Criteria for Organising a Mountain Bike Race
Pre-Calendar Deadline
Submit details of the event to the mountain bike commission showing all relevant information including; Date, Location, Contact details etc.
Before the Race
Three Months
Decide on the course route to be used on race day. Ensure that the relevant landowner has granted permission for use of the land and they approve of the course.
Contact the chosen organisation to provide ambulance and first aid personnel. The civil service may also be required to provide assistance as stewards.
Contact the provincial federation to ensure that a commissaire will be provided for the race.
One Month
Start to circulate information about the event. Send posters to bike shops, gyms etc. in the vicinity of the event and to cycling clubs throughout the country. Post information on Aertel and on various cycling websites. Distribute leaflets at races leading up to your race.
One Week
Telephone all support personnel including ambulance, civil defence, stewards, etc. to ensure that they are all still available. Send relevant race details to national media.
Ensure that you have all equipment required for the race including the following:
Stationery
- Sign-on Sheets
- Timekeeper sheets for recording the riders numbers and laps
- Clipboards and pens
- Results Sheets
- Envelopes for prizes
- Change (notes and coins)
- Scissors and / or pliers
Equipment
- PA system
- Race number plates and string / cable ties
- Course marking tape
- Stopwatches
- Start / finish banner
- Rope
- Catch netting / hay bales
- Direction arrows for racecourse
- Tent / Table & chairs for sign on
- Litter Bins
Day Before Race
Mark the course and ensure it is safe / obstacle free.
Day of Race
Ensure all direction signs are in place so competitors have no difficulty in finding the venue. All races should start on time.
After the Race
Remove all litter and course marking tape from the course. Leave the place cleaner than you found it. Return race sign-on sheets to Cycling Ireland.
Compile race results and send them to results co-ordinator, Cycling Ireland, Aertel, local and national press.
General Safety Precautions
The course should be properly marshalled and all marshals should be easily identifiable. Whistles should be provided to warn approaching riders. At least one ambulance is required. First aid area should e identified to all riders and centrally located. First aid crews must be provided for both race and practice. Ambulance access must be provided to all parts of the course and provide for emergency exit of the course.
Downhill specific safety precautions
Walls, tree trunks, gate posts etc. to be covered by straw bales or other protective covering to protect riders.
Steep drops along the side of track to be fenced with catch netting.
Wooden ramps to be covered with anti-slip material.
Where possible roots, stumps and protruding rocks to be sprayed with biodegradable fluorescent paint. This is particularly important in darker sections of the course.
Communications should be provided between start and finish area. All communications should be capable of covering the course.
A shelter should be provided at both start and finish areas for race officials / time keepers.
The wearing of full-face helmets is compulsory for all racing and training runs at downhill events.
In the interest of personal safety, it is strongly recommended that the following protective equipment should be used;
- back, elbow, knee and shoulder protection with a rigid surface,
- eye protection,
- thigh padding,
- shin padding,
- long pants,
- long sleeved shirts,
- long fingered gloves.
