Terms & Conditions

23 Sep, 2024 12:04 By:

Terms and Conditions

By entering an event organised by WrongWay.CC, you agree to adhere to all terms and conditions set by the organiser. These terms and conditions are in place to increase safety(rider, organiser and public), to protect yourself(legally), to promote fairness and opportunity, to protect the environment and to increase sustainability of the organiser’s operations.

 

1. The Rules

To maintain fair competition and preserve the ‘spirit of ultra’, we are guided by 10 simple rules. Personal integrity and mutual trust are the foundations of ultra-racing, we trust all riders to respect the rules, their fellows and themselves at all times during our events.

10 Rules

1. Riders must be self-sufficient, no external non-commercially available goods/services should be used or accepted if they are not available to the entire field, e.g. you cannot stay at your aunties house which happens to be on the route…unless everyone else is invited!
2. The route provided must be followed, if you deviate you must return to the point of deviation before continuing. All forward travel on the route must be self-propelled.
3. Riders should leave no trace (no littering).
4. Riders must carry at all times: a mobile phone (charged), Hi-Vis(vest or harness), emergency foil blanket, a helmet and bike lights. These items will be verified at both the start and finish line.
5. Riders must follow the highway code and the laws of the land at all times.
6. Be courteous and respectful to fellow cyclists and road users.
7. Bicycles must be road worthy and safe to use. 
8. Riders are required to provide proof of insurance. 3rd party is mandatory, personal injury/loss is recommended.
9. No drafting unless you have entered as a pair(and you are drafting your pair).
10.  Riders must ride within their abilities and not take any unnecessary risks that may put themselves or others at risk of harm.

If you ever feel unsure of a rule or if what you are doing is ‘right’, you should ask yourself the following questions:

1. Is this opportunity freely available to all?
2. Does this create an unfair advantage over other riders?
3. Would I feel comfortable openly discussing what I am doing with other participants or the organiser?

If the answer to any of the above makes you feel uncomfortable, it is probably the wrong thing to do. If you would still like further guidance, you can reach out to the organiser who will be happy to advise.

 

2. Penalty Process

In the unlikely event that a rule deviation is reported or detected, we will hold an independent review. During this review, riders will be treated fairly and respectfully; riders are ‘innocent’ until proven otherwise.

We will gather as much information as possible before making any penalty related decisions, this could include collecting tracking data, Strava/Garmin data, eyewitness statements and a personal statement. The rider will also be given the opportunity to put their view across before any penalties are issued.

An independent committee of three experienced organisers and/or ultra cyclists will assess what impact the deviation has had on the event (if any) and if required will unanimously agree a fair and proportional time penalty. Only in extreme cases will a rider be disqualified (e.g. assault, theft, other criminal activity).

We will hold a discrete consultation with the individual regarding the alleged deviation, we will show them all supporting information, the impact that we believe this has had on the event and the unanimously agreed penalty. 

To encourage honesty, self-reported rule deviations will be lessened.

 

3. The Route

We reserve the right to change the route upto 1week in advance of the event on the grounds of health and safety or road closure, riders will be informed of this ASAP via Email. 

 

4. Prebooked Accomodation

Pre-booked accomodation is permitted, however it is booked at the discretion and risk to the individual making the booking, we recommend that all bookings have a cancelation policy in the event of a last minute route change.

 

5. GPS Trackers

Tracker Deposit

We have decided not to request a deposit for trackers and have instead decided to trust riders to look after them, return them promptly after use and more importantly not ride of into the sunset with them. This is something we would like to continue to keep doing, however, we can only continue to do so in the absence of being let down.

 

If a rider does not return their tracker within 1 week after the event finishing, we reserve the right to pass on any late charges from the tracking provider directly onto the rider. If a rider does not return a tracker(at all), replace a broken tracker, or pay a late fine, we reserve the right to settle outstanding balances via established legal processes. By entering our event the rider agrees to cover all tracker related costs that we incur during the process of recouperation and loss(i.e our legal fees).

 

6. Bag Drop and Personal Items

The organisor will take sensible precautions to ensure that personal items are well cared for. However, the organisor or the venues will not be held liable for personal material loss, all items are used and left at the riders risk.

