Mountain Bike and Mountain Bike Relay Teams
1.0 Vermont 50 Mountain Bike Racing Regulations
1.1 Racers shall complete the entire event, and complete it on the same bicycle upon which the event was begun. If a competitor changes bikes they may finish the event but are disqualified.
1.2 All repairs during the event shall be performed by the individual racer. Participants who receive on-course assistance from fellow competitors will no longer be eligible for competitive consideration. No other outside help or assistance is permitted, and failure to comply will result in disqualification.
1.3 Cannibalizing other bikes or obtaining spare parts from a pit area or the like is not permitted. If a participant receives assistance with their bike they may finish the event but are no longer eligible for competitive consideration. This includes the assistance of the event-provided mechanics located at aid stations.
1.4 Racers riding bikes have the right of way over racers walking bikes. When practical, racers walking bikes should stay on the least ride-able section of the course when being passed. A racer walking or carrying his/her bike can overtake a racer riding as long as they do not interfere with the other racer’s progress.
1.5. It is the responsibility of the challenging rider or runner to overtake safely. One must yield to the passing rider or runner on the first command. You must warn the rider or runner that you are approaching them and state which side you are about to pass them on.
1.6 In the event two racers are vying for position, the leading racer does not have to yield his/her position to the challenger. However, a racer may not bodily interfere, with the intent to impede another racer’s progress. Traditional rules of racing apply: the leading racer owns the track.
1.7 Short-cutting and/or cutting trail switchbacks shall result in disqualification.
1.8 If you get lost or leave the designated/marked course you must go back on your own to the spot where you went off course without assistance (e.g. car rides, etc.) and then continue.
1.9 Unsportsmanlike behavior and/or the use of profane language are grounds for warning, relegation, disqualification or recommended suspension. The penalty imposed shall be determined by the race official or race director.
1.10 All local laws, rules and ordinances shall be observed during the participation in this event. Failure to follow these laws, rules and ordinances shall result in disqualification. This includes following all rules pertaining to traveling on public roads – the course will at times traverse open, public roads and participants will encounter motor vehicle traffic not associated with the race. At no time will participants assume right-of-way unless so directed by course officials.
1.11 A racer may be suspended from Vermont 50 for up to two years for damaging or destroying public and/or private property.
1.12 The use of electronic music players, radio communication devices, cell phones, and similar items is prohibited for mounted riders at this event. No headphones or other devices that may prevent you from hearing cars, bikers, runners, etc. will be permitted while participating in this event. Failure to comply shall result in disqualification.
1.13 No pre-race or post-race riding of any part of the course is allowed. Most of the course is located on private property and use is granted only for race day. Property owners generously grant the race use for this one day and do not want it used at other times. Failure to comply could result in disqualification or suspension from future races.
2.0 Aid or contact with competitors on course
2.1 The event will provide Official Aid Stations in addition to Crew Access Stations. Aid is allowed for both runners and bikes at these designated Aid Stations ONLY. Vehicles will ONLY be allowed into these three designated Aid Stations if they are displaying a Crew Aid Station Car Access Hang Tag which must be picked up on Saturday at the Crew table. Aid Stations for Bikers with Crew vehicle access are: Skunk Hollow, Greenall’s and Johnson’s ONLY. Designated parking areas of Crew Access Stations are considered acceptable areas for participants to receive aid.
No crew access is allowed anywhere on the course except at these designated crew stations.
2.1.1 Vehicles parked on course or at designated aid stations without a Crew Aid Station Car Access Hang Tag are subject to being towed at the owner’s expense and possible race DISQUALIFICATION.
2.2 Crew, family members or friends must be in a vehicle displaying the Crew Aid Station Car Access Hang Tag or the vehicle will not be allowed at the designated Official Access/Aid Station.
2.2.1 Persons in a race designated “crew” vehicle (displaying a Crew Aid Station Car Access Hang Tag ) shall obey all directions/instructions given by race parking volunteers, aid stations volunteers, race officials and law enforcement officers.
2.3 No crew, family member or friend shall aid or have contact of ANY KIND ANYWHERE on the race course except at the designated crew access aid stations. Failure to comply shall result in DISQUALIFICATION.
2.3.1 Crew, family member(s), or friend(s) who are found giving aid or having contact of any kind on course (except at the designated access/aid stations) will be given one warning by a race official. This race official shall notify Net Control and the Race Timing Officials of the warning, The next warning to that rider’s crew, family member(s) or friend(s) will result in the rider being DISQUALIFIED. The warning shall apply collectively and cumulatively to persons associated with that rider.
