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Home > Forum > River Valley Dirt Riders Forum > RVDR Events > 23 Race Commandments
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23 Race Commandments
Started January 23, 2008 @ 11:27am by wfopete
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wfopete
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| 23 Race Commandments | January 23, 2008 @ 11:27am | Last year, I asked two of our ACE trail bosses, Dave Davenport and Jim Devereux to come up with a list of what it takes to make a good Hare Scramble course. So for the benefit of all:
When making a Hare Scramble Course…
The race objective is for ALL the riders, from AA to C to Short Course to have a GREAT day. The trick is what makes a great day for one rider, may not make a great day for another. In order to do so the trail must be clearly marked with no confusion as to which way to go (this is a hare scrambles not a navigation exercise), helpers positioned at predicted bad spots, things happen on time, alternate routes, cheaters caught and banished from the land immediately and riders get to go F A S T!
1)HARESCRAMBLES are “generally” fast; ENDUROS are “generally” technical. Technical stuff is OK, but keep this concept in mind at all times.
2)Trails should be constructed where a C rider can make the course with very little help under ideal conditions. If Muddy or Icy, all bets are off!
3)Trail legs should be kept a minimum of 75-80 feet apart unless there is heavy cover to prevent visibility and block course cutting. Flagging or tape will not stop a cheater!
4)TRANSITIONS between high speed and low speed trail sections should be heavily FLAGGED even if natural cover is used. Dust can hide anything at 70 mph.
5)TRANSITIONS between new and old trail should be “smooth”. (i.e. NO 90 deg type transitions) Every effort should be made to make the track FLOW. This is a problem at Old Crow. There are a LOT of places where the trail makes a radical turn off a well broken-in trail. If these junctions are not physically blocked by something that will really hurt (Example: Gnarly CEDAR TREE) and cannot be broken through by repeated 400 lbs bike/rider combos at 40 MPH it will not block the trail. Put up all the ribbon, arrows & W's you want, riders will get screwed up and have a bad day.
6)Natural cover (ie. Cut trees, logs, dead animals) should be used where at all possible to block trails not used at CROSSINGS, including ATV/Bike junctions. Ribbons attract cheaters from nearby trails.
7)Anticipate bottlenecks! Where bottlenecks are predicted, ALWAYS have ALTERNATE ROUTES!!! Concerns are a few places where less experienced riders will have difficulties and block the trail for the rest. Be sure there are alternate routes planned for some of the hills (up and down), and those G-outs. The G-out ditches WILL rut up very quickly and deeply.
8)Difficult creek crossings need several multiple lines. This will reduce deep rutting on the exit creek bank.
9)Potentially muddy areas need several multiple lines.
10)Bike trails need to be cut/trimmed HIGH, but not wide. Trail should be cut high enough where nothing will hit a STANDING rider in the face.
11)ATV trails need to be cut/trimmed WIDE, but not high. ATV trails should be 60 inches wide at minimum. If not post Danger “X”.
12)Following the guidelines above, cut all cedar branches facing the direction of the course, flush with the trunk or leave them long enough not to gore someone.
13)REMOVE all sticks from ATV trails. These become lances when thrown up by the front wheels and can impale a rider.
14)REMOVE all “lone” rolling rocks from Bike trails. A rolling rock in an unsuspected section of track can send a rider into a tree at 50 mph. Remember a rolling stone leaves no bike unturned : )
15)REMOVE (cut back) all briars on any trail. Donate to the Red Cross later after the race.
16)REMOVE (cut back) all vines on any trail. These things can snatch handlebars from a rider’s hands, mash a front brake lever, or disable the vehicles brakes.
17)REMOVE all old ribbons and arrows. This stuff becomes unsightly after a year in the weather. I recommend taking a trash bag with you.
18)All root stubs and stumps should be cut flush with the ground or painted with marker paint.
19)All rocks left in the trail sharp enough to cut to a tire or pinch a tube should be painted.
20)Unexpected hazards should be removed where possible. (i.e. refrigerators, barb wire, & automobiles) Where not possible, flag or paint the hazard.
21)Use our designated sponsor’s provided ribbons, arrows, etc. They are kind enough to give, so be kind enough to advertise.
22)Vendor Ribbons used for trail markings should be neat. (i.e. parallel, flat, right side up, etc) Help maintain the professional image of our track and club.
23)There is nothing wrong with going straight for a LONG distance, passing another rider at 90+ MPH is C-O-O-L ! (Gaston will do it on one wheel)
Pete Petrick
PREZ, RVDRs
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