Event Info / Rules & Regulations

Downhill Races:

The Pearce Cycles Downhill Series is a British Cycling Regional A Ranking Series.  It sits one level below the UK National Downhill Series so is a good introduction to racing.  In common with the National Series we use full length courses and have rider uplift which means our youngest racers need to have their 13th birthday in the year of the race to be eligible to compete.  You don't need a British Cycling Licence to race our series, but we'd recommend you look at the benefits of British Cycling membership which includes personal accident insurance.

BEFORE RACE WEEKEND

✅ Please check the list of confirmed riders for each event. This is viewable from each event page under the 'current entrants' tab.

✅ Make sure your name is listed and that all your details are correct.  You are able to amend licence and update sponsor details yourself by logging into your account and 'Editing Profile'. Please try to keep your profile up to date, especially correct address and contact information as these may be required in case of emergency. If you are a British Cycling member with valid race licence, ensure the licence number is stored to be eligible for National Ranking Points. 

✅ Any errors or omissions contact us ASAP.

AT THE RACE - SIGN-ON & NUMBER BOARDS

✅ Before you start riding at EACH EVENT you must sign-on in the registration marquee.  This is important as it allows us to keep track of who has arrived, ensures you are covered by our event insurance and are included on the start lists for Sunday's timed runs.

ℹ You will collect your 2024 number board when you sign-on at your first event of the year.  This is your number board for the year, so please keep it safe and remember to bring it with you to any subsequent rounds you enter.  If you lose or forget your number board, a replacement will cost £5.

ℹ All riders U18 years MUST have a parent or responsible adult with them when registering on the day. The parent/responsible adult will be required to sign the declaration on the sign-on sheets in order for the U18 rider to collect their number board and race.

✅ You must have a number fitted to your bike at all times.  During racing it's used by the timing team as identification, so please start with it clean.  Do not cut down or alter your number board in any way.

✅ Please inform us in advance if you are only attending on the Sunday so we leave you on the start list for timed runs.  You must ensure you give yourself sufficient time to complete at least two practise runs before your timed runs.

*YOU MUST NOT RACE THE 2024 SERIES USING A NUMBER FROM A PREVIOUS YEAR.* 

HELMETS & BODY ARMOUR

We don't have any additional requirements for protective items or clothing to those of British Cycling.

Our events are run to British Cycling regulations so ensure you have a good understanding. 

A full British Cycling rulebook can be found here 

EVENT WEEKEND SCHEDULE

ℹ During timed runs there will be 30 second gaps between each rider and 2 minute gaps between each category.

ℹ Category running order: Juvenile Open, Youth Open, Grand Veteran Open, Veteran Open, Master Open, Junior Women, Senior Women, Elite Women, Junior Open, Senior Open. Expert Open, Elite Open.

ℹ Allow plenty of time to get to the start, you may be penalised if arriving late!  You must complete at least two full practise runs during the Saturday or Sunday morning practice session to be allowed to race. 

ℹ Individual 1st run start times will be posted on the notice board in the registration marquee on Sunday morning. After the 1st run, if there is time there will be a short break, otherwise 2nd runs will follow immediately. 2nd run start times are re-seeded from 1st run results and will be posted on the notice board.

ℹ A two timed run format will be used with the fastest run time from either run counting towards the race result. All results are posted on the notice board in the registration marquee.

PRIZES

Prizes will be awarded for individual rounds down to 3rd position in each category.

Series points will be awarded for both runs at all rounds down to 50th place in each category.

Points from your best seven of a maximum eight possible runs will count towards the series standings.

Trophies, product and cash prizes are awarded for series winners to 5th position where applicable on a pro-rata basis of one prize per five qualifying competitors.

National Ranking Points will be awarded to British Cycling licence holders down to 30th place in each category.

CONCUSSION PROTOCOL 

Inline with the British Cycling Concussion Guide we aim to provide a safe racing environment and ensure the health and well being of all our riders. We have protocols in place that if any rider reporting a blow to the head, is witnessed receiving a blow to the head or meets our criteria must be assessed by a Medic using a specific concussion assessment tool before continuing to ride. This tool is designed to highlight any symptoms associated with concussion that could impair the riders ability to ride safely or prolong recovery or alleviate the risk of long term side effects. 

