Race Rules

The rules and regulations pertaining to The Magalies Adventure 2023 may change slightly in the weeks leading up to the race. The final version will be communicated at the race briefing on 22nd of October 2023.

Mountain Bike racing and Trail Running are by nature self-reliant and often held in remote areas. All Magalies Adventure competitors must participate with an understanding and acceptance of this ethos.

1. Riders

  1. All riders participating in the 100km & 70km must be at least 19 years or older on 31 Dec 2023 unless permission is granted by the Chief Commissaire prior to the event.
  2. All riders participating in the 40km event must be at least 15 years or older on 31 Dec 2023 unless permission is granted by the Chief Commissaire prior to the event.
  3. All participants must be healthy, and in a very fit state of training, particularly for the longer distances.
  4. All riders must have good technical bike skills for off-road conditions.

2. Categories

  1. Refer to Prize Money & Categories page for information.

3. Medical Condition

  1. Participants may only start any stage of this race if they are in good physical and medical condition.
  2. During The Magalies Adventure the Senior Medical Officer reserves the right to withdraw any participant who he may deem physically or psychologically incapable of continuing with the race.

4. Registration

  1. Please read the necessary communications regarding registration, race number pickups on the website and /or in the various communications sent to you. Please note that the onus is on you to ensure that you have supplied us with the correct contact details such as email address and cell phone number.
  2. It is NOT required that bikes be brought to registration.
  3. No rider or runner will be allocated their race number until the race organisers are in possession of an indemnity form signed by the entrant.
  4. No late registrations will be accepted, unless arranged with the Race Office.

5. Race Briefings

  1. Full race briefings for riders and runners will take place separately in the Start chute 10 minutes prior to the start of the race.
  2. Participants are expected to attend these as important information related to possible changes to the following day’s stage and particular hazards could be announced.
  3. Riders and runners who do not attend the race briefings and are not aware of changes made will not be accommodated if they miss their start time, or any similar issue related to their not attending the race briefing.

6. Prize Giving and Award Ceremonies

  1. An award ceremony for the Gravel/ MTB and all trail running distances will be held on Sunday the 22nd of October 2023.
  2. All riders receiving an award are required to attend. Absence may result in a time penalty.

7. Bicycles - E-Bikes Welcome

  1. Only mountain bikes in good, safe working order, at the discretion of the Chief Commissaire, will be allowed to start the stage each day. Unprotected sharp bar ends, in-operative brakes, etc will not be permitted.
  2. Maintenance of the bicycles used in the race is the responsibility of each participant and the Chief Commissaire reserves the right to insist that a participant repair or attend to a bicycle should the Commissaire be of the opinion that it is unsafe or dangerous.
  3. The participants must start and finish the event with the same bike.
  4. Riders may not change their bike or frame of their bicycle during the race without the permission of the Chief Commissaire. Change of a frame will only be allowed in the case of a warranty breakage.
  5. Rims, spokes, tubes, tyres, wheels, gears, hangers, sprockets, cables, brakes, forks and shocks may be replaced.
  6. Limited bike maintenance and spares will be provided by various local bike shops on registration day and after each of the stages.
  7. No outside assistance for bicycle repairs will be allowed during the stages. Participants may only accept assistance from their partner or another competitor in the same race.
  8. Riders are expected to complete the full distance of each stage within the time allowed. Repairs to bicycles during the stage must be carried out within this time limit.
  9. Riders with e-bikes are welcome to attend, but the onus is on them to bring along additional batteries and tools for repairs.

8. Helmets and Riding Attire

  1. Only recognised hard shell cycling helmets complying with recognised standards will be acceptable. The Chief Commissaire will rule on the permitted use of any questionable helmets.
  2. Any riders not wearing their helmets, with the retention strap properly fastened, at any time during the race will be disqualified.
  3. Generally accepted cycling clothing, including a shirt, must be worn at all times during the race.
  4. Proper, fully enclosed cycling shoes, or at least running shoes must be worn.
  5. It is strongly recommended that protective eyewear be worn.
  6. No Go-Pro’s or any other camera’s may be affixed to your helmet. You will be asked to remove this. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.
  7. No audio devices, other than medically approved hearing aids, are permitted to be worn during the race. Any riders using such equipment will be disqualified.

