Herberton 8 Hour

General Information

The Herberton 8 Hour (H8H) is a cross country endurance event based at the Tepon Equestrian Park and surrounding trail network approximately 23km south of Atherton.  The 13km course includes a mixture of forestry tracks, single track and fire road.

The event is suited to riders of all abilities and can be raced solo, in pairs or in teams of three or four people.  The solo and pairs categories are suited to more competitive riders.  The teams’ categories are suited to more social riders.  Junior competitors must read the information related to race distances and the categories they are eligible for.

The race commences at 8:00am on Sunday 7^th August with a mass start down the Tepon airstrip and concludes at 4:00pm the same day.  Competitors that are still on the course at 4:00pm will not be able to include that lap in their final tally.

A 2011 couse map and profile is available at http://ridewithgps.com/trips/325629.

Registration

Registration is online only and closes Saturday 23^rd July 2011 30^th July 2011.  You may only enter in one category.

Pairs and Team registrations must be completed in one single registration so ensure you have the following details for each person prior to going online:

• Team Name;
• First & last name;
• Date of birth;
• Address;
• Email;
• Phone number;
• Current MTBA licence number;
• Emergency contact name and number;
• Details of any medical conditions.

You cannot register on race day.

MTBA Competition Licence

Riders who have a current Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA) Annual Senior or Junior Licence must present their license when you collect your rider pack and number on Saturday 6th August 2011.

All other competitors will need to purchase a MTBA day licence.

If you are under 18 Years

All competitors under the age of 18 on 7^th August 2011 must:

• Have their parent/guardian complete the acceptance section on the event waiver and terms and conditions of payment section of the website and
• Be signed in by a parent or guardian. This is to be completed when you pick up your rider number and pack on Saturday 6^th August 2011.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

Tableland Cycle Sports Inc (the race organisers) reserve the right to cancel the event at any time due to matters beyond its control, including act of God, natural disasters, inclement whether, war, strike, laws or interventions or acts of statutory bodies, major accidents during the race, or other such matters.  If the event is cancelled or postponed, Tableland Cycle Sports will make every effort to reschedule the event (not that we would want to but you never know?!).

If a refund is requested, the registration fee less a $25 administration charge will be refunded before 12pm Saturday 23rd July 2011 (ie. before registrations close).

No entry fees will be refunded if a rider withdraws from the event after 12pm Saturday 23rd July 2011 (ie. after close of registrations).

Special requirements for riders under 18 years

The H8H is classified as an Endurance Event and as such the Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA) ‘Policy on Junior Participation in Endurance Mountain Bike Events’ applies.  Refer the MTBA website for the latest copy of the policy.

Riders (under 18) must have a parent or guardian approve the waiver that automatically appears when registering a junior rider via the online registration system

Race Categories and Prizes

In each of the following categories, prizes will be awarded to first place and certificates awarded to second and third:

• Solo Expert (18+) – Male / Female;
• Solo Veteran (30-39) – Male / Female;
• Solo Masters (40-49) – Male / Female;
• Solo Super Masters (50+) – Male / Female;
• Pairs – Male / Female / Mixed
• Pairs Junior – Male / Female / Mixed
• Teams – Male / Female / Mixed;
• Teams Junior – Male / Female / Mixed.

A cash prize will also be awarded to the first person across the line on the first lap.

Important Rider Information

Minimum Requirements for every rider:

• A recently serviced off-road worthy bike in good condition;
• An Australian Standards Approved cycling helmet;
• Sunscreen, eye protection, and enclosed shoes;
• Hydration pack / water bottles to provide min 1 litre per hour;
• Tools and spare tubes to fix a flat tyre / broken chain on the track;
• Helmet on head, smile on your face and bum on the seat (wherever possible).

Other bits and pieces:

• Drinking water is available at the event village;
• Bring insect repellent;
• Bring your own sun protection – it can be a long hot event.

Be Prepared (Scouts or Girl Guide membership is optional)

THERE ARE NO WATER STATIONS ON THE RACE COURSE.

Water is available at the event village only so be sure to carry water with you, each and every lap.

Safety

The H8H can be a challenging course that carries an element of risk.  Some hazards you may encounter include loose gravel, rocky, muddy and slippery surfaces.  Obstacles such as fallen logs, overhanging branches and/or vines, closed gates, fresh cow pats and cattle may also be encountered.  Please take due care and use your common sense.

