All things being equal

Here are Be Your Adventures, we hate the word ‘rules’. It usually means there is a long list of things that you cannot do. However, there are guidelines that we would like adhered too, to ensure a fair and equal playing field for all riders.

  1. You must ride under your own power. This means this is not an e-bike event.
  2. You should ride the set route, although there are some ‘free’ sections through towns. 
  3. You understand that this is a tough mixed terrain route, and are prepared for some challenging terrain, sections of hike-a-bike, and that the British weather might throw up some additional challenges. 
  4. There is no escaping that parts of the route will include steep or long climbs. The Jaws of the Jurassic may leave you questioning your life choices for a while although the views will take your mind off the pain. This is not a ride for anyone who dislikes hills – plan your training accordingly.
  5. You are responsible for your own sleeping arrangements. These can be ‘wild’ camping, campsites, or hotels. But, whatever you choose these should be available to any of the other riders. What this means is no kipping on your mates sofa, popping home if it’s on route, or your mum’s spare room – even if your mum says everyone is welcome.
  6. There is NO camping in military areas. The rides pass through several military ranges, which although open may still have night manoeuvres. No one wants to be woken up to machine gun fire, or a rapidly approaching tank. Anyone found camping in these areas will be immediately disqualified.
  7. As with sleeping, you are also responsible for all your other requirements including food, so don’t get your partner to meet you along the route with a pizza. However, I’m sure no one will object if someone turns up on the route giving jelly babies out to all riders that pass by ( be fair here, you know what we are getting at) , or to cheer you on.
  8. With some events you are required to either ride solo or in specific pairs, and not team up with other riders. This might be a requirement in a race, but this isn’t a race, it’s a personal challenge. Feel free to spend time riding with other participants and help each other out in the event with mechanicals if you want. We feel this is a great way to develop the Southern Divide community, encourage less experienced riders and make friends.
  9. If you have a mechanical, or have to leave the route temporarily for any other reason, you should return to the same point you left it. As the ride is about self sufficiency, you should not be calling your partner/dad/personal mechanic to come out to sort things out. It is your responsibility to repair, or seek a bike shop before re-joining the event. If you accept non-commercial help from outside the participants, then you may continue if you wish, but you’ll be disqualified from any timings or event placings from that point.
  10. If you think you want to scratch, they why not sleep on it. Often things look much better by the morning. You might have eaten, your energy might have returned, and the weather might be better. If then you still want to scratch, then please contact BYA HQ so that we can stop following your progress and we know not to send out any search parties. You will need to find your own way back.
  11. There is a hotel just before Checkpoint 1. All riders MUST check in on Thursday before stopping for the night.
  12. We have a Check Point 3 earliest departure time. This is to encourage at least some downtime in the first 36 hours. Details will be provided closer to the event. Some of the most amazing scenery, as well as the most challenging section is between CP2 & CP3, so if you normally race, take it a little slower and enjoy it. You’ll still be able to leave late Friday afternoon, so you won’t be held up too much. Assume an earliest finish on Saturday am.
  13. Navigation will be via a GPX file. All riders will need the means to follow this, so a bike specific SatNav is the obvious choice. Be sure you know how to use it, and turn off autorouting BEFORE starting the ride.
  14. You will need your own insurance, and being insured through either British Cycling or Cycling UK should cover you. This is for your personal liability, although it’s up to you whether you wish to add additional insurance for bike or injury.
  15. And finally……..we ask that you do nothing to bring bikepacking into disrepute. When camping, remember to leave no trace. Don’t drop litter. Close all gates behind you. Where the route goes through farm fields, do not veer off onto crops, or scare farm animals. Be respectful to other trail users. At times you may be sharing with families, dogs & horses. Give them priority, don’t go whizzing past them, and most of all, be polite.