 

7. The Highway Code

The highway code must be always followed during the Solstice Sprint(and technically any time you use public roads). Many road users(not just cyclists) like to quote or refer to the Highway code, however very few have actually read it, we recommend that all riders read the highway code to ensure that they use public roads safely.

https://www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/changes-and-answers/highway-code-for-cyclists

8. Mandatory Kit List

Our mandatory kit list is designed to mitigate the severity of key risks identified in our risk review and to help ensure that riders comply with UK traffic law. Riders must present these items at registration and upon crossing the finish line. Mandatory kit:

• Helmet
• Bike lights (front and rear)
• Bell
• Hi-Vis Harness/vest/jacket (used interchangeably)
• Emergency Foil blanket
• Charged mobile phone capable of making a call to the emergency services

 

Bike Lights

Riders must have a front(white) and rear(red) light. If riding between the hours of darkness these must be used, riding without lights during darkness is illegal in the UK. If riding outside of these hours then we recommend that lights are set to flash/blink to increase your visibility to other road users.

 

Hi Vis Harness/Jacket

Riders must carry a Hi-Vis harness or vest, between the hours of darkness these must be used. If riding outside of these hours then we recommend that these are still worn to increase your visibility to other road users.

 

Emergency Foil Blanket

An emergency foil blanket must be carried at all times. In the event of a serious crash, serious incident or sudden cold/wet weather these items can buy time whilst you await assistance, softening and potentially preventing the effects of shock or hyperthermia. 

For clarity, a bivvy bag or similar is not an accepted substitute for this mandatory item unless it specifically a survival bivvy and it has the thermal reflection and visibility features.

 

9. Sleep

Tiredness and fatigue are an unavoidable part of ultradistance cycling and will be one of the biggest risks that riders will encounter. We recognise that individuals have different experience, fitness levels and resistances to fatigue, nobody knows the rider better than the rider themselves and for this reason we trust that riders will sensibly manage their fatigue levels.

We do not operate evening start times to ensure that all riders have the opportunity to start well rested and have the opportunity to cover a significant distance in daylight before deciding on their sleeping arrangements, how riders manage their sleep during the event is up to the individual. 

• We recommend that riders have at least 90mins sleep for every 6hrs of riding per day(24hrs). If your fatigue levels are such that riding will put yourself, pedestrians or other road users at risk of harm then you should stop and rest immediately.
• This is an event for adults and we will trust adults to make sensible adult decisions based on their ability, experience and attitude towards risk.
• Riders should ride within their ability – if you are not trained/ conditioned/ experienced in riding through the night without sleep then you should question whether this is the right time to try something unfamiliar. –we advise against this.
• When you look in the mirror, you are looking at the person most responsible for your safety
• Getting home in one piece and being able to tell the story is way cooler than taking an unnecessary risk and not making it back at all.

 

10. Extreme Weather

Even though we put a lot of effort into providing a safe and enjoyable experience, one thing we can’t control is the weather. The extreme weather plan provides advanced guidance of how we will intend to handle unforeseen and extreme weather.

 

Event	Action
Thunderstorms and Lightning	Riders should not cycle during a lightning storm, unless they are cycling to get to cover e.g. a building. Riders should wait for the storm to pass(under shelter) before restarting. In the UK, Thunderstorms are fairly uncommon and when they do occur, they typically do not last more than 30-60mintes. Where possible, we will monitor the weather forecast and communicate any risks of Thunderstorms. To ensure that riders are not disincentivised to stop and wait for the thunderstorm to pass, the clock will pause whilst they wait for the storm to pass. Riders should contact the organiser and share a video clip of the storm (clouds/thunder cracks etc), the time that they stopped, their restart time and their location. The organiser will verify the weather event and make a time adjustment for this period. Contrary to popular myth, bicycle tyres will not insulate you against lightening…if a lightning bolt can leap hundreds of metres across the sky, it can leap a few centimetres from you/your bike to the floor!
Extreme Heat	In the unlikely event that the UK experiences a heatwave in June, the following will apply: Temperatures between 32-37.5C: riders are advised not to ride between the hours of 1200-1400h, wear sun protection and carry additional water(at least 1.5L). Extreme caution advised, riders ride at their own risk. Temperatures between 37.5-40C: as point 1, however, riders are not permitted to ride between 1100h-1500h. Riders should assess if they are fit enough to cycle in these conditions and take extreme caution. Temperatures +40C – Event abandoned; all entries transferred to the following year.

 

11. Waiver

All participants will be required to sign a waiver prior to being permitted to participate.

