Rider Briefing | Shimano MTB GP – Glenrock NSW 2021

We welcome you to Glenrock!

That view… This is classic cross-country lap racing at its best at Glenrock – from the first time between the tape to people that have spent a lifetime training for power output, we have you covered when you line up at the Rocky Trail start line!

We are looking forward to welcoming you there this Saturday! A huge THANK YOU to to the amazing crew from NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service for repairing the Glenrock MTB Park trails in time for the race! These trails had suffered major damage during the wet weather earlier this year and we are so grateful that so many have been restored. A massive shout-out also to Mick Plummer from the Glenrock Trail Alliance as well as our ‘Trail Guru’ Grahame Sonter who have helped liaise with and guided the trail NPWS maintenance crews over the past few weeks.

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VIRTUAL RIDER BRIEFING

During 2020+21 the Rocky Trail crew and racing community have adopted an additional set of event and racing rules in order to keep racing in the Covid-19 events environment. We are drawing on the experiences we have gained as organisers, however, also as a competitor and spectator at the events you play an important role. – Please take the time to watch or read through this entire rider briefing.

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RIDER BRIEFING CONTENT IN WRITING

We are so grateful for the outpour of support and enthusiasm by our Rocky Trail riders through 2020 and in 2021. We have been able to deliver successful events through the support of our. Community and with their assistance to ride within the constraints COVID 19 presented. We need to continue to comply to social distancing and other COVID rules to continue to run events.

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.

• Maintain social distancing at all times in the open air event hub and when purchasing food and drinks.
• We are tracking all event participants – Rocky Trail Entertainment is now required to have ALL RACING AND NON-RACING event participants check into the COVID-19 apps of the relevant State or Territory. =>> That means EVERY PERSON in the event centre HAS to check in. Just like you would have done in the past in shops, restaurants or pubs.

Event introduction

The Shimano GP format provides a ‘seriously fun” racing experience for all.

• Registrations open at 7:30 am and the friendly staff are there to make your racing experience as easy as possible.
• Riders will be called to the start at approximately 8:45.
• Race grid is self-seeded and we ask riders to be reasonable as no 4 or 6 hr race has ever been won in the first kilometres.
• Racing will start at 9am.
• 4hr racers will need to have started their last lap before 1pm and 6hr riders started before 3pm.
• Presentations for the 4 hr race will be as soon after 1pm as possible (approximately 1:45pm).
• Presentations for the 6hr race will be as soon as the last rider has finished their last lap.

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

#shimanomtbgp

Event Format

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 regular Shimano MTB GP racers – we have a major change for you in 2021: we are racing for 4 and 6 hours and the main racing categories are solos or pairs only!

How does it work?

• Most laps per solo rider or team in the least amount of time wins.
• The race track is closed at 1pm for 4 hour racers and at 3pm for 6 hour racers – you may still start another lap before that cut-off and that lap still counts.
• There are age-group and eBike categories – eBikers: only eBikes that conform with the Australian standards are allowed at our events.
• Expect less of a winners-only-focused competition, but a positive and inclusive experience for all racers.
• Rider call up 8:45am, race start 9am
• Last lap start: 1pm for 4 hour, 3pm for 6 hour race – this lap still counts.
• Most laps per solo rider or team in the least amount of time wins.

Venue: Glenrock State Conservation Area

Glenrock Trail Head, Fernleigh Loop, Adamstown Heights NSW 2289

The blue one is the race track.
The yellow one is our wet weather track in case of last minute excessive showers.

The event centre will be at the Glenrock trailhead on Gun Club Road off Fernleigh Loop in Newcastle. Unfortunately camping won’t be available at the this track.

Event Services

• Coffee-van: Coffee Van from 8am until early afternoon, serves hot and cold drinks as well as nourishing food, sweet and savoury snacks.
• Toilets avaukabke, serviced regularly as per our Covid-Safe Plan
• First Aid: will be based in the event centre and roaming out on track.
• Race photography – all race images included in your entry!
• Roaming race marshals on bikes to assist out on track
• Mechanic: Fizo Cycling will be on-site for tech support.
• Kids race:  Free – sign up the kids on the day.

Schedule

Friday
All day The track is marked and you can practice on it but we won’t have any services (marshals, first aid) in place.

Saturday
7:30-8:45 am Registration open to pick up your number plate
8.45 am Rider call up, be race ready.
The official rider briefing usually held before the race start will be available online before the race.
9 am Race start
1.00 pm Race cut-off time.
If you haven’t completed your distance challenge, your last possible lap can be started before 1pm. If you are out on course at 1pm, that lap still counts.
approx. 1.45pm Last Rider and Sweeper across the line and event finishes when all riders are across the finish line.
2.00 pm Ceremony

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Event Facilities:

• TOILETS: will be provided
• WATER: No portable water is available on site, so don’t forget to bring your supply.
• MEDICAL: on-site in the event centre medical support and roaming out on track.

Event Photos:

Outer Image Collective photographers will be on site to snap that action photo you have been dreaming about.

