Instructions for Participants of score MTB orienteering race of couples "Merida Bike Adventure 2010"

Date:

24th - 25th July 2010

Centre of event:

BDC Area Těnovice by Spálené Poříčí, GPS 49°37'55.142"N, 13°37'59.034"E

Location:

The Army area Brdy, the region in the South-East of Plzeň

Check-in:

at the info-centre of BA10 - open on Friday 23th July between 6 - 10 p.m. and on Saturday 24th July between 8 8:30 a.m. When checking in you will obtain:

SportIdent card (if you don't have your own);
one map of the race course for every two-member team (another map can be purchased when checking in);
starting numbers;
instructions;
a list of all checkpoints with their verbal descriptions;

Start:

For both days, the start is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. and is located in the central area (BA Challenge starts in own camp on Sunday). The racers will start in 3-minute intervals at the times written in start list (the time in the start list is the time of the start itself), but racers must appear in the pre-start corridor at least 6 minutes earlier. Don't forget your map, SI chip and an indelible felt-tip pen or wax pencil to record the points or connect the checkpoints. The red flags will lead you from start to the map start (about 1.5 km away) where you get a list of checkpoints with their point values. Your Sunday's starting time will be given according to you Saturday's results - the best starts at the end.

Finish:

In the BA10 centre. Members of the two-member team should arrive either abreast or one after the other with a minimum distance between the two from the last obligatory checkpoint nr. 100. In the finish you punch the last SI control on the finish line. The finish closes at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday and at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday. The Saturday finish of Loap BA Challenge is by one of the checkpoints, the exact location will be specified on the list of checkpoints with their point values. The Sunday finish of Loap BA Challenge is in the centre of BA10.

Time limit:

6 hours for the Saturday stage, 4 hours for the Sunday stage.

Checkpoints

marking the checkpoints on the map: all checkpoints are pre-printed in the map;
out in the field: tthe checkpoints are marked by red-and-white lanterns, which are used in food/mtbo orienteering events. The lanterns are numbered (31 - 82 and 100). To mark the passage of the checkpoint put your SI chip into the hole in the SI unit. If the SI unit does not work properly (it does not beeps and blinks) use the mechanical puncher and punch the check-point on your map. Referees will supervise most of the checkpoints, they have the right to disqualify competitors who breach the rules. If the checkpoint was stolen, please take a photo of yourselves at the place of the checkpoint to prove your passage here in the finish. You can also write your starting number and the time of your attendance on the paper marking the checkpoint position.

Point value of the checkpoints:

Each checkpoint has a point value between 0 and 80. The points usually differ on the two days. The competitors will receive the values for the checkpoints at the map start (the start place marked in the map). Please note that the checkpoints valued 0 are usually not marked in the terrain in that day.

Scorecard - SI chip:

Competitors will use their own SI chip or they can borrow chips at the check-in (will be returned in the finish after the 2nd stage). Each team has one chip which has to be fixed on the bike. Clear and check the SI chip at the start corridors. Data from SI chip shall be downloaded at the finish tent immediately after your arrival in the finish. You will get a bill with your score and times after a while.

Map:

tourist map 1:50,000 SHOCart is used for the race, printed on common paper. Riding in the terrain, you must take into account the scale of the map - a map representing a varied terrain can never be absolutely accurate. In particular, the forest trails (the dashed lines on the map) are not very reliable. Red-hatched areas in the map mark banned areas - the fall out localities in the Army area. Entrance to these localities (including asphalt roads within the localities) is prohibited!

The "Golden Rules" for the Race:

Respect the rules of good behaviour in nature - the ban on riding off the trail etc. Avoid littering, be considerate of other tourists etc.
Both members of the team must always travel together, keeping within "hearing distance", on the checkpoint both must be together next to each other;
Arrive at the starting area 6 minutes before the actual start;
The checkpoint nr. 100 (the "gathering" checkpoint) is the last to be visited on both days; the corridor leads to the finish from this checkpoint. This does not concern Loap BA Challenge - its finish is at another checkpoint on Saturday.
Referees will watch the route. They will disqualify riders who breach the rules (particularly those who do not respect the ban on riding off the trail, teams who do not maintain "hearing-distance" and competitors entering the banned localities in the Army area);
Assistance by people not taking part in the race is banned;
Observe the rules of riding on the roads, be careful when riding on the main roads;
Participants take part in the race on a voluntary basis at their own risk. The organisers are not responsible for any injuries caused by and to the racers.

Additional rules for the Loap BA Challenge:

The competitors are obligated to carry with them during the whole race the compulsory equipment. Any missing part of the obligatory equipment is a reason for the disqualification.
The race is based on the idea of minimum contact with civilization and maximum consonance with nature, on self sufficiency and independency of comfort and help of another people. Therefore all competitors have to sleep in the overnight camp during the race (in own tent), another restrictions (concerning the food etc.) are not announced. We suppose, only the teams who appreciate the unique experience of this race and fair play more than their results in the finish will take part in this race.

