Official Race Rules

Important Things to Know and Do!

• Helmets are required to be worn by ALL riders while on race course.
• Please exercise courtesy and safety when passing racers on the course. When approaching a slower racer from behind call out RIDER BACK then announce ON YOUR LEFT if passing on the racers left side or ON YOUR RIGHT if passing on the racers right side.  It is the responsibility of the overtaking racer to ensure that there is enough room and it is safe to pass!
• Each team / solo racer will receive a timing chip with their team number assigned to it. Your team is responsible for keeping up with this the entire 6 hours. If at any time you come into the transition area without the timing chip your team will be penalized one lap. You must show the recorders your timing chip each time you come in and out of the transition area.
• All racers are encouraged to help out other racers in the event of a medical or mechanical issue.  There is no penalty for helping out your fellow racers either on the course or in the pits.
• The Tumbling Creek Rumble is a family friendly event so we ask that you please refrain from using profane or inappropriate language or actions while at the event.
• No dogs are allowed on the Gainesville State College campus including the bike trails.

Race Rules

The 6 hour Mountain Bike Race will start at 10:00 a.m. Your bike should be positioned at the designated starting area in front of the pavilion in the grass field no later than 9:45 a.m.

Lemans start: All 6 hour racers will start at 10:00 a.m. with a Lemans style start. The Lemans start is about an 500 yard run from the start⁄finish area around a designated area and back (Lemans start at the discretion of the race director). Racers then get on their bikes and ride a prologue lap (parade lap) around the open field back through the start⁄finish area and then onto the race course.

As you approach the transition area you have one of three choices: (1) go out on another lap, (2) pass the timing chip to another rider as they go out onto the course, (3) stop. If you choose option (1)you must still show the timing chip to the recorders at the start⁄finish area and tell them you are going back out. If you choose option (2) your rider waiting to go out onto the course must check in (preferably before you get there – makes things go quicker for your team). Once the rider on the course comes through the start⁄finish area and they show the recorders the timing chip they can pass it off and you can get riding! If you choose option (3) all you need to do is show the timing chip to the recorders and you may exit the start⁄finish area. If you choose option (3) once you and/ or your team is ready to resume riding you must check back in to let the recorders know you are going back out on the course.

If your team has a mechanical out on the course you have a couple of options: (1) fix your mechanical as quickly as you can and get riding again. You don´t have to be self supportive (meaning) if another rider comes along and they have a tool, tube, knowledge, etc. you need, you may get help from them! Only penalty here is you may loose time, get riding fast to make up for it! (2) if you have a rider that has a mechanical or has a wreck or anything that hinders them from finishing a lap, they may radio in and get another rider out on the course. You may either radio in on your own to your team or you can get to a check point and have them radio in for you. EITHER WAY THE NEW RIDER ON THE COURSE MUST CHECK IN!!! Once your rider radios in and reports to CANCEL the lap it is CANCELLED. AGAIN IF YOUR RIDER RADIOS IN OR HAS SOMEONE RADIO IN FOR THEM, THE LAP THEY ARE ON IS CANCELLED!!! (We just don´t want there to be any confusion on this).

Racers may ride as many laps consecutively as they wish. Each racer must ride a minimum of 1 lap during the 6 hour period.

THE RACE FINISHES AT 4:00 p.m. (or 6 hours after the official start time). The laps must be completed by 4:00 p.m. or they will NOT count.

The race winners will be the ones that have tallied the most laps in the least amount of time at the end of the 6 hours!