2.4 The Vermont 50 mile committee asks in order to protect our community relationships that all support vehicles for runners and mountain bikers stay off the course and that includes all public roads except the designated routes to the designated crew stations. Failure to comply shall result in DISQUALIFICATION.
2.5 As with any ride that traverses public roads, stay to the right, single file and obey all traffic laws. Public roads will be open during the event and participants will encounter motor vehicles not associated with the race. DO NOT assume right-of-way unless directed by race officials. Many of the dirt roads are narrow and cars should be given as much room to pass as possible.
3.0 Race Waves
3.1 If you start in a wave ahead of your designated wave/category/age group, your start time will be moved back to the wave time you were classified in and an additional 20 minutes will be added to your finishing time. Your time starts when the chip in your Bib/Plaque crosses the timing mat.
3.1 The race cut off time for everyone is 6:30 p.m.
3.2 There is a strict 12 hour limit for the race with 10 Aid Stations at ~ 5 mile intervals. If any participant arrives at an Aid Station after the posted closing time of the station, will be requested, urged strongly, and then TOLD to get in the van for free transportation back to the finish area at Ascutney Outdoors.
4.0 Mountain Bike Relay Teams
4.1 Each Relay Team is allowed to register ONE (1) vehicle for the race.
4.2 Relay Team Crew Vehicle MUST display a Crew Aid Station Car Access Hang Tag (which must be picked up on Saturday at the Crew table) to drop off your Team Members at one of the (3) Exchange Points/Designated Aid Stations. These aid stations are: Skunk Hollow, Greenall’s and Johnson’s. Alternatively, mountain bikers may ride their bikes to the aid station to make the bike plaque exchange. One mountain will continue on to the finish-on course, the other mountain biker will ride back to Ascutney Outdoors staying OFF the race course.
4.3 Only ONE Relay Team Member is ALLOWED ON COURSE At any given time. NO RIDING TOGETHER.
4.4 One chipped plaque will be issued to the Team Captain and passed along to other team member at the exchange points on course.
4.5 Mileage Breakdown (approx.) 32 Miles Start to Greenall’s 18 Miles Greenall’s to finish
4.6 Relay mountain bikers are responsible for getting themselves to the exchange points. Only one vehicle per team will be allowed, and it must have a Crew Aid Station Car Access Hang Tag (which must be picked up on Saturday at the Crew table).
4.7 Remember to get the chipped plaque from your team member
5.0 Protests
5.1 Protests can be made by any registered participant of the Vermont 50 mile. The participant shall file the protest in writing with the Race Director, or another race official if the RD is not available. The protest period is immediately following the race and up to 15 minutes following the posting of the complete results for his/her class.
On-course protests registered with a race official must be reported to the nearest aid station HAM radio operator, to be relayed to net control for recording the protest. Race officials should communicate protests directly to radio operators, NOT aid station captains.
5.2 The Vermont 50 Race Director will make the final decision regarding any occurrence during the event.
5.3 All result inquiries, including placement and class considerations, must be made at the venue during the protest period. Once the protest period is over, results become final.
6.0 Equipment Requirements
6.1 Every rider, while on bicycle at this event, shall wear a protective, securely fastened helmet meeting the standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
6.2 Footgear shall be fully enclosed.
6.3 All bicycles shall have at least two brakes that are in good working order.
6.4 Bar ends and handlebar extensions shall be plugged and shall not have any sharp or jagged edges.
6.5 Eye protection is strongly recommended.
6.6 The use of electric-powered or electric-assist bikes is strictly prohibited.
7.0 Disclaimer
The rules and regulations (collectively “rules”) contained in this handbook are intended solely to provide for the governance of the Vermont 50 event to establish general requirements for the orderly conduct of this bicycling event.
All participants in this event conducted according to these rules are deemed by their participation to have voluntarily complied with the rules. Vermont 50 makes no express or implied warranty as to safety or guarantee against damage, loss, harm, injury or death to participants, spectators or other as a result of publication of or compliance with these rules.
Violating any rule will be grounds for disqualification. Race management reserves the right to bar any participant from competing in this or any future Vermont 50 Mountain Bike or Ultra-run races. The Vermont 50 is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged bags or belongings.
Registration Opens May 25 at 7 p.m. ET.