Etape Caledonia

WHAT ARE THE AGE RESTRICTIONS FOR COMPETING?

The minimum age of entry for the event is 18 years old as of 31 December 2019.

CAN I RACE WITH A FRIEND?

You can choose to race with others in the same wave providing you and anyone who wants to race together have both entered in the same team through the entry process, and put the same estimated finish time. Our fulfilment company will match your details and place you in the same wave.

IS THERE A CANCELLATION/WAITING LIST?

Please note that we don’t operate a reserve/cancellation list as we already take into account the usual drop-out rate prior to the event.

WHY DO I HAVE TO REGISTER ON FRIDAY OR SATURDAY OF EVENT WEEKEND?

The registration process confirms that the same person who entered online is the person participating and that they have their event numbers and timing chip for the event, as well as the latest information of the route conditions.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED INTO THE RACE?

Please note that only when you have received a confirmation email from us and have been charged the entry fee can you be sure you have entered the event. Please ensure that you provide us with the correct spelling of your email address upon your application.

CAN I TURN UP ON THE DAY AND RIDE THE ROUTE?

The event is restricted to those who have entered the event in advance and we do not accept entry on the day. Roads are officially closed and prohibit all vehicular traffic including cyclists not participating in the Etape Caledonia and bearing race accreditation. The route is marshalled and cyclists without official race accreditation will be refused entry on to the route.

CAN I CHANGE MY PERSONAL AND RACE DETAILS?

Please email us to [email protected] if you need any information changing.

CAN I TRANSFER MY PLACE?

As per the withdrawal policy, you can’t transfer or defer your entry place if you withdraw from the event for any reason (including because of illness or injury).

I AM UNABLE TO RACE. Can I get a refund?

If you are unable to race and need to withdraw from the event, as per the terms and conditions, no refunds shall be provided for any reason.

HOW WILL THE STARTS BE ORGANISED?

The first wave will set off at approximately 6.30am. When you book your place, you will be asked to provide an estimated time of how long you think it will take you to finish the ride. Please pick an appropriate and accurate time frame. The earlier starts will be reserved for entrants who can demonstrate their cycling ability through results in a select number of cycle events. Any competitor who has not participated in cycling events before will be placed in a general category.

DO I NEED TO BRING ANYTHING WITH ME ON RACE DAY?

You will need to make sure that you bring your bike, helmet, race number, timing chip (which will need to be collected during registration) and, we strongly recommend that you check the weather forecast and bring the appropriate clothing. Along with this be sure to bring energy supplies to get you through the course.

You may also find it useful to bring something to attach your race numbers with, for example: safety pins or a race belt.

WHY IS THERE A CUT OFF TIME?

In order to secure the support of local residents and businesses, we must ensure that roads are re-opened at pre-agreed times. An average of 13mph is the slowest possible speed cyclists can travel at to be within this road re-opening schedule. It is felt that this is a reasonable period to allow cyclists to complete the course. After the cut off time, cyclists will be allowed to continue on the route but will have to obey normal traffic regulations and negotiate the traffic that will then be on the road. Participants who choose to continue will be outside of the event support infrastructure. A sweep vehicle will be available to collect participants who choose not to complete the full course.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I FEEL UNWELL WHILST CYCLING?

See your GP if you have a problem or worry that might make it a risk for you to take part in the event. If you have any known medical conditions (such as diabetes, asthma, allergy to penicillin, etc) inform us prior to the event by entering it in the box provided on the online application.

In addition, please write all medical details on the back of your event number and put a small indelible red cross on the front of your number. Whether you have a medical condition or not, if you feel unwell on the event day – don’t take part. If you have flu, a feverish cold or a tummy bug, do not train until you have fully recovered. Then start gently and build up gradually. Do not attempt to catch up on lost mileage after illness or injury – this may cause further damage or illness.

CAN I LISTEN TO MY PORTABLE MUSIC PLAYER DURING THE EVENT?

No, listening to portable music players on route is not permitted for participants’ safety reasons.

WHAT DO I DO WITH MY TIMING CHIP?

In order for us to record your race time correctly you will need to attach your race number, which has the timing chip attached to it, to the handlebars of your bike for the duration of the event. The timing chips are disposable so you can take them away with you after the event. Visit the Help Desk in the Event Village for assistance or to see diagrams of where to put your race chip.

HOW WILL I KNOW MY FINISHING TIME?

All results will be available in the ‘Post Event’ section of the Competitor Zone which will be live on our website after the event. Additionally, if you have provided us with your mobile number on your application, you will also receive a text message with your result.

WHAT SORT OF BIKE CAN I USE?

