Race Rules

1. Riders
1.1. All riders must be at least 19 years or older on 12 August 2011 unless permission is granted by the Chief Commissaire prior to the event.
1.2. All riders must be healthy, and in a very fit state of training.
1.3. All riders must have good technical bike skills for off-road conditions.

2. Categories
2.1. Solo
2.1.1. Senior Men – A male rider of any age 19 years or older as at 12 August 2011
2.1.2. Senior Women – A female rider of any age 19 years or older as at 12 August 2011
2.1.3. Veteran Men – A male rider of any age 40 years or older as at 12 August 2011
2.1.4. Veteran Women – A female rider of any age 40 years or older as at 12 August 2011
2.1.5. Old Bullets – A male rider of any age 50 years or older as at 12 August 2011
2.1.6. Graceful Ladies – A female rider of any age 50 years or older as at 12 August 2011
2.1.7. All categories must have a minimum of ten teams entered to constitute a category. Where less than 10 riders are entered in any category the organisers reserve the right to combine categories.
2.2. Teams
2.2.1. Senior Men – Two male riders of any age 19 years or older as at 12 August 2011
2.2.2. Senior Women – Two female riders of any age 19 years or older as at 12 August 2011
2.2.3. Mixed – One male/ One female of any age 19 years or older as at 12 August 2011
2.2.4. Veteran Men – Two male riders of any age 40 years or older as at 12 August 2011
2.2.5. Veteran Women – Two female riders of any age 40 years or older as at 12 August 2011
2.2.6. Veteran Mixed – One male and one female rider of any age 40 years or older as at 12 August 2011
2.2.7. Old Bullets – Two male riders of any age 50 years or older as at 12 August 2011
2.2.8. Graceful Ladies – Two female riders of any age 50 years or older as at 12 August 2011
2.2.9. Graceful Bullets – One male and one female rider of any age 50 years or older as at 12 August 2011
2.2.10. Where team members fall into different age categories, the team shall race in the category of the younger team member.
2.2.11. All categories must have a minimum of ten teams entered to constitute a category. Where less than ten teams are entered in any category the organisers reserve the right to combine categories.
2.3. Rules applicable to the allocation of category and other prizes for the race:
2.3.1. 1st & 2nd prizes for overall category winners.
2.3.2. Daily stage 1st teams and solo riders in each category will receive a Leader’s Jersey.
2.3.3. The daily stage winners (the first full team and 1st solo rider to cross the finish line) will receive a cash prize of R500 (Five Hundred Rand)

3. Medical Condition
3.1. Participants may only start any stage of this race if they are in good physical and medical condition.
3.2. During The Kargo Magalies Adventure the Senior Medical Officer reserves the right to withdraw any participant who he may deem physically or psychologically incapable of continuing with the race.

4. Registration
4.1. Registration will take place at the Van Gaalen’s Cheese Farm on Friday, 12 August 2011 from 12h00 until 16h00 and an additional registration for The Mini Kargo Magalies Adventure; will be available on Sunday morning at the same venue between 07h00 and 08h00.
4.2. Both partners must preferably report at the same time for registration of their team. It is NOT required that bikes be brought to registration. No team will be allocated their race numbers until the race organisers are in possession of indemnity forms signed by both team members.
4.3. No late registrations will be accepted, unless arranged with the Race Office.

5. Race Briefings
5.1. A full race briefing will take place at Van Gaalen’s Cheese Farm from 16h00 on Friday, 12th August 2011. This briefing will cover Stage 1 and Stage 2. Stage 3 briefing will take place at Van Gaalen’s Cheese Farm on Saturday the 14th of August at 17h00.
5.2. Riders are expected to attend these as important information related to possible changes to the following day's stage and particular hazards could be announced. Riders who do not attend the race briefings and are not aware of changes made will not be accommodated if they miss their start time, or any similar issue related to their not attending the race briefing.

6. Prize Giving and Award Ceremonies
6.1. An award ceremony for each stage will be held each evening at the race briefing and at the final prize giving on Sunday the 14th of August, to present the riders with awards and overall leader jerseys for each stage.
6.2. All riders receiving an award are required to attend. Absence may result in a time penalty.
6.3. The Final Award Ceremony will take place at 12h30 on Sunday the 14th of August 2011.

