2005 Foliage 400 Rules

1. At least one rider from each team must attend the pre-race meeting at 8:35 am. However, everyone on the team is welcome to attend.

2. Once in the Start/Finish area or in the teams' pit area, racers may change, repair or replace any equipment. They may even swap entire bikes. In the Start/Finish area or in the teams' pit area, racers may accept support from anyone. Also, teams may bring as many support people as they would like, but their support is limited to the Start/Finish area or the teams' pit area (not on the course).

3. Technical or mechanical support on course may only be supplied by registered racers. Supporting racers must access the course under their own power (i.e. foot travel or on bike) and that access can only be achieved by going in the direction of the course. Shortcutting the course is not allowed. Supporting racers should stay clear of all competing racers. Supporting racers may take any equipment or tools with them; they may even swap bikes with a teammate. Cannibalizing bicycle parts is legal in this event. Support can be provided by any registered racer, on any team, to any other registered racer on any team.

4. Water and food may be supplied to any racer by anyone, anywhere on the course. However, racers must stay well clear of the course when taking food and water. Please, do not litter.

5. Racers riding bicycles have the right of way over racers pushing bicycles. When practical, racers pushing bikes should stay on the least ridden portion of the trail when being passed. A racer pushing or carrying his or her bicycle can overtake a racer riding a bicycle, provided that the riding racer is not interfered with or made fun of in any way.

6. Lapped riders should yield to leaders. Leaders should be very vocal when preparing to pass any racer. "PASSING ON YOUR LEFT!", "PASSING ON YOUR RIGHT!" should be used. It's the responsibility of the challenging racer to overtake safely. Riders being lapped must yield on the first command.

7. When two riders are vying for position, the leading rider does not necessarily have to yield position to the challenging rider. However, a rider may not bodily interfere, intending to impede another rider's progress.

9. Shortcutting on the course shall result in immediate disqualification of that racer's entire team.

10. Foul riding, use of profane or abusive language and any other unsportsmanlike behavior will be taken very seriously. Such behavior by any racer shall subject that racer's entire team to a warning or immediate disqualification.

11. Federal, state and county laws and ordinances will be abided by at all times.

12. Please, only official registered riders in the event should ride on the designated racecourse during the event.

13. Protests can only be made by registered riders. Protests will be made in writing and delivered to the race director or co-director anytime during the race, or up to 30 minutes after the posting of the final results. Protests should contain any information that supports the protest, including a description of the incident, witness's names, addresses, phone numbers and a signature of the protesting team captain.

14. The event director has the final say in any ruling.

15. The Start: The race will use a Lemans style start. The first rider for each team will line up along the north end of the football field (facing the score board). There will be a 15 minute countdown on the score board starting at 8:45 am. At 9:00 am the siren will sound, signifying the start of the race. Riders will run, jog, skip or whatever they choose the length of the field and to the designated bike pick up area. One team member will be allowed in the bike pick up area to hold the bike for the runner. The rider will mount the bike then enter the course. At the start of the first lap you will pass by the check-in station, you do not need to stop this time.

16. Numbering system: All two person teams will have an A & B rider (marked on your number plate). This will allow us to post individual lap times on our website.

17. Dismount Area: Just prior to entering the timing area you will notice a designated dismount area. Riders finishing a lap must dismount completely in that area before entering the timing area. This is much safer for everyone. Riders who do not completely dismount will receive a 5-minute penalty. By the way, half off the bike riding on one pedal will get you the penalty.

18. Timing Station: When entering the timing station, please WALK to the proper table, announce your number and letter (if two person team), and hand you baton to the registrar. The registrar will record your lap time and pass the baton back and you will then exit (walking!) the station. Solo riders must follow the same procedure at the end of each lap. Only riders completing laps will be in the timing station.

19. Passing the baton: Riders waiting to start a lap should wait in the exit area of the timing station. When a rider finishes a lap, they will exit the station and pass the baton to the next rider. All baton exchanges must be made in this area, no exchanges will be allowed once a rider is on course. Team riders may choose to do multiple laps with no exchanges.

20. Loss of Baton Penalty: Loss of baton will result in a five-minute penalty. The penalty will be added by holding the rider for five minutes after exiting the timing tent.

21. Canceling a Rider's Lap: The team category has the option of canceling a rider's lap and restarting from the timing station with a substitute. This is a difficult and costly decision, but if the first rider is unable to complete the lap for any reason, it may be to the team's advantage to cancel that rider's lap. The replacement rider must notify the registrar of the substitution and start from the timing station.

22. Severe Weather: In the case of severe weather or another extenuating circumstance that prevents the ongoing scoring of the event or creates a racing environment that is deemed too dangerous for the participants, the race director may call the race as of a certain time. Final results will be calculated based on each team's placement at the call time as determined by that team's last completed lap. This rule is intended to be exercised as a last resort, in the most dire situations, when no other means is available to continue scoring the event or when the potential for serious harm or loss of life becomes imminent.

23. The Finish: The race will officially end at 3:40 pm (400 minutes!). No racers will be allowed to enter the course to start a new lap after 3:15 pm. All riders who start a lap before 3:15 will be allowed to finish and have there final lap scored (even if you finish after 400 minutes). Each team's final placement will be determined by the number of laps the team has completed and the time their last lap was completed. For example, a team that has completed 20 laps with a finish time of 3:30 would beat a team that completed 20 laps with a finish time 3:35.