-Race Male n/a No WF n/a Withdrawn female Rider withdraws from race of own accord; partner may continue to ride as an individual n/a No WM n/a Withdrawn male n/a No DQ n/a Rider Disqualified Rule infringement resulting in Rider disqualification n/a No   Item Code Color Category Explanation Start Zone Finisher Team Status ST Above Official Sabie Exp Team Both riders completed all stages, and within cut-off As above Yes RT Red Unofficial Team One or both team members have not completed one stage H No OT n/a Out-of-Race Team One or both team members have missed a 2nd cut-off n/a No WT n/a Withdrawn Team One or both team members withdraw from race of own accord n/a No DT n/a Team Disqualified Rule infringement resulting in Team disqualification n/a No   Item Code Color Category Explanation Start Zone Finisher Status Change TF/TM ----» IF/IM rider Rider completed all stages and within cut-off, but partner has not H Yes TF/TM ----» RF/RM rider Rider has NOT completed all stages, or missed one cut-off H No RF/RM ----» OF/OM rider Rider has missed a 2nd cut-off and is out of the race n/a No Any ----» WF/WM rider Rider elects to withdraw from race of own accord n/a No Any ----» DQ rider Rider of any status is disqualified n/a No ST ----» RT rider One or both team members have not completed one stage H No RT ----» OT rider One or both team riders have not completed a 2nd stage n/a No Any ----» WT rider One or both team members elect to withdraw of own accord n/a No Any ----» DT rider Team of any status is disqualified n/a No