9. Compulsory Equipment

Although paramedic and medical services will be provided during the race and for a period after the completion of each stage, the self-reliant and remote nature of a mountain bike race requires that each rider carries the following items to be prepared to deal with emergencies they may experience:

  1. A multi-tool to effect repairs to bikes.
  2. At least 1 spare tube.
  3. At least one good pump and a puncture repair kit.
  4. At least 1,5 litres of hydration liquid per rider at the beginning of each stage. (2 x water bottles).
  5. At least one cell phone.

Optional Recommended Equipment

  1. Windbreaker or preferably a lightweight rain jacket.
  2. Sterile First Aid dressings.
  3. Adhesive plasters.
  4. Sun block with a minimum factor of 40.
  5. Foil survival blanket.
  6. Lip Balm.

10. The Race

The race will consist of three distances, namely 100km, 70km & 40km.

This will start and finish in the grounds of the Blackhorse Brewery, initially over arterial roads, then jeep track and single track, including some extended climbs, downhills and undulating terrain. Surfaces range from good to rocky, rutted and slippery, especially if wet climatic conditions are encountered.

  1. Feed stations (water, energy drinks, and fruit) will be provided at appropriate points. Please refer to the route maps on the Race Info Menu dropdown.
  2. The total race distance will be +-100km, or 70km or 40km.
  3. Riders must complete the full distances of the race to be “Magalies Adventure Official Finishers” and record an official result.
  4. The cut-off time for the 100km will be 7 hours, the 70km will be 5 hours and the 30km will be 3 hours. (unless advised otherwise by the Chief Commissaire).

11. The Start

  1. The start chute on each day, 15 minutes prior to the start for all riders – please refer to start times on the website.
  2. The start zone closes 5 minutes before the start.
  3. The start chute opens 15 minutes before the start for trail runners on Saturday – please refer to the website for start times.
  4. Any riders and runners not in the start zone 10 minutes before the start will be required to begin at the back. It is also the riders’ responsibility to ensure that they are at the start on time, even if the start is delayed for whatever reason.
  5. The start will remain open for 15 minutes after the start for any late starters. Late riders and runners must advise the Chief Commissaire of the late start so that official sweep and other vehicles can be advised accordingly.

12. Individual Timing

  1. Timing will start with the start siren/ whistle at the start of each distance.
  2. Riders who start later than 15 minutes after the designated start time will not be included in the stage results and will be responsible to follow the route on their own and to catch up with the sweep vehicle.
  3. Any rider or runner not able to make the start deadline must report to the Chief Commissaire 45 minutes before the stage starts for permission to make a late start.
  4. The cut-off time will not be adjusted for any rider/runner permitted to make a late start.

13. Rider Identification and Timing

  1. No timing chips are required for the event.
  2. All riders must display their Magalies Adventure race numbers at all times during a stage. Riders not displaying official race numbers will be regarded as non-participants and will be prevented from continuing on the route by marshals.
  3. Race numbers must be properly attached to the handlebars of the bike with cable ties provided, and must be placed in front of cables etc so as not to be obscured in any way. Riders will be required to remove and reaffix numbers if they are found to be obscured. Runners will be provided with a race number.
  4. Riders must not cut, modify or mutilate their race numbers in any way. No stickers may be added or removed.
  5. It is each participant’s responsibility to keep their race numbers relatively clean and legible at all times, and no rider may start a stage with a dirty number. Loss of a race number will cost R50 to replace.

14. Nutrition and Hydration

  1. The Magalies Adventure will take place in October. It could be extremely hot so please ensure that you have appropriate clothing and hydration.
  2. Riders must ensure that they keep themselves properly hydrated and carry sufficient nutrition for at least 45km of riding.
  3. The Magalies Adventure organisers will provide water, limited volumes of energy drinks, at neutral feed stations at accessible and appropriate refreshment stations on the route.