• If you suffer minor injuries and require first aid make this known at any of the check points and the volunteers will advise the ambulance as required via radio;
• We encourage everyone to assist anyone who has suffered serious injury;
• Competitors who stop and administer aid will have their lap time adjusted accordingly;
• Do not move anyone with suspected neck or back injuries;
• In the event of a rider being unable to move, one competitor must stay with the injured rider while another competitor proceeds to the next check point;
• Any entrant withdrawing from the event - either before the start or during the race, must notify a race marshal at a check point;
• If reporting an injured rider to a check point, make sure that you take note of their rider number. Sometimes the injured rider gets up and keeps riding.  By providing the marshals at the checkpoint with the rider number, it will save them going on wild goose chase in these scenarios.  It will also help marshals at the checkpoints call emergency contacts if needed.

Course Etiquette / How to Play

• Before starting all participants must read all information in the course notes;
• All riders must be present and pay attention to the pre-race briefing;
• The H8H is run according to the principles and practices of fair play and decency.  There is ample space on the course for passing a rider.  However, as you approach a slower rider you should let them know what you are doing by calling “PASSING ON YOUR LEFT / PASSING ON YOUR RIGHT”.  The rider in front has right of way but slower riders should not delay faster riders unnecessarily.
• All riders must obey race officials, including check point volunteers, at all times.
• In the event of serious accident any rider who does not stop to assist will be disqualified;
• Anyone reported littering on the course will be disqualified.  This includes punctured tubes, energy bar and gel packets;
• Stay on the course and no short cuts (No-one likes a cheater);
• Walking is optional and sometimes necessary;
• A rider walking their bike must give way to a rider who is riding;
• Any form of protest should be lodged in writing to the organisers within 30 minutes of finishing;
• Any male wishing to lodge a protest will be required to wear a mankini while singing a Peter Andre song to the post race presentation crowd.  This must be done professionally if you want people to listen.  This isn’t ‘Australia’s Got Talent’;
• Any Juniors wishing to lodge a protest will be ignored as the adult organisers are jealous of anyone that is half their weight and twice as fast on a bike;
• Any Female wishing to lodge a protest will of course get what she wants;
• In all matters the organiser's decision will be final.

Course Markers

• It is the riders responsibility to look for course markers and to follow the correct course;
• The course will be marked at regular intervals with Flagging Tape and Arrows;
• In technical areas or steep descents the course will be marked with a series of downward arrows.

Bike Numbers

Attach your number plate to the handlebars (the wide thingies that you hang on to at the front) of your bike using at least 3 ties.  Do not wrap it around your stem, bend it or obscure the number with your cables so it cannot be seen.  Remember, if we can’t see your number we can’t count you laps, you may not get a result.

You may keep the number plate as a souvenir of the event.

Event Location

The event village is located at Tepon Equestrian Park 23km south of Atherton.

Excellent camping facilities are available on site for a fee of $10 per camp site per night.  Facilities consist of two amenities blocks, powered sites, a bar and a canteen.  Food and drinks will be on sale Saturday evening and throughout the day on Sunday.  The event site has an excellent water supply with ample taps positioned around the park.

Please note that the Tepon Equestrian Park is a glass free zone.  This is a necessary requirement to protect horses that use the facility from potential serious injury.

Rider pack collection and Practice - Saturday 6th August 2011

• 2:00pm to 4:00pm - Collect your race number and rider pack / gates open for camping set up;
• 2:00pm to 4:00pm - Course open for Practice
• 4:00pm - Course closed;
• 6.00pm - Gates closed for camping set up.

Race Day – Sunday 7th August 2011

• 5.30am - Gates open for riders and supporters to arrive and set up for the day;
• 6:00am to 6:30am - Late pick up of race number and rider packs.  (This is Not Advisable - Admin Staff are very cranky early in the early morning and complain bitterly about their lack of workplace agreement.  Best to collect instead on Saturday afternoon);
• 7:30am - Rider Briefing;
• 8:00am - Event Start;
• 3:40pm - Final lap cut-off;
• 4:00pm - Race finish (if still on course the final lap does not count);
• 4:30pm - Presentations and prize-giving.

Volunteers

There are many volunteers who give up their valuable time to make the H8H possible.  When passing through a checkpoint take the time to say g’day and thanks.  Who knows, you may need them just around the corner.

Further Information

Please contact a member of the race committee below if you require further information:

David Prete                   0418 878 391

Ashley Greenwood        0432 091 082