Emergency telephone numbers:

+420 720 546 994

Required gear:

BA10:

Bike in good technical condition (the racers' own responsibility);
MTB helmet - participants without one will not be admitted to the start;
Starting number on the bike (on the handlebars).
Scorecard - SI chip fixed on the bike (by tape or via "yo-yo" holder).

BA Challenge:

Likewise BA10, furthermore: tent (one for team), sleeping bag (one for each competitor), cooker and cooking pot (one for team, functioning also in the finish), some food (1 portion for person) which must remain to the finish of second day. This compulsory equipment will be checked randomly.

Also do not forget your passport (identity card) to prove your identity in case of Army Policy control. You may not be admitted to the Army area without it.

Recommended equipment

Essential tools for repairing the bike, compass, map holder on the bike (a limited number can be bought at the Bike Tunnel, Autopilot or Miry stand), waterproof felt pens to draw the points at the start, own refreshments. For BA Challenge also spare clothes and a groundsheet are recommended.

Technical service:

The Bike Tunnel and Můjsport technical services will be available at the BA10 centre during the race. The riders may also buy missing equipment here.

Final score:

The final score is calculated as the sum of the points gained on both days. Points are deducted as a penalty for late arrival: 2 points for each (even incomplete) minute when late 1 - 15 min. after the limit and 10 points for each minute when late 16 - 60 min after the limit. Arrival more than 60 minutes after the time limit means disqualification. If several teams have the same sum of points, the lower aggregate time will be decisive. Your questions about results a main referee will reply at a finish point of competition.

Evaluation of the competition of company or clubs teams:

: the best 3 teams every day starting under the same Company or Club name are automatically categorized to the Bike Adventure Team Spirit. The following ratios are used for the conversion of points between the various categories: 1.3 times the sum of points gained in the category of mixed teams and 1.4 times the sum of points gained in the category of women's teams (1.00 is the coefficient for the men's category).

Price giving ceremony:

On Saturday at 8.30 p.m. - winners of the first day of all categories will get winning riders' jerseys, which they will wear during 2nd stage. On Sunday at about 4:00 p.m. - announcement of overall results. The first three teams in all categories and the best three teams in the Bike Adventure Team Spirit will be awarded. In the beginning of prize giving all start numbers will be given into a lottery.

Accommodation:

Organizer provides the accommodation under your own tents in the BA10 camp. Order and pay it latest during the presentation.

Parking:

The parking place is on the meadow near the entry to the centre. Camping in the central part of the camp is possible only without cars by tents. Pitching a tent by a car is possible only on the meadow westerly from the arrival road.

Washing of persons:

Showers and washing canals in the camp. (Please don't use soaps and shampoos in the showers).

Washing (for bikes):

At a marked place in the BA10 centre (near "gathering" checkpoint). Due to limited water spring only water provided by volunteer firemen is at your disposal. You can use buckets and brushes.

Drinking water

From cisterns and in the washing canals next to showers.

Lavatories:

mobile Johnny Service

Garbage:

Bin liners at the BA10 centre. Don't leave any garbage in the forest.

Child Care:

During the race you may leave your kids (older than 2 years) in the day care. Mini races for children will be organized. Children's BA10 t-shirts for sale.

Refreshments:

During the event, BA10 party tent and a field restaurant with basic refreshments will be opened. Ordered dinners will be given out on Saturday between 4 - 6 p.m. upon the meal tickets that you receive when checking-in. Taproom of Herold brewery offers also beer specials in gift packages. For gourmets we can recommend a restaurant in hotel Ve Dvoře in Spálené Poříčí.

Night guard for bikes:

Will be available in BA10-centre. The bikes can be left there in the evening (on Friday from 8 p.m. till 10 p.m. , on Saturday 4 p.m. till 7 p.m., and picked up on Saturday from 7:30 a.m. till 10 a.m., on Sunday from 7:30 till 9:30 a.m.). The cycle-store is free for those accommodated in BA10 camp, others pay 100 CZK/night. We encourage the competitors to keep their bikes under continuous control and prevent the bike thefts.

Accompanying Programme:

10 years of Bike Adventure - short programme on Saturday night to 10 years history of BA, honouring the participants taking part in all 10 BA years.
Merida O.Nine - you can see (and 3 teams also test during the race) the most modern and the lightest mountain bikes from Merida
Photokiosk BA10 - You can buy your pictures in the photokiosk "Bezvafotky - Autopilot" at the finish area.
Massages - professional masseurs offer their service in BA10 centre after the race. Let refresh your body.

Health services:

at the finish line (at the child play group).

Acknowledgements:

We owe our thanks to all sponsors for their support, the Army of the Czech Republic for the willingness, to Nature for the beautiful terrain; and to all of you for your great interest in Merida Bike Adventure.

Good luck finding your way!
The organisers of USK Praha orienteering club