7. Bicycles
7.1. Only mountain bikes in good, safe working order, at the discretion of the Chief Commissaire, will be allowed to start the stage each day. Unprotected sharp bar ends, in-operative brakes, etc will not be permitted.
7.2. Maintenance of the bicycles used in the race is the responsibility of each participant and the Chief Commissaire reserves the right to insist that a participant repair or attend to a bicycle should the Commissaire be of the opinion that it is unsafe or dangerous.
7.3. The participants must start and finish the event with the same bike.
7.4. Riders may not change their bike or frame of their bicycle during the race without the permission of the Chief Commissaire. Change of a frame will only be allowed in the case of a warranty breakage.
7.5. Rims, spokes, tubes, tyres, wheels, gears, hangers, sprockets, cables, brakes, forks and shocks may be replaced.
7.6. Limited bike maintenance and spares will be provided by various local bike shops on registration day and after each of the stages.
7.7. No outside assistance for bicycle repairs will be allowed during the stages. Participants may only accept assistance from their partner or another competitor in the same race.
7.8. Riders are expected to complete the full distance of each stage within the time allowed. Repairs to bicycles during the stage must be carried out within this time limit.

8. The Team
8.1. Each team consists of two riders.
8.2. The team will start, ride and finish each stage together, with a maximum of 2 minutes interval between the riders at any point.
8.3. The team members may assist one another with bike repairs and maintenance, and with first aid
8.4. The team members may not tow each other
8.5. If one team member is, for any reason, unable to complete a stage or the race, the remaining team member will be permitted to join up with another rider or team to complete the race. He/she will be allocated a race time, but will be classified as an "Individual Finisher" of The Kargo Magalies Adventure on condition that all other qualifying criteria are met.
8.6. Where a team of 2 riders breaks up for whatever reason, the TEAM will not qualify as a finisher of the Kargo Magalies Adventure [please also refer to the "Rider and Team Status Protocol" below

9. Helmets and Riding Attire
9.1. Only recognised hard shell cycling helmets complying with recognised standards will be acceptable. The Chief Commissaire will rule on the permitted use of any questionable helmets.
9.2. Any riders not wearing their helmets, with the retention strap properly fastened, at any time during the race will be disqualified.
9.3. Generally accepted cycling clothing, including a shirt, must be worn at all times during the race.
9.4. Proper, fully enclosed cycling shoes, or at least running shoes must be worn
9.5. It is strongly recommended that protective eyewear be worn.

10. Race Equipment
Although paramedic and medical services will be provided during the race and for a period after the completion of each stage, the self-reliant and remote nature of a mountain bike race requires that each team carries the following items to be prepared to deal with emergencies they may experience:
10.1. Compulsory Equipment
10.1.1. A multi-tool per team to effect repairs to bikes.
10.1.2. At least 1 spare tube per rider.
10.1.3. At least one good pump and a puncture repair kit per team.
10.1.4. At least 1, 5 litres of hydration liquid per rider at the beginning of each stage. (2 x water bottles).
10.1.5. At least one cell phone per team. It is recommended that each team carries simcards for both Vodacom and MTN service providers as reception is not covered fully in the mountain around Magalies. (Please keep your phone off to conserve battery life, and only use it in an emergency).

10.2. Optional Recommended Equipment
10.2.1. Windbreaker or preferably a lightweight rain jacket.
10.2.2. Sterile First Aid dressings.
10.2.3. Adhesive plasters.
10.2.4. Sun block with a minimum factor of 15.
10.2.5. Foil survival blanket.
10.2.6. Lip Balm
10.2.7. Whistle

11. The Race and Stages
The race will consist of three stages on days 1 to 3. All three days will count toward the overall race results.
11.1. ALL STAGES will start and finish in the grounds of van Gaalen’s Cheese Farm, initially over arterial roads, then jeep track and single track, including some extended climbs, downhills and undulating terrain, ranging in distance from 25 to 75km. Surfaces range from good to rocky, rutted and slippery, especially if wet climatic conditions are encountered.
11.2. At least one feed station (water, energy drinks, and fruit) will be provided at appropriate points. Three feed stations will be provided for Stage 2.
11.3. The total race distance will be between 130 and 150km.
11.4. Riders must complete the full distances of all 3 stages of the race as a team to be "Kargo Magalies Adventure Official Finishers" and record an official result.
11.5. The cut-off time for stages 1 will be 3 hours, Stage 2 will be 8 hours, and Stage 3 will be 6 hours. [unless advised otherwise by the Chief Commissaire

