Rider Briefing | Rocky Trail Academy | Townsville 2021

Rocky Trail Entertainment, in conjunction with Ignatius Park, are proud to launch the 2021 Rocky Trail Academy North QLD Schools Mountain Bike Comp in Townsville. Following on from the great success in 2020, we look forward to welcoming new and existing schools to the dusty trails of Douglas MTB Reserve.

This will be the ‘North Queensland Edition’ of the popular schools comp with timed flow trail sections. It’s fun and all about building confidence.

The format was the brain child of Bob Morris, one of our Race Directors, who looked to create a format that tested multiple skills of mountain biking, whilst challenging the skilled pinner and yet providing an opportunity for riders of all abilities to have a go. Courses are designed to have a flat pedal for XC riders to excel, a technical gravity track for the gravity pinners to shine and a flow track for the funsters to speed down. Format duplicates our very popular Fox Superflow, 3 tracks, multiple runs, live timing, in a social safe environment.

Watching the growth of schools offering Mountain Bike programs as a school sport just demonstrates the tremendous popularity of Mountain Biking in the community and the benefits to all, Jo Parker Event Manager strives to see #morekidsonbikes and #moregirlsonbikes

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VIRTUAL RIDER BRIEFING

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RIDER BRIEFING CONTENT IN WRITING

Key things to remember:

• Maintain social distancing at all times in the open air event hub and when purchasing food and drinks.
• We are tracking all event participants – ANY competitor or visitor at the venue is required to Check-In by using the QR code posters available around the event hub:

• Three tracks on offer, to ride in any order, because it’s your adventure for the day!
• Competition will consist of 3 timed sections – track names Fox/Stan/Lazer
• Tracks have been designed to test a variety of skills, including endurance, speed and technical ability.
• Riders may ride each timed section up to 5 times on each track with their fastest time counting.
• Tip of the day, first run is a sighter run, check the track and conditions, pick your line then race to improve.
• Combined best times will be tallied for the overall result for each rider.
• Riders are representing their school and will be allocated 1 point for each timed section, bonus points awarded for top 5 on each track per category
• Overall Champion school will be awarded plus podium in each category male & female.

For those of you, for whom this will be the first Rocky Trail event, we differ from most other events by offering a much more relaxed format. For the Rocky trail Academy:

• Expect less of a winners-only-focused competition, but a positive and inclusive experience for all racers.
• We allow marshall riders to support students on the track, teachers grab your bike and support the students.
• Our staff at rego and at the starts are there to help. Talk to them.
• Please note – we are Covid Safe compliant, your briefing will be virtual, we’ll be social distancing, and we’ll make this the safest event you’ve ever been at!

We can wait to see you smashing it! – Remember, your race photos are included in your entry, be sure to download them after the race and share your stories using:

#rockytrailracer

#rockytrailacademy

Did you know? We’re in town for the whole weekend!

Check out the Fox Superflow on Saturday and Sunday, the perfect next step up from the RT Academy schools events!

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ABOUT the venue

Event centre and parking location: Douglas MTB Reserve, Townsville

Course description:

• The Pedal – Trails “Fruit Loop” and “Scrub Python” – A flat course that covers approximately 1.5 km of the twisting loop in and out of the event hub. Winner will be the strongest pedalling rider.
• It’s Technical – Trails “Rock and Roll 2 and 3” – Riders will ride up “Easy Street” to the start. They will then be tested over the approximately 1.2km of technical track with drops, jumps, rocky sections and bermed and flat corners. Winner will be the best technical rider.
• Go with the Flow – Trails “Flow Track” and lower “Scrub Python” – Riders will ride out “Fruit loop” and up “Boulderdash”. Racing will be down the 800m of “Flow Track” and into the “Scrub Python” to complete the run. Winner will be the person who can hold their form and maintain speed the best.

PLEASE NOTE – The two gap jumps on “Rock and Roll 2 and 3” will be closed for the Academy race.

Schedule for the day:

• 8am – Event Hub & registration open
• 8.45am – Rider call up – safety briefing.
• 9.00am – race start (through to 1.30pm)
• 1.50pm – Presentation

What can you expect:

• A well-marked course
• Caution signs in technical areas
• Gaps between riders
• Professional Medical contractors on site
• Easy registration
• And a supportive community

Services and facilities:

Support the following local business for all your riding needs;

• Coffee/Food – Ignatius Park College will be operating a BBQ and selling drink – bring your cash!
• Water: Please bring your own drinking water. There is no water on site.
• Toilets: there is a port-a-loo located on the Western end of the carpark, which we will service regularly. Disinfectant and wipes will be provided.
• Medical: will be based in the event centre and roaming out on track.
• Registration will stay open throughout the day. Spread the word tell you friends.