The tool brings consistency and a non-bias approach to the way riders are assessed. The assessment will be carried out by a registered medical professional, either Paramedic, Nurse or Doctor in our medical centre on site. A positive result from the assessment may indicate that the rider be withdrawn from racing and referred to the appropriate health service if required (A&E or GP) If the rider wishes to return to ride they must be passed medically fit by a doctor.

Following British Cycling guidance of 'If in doubt, sit them out' we will be very strict regarding potential concussion.

Red flag warning signs of concussion:

Severe neck pain - drowsy - confused/irritability - severe headache - vomiting - seizure - double vision - abnormal sensation in limbs - change in behaviour

Current evidence shows that concussion can seriously impair a competitor's ability to perform and without appropriate rest from activity can cause long term side effects that can persist for weeks or months. 

** It is now stated in BC guidance that if a helmet is damaged in a crash this shows a high risk of concussion and the rider has to be withdrawn from racing. **

RIDER ETIQUETTE

With 300+ riders at each race the course can become congested at times.  To minimise delays and for your safety it's important that you:

✔ Comply with any instructions given to you by a race marshal.

❌ Do not stop and block the course.

ℹ If you need to stop for any reason move off the course and outside the tapes so as not to impede other riders.

ℹ When catching another rider on course, it is the responsibility of the overtaking rider to pass in a safe manner.

ℹ Riders observing a red flag must stop immediately and await instructions from an Official.  If this occurs on a timed run, on instruction from a race marshal that the course is clear you must continue calmly to the finish and request a re-start from the Finish Commissaire.

ON BOARD CAMERAS - note changes for 2024 season

ℹ Cameras are permitted in practise and race runs, but their use is restricted only to British Cycling full Licence holders who are in the year of their 17th birthday or older.

ℹ The camera can be mounted to the bicycle as previously permitted.  It may also be mounted to the peak/visor of the helmet, or to the helmet provided the mount is integrated as part of the helmet's design.

ℹ Riders must ensure that the manufacturing guidelines are followed in respect of mounting all equipment and the camera does not cause any risk of danger or distraction to the rider or others.

ℹ If you wish to use a camera at our events, please bring your current, valid British Cycling membership card to registration when signing on at your first event of the season.

FACILITIES

Camping is available on-site at each venue from Friday afternoon.
Hot and cold refreshments will be available from Saturday 9.00am.
There will only be water provided for washing.  We recommend you bring enough drinking water with you.  The caterers will sell bottled water.
Basic chemical toilets are available.

FREE pressure washer for use throughout the weekend.
Dogs strictly on leads at all times.

UPLIFT DAYS:

Minimum age of rider 13 years old. Anyone wishing to take part below this age must gain consent from the event organisers before booking on the event.

Under 16s must have a supervising adult onsite at all times.

An uplift is a relaxed day with no fixed timetable, it allows you to ride as much or as little as you want, and at your own pace.

We provide you with a lift to the top of the hill, you can choose which trail to ride down.

On arrival at site please drive carefully and follow direction signs to park appropriately. Vehicles that are brought on site are there at your own risk.  

Before using the uplift you must sign in. U16s must have their responsible adult sign for them. You will be issued with a wrist band you must wear on your wrist, not the bike. It has an emergency phone number on it for any issues out on trail.

Emergency contact: 07726 904638

Helmets are compulsory.  If you are riding downhill tracks at black grade we strongly recommend you wear a full face helmet, body armour and knee protection.

Taking part in an uplift day is physically demanding so a reasonable level of fitness is required and you should be free of injuries.

There are no facilities on site.  We suggest you bring with you plenty of fluids and food to keep you sustained through the day.

The events take part in all weathers, so suitable waterproof and warm clothing is recommended.

We provide a level of first aid on site at all times so notify an uplift driver if someone requires assistance.

It is your personal responsibility to ride safely and ensure your bike is mechanically safe to ride.

It is your responsibility to make sure your bike is safely loaded onto the uplift trailer. We will help you load, but you remain responsible.

Pearce Cycles reserves the right to refuse entry to any event that we organise.