BikeOdyssey 2024: 20 - 22 of September 2024

Information

Rules & Regulations

  1.  Invitation
    The race organizer reserves the right to invite additional teams.
  2. Prerequisite
    After expiration of registration forms the organizer will determine whether the implementation of race is possible.
  3. Categories
    "Bike Odyssey" is a team competition. Participants must form teams of two members. There will be one general category.
    Following the first stage, the leading team is awarded classification jerseys, which it is required to wear during the subsequent stage. Analogously, this applies to each of the ensuing stages, where by the jerseys may only be worn by the current leaders. First will be the team that in the end of each stage has the lowest cumulative time.
  4. Race Procedures
    "Bike Odyssey" is a race, which follows a specific, predetermined course of action and procedures.
    4.1 Briefings
    Participant briefings will be held each evening (in the context of the pasta party) prior to and every morning immediately before the start of a stage. It is the objective of these briefings to call the participants' attention to the characteristics and peculiarities of each upcoming stage, in particular danger areas and hazards. Briefings will be held by the race director and participation by all participants is obligatory.
    4.2 Time measurements
    The valid time the a team will be the time of the last of the two team members.
    4.3 Start procedures
    Start positions will be assumed 45 minutes before the official starting time of each stage. On the first day of the race, titleholders, professional racers and VIP racers will be grouped in a starting block ahead of all other participants. Behind this block, the positions of all other racers will be determined by the teams' starting numbers. On all subsequent stages, race organizers will determine the starting positions according to the teams' respective overall standing.
    Each start is marked by a single starting signal at which time-taking commences, typically at 9am apart from the Prologue and the 7th Stage that start at 10:30 am. In turn, all racers have the same starting time irrespective of their position in the starters' field. The winner of a stage is the race team that crosses the finish line first, under the provision that no penalties were accrued during the stage.
    This process also applies in case of a neutralized start. During the neutralization period it is prohibited to pass other racers and, in particular, any pilot vehicles or motorcycles.
    From the moment of the official start, start logistics are maintained for a total of 10 minutes. Racers that set off late from the start location will commence the stage with an according time handicap. Participants that show up for the start more than ten minutes late will not be admitted to participate in the stage and accordingly would not be considered in that day's placement.
    If a participant does not get any startup one day, the team loses any rights to claim a title, but may be included in the official ranking with penalty and not as official termination.
    4.4 Checking along the route
    There are at least three checkpoints in each stage, the position of which remains unknown to the riders but everyone should at these points to state their race number. For each checkpoint not pass - one contestant will be penalized with 50 minutes at the end of the stage.
    4.5 Procedures for termination
    There are similar procedures for checking at the termination point. At finish line all riders must be reported to calculate their ranking at this stage and their overall ranking as well.
  5. Abandonment
    Participants who do not reach the endpoint at some stages, due to injury or mechanical failure would have a time penalty of two hours of the time of the latter and could not be the ultimate winners of the race, but they can join next stages without being considered as official finishers.
    The team that will abandon even some measures or half stage can claim the next stage, will take the appropriate penalty, ie the time of the last finisher of the stage plus two hours and in the official classification cannot overtake any team that has completed all stages, even if the sum of the time of the first one with the penalties comes less from the time of the second one. In this case, the team with the penalties classified in last place and competes with another team of similar case. A team that does not get a startup one day or has abandoned two times, cannot join the next stage, will take the appropriate penalty, ie the time of the last finisher of the stage plus two hours, and can only compete with teams of similar case.
    5.1 Withdrawal
    Those participants who - for whatever reason - cannot or do not want to continue the race are obliged to immediately inform the director of the race or, alternatively, call the emergency telephone number which will be announced. Without informing the organizer of the event reserves the right to carry out search and rescue mission by the authorities of an emergency, the cost of which will be charged on the participant's negligence to inform.
    Participants who leave the race, must return the transponder and bib number to the personel in charge .
    The notice of withdrawal from the race and the return of the equipment shall be communicated to the manager or managers of the race in person.
    5.2 Official end of a stage
    Official end of a stage - time maximum : As the official end of a stage is the time of the sunset – if the director of the race deems it necessary to appoint a new end time ,has the right to do so and the participants will be informed.
    Cyclists who use other means of transport except that of organization’s (other than the bike -ie motor vehicles, etc. ) will be disqualified.
    In each case, participants can join the next stage and remain in the official classification.
    5.3 Absences
    Exclusion from the classification will be imposed if a rider does not appear at all in one stage. In cases of emergency, where the participants have a good reason to delay more than 10 minutes after the start, the decision race (if the contestant can begin belatedly and remain in the official classification) lies upon the discretion of the director of the.
    5.4 Finishers
