Hope Women Enduro 2023 – Rider Briefing

Here is the rider and spectator information, we are aware there is a lot of information but please read it thoroughly, and know what you need to do and what rules to follow. More information will be added as we approach the event.

Danger ! Racing mountain bikes is a dangerous sport. You should ensure you’re familiar with the warning signs, stages should not be hit at race speed until you are comfortable with your ability on each stage.

As always we rely on volunteer marshals to make these events a success, if you know somebody who would be interested please ask them to fill in the form on this page, we aren’t too bad but will always take more – please get it touch.

Entry’s & Results
Entry list is HERE
The results link for the Hope Women Enduro will be HERE

What to expect?
We have repeated the well received course from the last years. You will basically do a lap of Gisburns “the 8” red XC loop, and get timed on the 3 best descents.

3 Stages + Bonus Black

The map below is correct, as it stands, we may need to change it but it seems we have sorted this short cut in time for the event.

Stage 1 – HOME BAKED

The first volunteer trail built in Gisburn Forest almost a decade ago. Great fun, my personal favourite section in Gisburn Forest.

Stage 2 – LONG WAY DOWN
Starting at the high point of the lap, we join the upper “Whelpstone” descent with the newest section of Gisburn Forest “Long way down” to time the longest descent available. The Hope Women enduro 2017 was also the opening of this trail so its 2 years old for the event.

Bonus Black – HULLY GULLY
From the bottom of S2 you can head upto Hully Gully and get a time down this stage to compare against your friends – this time will not count towards your 3 stage race time; its just for added fun.

Stage 3 – HOPE LINE
Finishing on the Hope line, well we did have too really, and its so much fun  🙂

Catering

Café opening hours 8am-8pm Saturday, 8am Sunday

Oak & Peel: ‘Wood fired Pizza using authentic and locally sourced ingredients all from our retro style 1950’s airstream caravan’

Bar: Magic Rock Brewing

OTE will have a stand in the event village and also will be providing a feed station up on the course.

Race Arena and Technical support.

We are fortunate to have great support for you at the event, just look at this list of exhibitors!

Hope

Cotic

Santa Cruz

Juliana

OTE

Stif

Pace Cycles

Crankbrothers

Parking, camping and race arena

If you’re arriving Friday please note camping is in the field past the cafe, and will be signposted; no motorhomes, campers or other vehicles in the main car park overnight.

Official Photography

Hope Women & PMBA Enduro have a number of media guys there for video and still photo’s.

 

 

Thursday & Friday

Setup days – Gisburn Forest is open as normal, if you are here early please be aware of our course marking team on stages and slow down for their safety.

Saturday.
08.30 : Marshal Brief
09.00 : Sign on opens for Hope Women Enduro
09:30 :  Stages Open for practice
11.30 : First riders set off for race lap – collect timing chip at your start time
11:30 :  Stage 1 closes for practice (& awaits race lap riders)
12:00 : Stage 2  closes for practice (& awaits race lap riders)
12:15 : Stage 3  closes for practice (& awaits race lap riders)
13:00 :  Last riders set off for race lap
16:00 : Hope  Women’s Stages Close
16:30 :  Podiums

Sunday.

Hope WMN x Steezy hangover ride out

To book: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hope-wmn-x-steezy-hangover-ride-out-tickets-705955189977?aff=oddtdtcreator

Riding by 10am

 

The Venue:
The Venue: Gisburn Forest Hub – BB7 4TS

Organisation:  SMK for PMBA Enduro

Race Director: Kev Duckworth email: pmbaenduroseries@gmail.com mobile: 07979 911337
Chief Marshal: Stuart Taylor
Medics : Remote Medical Services – http://www.remotemedicalservices.co.uk/

Medical
Remote Medical Services will be providing cover over the event. Full Medical Cover will be provided. Multiple Vehicles will be on hand if needed

Nearest A&E Hospital:
Royal Blackburn Hospital
Address: Haslingden Rd, Blackburn BB2 3HH
Blackburn T. 01254 263555

Timing
As per all PMBA Enduro events, we will be using the awesome SI Air+ contactless timing system, the preferred system of the Enduro World Series.

It’s important you have a read of all the info here – It will answer almost any question you could possibly have, there is a lot here but please take the time to look through it…..

Fires – Fires are not permitted.

If you lose or damage your transponder you have to pay for it – The cost is £50.00

 

Camping for Caravans, Campervans & Tents – Available, no additional charge over parking charges

Follow the instructions given by the parking marshals during the weekend, its very important we all park well to fit everyone in the available parking space.

Race lap: The exact start times will be confirmed/selected on the weekend. Competitors will set off in group every 5 mins.

You MUST report to the set off point close to sign-on at your designated time to get your transponder switched on otherwise you will get no times for the stages, you will also receive a briefing before your race lap. Feel free to ask questions.

Red Flags / Yellow flags & Whistles: During practice Red and Yellow flags will be in use – The yellow flag means slow right down, There may be a rider on course or perhaps on the floor but out of the way. Red Flag means STOP This means what it says – There will be an incident ahead and someone’s safety is at risk if you continue. If this happens during your race run you should make your way back to the start of the stage and go again – When you arrive back at the finish you will notify the chief timer that you had a re-run and they will calculate your time.

Racing: Only red flags will be used in racing – If you are red flagged during racing, you should wait until you are given permission to continue by the Marshal, and then continue safely to the bottom and speak with the marshal who will let you know what you need to do.

Rider Etiquette: During practice and race you may come up on or be caught by another rider: Every rider must act in a polite safe manner at all times and permit any faster rider to overtake without obstructing. A reminder that all racers are roving marshals, if you see a rider needing attention you must shout to the next marshal and check with the finish marshal that your message was heard.

