THE GOLDEN RULE - Once started all participants MUST report to the finish or registration centre, whether they have completed or not. This is essential since rescue teams will look for any participant not recorded by SI card download. Please do not waste their time by not reporting to the finish/registration centre. In the Spring Polaris Challenge it will be assumed that participants are able to shelter overnight, even if they cannot get to the overnight camp, and as such any rescue operation would not be mounted until daylight the next day.
1. AGE - Minimum age is 18 years on the day of competition. However young people over 16 on the day of the competition may compete if their partner is a legal parent or guardian. Solo participants must be 21 or over. Maximum age is 70.
2. SATURDAY START - Participants may start at leisure between 08:00 and 10:00 at the designated start point. They must observe any last-minute briefings or postings at this start. Upon starting they will register their SPORTident card in the start control box. Any participants not registering their SI cards in the start control box will not get any scores for the day.
2a. SATURDAY NIGHT START - Participants may start at leisure between 19:30 and 20:30 at the designated start point. They must observe any last-minute briefings or postings at this start. Upon starting they will register their SPORTident card in the start control box. Any participants not registering their SI cards in the start control box will not get any scores for the night stage.
3. MTB/HIGHWAY CODE - The MTB (or Off Road cycling) Code and Highway Code shall be observed at all times. ALL FOOTPATHS ARE OUT OF BOUNDS, including for the pushing or carrying of bikes. Front and rear bike lights must be used and they must be bright! Keep noise to a minimum near dwellings.
4. COMPETITION STIPULATIONS - Each event has particular stipulations for access and competition format, especially for out-of-bounds areas and paths. These are generally as a result of access agreements, environmental and safety considerations, and will be displayed on mapping or described in briefings or briefing notes. They must be adhered to.
5. MANDATORY EQUIPMENT - Any participants found not to have the mandatory equipment will be penalised (see Equipment list). The bike is mandatory equipment. Cyclo Cross bikes, MTB Tandems, Tourers, Hybrids and Unicycles are allowed and have been successfully used by competent riders (and mechanics!) in the past, although only mountain bikes are recommended.
6. CHECKPOINTS - Each checkpoint site will have an electronic control box attached to an immovable object. These boxes have reflective tape attached to aid location at night. Make sure you hear a beep when putting the SI card in the electronic control box. If it does not beep then take a note of the code on the control box and the time you were at the checkpoint. If there is no control box, please note the time you were there and report it missing as soon as you can to an event marshal.
7. SELF SUFFICIENCY - This is a self-sufficient event. Any participants caught receiving outside help will be penalised. However, you may seek a repair or mechanical assistance from other participants or providers as long as this has not been pre-arranged. The event includes an overnight camp, which is compulsory. If the overnight camp just happens to be located near a hostelry, use of this is not allowed and may incur penalties. The control description card and map will have an emergency phone number printed on it. Only use the emergency number if you or your partner is injured. It is your responsibility to get back to registration if your bike breaks down, we will not collect you.
8. BIKE LIGHTS - Front and rear bike lights must be used and they must be bright!
9. TEAMS - Team members MUST remain in vocal contact throughout the event, must visit the checkpoints together and finish together. If one member is unable to continue, the other should assist him/her to safety or obtain assistance and report their retirement to the registration centre or event director emergency number. Under NO circumstances must the unaffected member continue alone. Leaving mandatory equipment including your bike at anytime will mean penalisation. Some checkpoints will be marshalled, and anyone arriving without their partner, equipment or bike will not be allowed to register with that control box until they are presented.
10. SOLOS - Solo riders must start in the first 50% of the start time window. Leaving mandatory equipment or your bike at anytime will mean penalisation. Some checkpoints will be marshalled, and anyone arriving without their equipment or bike will not be allowed to register with that control box until they are presented.
11. BASECAMP - On arrival back at basecamp all participants must register their SI cards at the finish control box and then download their SI cards at the finish area - marshals will direct you to do this. Please take all rubbish home with you "pack it in - pack it out". Any participants found dumping essential equipment (see checklist) or littering will be penalised. Day 1 results will be posted at overnight camp. Visitors or pet dogs are not allowed at the basecamp without prior arrangement with the event director.
12. SUNDAY START - Participants may start at leisure between 08:00 and 10:00 at the designated start point. They must observe any last-minute briefings or postings at this start. Upon starting they will register their SPORTident card in the start control box. Any participants not registering their SI cards in the start control box will not get any scores for the day. The start will be in or very close to the basecamp area.
13. FINISH - On arrival at the finish, all participants must register their SI cards in the finish control box and then download their results in the finish tent/area as directed by the finish marshals. Participants may be checked for mandatory equipment. All competitors will be expected to possess their emergency rations and mandatory equipment throughout the duration of the event (see Equipment list). On Sunday afternoon a final set of results will be published prior to the prize giving - any objections placed after the prize giving will not be considered. If you are unable to stay, you must nominate someone to check your results for you.
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14. CLASS WINNERS - The total number of points collected minus penalties will determine winners. The penalties for arriving late are shown in the chart.
It is the competitors responsibility to ensure that their SI cards have registered in each control box (a beep sounds when it is registered).
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PENALTIES for arriving late
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1 min-10 mins over
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1 point per min
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11 mins-20 mins over
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2 points per min
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21 mins-30 mins over
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5 points per min
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31 mins-60 mins over
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10 points per min
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Over 1 hour late
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lose day's total points
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15. SPIRIT OF THE EVENT - Any action deemed against the spirit of the event will result in penalisation. The event director's decision is final!