 

RELEASE OF LIABILITY

In consideration of my participation in the event, I hereby waive, release, and forever discharge, for myself, my heirs, executors, administrators and legal representatives, any and all rights and/or claims which I have, may have, or may hereafter accrue to me against the Organiser, their officers, directors, employees, consultants and agents for any and all damages, injuries (including death), and/or claims which may be sustained by me directly or indirectly arising out of my participation in the Event (including the application of emergency or medical services at the Event), except in the case that the organiser has been proved to be negligent in his duty of care towards me.  Further, I covenant not to sue the Organiser, their officers, directors, employees, consultants and agents for any and all damages, injuries (including death), and/or claims which may be sustained by me directly or indirectly arising out of my participation in the Event, except in the case that the Organiser has been proved to be negligent in his duty of care towards me.  This release and discharge includes, but is not limited to, claims for personal injury, death, property damage, economic loss, breach of contract, lost wages, contribution indemnity, indemnity, punitive damages, or any other legally recognisable claim arising out of my participation in the Event (including all legal costs associated with such claims). 

ASSUMPTION OF THE RISKS

With full knowledge and understanding of the risks associated with my participation in the Event, I enter it voluntarily and fully accept and assume every such risk for loss, damage, or injury (including death). I confirm that I have assessed my route and the mandatory sections

INDEMNITY

I hereby agree to release, defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the Organiser, their officers, directors, employees, consultants and agents from and against any and all claims, demands, damages, suits, liabilities or actions arising directly or indirectly out of my actions or otherwise from my participation in the Event whether made or claimed during or after the Event, including all associated costs and expenses and any amounts which the Organiser may pay as a settlement or compromise of any such claims or liabilities.  I will indemnify the Organiser, their directors, officers, employees, agents and consultants against any and all claims, lawsuits and causes of action whatsoever or howsoever arising and brought against them by any third party as a result of my actions during the Event, including without limitation, my violation of any laws or regulations or breach of these Terms and Conditions of Entry. 

SECURITY

I accept all responsibility for the security of my kit and all other equipment left in the bag drop and during my time through-out the event. The organiser will not be held liable for any loss.

 

 

12. INSURANCE

Riders Insurance

All riders must have adequate and valid public liability insurance. Personal injury and personal loss cover are recommended but not mandatory. 3rd Party liability insurance is critical if you were to have an accident and will ensure that you have financial cover if something goes awry (e.g. you accidentally(and unfortunately) collide with a pedestrian). 

We recommend that you have cover for at least £1m, however, ultimately, it is for you to determine which level of cover and provider can adequately satisfy your needs. 

We also advise taking out personal injury, loss and damage, however, this is not mandatory and is at your discretion:

Please ensure that you can provide proof of insurance during the check in process, this can be electronic(on you mobile) or hardcopy. We will need to see the policy provider, insurance number, start date and finish date.

 

It is up to the rider to verify with their insurance provider that they are covered during the event. 

Please note: Historically, British Cycling have refused to cover their riders during our events, therefore we will not accept British Cycling membership insurance unless it is accompanied by an email/headed letter from British Cycling confirming the rider is covered – this is for the protection of the rider.

 

Organisers Insurance

By law, event organisers(employers) are required to insure against liability for injury or disease to their employees, contractors or volunteers. We can confirm that we have taken out an adequate employers' liability insurance package to protect our team against unfortunate unforeseen events.

We can also confirm that we have taken out a Public Liability policy of £5M to ensure that we can support any claimant(riders) that suffers injury or loss as a direct result of negligence from the organiser(Wrong Way Ltd).

 

13. REFUND INFORMATION

We get it, things happen and can change quickly, where possible we will do our best to refund as much of your entry fee as we can in line with our non-recoverable costs and expenditure during the planning cycle.

Refund bands are determined by our planned procurement activity. Refund bands are as follows:

Riders can request a full refund within 14days of entry proving none of the below windows have elapsed. Please not an admin fee of £10 will be deducted to cover unrecoverable card transaction fees.

Before   6 months prior to the start date = 75% refund

After     6 months prior to the start date = 50% refund

After     3 months prior to the start date = 0% refund

 

14. TRANSFER OF ENTRY

Transfer of entry to a future event is issued at the discretion of the organiser and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. If you are unable to join us for either of the reasons listed below, please contact the organiser with a copy of a doctor’s note, NHS letter or similar to discuss further:

• Pregnancy, Maternity, Paternity and Adoption leave
• Unavoidable Medical Reasons - e.g operations and associated rehabilitation

Please note, deferred entries may require a top up payment to cover any differences in entry fee.

 

 

15. YOUR RIGHT TO PRIVACY

During our events we may take photos and videos that will be used for marketing, we may also share photo albums with riders of the event for personal use. Personal privacy is something that we respect, therefore, if you do not wish to appear in either of these, please let us know so we can removeyour image and respect your privacy.

 

You also have the right to ride under an alias or pseudonym, please let us know if you would like to do this. This extends to all activities, including finish time listing and GPS tracking.