Track walk: It’s advised that you walk/inspect the trickier parts of the stages before riding – There are many features and varied terrain sections. Watch out for our 2/3 arrow caution/extreme caution signs to warn you of even trickier bits. If you see a Extreme caution sign there will be an easier rollable line which could be a separate taped line or within the main tapes.

 

 

Rules for Under 16 Riders
As organisers we have a duty of care to look after all our racers. Any racer that is under 16 years of age on the first day of the event must ride/race accompanied by an adult (Min age 18) support racer/rider. If the support rider does not wish to obtain an entry and race we will issue a wristband with ‘support rider’ and for this there is no charge – In this instance there will be no timings given and no transponder issued. The support rider/racer must accompany the youth rider for the duration of the event.

This PMBA Enduro event is available for ages 8+, however we strongly advise that parents entering children under 16 contact us beforehand, so we can advise you of what the event might entail and give you the information you need to make an informed judgement on the suitability of the event for your child.

Categories:

Women U11, U13, U16, U21, Senior, Master 35+, Grand Master 45+  & E-Bike

Ages are taken as age on 31st December 2023.

Go Pro’s / Action Cameras – We have been able to allow 1 new position for helmet cams this year, in race or practice. That is a factory fitted helmet mount. However we have clarified the rules on peak mounting, this must only be on top of the peak, not below. Please be aware it will be the start marshals call, if they are not sure you will be asked to remove it. If you are, please do not argue, they are doing their job; as always abuse of our marshals will not be tolerated. Stick on mounts may be fitted to your helmet, but not used, however we do advise against using stick on mounts to your helmet at all.

Please remember these are for your safety. Start marshal discretion is final on these rules, if they don’t like a “legal” mount for any reason please respect their judgement. These are in line with current UCI recommendations.

ALLOWED
Bike Mounts – below cockpit level
On top of Peak 
Manufacturer fitted helmet mount

Transitions: It’s compulsory to follow the marked transitions on your race lap, please obey marshals instructions.

Whistles: Every time a rider passes a Marshal they will blow his/her whistle. This lets people around know that there is a rider about and it also lets you know that in the instance of hearing a second whistle as you pass then there is someone right behind you.

If you see an injured rider: Please acknowledge you have seen them and continue to the next marshal to report the incident. If your race run is effected you are authorised to have a re-run

Spectators : Spectators are advised to follow marshal instructions, stay out of the taped zone and not to stand in crash area’s. Please be aware of safety signs erected close to the track.

Photographers: A spectator with a camera is not a photographer, actual professional or amateur photographers who can show PLI & attend a safety briefing can get a special wristband and have access almost all area’s. 

Respect the officials and helpers & Follow instructions given: Anyone found to be swearing or giving abuse to any of our Event Staff whether that be Marshals, Timers, Helpers, Medics etc will be asked to leave the event. If you have a problem whether you’re racing or perhaps on behalf of your son or daughter then come and talk to any of the core team. (Organiser Kev  or Chief Marshal Karen) or any stage manager or marshal.
Those that know us always find we are reasonable and willing to listen and will help or advise the best we can.

Careful driving to event: Please be advised that when driving to the venue to be cautious while driving.

Toilets   : facilities are available

Litter: Please take your litter home with you. Please if you can check around your car before leaving. Litter includes goggle tear offs, inner tubes and gel wrappers – all these cannot be disposed of onto the floor, even during a race stage.

Race Timing: You will be issued with a timing chip on Sunday morning. You will be 100% responsible for assuring that your transponder stays with you failure to do so will result in your time not being recorded. You will be able to set off 5-30 seconds behind the rider in front or as instructed by the marshal.

Armour: There are no specific armour rules for this event. Only that a helmet is compulsory. Full face helmet is advised. Knee pads & gloves are strongly advised. We cant advise strongly enough that knee pads, gloves & long sleeves should really be worn. We expect some riders to use full faces helmets on the stages but remind you that unless you are walking with your bike a helmet is 100% compulsory to be worn at all times, correctly fastened

Health & Safety: Anyone wearing headphones whilst riding on course (with a bike) will be disqualified – No second chances. You have been warned! Helmets worn correctly at all times whilst between the tape. No pushing back up the track during practice or racing, no walking the course during race runs. Absolutely no travelling in the wrong direction on the stages at any time. The arrows will lead you to the next stage, or if you wish to session a stage you may need to consult the trail map for a suitable route.

BAR END PLUGS MUST BE FITTED – You will not be allowed to enter the course without them

Self Sufficiency : No outside assistance is allowed and no racers riding as domestiques. However helping a fellow competitor is actively encouraged, just not one team member carrying a huge backpack of spares while others race without.

You will see a number of the rules and regulations require you do to certain things at certain times – Failure to adhere to these rules could result in you having to ride back to the car park, go back down the field or be disqualified – I’ve tried to make it simple and straight forward for everyone.

 

SMK/PMBA Enduro reserves the right to modify or cancel the event if circumstances beyond the control of the organiser should arise. This includes cancellation of event due to extreme weather, acts of God, violence, civil disobedience and war.
If the event is cancelled we will not be liable for costs of travel fares, hotels, or any other expenses that may be incurred.
It is your responsibility to ensure the race is going ahead before travelling. We will do our best to inform you if the race has to be cancelled but we do not accept liability if we are unable to contact you. We strongly advise that you check before making travel and accommodation arrangements.
If the event is cancelled we would endeavour to reschedule if possible. Please be aware that we may be unable to refund or part refund any entry fee. We are also may be unable to transfer your entry to another event.

See you all at the event; Kev as well as other members of the team will be around on Saturday and Sunday so feel free to ask any questions.

Regards
Kev Duckworth – Series Promoter