Participant Notes - Helpful Event Info - Please Read
The Dukes Weekender
7th & 8th September 2019
Event HQ: Registration, Start and Finish
Registration will be in the Forth Inn, Main Street, Aberfoyle. FK8 3UQ.
It is appreciated that all riders arrive in good time, register promptly and listen to the announcements made at registration and at the race briefing.
Parking:
This year we have parking for our entrants in a field adjacent to the Event Village. Access will be via the Manse Road Bridge just past sign on and well signposted from the village. Please use this car park rather than the Council Car Park as we have closed part of the Council Car Park for our event village. We would like to keep as much of the rest of it free for other members of the public.
There will also be parking up at the David Marshall Lodge on the Hill Climb Route. However, please be aware that during the hill climb, the access road will be closed and you will not be able to move your vehicle.
Practice:
There will be no official practice for the event.
The Route:
The full gravel event is approximately 70km, mostly off road and hilly. Please make sure your bike has appropriate off-road tyres, two working brakes and is in a good state of repair. Please also make sure you are prepared physically with adequate food and water for a day out on the hill. You must wear a helmet. We also encourage carrying as a minimum; a spare tube, a means of changing it, a multi tool and a waterproof.
Stages:
For an insight into the stages for the event visit www.dukesweekender.com “News” section. Stage detailed will be released the day after the event closes.
Hill Climb:
For the Hill Climb, the road has been closed for a strict timeframe. It is therefore important that all riders attend their start times promptly. If you miss your start time we cannot guarantee you will get a re-run before the road opens again.
Hill climb start times will be emailed to all hill climb participants on Wednesday 4th September.
In the village, half the road is fully closed off for the event. Once above the village the whole road will be closed and traffic-free so please take whichever racing line you choose.
On route we have allocated road space for local school children, music and a bar. Please feel free to get involved and create more atmosphere when not racing yourself.
To return to Race HQ from the finish, riders will have to descend the road. We therefore request that all riders remain mindful of the other riders ascending the hill. They are still racing, and take priority, so please keep off their line. Please descend slowly back to the midway point by the Bar to collect your time and see our live Timing coming in. Riders racing the full weekend do not need to return their timing chip. Hill climb only participants please do so after finishing the event.
Please note – riders competing in the “Full Dukes” will be required to use the same bike throughout the weekend. We will however accept wheel changes or tyre changes for the hill climb.
Despite being on a closed road all riders are required to wear a helmet at all times while completing the event. You are still required to descend to the village and also set a good example to the children.
Bikes must have a front brake and either a rear brake or a fixed rear wheel for the hill climb.
Gravel Enduro:
The Gravel Enduro route will be operating on open public forest trails. Stages will be marshalled as part of the event but you must remain vigilant at all times and respect other trail users.
Please also be aware that the forest is full of wildlife including deer and wild goats. We cannot verify their whereabouts so keep your eyes peeled!
Children’s Mini Enduro:
This event and stages are also on shared trails. The stages will be marshalled at either end and members of the public should be aware that there is a bike race on. However, please make sure your child is aware that there may be people on route as well as spectators and they should pass with due care and attention.
All children must have a parent or guardian accompanying them with a maximum 3 children: 1 adult ratio. In the case that your child is faster than you, we ask that they wait and re-group with their parent or guardian at the end of the stage before moving onto the transition.
Transitions:
The course utilises a mixture of forestry roads, established single track and a short section of open road for transitions. It will travel in a figure of 8 from Aberfoyle, heading north over to Loch Venachar and into the Invertrossachs Estate, and then south traversing a vast area of the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.
All transitions are designed not only for your safety, but also to comply with the requirements of landowners. As such, all riders must follow the signed transitions. Failure to follow the transitions will result in disqualification.
Rider Safety:
The event is fully marshalled, and will have a route sweeper. We have medical cover being provided by “Muddy Medics”. However, the route ventures into remote and wild country. We request that if you see another rider in difficulty please stop to help. It is advised that you carry a mobile phone. Please save this number before setting off to call in case of difficulty: 07515 672553. Rider safety is paramount.
Weekend Schedule:
Registration and Timing Card collection is from 8am on Saturday. At registration you will have to confirm your emergency contact number – please have this with you and sign the statement of responsibility. Make sure you have read the terms and conditions of the event and the race rules all of which are available on the DukesWeekender.com website.
Race briefings:
For the Hill Climb event, riders will be arriving over a wide time period so will therefore be briefed of any changes to the race as necessary at sign on. Please sign on no later than 30 minutes before your start time.