15. Seconding and Support

  1. Riders and runners may not receive outside assistance or help, other than from fellow competitors, at any point along route.
  2. No outside seconding, assistance or feeding other than that provided by the Magalies Adventure at an official refreshment station is permitted.
  3. Bike repairs may be carried out on the route without outside assistance, but care must be taken not to obstruct other riders.
  4. No towing between riders is allowed, in line with international rules.
  5. Riders are not permitted to draft behind cycles not participating in The Magalies Adventure, but may however draft behind other participating riders.
  6. No drafting is permitted behind any other vehicles on the route, including private motorcycles and race support vehicles.
  7. Cyclists that are not entered in the event are not permitted to ride on the course or any sections of the course. Refer to Rule 13.2. If such riders are found to be on the course and they can be linked to a participant, that rider will be penalised at the discretion of the Chief Commissaire.

16. Withdrawals

  1. Any rider/runner not able to continue the stage or race, for whatever reason, must inform the Race Office immediately. This can be done at the start of any stage, the finish, at a feed zone, or preferably by mobile phone – the emergency number is situated on your race number.
  2. In the event of a search and rescue operation being launched for a rider/runner who has withdrawn, but has not informed the Race Office, the cost of such an operation will be for the participant concerned.

17. Protests

  1. Any protests must be submitted in writing, on official protest forms available from the Chief Commissaire, by the rider/runner concerned within the allocated time period after crossing the finish line.
  2. A deposit of R150 must accompany the protest, before the protest will be considered.
  3. If the protest is upheld, the deposit will be refunded. If it is not upheld, it will be donated to the Magalies Adventure Jose Cuervo Development Fund.
  4. Race protests must be submitted within 15 minutes of the rider crossing the line or within 30 minutes of the provisional results being posted. Race results will be posted on an ongoing basis.

18. Ethical and Environmental Considerations

  1. Littering on the stages, damage to property, lighting of fires or damage to the environment will not be tolerated.
  2. Physical and/or abuse of Magalies Adventure Crew and Officials, or fellow competitors will not be permitted.
  3. Infringements of the above rules will result in disciplinary action and possible disqualification.
  4. Littering by riders/runners even at feed zones will not be allowed, and participants are requested to kindly use litter receptacles provided.
  5. If a rider/runner is reported for littering at any time during their respective race, it will lead to immediate disqualification of that participant.

19. Traffic Regulations

  1. The Magalies Adventure will not have exclusive use of any public or private roads during the race. Owing to the fact that we are guests of the various farmers in the region, we are to respect their wishes to allow them to continue operating their businesses with minimum interruption. For safety reasons, all riders/runners are expected to stop or give way to machines, transport vehicles, until the road is clear and an official or marshal waves the riders/runners on.
  2. Participants must have due regard for other road users, and all traffic signs and regulations must be adhered to unless a traffic officer instructs him/her to do otherwise.
  3. Riders are not permitted to ride on the opposite (right) side of the centreline on a public road.
  4. Care must be taken when negotiating “blind corners” on farm and district roads where vehicles and machines may be operating.
  5. Infringements of traffic regulations may result in disqualification.

20. Basic Race Rules and Etiquette

  1. All riders and runners must complete the entire distance of the race.
  2. While utmost care will be taken to mark and marshal the route, the responsibility for following the official route lies with the participant.
  3. No entrant is permitted to take any shortcuts, or take advantage of any similar nature over other participants.
  4. Riders who leave the stage for any reason whatsoever must return into the stage at the same place from where they exited it.
  5. Any walking, running, or riding by any rider, with the intention of not directly re-joining the course, or any other activity in breach of the regulations, which takes place outside the demarcated stage area, can result in disqualification.
  6. A rider may not receive any outside technical assistance from anybody, other than a fellow competitor.
  7. Riders must act in a polite manner and permit any faster rider to pass unhindered as soon as conditions allow.
  8. Participants must respect the environment, and proceed only on the official demarcated route.
  9. No pollution of any kind is permitted.
  10. No glass containers are permitted.
  11. No one must: use abusive language, act in an unsporting manner, and be disrespectful to The Magalies Adventure officials, crew, marshals, medical attendants, supporters, the media or the traffic officials.
  12. Riders/runners are expected to administer basic first aid to injured competitors, and if required, take necessary steps to summon assistance in the case of a serious injury.

21. Doping

  1. The Magalies Adventure reserves the right, in terms of SA Mountain biking rules and regulations, to implement doping tests on any riders.
  2. Positive results will result in immediate disqualification, and forfeiture of any result by the rider concerned.