HERCULES MOUNTAIN BIKING HIMACHAL | TERMS & CONDITIONS

1. Conditions of Participation

Participants must be experienced riders and be in excellent physical condition to participate in the Hercules HERCULES MOUNTAIN BIKING HIMACHAL 2008 - The Trans Himalayan Challenge. Spe¬cial licenses are not required. Minimum age to enter the race is 18 years. Participants as young as 15 years of age are permitted only in the case that the team leader is the parent or legal guardian or the minor, and that the team leader is a past participant of HERCULES MOUNTAIN BIKING HIMACHAL 2008- The Trans Himalyan Challenge.

2. Rules & Safety

Each participant will be required to carry items defined on the Mandatory Items list. Team members must stay together at all times of the race and must be within two minutes of each other upon check-in at the control points and the finish. Only mountain bikes are permitted and must be in good condition. A safety check should be made before each start.
Fair Play
• Slower participants must make way for faster racers
• Riders must take caution when the route is not clear or coming up to an intersection or roadway
• Riders should be prepared to brake during steep down hills
• Riders must obey all traffic rules
• Bike repairs should be done in a visible area on the edge of the trail, road or path
• In the case of a sprint to the finish you must remain in your own lane
These rules are provide for the participants safety and if disregarded may result in disqualification from the race. Hercules HERCULES MOUNTAIN BIKING HIMACHAL 2008 - The Trans Himalayan Challenge has the right to disqualify any participant for the following reasons:
• Members of a team do not check-in within two minutes of each other at the checkpoints
• Technical problems or equipment shortcomings
• Health problems with any participant
• Disregarding any fair play rules
• Un-sportsmanlike behavior
• Pushing or pulling by a third party
• Any disrespect of the environment
There will be no reimbursement of costs to the participant in case of disqualification.

3. Environment

We will enforce littering, cutting trails and environmental abuse with stiff penalties. Every participant who is caught disregarding the environment will be fined with a two (2) hour time penalty at first offense and disqualification at second offense. In the case of environmental concerns Hercules HERCULES MOUNTAIN BIKING HIMACHAL 2008 - The Trans Himalayan Challenge has the right to cancel, delay or reroute the race. Participants will not be reimbursed in an environmental situation that is out of Hercules HERCULES MOUNTAIN BIKING HIMACHAL 2008 - The Trans Himalayan Challenge control. In case of cancellation of a race leg, participants will be brought to the next stage location.

4. Liability

The organizers, sponsors, volunteers and event personnel are not responsible for any injury or damage that may occur during the event, or cancellations, delays or re-routing due to environmental concerns. Each participant will be required to sign a waiver upon registration declaring that they take full responsibility for, risk of injury, to themselves or their equipment and any lost or stolen items.

5. Withdrawal

Participants who cannot continue the race must inform the organizers of their decision by contacting one of the below mentioned organizers. Failure to inform the race director may cause a search and rescue action. The cost for this action will be charged to the participant. If one team member quits but the other team member wishes to continue, the race director will help to find another partner. These newly formed teams do not qualify for a placing, but the results of their finish will be listed and they will receive a finisher t-shirt. In case you need to withdraw from the race you must contact one of the following immediately:
• Inform one of the Hercules HERCULES MOUNTAIN BIKING HIMACHAL 2008 - The Trans Himalayan Challenge Rescue team personal
• Inform one of the Hercules HERCULES MOUNTAIN BIKING HIMACHAL 2008 - The Trans Himalayan Challenge personnel at one of the control stations
• Inform the start or finishing official
• Call our emergency number on your race pass or in your road book
HERCULES MOUNTAIN BIKING HIMACHAL 2008 - The Trans Himalayan Challenge will not be responsible if you drop out and inform another participant. If you do not inform one of the above con¬tacts we will be required to start a search and rescue at your expense. In the case that you drop out during the race you will be responsible for your own transfer to the next stage village.

7. Luggage

At registration each participant (two per team) will receive a special number imprinted with his or her start number. This number should be used as a special identification for the luggage
Participants must drop-off their bag at the transportation truck on the morning of each stage (location and time will be an¬nounced). The bags will be transported to the next stage location where they can be picked up on arrival in the finish. .
Hercules HERCULES MOUNTAIN BIKING HIMACHAL 2008 - The Trans Himalayan Challenge will not be responsible for any lost or stolen items.

8. Accommodations

Each participant will be provided tent accommodation (sharing basis) during the race(as per the schedule metioned below in 11th clause of this document). A list of stage loca¬tions and contact numbers are listed on the website. We will try our best to accommodate participants with access to showers. However, there will be limited use. In some of the remote areas, shower facilities or hot water may not be available. Our responsibility ceases after the participants check in at the respective campsite and leave without informing the concerned stage officials.