12. The Start
12.1. The start chute will open at 16h30 for Stage 1 - race starts at 17h30, and 06h15 for Stage 2 which starts at 07h00. Stage 3 chutes will open at 06h45 and the stage starts at 07h30.
12.2. From stage 2, the riders wearing the leaders’ jerseys will have the option to start in front of the chute, if present at the start as from 06h30.
12.3. The start zones close 10 minutes before the start.
12.4. Any rider not in their start zones 10 minutes before the start will be required to start in the last start zone at the back. It is also the teams' / riders responsibility to ensure that they are at the start on time even if the start is delayed for whatever reason.
12.5. The start will remain open for 15 minutes after the start for any late starters. Late starters must advise the Chief Commissaire of the late start so that official sweep and other vehicles can be advised accordingly.

13. Individual and Team Times
13.1. Only team times will be regarded as official results, and be published as such. Individual times will however be recorded for allocation of STP's.
13.2. The team time will be determined by the time at which the last team rider crosses the stage finish line.
13.3. Timing will start with the start siren at the start of each stage for Stages 1 to 3.
13.4. Riders who start later than 15 minutes after the designated start time will not be included in the stage results and will be responsible to follow the route on their own and to catch up with the sweep vehicle.
13.5. Any rider/team not able to make the start deadline must report to the Chief Commissaire 45 minutes before the stage starts for permission to make a late start.
13.6. The cut-off time will not be adjusted for any rider permitted to make a late start.

14. Rider Identification and Timing
14.1. No timing chips (e.g. Winning Time or Championship) are required for the event.
14.2. Riders display their Kargo Magalies Adventure race number at all times during a stage. Riders not displaying official race numbers will be regarded as non-participants, and prevented from continuing on the route by marshals.
14.3. Race numbers must be properly attached to the handlebars of the bike with cable ties provided, and must be placed in front of cables etc so as not to be obscured in any way. Riders will be required to remove and reaffix numbers if they are found to be obscured.
14.4. Riders must not cut, modify or mutilate their race numbers in any way. No stickers may be added or removed.
14.5. It is each rider’s responsibility to keep their race numbers relatively clean and legible at all times, and no rider may start a stage with a dirty number. Loss of a race number will cost R25 to replace
14.6. Race leaders are obliged to wear the leader jerseys provided.

15. Nutrition and Hydration
15.1. The Kargo Magalies Adventure will take place over the middle of August. It could be cold and misty, and start conditions may be close to 5 degrees. Ensure that you have appropriate clothing.
15.2. Riders must ensure that they keep themselves properly hydrated and carry sufficient nutrition for at least 45km of riding.
15.3. The Kargo Magalies Adventure will provide water, energy drinks, sweets and at neutral feed stations at accessible and appropriate refreshment stations on the route.

16. Seconding and Support
16.1. Riders may not receive outside assistance or help, other than from their team partners or fellow competitors, at any point along route.
16.2. No outside seconding, assistance or feeding other than that provided by the Kargo Magalies Adventure at an official refreshment station is permitted.
16.3. Bike repairs may be carried out on the route without outside assistance, but care must be taken not to obstruct other riders.
16.4. No towing between riders is allowed, in line with international rules.
16.5. Riders are not permitted to draft behind cycles not participating in The Kargo Magalies Adventure, but may however draft behind their partner or other participating riders on Stages 1 to 3.
16.6. No drafting is permitted behind any other vehicles on the route, including private motorcycles and race support vehicles.
16.7. Supporters are not permitted to follow or drive ahead of riders or be on any section of the course, while the race in is progress, on any of the stages, but may access a number of vantage points and public road crossings to vocally support the teams. These points will be demarcated on maps and explained at the stage briefings.
16.8. Cyclists that are not entered in the event are not permitted to ride on the course or any sections of the course. Refer to Rule 15.2. If such riders are found to be on the course and they can be linked to a participating team, that team will be penalised at the discretion of the Chief Commissaire.