    Only participants who have completed each stage of the race in accordance with all conditions and regulations shall be deemed official «finishers ". Anyone who - for whatever reason - is not able to complete a stage, may leave the official classification , but it will not be considered as "finishers" of "Bike Odyssey".
  6. Equipment
    6.1 Helmet
    Each and every rider must wear an appropriate helmet throughout the whole race. Helmets must be constructed according to safety standards.
    6.2 Clothing and emergency tools
    Each Participant «Bike Odyssey» is expected to be equipped according to the requirements of an 8-day mountain bike race. Appropriate attire for any kind of weather and first aid kits are minimum necessary. We recommend that you take with you additional tools and spare parts. E-Bike (power assisted) are not allowed .
    6.3 Bib numbers
    Each participant receives a start number - which must be fitted to the bicycle and be visible in all stages. Each number is unique and identifies a single competitor. Each bib number will be scanned at the beginning, at all checkpoints and at finish.
    6.4 Key card
    Each Participant «Bike Odyssey» receives a card indicating the name and the number of the participant. The access card is necessary during the race and is required to identify the approach to restricted areas and technical services, etc. Any abuse of entry card, for example, access by unauthorized persons to services intended only for the participant, will result in immediate exclusion .
  7. Various
    7.1 Protection of the environment
    "Bike Odyssey" passes through the impressive mountain range of Pindos. Environmental protection is imperative. Whoever throws trash or any object (including water bottles) beyond the predetermined allowable points will be penalized 60 minutes. The third sentence of this kind results in disqualification without recourse.
    7.2 Help from others
    "Bike Odyssey" is a team race. Therefore, participants are prohibited to accept any help from other people - except in cases of accident, injury or other emergency. Food , drinks , clothes or parts may be accepted during the event. It is strictly prohibited a contestant to be pushed or pulled by persons other than his team. Nor may be driven by non - official support vehicles.
    7.3 Doping
    The organizers of the race "Bike Odyssey" will expel anyone - with the intention of ensuring better performance - uses in any way illegal drugs. The organizers expressly reserve the right to perform anytime unannounced doping controls.
    7.4 Technical Support
    Technical staff of "Bike Odyssey" will provide technical services and assistance to participants of the race in both the start and finish of each stage, whilethere will berepair kitsalso in catering points. The maintenance work is generally free, but cleaning is not part of the free services. Any parts needed for repairs will be offered by partners of «Bike Odyssey» at retail prices.
    7.5 Traction
    It is allowed team members to support each other by pushing or pulling. For safety reasons, it is prohibited to use any kind of appliance or mechanical assistance. There will be frequent controls for that.
    There are two special rules:
    The "Bike Odyssey" takes place on public roads and the opposite lane will not be closed. Stay on the right side of the road or trail.
    Participants must obey the instructions of uniformed officers (police , firemen, etc.)
    7.6 Team separation
    Participants must ride with their team partner at all times and must not separate more than the allowable limit of 2 minutes.
    Riders’ separation may be measured at the start and finish of each stage and at various designated check points during the stage, but can also be enforced at any point during the race. Riders’ separation may be measured more than once during any stage and the appropriate penalties may be applied for each time.
    A rider is allowed to “double back” on the route at any time in order to rejoin his/her teammate provided that he/she shall not endanger any other rider in doing so.
  8. Rules
    8.1 - «Bike Odyssey» take place on public roads and trails used by others. In turn, all riders must meet applicable regulations (national traffic rules) - even if they operate in race mode .
    8.2 - Stay on the right side of the road or trail.
    8.3 - The slower participants must be set aside to outpace faster riders, who clearly have this intention, especially on steep sections.
    8.4 – "Fair play" and justice apply to each participant.
    8.5 - Riders must run with their bikes in their abilities. In all sections (trails and roads ), especially those with blind spots they must behave with the utmost care and caution . Participants should be prepared for sudden maneuvers at any time, but especially on downhill sections. Caution : the streets are public and will not be closed especially for the "Bike Odyssey".
    8.6 - All should beware of pedestrians.
    8.7 - In case of injury or mechanical damage , it is imperative , if possible - to put aside yourself and your bike to rectify the fault.
    8.8 - In case of sprint between riders at the finish area, you may not change lanes.
    8.9 - In no case may be traversed closed railway crossings.
    8.10 – Do not discard waste or bottles!
  9. Race Director, Jury, protests, penalties and other sanctions
    It is the responsibility of the Director of the race to make decisions about the event and the actions during the race.
    9.1 Protests
    There is a possibility that the intentional or unintentional violation of the rules arise from both the participants and the organizer of the race. If the managers of the race and the commissioners do not give a satisfactory solution to any violation of rules, there is the possibility of protest from anyone interested (must be submitted on the day on which the incident occurred ).
    9.2 Penalties and other sanctions
    It would not be impossible to list all the possible violations of the rules of the race. Therefore, only some of them listed below. However, the director of the race in conjunction with the organizers may impose sanctions for acts and offenses not listed in the list below .
    The penalty will always be a time penalty in the first instance, unless the seriousness of the offense is such that - in the latter case the integral - imposed blockade of the participant.

