Off-Road Event Rules

The following rules apply to all our off-road events unless otherwise stated.

These rules are a combination of the relevant rules that govern the Irish XC NPS and the Cycling USA rules for Cross Country Mountain Biking.

The Race

1. Riders must complete the entire distance of the race and the responsibility for following the official course lies with the rider.

2. A rider is not permitted to take any shortcuts or to omit a circuit or take other advantage of a similar nature against opponents.

3. If a rider exits the course for any reason, he/she must return to the course at the exact same point from which he/she exited.

4. A rider must not use offensive or abusive language, act in an anti-sporting manner, be disrespectful to the officials or ignore the race regulations.

5. A rider must act in a polite manner at all times and permit any faster rider to overtake without obstructing. Common etiquette is that riders should make their presence known and their intention to overtake clear; “rider up”, “on your right”, “on your left” when overtaking another rider. It is the responsibility of passing riders to overtake safely.

6. 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. Lapped riders may be asked to withdraw at the Finish Line.

7. In the event two riders are vying for position, the leading rider does not have to yield his/her position to the challenging rider. However, a rider may not bodily interfere with the intent to impede another rider's progress. Traditional rules of racing apply: the leading rider owns the track.

8. Riders must respect the countryside and ride only on the official course. The rider must avoid polluting the area and must not leave any waste or litter (ie. energy gel wrappers).

Practice

1. Riders must not practice on the course while other races are in progress.

Equipment

1. All bicycles used in all forms of mountain bike competition must be powered by human power alone.

2. It is forbidden to use metal screws or spikes in the tyres of the bicycle.

3. Bikes must use a wheel on both front and back that is no bigger than 29 inches.

4. Any bicycle used in competition must be capable of safely and efficiently completing the task and must, as a minimum, be mechanically sound, have efficient brakes on all wheels and all reasonable steps must be taken to ensure the safety of the rider and others. As part of the latter, bar plugs are compulsory.

5. If, in the opinion of a scrutineer and/or commissaire, a bicycle fails to meet the above criteria the rider must take immediate steps to ensure the necessary steps are taken to remedy the shortcomings and ensure the scrutineers/commissaires requests are met. Failure to do so will result in exclusion from the competition.

Competition

1. Lapped riders may be pulled out of the competition by the Lead Marshall. 

Protests / Complaints

1. Any rider who considers he has been prejudiced by any action during the competition may submit a protest to the Lead Marshall or Off Road Committee after he/she has crossed the finish line.

2. The decisions of the Lead Marshall on the day in relation to the interpretation of the Technical Regulations; necessary disciplinary action and upon any protests received in accordance with the above, will be final.

3. Ignorance of the regulations is not accepted as an excuse.