17. Withdrawals and Formation of New Teams
17.1. Any team not able to continue the stage or race, for whatever reason, must inform the Race Office immediately. This can be done at the start of any stage, the finish, at STP checkpoints, at a feed zone, or preferably by mobile phone (082-550-1628).
17.2. In the event of a search and rescue operation being launched for a rider or team who has withdrawn, but has not informed the Race Office, the cost of such an operation will be for the team concerned. (aka the Ruinaard Clause)
17.3. In the event of one member of a team being incapable of continuing in the race, this must also be reported to the Race Office so that the remaining rider may be assisted to form another team, if possible. The formation of the new team however remains the rider's responsibility.
17.4. The formation of new teams may only take place between stages and each morning before the start. The details of the new team must be supplied to the Race Office and Chief Commissaire.
17.5. Single riders are not permitted to start any stage on their own unless with permission from the Chief Commissaire.
17.6. Newly formed teams will not qualify for team rankings or as "Kargo Magalies Adventure Official Finishers", but individual riders who complete all three stages within the required cut off times will be allocated a race time and will receive a medal.

18. Protests
18.1. Any protests must be submitted in writing, on official protest forms available from the Race Office, to the Chief Commissaire, by the team/rider concerned within the allocated time period after crossing the finish line.
18.2. A deposit of R150 must accompany the protest, before the protest will be considered.
18.3. If the protest is upheld, the deposit will be refunded. If it is not upheld, it will be donated to the Magalies Rotary Community Fund.
18.4. Race protests must be submitted within 15 minutes of the team crossing the line or within 30 minutes of the results being posted respectively. Race results will be posted no later than 22h00 on Stage 1, and for Stage 2, 16h00 and for Stage 3, 13h00.

19. Ethical and Environmental Considerations
19.1. Littering on the stages, damage to property, lighting of fires or damage to the environment will not be tolerated.
19.2. Physical and/or abuse of Kargo Magalies Adventure Crew and Officials, or fellow competitors will not be permitted.
19.3. Infringements of the above rules will result in disciplinary action and possible disqualification.
19.4. Limited littering by riders within 10m of the neutral feed zones will be allowed, but riders are requested to kindly use litter receptacles provided.

20. Traffic Regulations
20.1. The Kargo Magalies Adventure will not have exclusive use of any public or private roads during the race. Owing to the fact that we are guests of the various farmers in the region, we are to respect their wishes to allow them to continue operating their businesses with minimum interruption. For safety reasons, all riders are expected to stop or give way to machines, transport vehicles, until the road is clear and an official or marshal waves the riders on.
20.2. Riders must ride with due regard for other road users, and all traffic signs and regulations must be adhered to unless a traffic officer instructs him/her to do otherwise.
20.3. Riders are not permitted to ride on the opposite (right) side of the centreline on a public road.
20.4. Care must be taken when negotiating "blind corners" on farm and district roads where vehicles and machines may be operating.
20.5. Infringements of traffic regulations may result in disqualification.

21. Basic Race Rules and Etiquette
21.1. All riders must complete the entire distance of the race.
21.2. While utmost care will be taken to mark and marshal the route, the responsibility for following the official route lies with the rider.
21.3. No rider is permitted to take any shortcuts, or take advantage of any similar nature over other participants.
21.4. Riders who leave the stage for any reason whatsoever must return into the stage at the same place from where they exited it.
21.5. Any walking, running, or riding by any rider, with the intention of not directly rejoining the course, or any other activity in breach of the regulations, which takes place outside the demarcated stage area, can result in disqualification.
21.6. A rider may not receive any outside technical assistance from anybody, other than his/her Kargo Magalies Adventure team partner or a fellow competitor.
21.7. Riders must act in a polite manner and permit any faster rider to pass unhindered as soon as conditions allow.
21.8. Riders must respect the environment, and ride only on the official demarcated route.
21.9. No pollution of any kind is permitted.
21.10. No glass containers are permitted.
21.11. Riders must not: use abusive language, act in an unsporting manner, and be disrespectful to The Magalies Experience officials, crew, marshals, medical attendants, supporters, the media or the traffic officials.
21.12. Riders are expected to administer basic first aid to injured team partners and other competitors, and if required, take necessary steps to summon assistance in the case of a serious injury.

22. Doping
22.1. The Kargo Magalies Adventure reserves the right, in terms of SA Mountain biking rules and regulations, to implement doping tests on any riders.
22.2. Positive results will result in immediate disqualification, and forfeiture of any result by the rider concerned.

23. Penalties and Disqualification
23.1. The penalties below serve as a guideline for transgressions of the rules, but where any additional rule interpretation is required, or where specific provision for any incident has not been made in these rules, the decision of the Chief Commissaire is final.

TP - Time Penalty
STP - Separation Time Penalty
DNS - Did Not Start
DNF - Did Not Finish