Event updates during the race / weekend:

We always announce any major updates mainly via the FB event page, as well as our news blog and email newsletters:

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 compete and to race and that is fine, but as owners of Rocky Trail Entertainment, Juliane and Martin Wisata EXPECT their competitors to be respectful of each other:
  • We have seen an exciting and amazing influx of new competitors at Rocky Trail events an especially as we move into new regions with our races, we want to be very clear about this: EVERY competitor has a right to be out on track.
  • The fast and semi-pro racers need to be (and would be from their experience) aware that especially at a lap race, a podium position is not won by one or two seconds that you might loose by overtaking a slower rider in a respectful and friendly manner. Call out to the rider or runner ahead of you, tell them you are there and that you will move past on which side.
  • For casual racers, please respect the fast guys too – sometimes the fast riders see a gap that you don’t and they have the confidence that they can overtake you safely. Trust in their judgement. – At the same time, stand your ground, no need to stop completely, move to the side and let them pass. You will find you’ll get into a flow and a rhythm.
  • We appreciate every racer and we have been building the Rocky Trail community for over a decade – we are grateful to have you all racing with us.
  • Chat to Martin or Juliane if you have any questions.
• If you are the parent or carer of a junior racer you can ride or run with them, either as a racer or see rego to nominate as a marshal.
• We love to help and chat! Our staff at rego and at the starts are there to help. Talk to them.
• No cheating! You need to stay on the race track. No cheating or ‘sneaky pro lines’ where you leave the track and reenter.
• Don’t litter – please take your rubbish back with you or throw it in the landfill or recycling bins we have 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

Rider List and Results

From now on and 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.

Emergency contacts:

Race Director – Martin Wisata 0403 090 952
Event Management – Juliane Wisata 0416 737 972

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
#shimanomtbgp

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COVID-specific Event Rules

How are we running this event and how do we keep you safe? By limiting the rider field to 300 per day (events up to 500 are allowed at the moment in NSW) you can see right away that we still err on the side of caution. So please understand if some of the rules appear harsh, but we need to ensure that we can keep racing in this new world.

• Social Distancing: Our main request is that you follow the Covid-Safe rules and regulations as laid out by the ACT 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.

• Non-racing supporters and ANY visitor at the venue are required to sign in for an Event Access Pass ahead of the race as we are tracking all event participants! – Request your Access Pass AHEAD of the event via these links:

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:
      • 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 (tracks are marked), but we won’t have any services (marshalls, first aid) in place.
   2. ARRIVAL & PARKING: When you arrive you will be directed to the car park areas.
      • Parking:
        • No parking in non-designated areas. Please follow signs and instructions by our crew.
      • Event centre: if you are setting up a tent for riders you must respect social distancing guidelines.
   3. RACE PLATE: You can pick up your race plate with the timing chip from 7.30am
      • This way we avoid queues near the registration area.
      • If you are late, don’t worry, come to see us at the rego tent and we will assist you. You can still have your race and we’ll explain it all to you then.
      • Saturday: 8:45am Rider call up, be race ready.
      • Sunday: Timing starts from 8am – you can start anytime after that and only your time out on the race course counts (ie neutral zone in event centre/feed zone)
      • The official rider briefing usually held before the race start is replaced by this means of communication.
   4. 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.
      • No hand-shaking permitted at event.
      • Please understand that we need to be very strict on this . Non-compliance will result in revoking race access or disqualification.
   5. CHEERING: Keep 4m distance to the race track!
      • If you ‘hackle’ or encourage other riders on their race run please do so at least 4m away from the race track.
      • Shouting is a known source of virus transmission and we MUST minimise the risk there. Non-compliance will result in revoking race access or disqualification.
   6. RESULTS & CEREMONY:
      • Race results are LIVE throughout the day.
      • Access race results via the website.
      • 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 their series plate.
      • There WILL be an official CEREMONY and we will comply with social distancing laws.
        • Podium positions 1-3 will receive a Series Plate with a place recognition plaque.
        • If you are already racing with a Series Plate, you will receive the place recognition plaque.
   7. PERSONAL HYGIENE:
      • No ‘snot rockets’ (blowing your nose without a tissue) in the vicinity of other people.
      • Hand washing stations and sanitation stations are available at the venue.
      • Please regularly clean your hands with an alcoholic-based hand rub or wash hands with soap and water (especially after going to bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing).
      • Riders and visitors are encouraged to wear (cycling) gloves when picking up number plates.
      • Unless from the same family, we discourage you from car-pooling to the venue.
   8. PARTICIPANT TRACKING:
      • Every person at the event (including non-racers) need to register.
      • Racers will be tracked with race plates.
      • Non-competitors will need to sign on via the online system.

Enforcement of COVID Safe Plan

If we see blatant breaches of those rules we will ask you to leave the event. You are not only potentially endangering other racers, but also the future of our business.

We recommend but won’t enforce that all event participants use the Covid Safe App to assist health authorities with tracking potentially.

Please understand that the team won’t shake hands, hug, high five or fist bump anyone and will be trying keep some distance to all riders during registration, start and finish. There will be a lot socially distance elbow bumps from us, which is almost as good 🙂

Download the full Covid-19 Safety Plan below and here is a summary:

You will still have to get ready for the massive surge of adrenaline when you drop into your time race stages. When you rail those berms and fly across the trails, crossing the finish line with your heart pumping. You’re alive. You’re doing what you love. And that’s why Rocky Trail exist. So that you can RACE the way you RIDE.

See. You. Soon.