Kona Cheddar Bikefest 2009

Briefing notes:
To all competitors of the 2009 Kona Cheddar Bike Fest.
Here are some notes to help you all over the two day event.
Contact details for Paul are mobile number 07834 005 835 and email HYPERLINK "mailto:paul.bikefest@virgin.net" paul.bikefest@virgin.net

Camping / venue:
The gates will be guarded by security at all times. If you are camping please make the camping registration aware of it and book yourself in as soon as you arrive. If you racing but not camping please park in the car park opposite the camp site entrance. The Broadway House Caravan and Camping Park is operating normally over the weekend with all the facilities open, offering you the chance to make a longer break of your Cheddar Bikefest weekend.

We would like to point out at this stage that we do not tolerate any unfitting behaviour from either guests or riders over the weekend and will not hesitate to remove the individual from the event and to ban him/her from any future events we organise.

The organizer cannot be held responsible for loss of or damage to any personal belongings.

Please keep your eyes on the website for further updates as details of the above or below mentioned might change nearer the time.

There are a few camping rules laid down by the owner they are as follows:
1. NO disposable Bar-B-Q’s as they scorch the grass, please use ones on legs to keep off the grass.
2. NO OPEN FIRES, YOU WILL BE THROWN OFF SITE IF WE CATCH YOU.
3. Please put all rubbish in the bins provided
4. Please drive slowly on the entry / exit road at all times, 5MPH max.
5. Respect other campers and visitors to the site while on and off your bike.

Parking:
Parking will be free for campers and for competitors. You may have to pay when you enter the car park. Visitors will be charged a £3 parking fee.

Race course:
The Cheddar Bikefest course goes over a variety of land so please expect walkers, spectators, horses and even vehicles on parts of the course. We will do our best to have the course ‘bike only’ but we can not guarantee that. Please be polite and don’t scream at other trail users – thanks! Please be extra careful at road crossing points and there may be a style to lift your bike over.

Race day:
The race starts at 10AM on Saturday and on Sunday. There will be a quick briefing before we start so please make sure that you are near the start line at 9.45AM. The briefing is relevant to all team members so please make sure you are there in full force.

Teams must have only one member on the course at any one time, if you are not going for glory then you can all chill out if you want.

Riders need to change over in the transition area after passing the Time-lap timing vehicle, it will be clearly signposted. Simply enter the area after your lap, touch your team mate’s arm and off they go. Riders can come and go freely from this area at any time.

Food will be available on Friday, all day Saturday and all day Sunday from early till after the race has finished, as will quality coffee, lattes etc and pastries; the bar will open at around 5.00PM and will stay open till around 11.00PM.

If anyone hurts themselves then please advise a marshal who will radio the first aid ambulance team, they will be available at all times during the race.

The race lasts for 10 hours (and 5 / 3 hours on Sunday) and will stop at 8.00PM sharp (and at 3.00PM / 1.00PM on Sunday), if you are not back by this time the lap you are on will NOT count, please work out your lap time throughout the day and leave enough time to get your last one in.

Number boards will be given out to you at the signing on. They have to be visibly attached to the handlebars. It is the rider’s responsibility to ensure their number is clearly legible when passing control points.

The route will be way marked with arrows (black on yellow) and Kona race tape. It is essential that you stay on the marked route at all times.

If you are not able to ride certain section of the course (uphill or downhill) please make sure that you step immediately to the edge of the trail away from the main line so that other riders can come through!

If you are trying to pass a slower or/and less experienced rider in front of you please give enough warning and overtake in an orderly manner!

Night laps on Saturday:
As the last 2-3 hours on Saturday might be in darkness or darkening conditions riders need to be prepared and take sufficient lighting out on course. Please make sure that you bring your lights fully charged. Make sure that you have a sufficient front light for the length of the ride, a rear light, backup lights. We reserve the right to refuse your participation in the event if these items cannot be shown at the start line. We will announce a cut off time from which riders have to carry lights when they start the lap.

Commentary:
We have a race commentator so please give him some back ground on your team and he will let the event know all about you, what you are racing for, how you trained, how you are getting on, etc, etc, let him know on the day and he will big your team up.

After the race there will be a prize giving ceremony in the bar near the entrance and there will be the chance to unwind and have a few drinks.

The same format applies for Sunday as did for Saturday – only difference is you are only doing half the time so the race finishes at 3.00PM / 1.00PM sharp.

Above all, have a good time and ride your socks off.