9. Catering

Included in the race package, each participant will receive an evening meal and breakfast at each stage location and a light lunch at a control point. Hercules HERCULES MOUNTAIN BIKING HIMACHAL 2008 - The Trans Himalayan Challenge will also provide energy drinks, glucose, fruits and energy foods at each control point. The control points are not food supply points. It is recommended that if you require more food/drink during the day that you make the necessary arrangements in advance by intimating the organizers who would provide it on payment.

10. Medical Support

A medical support vehicle would be present during the course of the event with a qualified medical doctor and support staff. Medical assistance would be available during the course at the control points. The medical staff would be available at the camp site every day for assistance and checkup if required.

11. Stages

Day 0- Registration and breifing at flag off venue.
Day I - Shimla to Shilaroo
Day II - Shilaroo to Bahli
Day III- Bahli to Kullu- Sarahan
Day IV-Kullu - Sarahan to Shamshar
Day V- Shamshar to Gadha Gusaini
Day VI- Gadha Gusaini to Pandoh
Day VII – Pandoh to Bajaura
Day VII – Bajaura to Manali
Day VIII –
Day IX – Prize Distribution.

12. Massage

The Hercules HERCULES MOUNTAIN BIKING HIMACHAL 2008 - The Trans Himalayan Challenge area will offer traditional ayurvedic massage service on site to soothe those aching muscles. Additional details will be made available closer to the event.

13. Participant Support

Participants may bring friends, family or tech support during the race. Support crew/vehicles will not be allowed to park or enter the Hercules HERCULES MOUNTAIN BIKING HIMACHAL 2008 - The Trans Himalayan Challenge Staging area and camping area unless permitted to do so. .

14. Bike computer and GPS

The Hercules HERCULES MOUNTAIN BIKING HIMACHAL 2008 - The Trans Himalayan Challenge is an orientation race where participants will follow a preset route with the help of a road book and maps. The road book gives precise kilometer and altitude data for every route change. For this reason, we strongly recommend that every participant carry a bike computer and every team an altimeter and GPS unit.

15. Bike Check

Riders should be prepared to perform regular maintenance and repair (i.e. changing brake pads, replacing chains, cables, etc.). We strongly recommend that you do the challenge on a mechanically flawless bike. Please note that we do not offer technical sup¬port at control points. Independent service providers will be set up in the Hercules HERCULES MOUNTAIN BIKING HIMACHAL 2008 - The Trans Himalayan Challenge base camp, providing mechanical support, should you require assistance. Spare parts will be available for purchase as well.
Competitors traveling from overseas should bring a selection of spare parts, as our service providers will be able to supply parts common in India only. Some imported components are not readily available in India. All participants should have knowledge in replacing basic parts and doing basic service.

16. Bike Storage

At each stage location, you can drop your bike off for the night in a secured “Bike Park” and receive a receipt. Hercules HERCULES MOUNTAIN BIKING HIMACHAL 2008 - The Trans Himalayan Challenge is not liable for bike thefts or vandalism. For this reason, we strongly advise you to have a lock for your bikes. We will re-open the Bike Park each morning at 6:00 am. To receive your bike, your start number on your jersey and the one on the bike must be identical and you must present your receipt. Once your bike is dropped off at the Bike Park, you will not have access to it again until the following morning starting at 6:00am.

17. Transfers

Transfers to the start and from the finish will be available for participants at an additional charge. Transfers need to be booked in advance of the race.

18. Registration

Due to the amount of people registering we ask that participants make arrangements to register as early as Tuesday, October 3.
Hours of registration:
Tuesday, October 3: 3 pm – 7 pm
Wednesday, October 4: 11 am – 5 pm
You will be required to bring 4 passport sized photo for registration .

19. Health & Travel Insurance

Participants must be in good health and be experienced, well-trained mountain bikers. All participants are responsible for their own health and travel insurance. Participants will be asked to show proof of insurance upon registration and will not be allowed to participate in the event if they do not have the proper documentation. High-risk event insurance would be provided by the organizers on payment and is mandatory. It would be done on arrival at Shimla. Proof of health and travel insurance is mandatory.

20. Sponsorship & Branding

Participants must wear sponsor logos on their clothing, bike helmets and bike. They cannot change or alter the bike numbers on handlebars supplied by Hercules HERCULES MOUNTAIN BIKING HIMACHAL 2008 - The Trans Himalayan Challenge. If the participants are one of the leaders in any category they are required to wear the leader jersey provided by Hercules HERCULES MOUNTAIN BIKING HIMACHAL 2008 - The Trans Himalayan Challenge. No altering or covering of the leader jersey is allowed. Signage of any kind is not permitted in start and finish area, stage locations or camps.