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Most frequent
asked questions – TransUK events
What other people have already asked and what might also be informative
for you too:
If I enter but have to withdraw due to medical
reasons, can I transfer my place to someone else?
Yes that is no problem. Once you have a confirmed team entry you can
transfer that to someone else.
Will much navigation be needed?
No, not really. There is no navigation necessary on the special stages
and they will be marked specifically for riding at speed. The linking
stages will be well marked so that hardly, if any, navigation is required.
You will, however, get a route card with reference points and a course
description. This will help you to take the right turns along the
route at any time that you might not be 100% sure about the run of
the course.
How much equipment will be transported per
rider from location to location?
You will be given a very big kit bag at the registration on the 1st
Saturday of the event (TransScotland 2007 – 26th May). This
bag will have to carry all your clothes, spares and your sleeping
equipment (if possible including your tent). Unfortunately that is
it and no exceptions can be made. Sorry!
Will there be checkpoints on the way?
Yes, there will be checkpoints on the special as well as on the linking
stages. You have to pass those checkpoints and make sure that your
team number is registered. The checkpoints on the linking stages are
unannounced to prevent you cutting the course short. If you miss out
on one of the checkpoints then you will be given a time penalty.
Are there any feeding stations on course?
Yes, there will be feeding stations on the linking stages. They will
be linked in with the checkpoints and their location will not be announced
before the start. They will, however, be close enough to each other
that you should not run out of supplies. Please note that you have
to make sure that you are self-sufficient and that you use the feeding
stations only to top up your supplies rather than to rely on them
as your sole source of drink and food. We will also have a rolling
lunch, which means that at around lunchtime you will pass a feeding
station that will provide everyone with a lunch pack. The special
stages will not have feeding stations due to their shorter length.
What technical support is allowed?
There are no restrictions on technical support. The only rule is that
you can only use one frame for the whole event. This rule will obviously
not apply if you damage or break your frame and you have to use one
of the backup bikes. If you have further questions then please get
in touch with us via info@mtbtransuk.co.uk.
When do we receive this kit bag?
You will be given a very big kit bag at the registration on the 1st
Saturday of the event (TransScotland 2007 – 26th May). The registration
is at the event village where the pasta party and the start/finish
is located.
How much can I take with me?
Every rider will be given a big holdall – roughly 35 x 40 x
100cm. In that bag you have to add all your cycling gear, gear to
wear in the evening, sleeping bag and mattress. The only extra thing
we are transporting is your tent. So it is two bags per team.
Are there opportunities to leave our cars?
Are they safe?
Yes, you can leave your car at the event village which is located
at the start and finish of the event. We will start from there as
well as finish there. We will get back to where your car is parked
on the last riding day of the event (2nd June 2007 for the TransScotland).
The finishing party will also be held there. We’ve never had
any problems at the start and finish locations over the last few years
(they have been event locations for the Merida Bikes MTB Marathon
Series for the last few years) but all cars are parked there at the
owner’s risk. We will do our utmost to keep an eye on them throughout
the week but unfortunately we can’t give any guarantees.
Can my family, partner or friends follow me?
They can certainly travel from location to location. It is no problem
if you want to bring a mobile home or similar but please let us know
in advance what sort of vehicle you are bringing, how many extra people
we have to expect and if you will use a car plus a tent or a mobile
home/camper van.
Can we have our own team support?
It is no problem if you have your family, friends or partner travelling
with you. In case you do you are obviously not limited on what you
can take and we would ask you to transport your equipment yourself.
Please let us know if you have your own team support and what sort
of sleeping/transport arrangement you have so that we can make sure
that we have enough space at the various locations.
From when to when will the camping be open?
The campground and the facilities will stay open until Sunday afternoon
and we hope that everybody will stay until then and join us at the
finishers’ party on the Saturday night. The campground and the
facilities will be open from Saturday morning (registration day) onwards.
The signposting to direct you to the start/finish will be in place
from Friday afternoon onwards.
Do I have to register on Saturday or can I
do it on the Sunday morning before the event gets going?
Yes, you MUST register on the Saturday! The registration will be open
from 12pm (noon) until 8pm. If you will be – or expect to –
arrive later than that then please call us on + 44 (0) 7976 586418.
There will be no registration on Sunday morning. The event will be
signposted from Friday afternoon onwards.
Is there going to be a ‘meals-only’
voucher system in place for technical or support crew?
Yes there will be. Please let us know in advance (no later than eight
weeks before the event) how many meals-only vouchers you need. You
will be asked to pay for them at the registration.
When is the main payment for the event due?
To secure your entry you have to pay a deposit of £100 with
your entry form. The other £325 is due before the 1st March
2007 (for TransScotland 2007). Please make sure that you send your
cheque by then. If you have difficulties sticking to that date please
let us know in advance as you may lose your place otherwise.
Will our kit be checked before we set off?
Yes. To make sure that you have all the equipment we think is needed
for this event we will check it at the registration. The list is not
long so please make sure you have everything with you. Please make
sure that you re-check the ‘Requirements’ page on the
website www.mtbtransuk.co.uk shortly before you head off as we will
update that page in case we have to add anything. You will also be
asked to carry at least one mobile phone with you for emergencies.
We will make a note of your number when you sign on so that we can
get hold of you if needs be.
Do I have to be super fit?
No, not really. We suggest that may have done the odd long distance
event like a Merida 100 or similar before and that you go out on your
bike on a regular basis but that is pretty much it. Pacing, eating
and drinking enough is key and if you don’t feel like doing
the special stages you don’t have to.
Can I bring a mobile home?
Yes, no problem. Please let us know in advance so that we can make
sure that there is enough space at the various locations. Again we
would ask you to carry your own equipment if you have family or friends
supporting you with a mobile home.
Can you find me a partner?
Hopefully! If you want to do the event but you haven’t found
anybody to do it with and you don’t want to do it by yourself
we might be able to help. Please send in your entry form with your
deposit cheque and a short description of what you are looking for.
We will try to find you someone amongst the other ‘solo’
riders. If we are not able to find you someone you will obviously
get your money back.
Can I enter from abroad?
Yes, you can! As it will not be that straight forward for you to send
us a Pound Sterling cheque we suggest that you get in touch with us
on info@mtbtransuk.co.uk and we will find a way to get you booked
in.
Do I have to do the special stages?
No, you don’t! You can do as many or as few as you like. If
you fancy just the one or maybe a couple no problem. You will not
be able to win the event or a category if you leave one out but if
you are not bothered about that than don’t worry about the special
stages.
Do I have to navigate myself?
No, you don’t. We will provide you with a basic map and a route
description but this is just a back-up. The course will be marshalled
and marked with arrows.
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