Event Photos:

Outer Image Collective photographers will be on site to snap that action photo you have been dreaming about. School Managers gather your team before racing to capture the perfect shot for the Year Book and help promote Mountain Biking in your school.

Weather:

Perfect conditions are expected, with partial cloud and a temperature range of 17-28.

Volunteers:

Especially for this event, we encourage volunteering and we need your help – parent/Teacher volunteers required on the day. Roles are race starter or course marshall. Add your name to the list at registration, and we will create a roster.  Bring a chair and insect repellent, wear walking shoes and prepare a loud cheering voice to encourage the kids out on track.  Come and have a great day in the outdoors!

News:

Last-minute changes are communicated via:

Rider List and Results

All weekend you can find links to Rider List and LIVE Results via the drop-down menu from the event page on our website! You can check these now and throughout the weekend via your mobile devices – to reduce touch points we will not have any public display computers on-site.

Come along and join the team to make the Rocky trail Academy a great success for the Region!

Emergency contacts:

Race Director – Bob Morris 0458 299 558
Event Manager & Media Liaison – Jo Parker 0424 955 332

General race regulations

• Race etiquette – Important: you MUST adhere to social distancing rules AND rude behaviour out on track is not acceptable. Please be kind to each other. We are all here to have fun. Chat to our Event Managers if you have any questions.
• We love to help and chat! Our staff at rego and at the starts are there to help. Talk to them.
• Don’t litter – please take your rubbish back with you or throw it in the bins/bags near the registration tent.
• Toilets will be cleaned and disinfect during the day. Please let us know if they need a clean.
• Timing will be done with your timing chip – please ensure it is on your bike/attached to your chest and in the MTB that the plastic doesn’t touch any metal parts of your bike (e.g. don’t wrap the number plate around your handlebar).
• You agreed to our RACE WAIVER when you registered online – here is a link to the RACE WAIVER again
• Click here for DETAILED RACE RULES

COVID-specific Event Rules

How are we running this event and how do we keep you safe?

• Social Distancing: Our main request is that you follow the Covid-Safe rules and regulations as laid out by the QLD Government and observe strict Social Distancing Rules throughout your race day. A lot of thought has gone into this Rider Briefing and we expect all competitors and non-racing visitors to comply with how this event will be run. It is very challenging and a privilege to host this event and participate in this race – we appreciate your cooperation.
• Racers AND Non-racing supporters and ANY visitor at the venue are required to sign in via the relevant smartphone app. (scroll up for info)

Rocky Trail Covid-19 safety guidelines:

1. BEFORE THE RACE: If any of the following applies please contact us immediately.
   We will transfer or refund your entry but you CAN NOT PARTICIPATE in the event:
   1. If you are showing any signs of the cold or flu.
   2. If you have event the slightest fever (we have facilities on site to test and will send you home immediately if you have fever).
   3. Please be aware that we will and are ready to shut down and postpone the event if direct Federal or State Health orders change in the event lead up until Friday.
   4. For details regarding event transfers or to cancel an entry, please refer to our policy.
2. ON RACE DAY: There are a few important changes on how we run things on the day:
   1. ACCESS:
      • We are utilising majority of the trail network, if you are not racing please chat to Jo at the rego tent to understand where you can ride.
      • if you are spectating on your non-racing day, please check in online and report to the Rego tent as a supporter/visitor.
      • You can practice on non-racing days, but we won’t have any services (marshalls, first aid) in place.
      • Volunteers are welcome, again come out and bring your bike if you have one.
   2. RACE PLATE: You can pick up your race plate with the timing chip from the rego and info point – check the schedule for opening times.
      • This way we avoid queues near the registration area.
   3. RACING & ETIQUETTE: You MUST adhere to SOCIAL DISTANCING rules!
      • If you queue up at a start line please leave a bike length between each other.
      • Overall we don’t expect much queuing as the field will spread quickly.
      • When you finish your race, please give each other as much space as possible.
   4. RESULTS & CEREMONY:
      • Race results are LIVE throughout the day.
      • Access race results via the website.
      • Presentation ceremony will happen at 1.50pm
      • Giveaways to every racer: Rocky Trail sticker sheet at rego.
      • IMPORTANT: CHECK YOUR RACE RESULTS with us or as soon as you cross the line! The top three podium getters in each age category will receive a podium prize.
   5. PARTICIPANT TRACKING:
      • Every person at the event (including non-racers) need to Check-In via the Covid App.

Now, get ready!

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Do you have any questions?

Talk to us via our online chat – click on the orange circle symbol on your bottom right screen corner and we’ll be right with you! (We always love talking bikes, racing and riding!)

See. You. Soon.