YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES 

  • Make yourself aware of any updates to the rules.
  • Stop and help an injured rider, you are considered a travelling marshal

GENERAL 

  • All riders must pre register online, collect their number at the registration trailer on the day and display their number when riding.
  • In the interest of safety a cut off time applies whereby riders must reach a set point on the course or they will not be allowed continue.
  • There are finisher medals for the strider, under 6, under 8 and under 10 categories. There are medals for the top 3 riders in every other category.

CATEGORIES AND START TIMES

  • These are approximate times, please check each individual event page for specifics.
  • Registration – 9am to 12am.
  • U6 / Strider fun race – 09.45 (10 minutes)
  • U8 fun race – 10.00 (15 minutes)
  • U10 fun race – 10.20 (15 minutes)
  • U12 – 10.40 (20 minutes)
  • U14 – 11.05 (20 minutes)
  • U16 – 11.30 (25 minutes)
  • Ebike – 12.45
  • Expert / Junior – 13.00
  • Novice – 13.03
  • If a rider decides to change category or is changed by the organisers, they forfeit the points scored at previous events and will start again at the next round in their new category. 

REGISTRATION AND LICENSE 

  • On registering, you agree to the rules of the event.
  • Entry will not be taken on the day of the event.
  • In the interest of safety there is a cut off time, you will be advised of this in your competitor notes.
  • 2 weeks to event – Entries are non refundable unless you are unable to compete for medical reasons.
  • 1 week to event – There are no refunds or transfers available.
  • It is also not possible to transfer entries to any other events, next year’s event, or a different competitor.
  • There is a €5 admin fee for all refunds.
  • All riders must have a valid Cycling Ireland Limited Competition Licence or purchase a general one day licence at a cost of €20.
  • If you have a Cycling Ireland Leisure Licence there is a top up fee of €10.

BIKES

  • You cannot change your bike on race day. 
  • Bikes may be scrutinised at before departing to ride the course.
  • All bikes must have bar plugs.
  • Bikes must be in perfect working order.
  • Competitors may not modify race number plates.
  • The race director has the right to deny entry to the event they feel a bike is not of a suitable standard.
  • E-bikes
    • An E-Mountain Bike is a bike operated with two energy sources, human pedal power and an electric engine, which only provides assistance when the rider is pedalling.
    • Pedal assisted engine with assistance up to 25km/hr.
    • Pedalling assistance only, although a start-up assistance not exceeding 6km/hr without pedalling is allowed.

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT

  • You must wear a helmet while riding at all times, regardless of whether you are practicing or racing.
  • Each competitor should be completely self-sufficient.

THE COURSE

  • Details of the course will be made known before the event as per event website
  • This course is marked with signs, and some sections double taped, otherwise riders must follow the trail.
  • If a competitor exits the course, they must re-enter the same point.
  • Please note this event is not suitable for absolute beginner mountain bikers.

TIMING

  • Timing chips are located on the back of your number plate.
  • You must bring the same number plate to each event. There is a €5 charge for replacement numbers.
  • Do not bend, cut or modify your number plate.
  • If a faster rider is behind you, be polite and allow them to pass. If you are the faster rider, be patient, give lots of warming and clear directions as to what side you will pass. For example; shout left, if you intend to pass on the left hand side of the rider in front. 
  • If, while passing a slower rider, you cause them to crash or run off the course, you may be disqualified. 
  • Riders who retire must return to the race village as soon as possible following the instructions of race marshals. Please let time keepers know you do not wish to continue.

TIME PENALTIES

  • Not wearing, strap not buckled or removal of helmet. 1st offence 5 min penalty, 2nd offence disqualification
  • Outside assistance e.g. receiving food or bottles outside the designated feed zone, etc. 5 min penalty
  • Outside assistance from an e-bike rider e.g. Towing etc. Disqualification for both riders
  • Course cutting. 5 min penalty to disqualification.
  • Rolling start. 1 min penalty
  • Not displaying or modifying number board. 5 min penalty
  • Aggressive riding or trick acting in race village. 1st offence warning, 2nd offence 5 min penalty
  • Foul or abusive language towards race officials. Disqualification
  • Failure to obey marshal’s instructions. Disqualification
  • Interference of the track layout by removal of rocks, branches etc. 5 min penalty
  • Use of a second e-bike battery. Disqualification.  

EMERGENCIES 

  • It is the duty of each competitor to assist any competitor who appears to be injured or in difficulty and possibly alert the race director.
  • The race director reserves the right to penalize or disqualify competitors that do not meet this standard.
  • Competitors who withdraw from the event must notify the race office as soon as possible.
  • Competitors must adhere to the rules of the event and the rules of the road, particularly during sections on public roads.

SERIES POINTS ASSIGNMENT

There are 7 events in the series, each carrying equal points. The overall ranking awards for the Ebike, Expert and Novice cagetories is calculated based on your best five results maximum. There is no overall award for youth and junior. In the event of a tie for overall points, the rider who finishes higher in the final round is declared the winner. Riders must compete in the final round to be awarded an overall podium placing, though you do not need to score points. The organisation reserve the right to transfer riders from the Novice category to the Expert category if they deem it’s appropriate. Points are awarded for each event as follows:

1° 30

2° 25

3° 21

4° 18

5° 16

6° 14

7° 12

8° 11

9° 10

10° 9

11° 8

12° 7

13° 6

14° 5

15° 4

16° 3

17° 2

18° 1

1 point for every additional finisher

PRESENTATIONS AND PRIZES

Riders who finish in the top three in their category must attend the podium presentation which will take place 5 minutes after the podium riders finish.

COMPLAINTS

Complaints regarding the conduct of the event, rankings or the behaviour of other competitors and any other type of report must be submitted to the race director, written and signed by the competitor no later than 30 minutes after the podium presentation. The cost of the claim is €25 which will be returned only in case of acceptance of the complaint. The race director shall communicate their decision within 60 minutes after the submission of that claim unless further investigation is required.

INSURANCE

Biking Blitz events are held under Cycling Ireland event regulations and as such all participants must be members of Cycling Ireland. The organisers shall not be held liable in any way for any loss, damage or accidents that may occur during any competition, on the same track either before or after an event.