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OFF ROAD
RACING RULES
As the
name implies, these are races that aren’t on paved roads. There are
a wide variety of events that are conducted over various lengths,
surfaces and or difficulties to suit all ability and experience
levels. It offers many ways to have fun while setting and meeting
personal challenges.
THESE ARE ALSO ALL ENDURANCE EVENTS:
Ø
Cyclo-Cross:
o
This event has a long
history as off-season training for road racers. More recently it has
attracted the attention to off-road racers as well. The combination
of high-speeds, obstacles that require running dismounts and
slippery sections builds fitness and bike-handling skills. A typical
cyclo-cross race lasts for an hour, and is conducted on a short
course with a variety of terrain. A cyclo-cross bike resembles a
modified road bike, with rugged tubing and wider tires. Mountain
bikes are welcomed at many events, although a well constructed
course will definitely favour the cyclo-cross bike.
Ø
Time Trials:
o
A time trial is an individual or team race over a fixed distance
against the clock. Rider start individually at timed intervals and
the rider with the fastest time wins. Distances raced vary from 1km
to 100km. The course may be from point to point, or on a circuit
(the start and finish are in the same place.)
Ø
Dirt Criterium:
o
A dirt criterium is a short off-road race on a circuit. The distance
per lap may vary from 1/2km to 3km (1/3 mile to 2 miles). Races are
of varying numbers of laps. The mass start, high-speed cornering and
sprinting make them exciting for participants and spectators alike.
Ø
Downhill:
o
A dirt criterium is a short off-road race on a circuit. The distance
per lap may vary from 1/2km to 3km (1/3 mile to 2 miles). Races are
of varying numbers of laps. The mass start, high-speed cornering and
sprinting make them exciting for participants and spectators alike.
Ø Hill
Climb:
o
During a hill climb, riders race towards a finish line that is
higher than the starting line. These events may be individual or
mass start.
Ø
Cross
Country:
o
These events are held on a circuit comprised of single and
double-track trails, often with some wider gravel road sections that
create better opportunities for passing. There generally aren’t too
many obstacles (logs, rocks, mud holes, etc.) on a cross-country
course. Riders compete against other racers in their age and
ability category. The races are for a set number of laps on the
course – distances vary from 8 km to 80 km (5 miles to 50 miles.)
They may have individual or mass start events. Depending on the type
of start, either the rider with the fastest time or the rider across
the finish line first wins.
Ø
Dual Slalom:
o In
the dual slalom, two competitors race head-to-head down parallel
slalom courses. Riders race each other twice, once on each side of
the course. The slower rider is eliminated and the rider with the
fastest combined time advances to the next round.
Ø
Dual:
o The
dual is a variation on the dual slalom. The two competitors start on
parallel slalom course. In the middle the courses merge and the
racers battle wheel-to-wheel on the same course until the finish
line. The winners advance and the losers are eliminated.
Ø
Observed Trails:
o Trails
are conducted over challenging courses of natural and man-made
obstacles, including logs, rocks, water, etc. Course are very short.
The rider attempts to negotiate the course without putting down a
foot (dabbing.) Each dab adds points to the rider’s score. The rider
with the lowest score wins.
Ø
Point to Point:
o A
point to point race starts at one point and ends at another. It is
usually a greater distance than a cross-country race.
Ø
Speed Trials:
o Speed
trails take place on a short course containing obstacles such as
logs, rocks or water. These are raced as individuals against the
clock, or head-to-head in heats, until there is one winner.
Ø
Stage Races:
o A
stage race is a combination of some or all of the off-road events;
cross-country, dirt criterium, and downhill race. They are held over
one or more days. Each cyclist’s time or points for all the
individual events is totalled and the overall winner is the rider
with the lowest cumulative time or most point. There are also
winners for each individual event.
Ø
BMX:
o
Standing for bicycle motocross, is raced on a closed dirt circuit
featuring a lot of jumps.
ROAD RACING RULES from Scottish
Cycling for their series in the year 2009 are available
here:
Websites that can be used as a reference
for other cycling disciplines other than track cycling:-
-
Advice on
training for Cycle Time Trials at
http://www.timetrialtraining.co.uk/S1startingnotes.htm
-
Advice on
different bikes from Why Cycle at
http://www.whycycle.co.uk/bike_styles/road_racing_bikes/
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Training
information for cyclists, cycling equipment reviews and how to
get started at
http://www.road-bike.co.uk/
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Touring and
Racing cyclists advice at
http://www.cobr.co.uk/e-cobr_information/t_and_r_section/introduction.shtml
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