Re: MTB rules?

Cheryl J. Willson

2005-02-01





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You can download OBRA rules including MTB rules and read them! They're

on the OBRA site. ( http://www.obra.org/forms/index.html )



I've pasted some of the rules below and the applicable rule 20.2.3

should appear in bold. It's worth noting that rule changes are

discussed at the OBRA annual meeting...which is February 11 this year.

I am sure, if anyone is interested in proposing a rule change, Candi or

Mike can tell them how to propose a change for the agenda.





20 - MOUNTAIN BIKE RACING

20.1 - TYPES OF COMPETITION

- Cross-country -An individual or mass start competition which is held

on a circuit course comprised of forest roads, forest or field trails

and unpaved dirt or gravel roads (a minimal amount of paved road may be

necessary).

- Point-to-Point - An individual or mass start competition held on a

course from point A to point B comprised of forest roads, forest or

field trails and unpaved dirt or gravel roads (a minimal amount of

paved road may be necessary).

- Hill Climb/Uphill -A competition of sustained climbing in which the

finish line is at a higher altitude than the start line. A hill climb

may be a mass start competition or a time trial.

- Downhill - A time trial of sustained descending occurring between a

start line and a finish line which is located at a lower altitude.

Competitors typically depart the start line in timed intervals (i.e. 30

or 60 seconds).

- Dual Slalom - An event where two competitors race head-to-head down

two parallel slalom courses. The two courses should be as close to

identical as possible with an average time differential of less than

one second.

- Stage Races - Events where competitors are required to compete in a

series of different events toward one total overall score or time. A

typical stage race might consist of an uphill, a cross-country and a

downhill time trial. This event determines the most versatile rider and

occurs over one or several days. Each stage has a winner. Competitors

must complete all stages with the finishing times or points recorded

after each event. The rider with the lowest accumulated total time or

the highest accumulated points at the end of all stages is the winner.

A rider may be rewarded for winning an individual stage with bonus

seconds, which are subtracted from the rider's overall time (referred

to as General Classification or G.C.).

- Observed Trials - Events conducted over an obstacle course including

such natural hazards as mud, rocks, water, etc. and can have any number

of sections. The riders attempt to negotiate each section without

putting down a foot or hand(dab). Each dab (foot or hand) adds a point

to the rider's score. The rider with the lowest score wins the event.

20.2 - RACING REGULATIONS

20.2.1 All riders must attend the pre-race briefing (riders' meeting)

normally held at the staging area prior to the race start.

20.2.2 Ignorance of the rules is not an excuse.

20.2.3 Racers shall complete the entire event (or individual stage) on

the same bicycle upon which the event was begun. All repairs during an

event shall be performed by the individual racer. No outside support is

permitted. All spare parts and tools shall be carried by the individual

racer. Cannibalizing: any part or component taken from one bicycle to

repair or improve the performance of another is not permitted.

20.2.4 Shortcutting and/or cutting trail switchbacks may result in

disqualification.

20.2.5 Foul riding, un-sportsmanlike behavior or the use of profane or

abusive language are grounds for warning, relegation, disqualification,

fine or recommended membership suspension. The penalty imposed shall be

determined by the Race Official or the OBRA Administrative Assistant.

20.2.6 Laws and ordinances of appropriate jurisdictions shall be

observed during participation in any event.

20.2.7 Only riders officially entered in the event may practice or

compete on the designated race course and they must wear their number

plate and number.

20.2..8 Infractions of rules, regulations and requirements specified or

not specifically defined may result in a warning, relegation, or

disqualification.

20.3 - CROSS-COUNTRY

20.3.1 Water shall be available only in designated feed zone(s) as

outlined by the Race Director. The Race Director will provide a neutral

water zone with water for any race exceeding 90 minutes in length.

Official water zones must be accessible and publicized before each

race. Feeding (food handouts) shall only be done in a designated feed

zone. A feed handout to one rider must not cause other riders to slow

down or veer off course.

20.3.2 Racers riding bicycles have the right of way over racers pushing

bicycles. When practical, racers pushing should stay on the least

rideable portion of the path when being passed. A racer pushing or

carrying his bicycle can overtake a racer riding his bicycle provided

he does not interfere with the rider's progress.

20.3.3 Lapped riders must yield to leaders. Riders should voice the

command "Track" when overtaking another. It is the responsibility of

the challenging rider to overtake safely. You must yield to the passing

rider on the first command.

20.3.4 In the event two riders are vying for position, the leading

rider does not have to yield his position to the challenging rider.

However, a rider may not bodily interfere with the intent to impede

another rider's progress.

20.3.5 Traditional rules of racing apply: the leading rider owns the

track.







On Feb 1, 2005, at 10:08 AM, Chris Brandt wrote:



 I know that OBRA operates independently of USACycling and the UCI, but

I thought it might be helpful for those riders out there who race MTB

to know...



Mechanical Support:

The UCI has moved to allow the use of

"stock-it-yourself/do-it-yourself" pit areas for mechanical

assistance, meaning, you would no longer have to carry with you every

tool, tube, patch, tire, wheel, etc. during the race. This seems to

pertain to national championship level races, or races where they

select national team riders.



I'm not making any value judgement regarding this new policy, just

wanted to bring up the topic for discussion/clarification for OBRA

riders. What is OBRA's stance on this matter?



1.) Allow the use of the pits?



2.) Dis-allow the pits and require the rider to carry everything

necessary, as we have been doing since the beginnings of our sport.



Let's share in this discussion so that we're all on the same page. Any

ideas?