Bikes which are not of standard design must be approved by the organisers before the event. The organisers reserve the right to withdraw a participant from the event if their bike is considered, in the organiser’s opinion, to represent a danger to the cyclist or other participants. Please note that fixed wheel bikes (bikes that use the pedals as a brake) are not permitted.

WHAT HANDLEBARS CAN I HAVE ON MY BIKE?

You are not permitted to have unconventional handlebars including triathlon bars, aero bars, clip-ons, prayer bars, Spinaci bars and cow bars. However, MTB bar ends are permitted on mountain bikes.

DO I HAVE TO WEAR A HELMET?

Consistent with all world class sportives, participants must wear protective headgear which must be of a hard/soft construction and conform to a recognised standard such as EN1078, ANSI Z90.4, SNELL B90 or equivalent national standard. Participants are responsible for carefully selecting the correct headgear, ensuring it is in good condition and is fitted correctly. Please note: The British Kite Mark is not sufficient.

IS THERE AN OFFICIAL MEETING POINT?

No, however it is advisable to agree on one with your family/friends before the event.

HOW MUCH OF THE ENTRY FEE GOES TO MARIE CURIE?

Entry fees enable Etape Caledonia to take place and pay for all the administrative and operational costs necessary to stage the event. Although none of the general entry fee goes directly to Marie Curie, we reserve a significant number of discounted entries for Marie Curie charity riders, which in turn gives riders a platform to raise funds for the charity. This is common practise with charities across Mass Participation events and we are proud to say that we are in the sixth year of our relationship with Marie Curie, during which they have raised over £1.3million directly as a result of the Etape Caledonia.

WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY RACE PACK?

If you have a premium place, your race pack will be posted out to the address you supply during registration in the weeks leading up to the event.

All other participants are required to collect their race packs from the Event Village in the centre of Pitlochry, which will be signposted clearly, prior to the event. Participants cannot collect race packs on event day.

Please bring a valid photo ID with you or a signed photocopy and a letter of authorisation if you are collecting it on someone else’s behalf.

IS THERE PARKING AVAILABLE?

Limited car parking is available a couple of hundred metres from the start/finish line and can be purchased during the registration process. Please note that parking is available on a first come, first served basis. Parking will be available in Pitlochry on Saturday and Sunday of event weekend providing there are still spaces. As it is extremely popular, we urge you to book in advance to avoid disappointment. If you do choose to pay on the day, please make sure you have the correct change to do so. We highly advise you arrive as early as possible to avoid queuing.

Road closures and parking suspensions occur in Pitlochry and surrounding areas as a result of the event taking place. Please note, Police and Traffic Wardens will patrol the parking suspensions throughout the event and vehicles parked illegally will be ticketed. If participants intend to drive to the event they must park in the event car park, clearly signposted when you arrive in Pitlochry.

I AM NOT RECEIVING E-NEWSLETTERS AND EMAIL COMMUNICATION?

There may be several reasons for this. Firstly, please ensure that you are entered correctly into the event by following the instructions outlined above. Secondly, emails can often get directed straight into junk/spam folders or get rejected by email servers altogether. Please ensure that you check those filters and additionally add ‘[email protected]’ to your safe senders list.

WHO DO I CONTACT FOR LOST PROPERTY?

Please visit the Help Desk on the day of the event. Alternatively, you can email us at [email protected] with a detailed description of your lost item(s).

WILL I RECEIVE ANYTHING BEFORE THE EVENT?

You will receive a number of e-newsletters and regular updates in the lead up to the event. These will contain key information about the day and offer more ways to ensure you get the most from the day. Your race pack will be available for collection at race pack pick up before the event. Race packs will not be available for collection on the morning of the event.

WHERE CAN I DISPOSE OF MY RUBBISH?

There will be clearly signed ‘Litter Zones’ at a number of locations around the route where cyclists can dispose of any rubbish while on the move. Those seen littering outside of these zones will have their timing chip removed and will be disqualified from the event.

HOW WILL THE ROAD BE CLOSED?

Etape Caledonia is going to close all access roads onto the route in advance of the first cyclists, using cones, barriers and traffic management personnel. This will be supplemented by motor cycle marshals and will comply with current legislation regarding cycling on the highway. This will create a traffic free environment for the entire event, subject to participants being able to maintain the minimum average speed of 13mph. This is NOT what is called a rolling road closure where motorcycles travel ahead of the event and stop traffic that is already on the route for a short period of time to allow participants past. Given the length of the closure this would be impractical and inconvenient for road users. If you are a local resident with further queries relating to specific closures, please contact our Customer Services team on ‘[email protected]’.