For both the Gravel and Children’s event we will hold a race briefing at the start line before you leave the race village, when we will let you know of any changes etc. Please attend 20 minutes before your start time to collect your timing chip and arrive 10 minutes before departure for briefing.
Race start and start times:
HILL CLIMB – Start times have been allocated. Start sheet to be sent Wed 4th Sept.
GRAVEL ENDURO – 9 am – 11am Sunday 8th Sept. Riders will select an allocated time slot at sign on and leave in waves of up to 20 riders every 5 minutes.
Start times for the Gravel Enduro are allocated on a first-come, first to choose basis with the exception of seeded riders. Getting to registration early will give you the most choice in start times.
Seeded riders will be informed of their status and will be allocated a later start time.
If you want to race the course with your mates, please make sure you all register at the same time (and early), that way you should all be given similar start times.
Please note that we expect the ride to take approximately 4 hours for the fastest but up to 6 for the less experienced. We would therefore encourage those riders who want a more leisurely day to start earlier to ensure they get back to the Event Village in time for podiums.
CHILDREN’S MINI ENDURO: 10am Saturday 8th Sept, leaving in 5 minute waves of 10 riders until 11am, also allocated on a first come first served basis.
Schedule:
SATURDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER
8am - Sign on opens – The Forth Inn
10am - Childrens Mini Enduro - first riders depart
10am - Pumptrack and demo bikes open in event village
1.30pm - Childrens Mini Enduro Prize Giving
4pm - Dukes Hill Climb - first rider departs
5.30pm - Sign on Closes for day
6pm - Dukes Hill Climb Last Rider
7pm - Dukes Hill Climb Presentation
7.30 for 8pm start - The Dukes Gathering Film and Talk night - The Forth Inn
SUNDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER
8am - Sign on opens – The Forth Inn
9am - Gravel Enduro - First riders depart
10am - Pumptrack and demo bikes open in event village
10.15am - Sign on closes
11am - Gravel Enduro - Final riders depart
4pm - Gravel Enduro and Overall Dukes Weekender Prize Giving
Podiums:
· Riders who do not attend their podium will have their prize allocated at random.
· All results will be posted on the event website ASAP after the event
All entrants who attend the podium on Sunday will be part of the rider number raffle and eligible to win either a Santa Cruz Stigmata or Juliana Quincy frameset.
Directions:
Getting there – Put FK8 3UQ into Sat Nav. The Event HQ is at the Forth Inn. This is in the centre of Aberfoyle on the Main Street. Aberfoyle is easy to access from the South and South West via the A81 Northbound from Glasgow. From the North, East and South East it can be accessed on the A81 Westbound from Stirling.
Timing Chip / Card
GRAVEL ENDURO – Riders will be given a timing chip which they must use throughout the race. This will be synced with our timing equipment at sign on and will automatically clock you in and out of all stages as you pass through the beam.
CHILDRENS MINI ENDURO – as for adult race
PLEASE HAND YOUR TIMING CHIP IN AT THE END TO GET TIMES.
Please Note:
The timing card will record all your stage start and finish times. Any rider who has not passed a start or finish beam will be assumed not to have completed the course.
· A fine of £30 will be applied if you do not return your card/ chip– and you won't get your times!
· A sweeper will go round the course at the end
If you retire for any reason please inform an event official or call 07515672553.
FOOD AND WATER
You will have the opportunity to refuel in the village. All riders are responsible to supply sufficient food and water to complete the ride. The course requires riders to transit through the village and this will be an ideal time to replenish at many of the local outlets.
Other
Food and Refreshments: Aberfoyle is blessed with several fantastic local options:
Please see: https://www.dukesweekender.com/dukes-latest/2019/8/23/aberfoyle-village
Accommodation / Camping: You have probably already thought about this but we are offering basic camping at our event field for £10 a tent and £15 a Van for the weekend, payable on arrival.
Litter: You will be riding in an area of outstanding natural beauty. There is no excuse to drop litter. All gel wrappers etc. must be brought back. Any riders found knowingly littering will be disqualified.
Locals: We have had some fantastic local support and encourage you to use the local businesses for food and refreshments. Please be respectful and do not block local access.
Cheers and here is to some dusty racing at the weekend.
All enquiries regarding this email should be directed to info@dukesweekender.com
The Dukes Weekender is run by FTC Events Ltd in collaboration with NoFuss Events. Insurance will be provided by Hiscox Insurance Limited, via Towergate Insurance Brokers.