Chris Brandt



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<fontfamily><param>Times</param>You can download OBRA rules including

MTB rules and read them! They're on the OBRA site. (

</fontfamily>http://www.obra.org/forms/index.html )<fontfamily><param>Times</param>





I've pasted some of the rules below and the applicable rule 20.2.3

should appear in bold. It's worth noting that rule changes are

discussed at the OBRA annual meeting...which is February 11 this year.

I am sure, if anyone is interested in proposing a rule change, Candi

or Mike can tell them how to propose a change for the agenda.







20 - MOUNTAIN BIKE RACING



20.1 - TYPES OF COMPETITION



- Cross-country -An individual or mass start competition which is held

on a circuit course comprised of forest roads, forest or field trails

and unpaved dirt or gravel roads (a minimal amount of paved road may

be necessary).



- Point-to-Point - An individual or mass start competition held on a

course from point A to point B comprised of forest roads, forest or

field trails and unpaved dirt or gravel roads (a minimal amount of

paved road may be necessary).



- Hill Climb/Uphill -A competition of sustained climbing in which the

finish line is at a higher altitude than the start line. A hill climb

may be a mass start competition or a time trial.



- Downhill - A time trial of sustained descending occurring between a

start line and a finish line which is located at a lower altitude.

Competitors typically depart the start line in timed intervals (i.e.

30 or 60 seconds).



- Dual Slalom - An event where two competitors race head-to-head down

two parallel slalom courses. The two courses should be as close to

identical as possible with an average time differential of less than

one second.



- Stage Races - Events where competitors are required to compete in a

series of different events toward one total overall score or time. A

typical stage race might consist of an uphill, a cross-country and a

downhill time trial. This event determines the most versatile rider

and occurs over one or several days. Each stage has a winner.

Competitors must complete all stages with the finishing times or

points recorded after each event. The rider with the lowest

accumulated total time or the highest accumulated points at the end of

all stages is the winner. A rider may be rewarded for winning an

individual stage with bonus seconds, which are subtracted from the

rider's overall time (referred to as General Classification or G.C.).



- Observed Trials - Events conducted over an obstacle course including

such natural hazards as mud, rocks, water, etc. and can have any

number of sections. The riders attempt to negotiate each section

without putting down a foot or hand(dab). Each dab (foot or hand) adds

a point to the rider's score. The rider with the lowest score wins the

event.



20.2 - RACING REGULATIONS



20.2.1 All riders must attend the pre-race briefing (riders' meeting)

normally held at the staging area prior to the race start.



20.2.2 Ignorance of the rules is not an excuse.



<bold>20.2.3 Racers shall complete the entire event (or individual

stage) on the same bicycle upon which the event was begun. All repairs

during an event shall be performed by the individual racer. No outside

support is permitted. All spare parts and tools shall be carried by

the individual racer. Cannibalizing: any part or component taken from

one bicycle to repair or improve the performance of another is not

permitted. </bold>



20.2.4 Shortcutting and/or cutting trail switchbacks may result in

disqualification.



20.2.5 Foul riding, un-sportsmanlike behavior or the use of profane or

abusive language are grounds for warning, relegation,

disqualification, fine or recommended membership suspension. The

penalty imposed shall be determined by the Race Official or the OBRA

Administrative Assistant.



20.2.6 Laws and ordinances of appropriate jurisdictions shall be

observed during participation in any event.



20.2.7 Only riders officially entered in the event may practice or

compete on the designated race course and they must wear their number

plate and number.



20.2..8 Infractions of rules, regulations and requirements specified

or not specifically defined may result in a warning, relegation, or

disqualification.



20.3 - CROSS-COUNTRY



<bold>20.3.1 Water shall be available only in designated feed zone(s)

as outlined by the Race Director. The Race Director will provide a

neutral water zone with water for any race exceeding 90 minutes in

length. Official water zones must be accessible and publicized before

each race. Feeding (food handouts) shall only be done in a designated

feed zone. A feed handout to one rider must not cause other riders to

slow down or veer off course. </bold>



20.3.2 Racers riding bicycles have the right of way over racers

pushing bicycles. When practical, racers pushing should stay on the

least rideable portion of the path when being passed. A racer pushing

or carrying his bicycle can overtake a racer riding his bicycle

provided he does not interfere with the rider's progress.



20.3.3 Lapped riders must yield to leaders. Riders should voice the

command "Track" when overtaking another. It is the responsibility of

the challenging rider to overtake safely. You must yield to the

passing rider on the first command.



20.3.4 In the event two riders are vying for position, the leading

rider does not have to yield his position to the challenging rider.

However, a rider may not bodily interfere with the intent to impede

another rider's progress.



20.3.5 Traditional rules of racing apply: the leading rider owns the

track.







</fontfamily>



On Feb 1, 2005, at 10:08 AM, Chris Brandt wrote:





<excerpt>I know that OBRA operates independently of USACycling and the

UCI, but



I thought it might be helpful for those riders out there who race MTB



to know...





Mechanical Support:



The UCI has moved to allow the use of



"stock-it-yourself/do-it-yourself" pit areas for mechanical



assistance, meaning, you would no longer have to carry with you every



tool, tube, patch, tire, wheel, etc. during the race. This seems to



pertain to national championship level races, or races where they



select national team riders.





I'm not making any value judgement regarding this new policy, just



wanted to bring up the topic for discussion/clarification for OBRA



riders. What is OBRA's stance on this matter?





1.) Allow the use of the pits?





2.) Dis-allow the pits and require the rider to carry everything



necessary, as we have been doing since the beginnings of our sport.





Let's share in this discussion so that we're all on the same page. Any

ideas?





Chris Brandt





</excerpt>

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