    OFFENCE

    PENALTY FOR 1ST INFRINGEMENT

    PENALTY FOR 2ND INFRINGEMENT

    PENALTY FOR 3RD INFRIGEMENT

    False information in race registration

    Disqualification

    -

    -

    Non officially approved helmet, not worn/not closed properly

    Warning

    30 minutes

    Αποκλεισμός

    Help from outside

    20 minutes

    40 minutes

    2 hours

    Not respecting the environment and the infrastructures

    Warning

    30 minutes

    -

    Anti-sportive behavior/unfair play

    Warning

    30 minutes

    Disqualification

    Skipping or missing a time checkpoint & shortcuts

    50 minutes / checkpoint

    -

    -

    Starting from a privileged position when there is no right

    Warning

    20 minutes

    -

    Altering, removing, obscuring a rider’s identification number

    Warning

    30 minutes

    Disqualification

    Leader’s jersey not worn properly

    10 minutes

    30 minutes

    -

    Violating Organizing Team’s indications

    2 hours

    Disqualification

    -

    Positing at doping check

    Disqualification

    -

    -

    Throwing or leaving waste/food/drink/bottles along the route

    Warning

    30 minutes

    Disqualification

    Team separation more than 2 minutes

    20 minutes

    40 minutes

    Disqualification

    Transfer athlete from the organization in order to provide first aid / repair bike

    60 minutes

    -

    -

    Intentional dangerous maneuvers that endanger other athletes

    Αποκλεισμός

    -

    -

    Abandon a stage

    Last finisher’s time + 2 hours with ability to join the next stage

    Last finisher’s time + 2 hours without ability to join the next stage

    -

    Not starting a stage

    Last finisher’s time + 2 hours without ability to join the next stage

    -

    -

    Useother means of transport (except of the organization’s ) except bicycle

    Disqualification

    -

     
    Athlete that do not carry with him/her the card with the emergency phones of the organization in all stages 10 minutes 20 minutes Disqualification
     
    9.3 Change of route
    The race director reserves the right to change the route even just before the start of each stage, making the total distance greater or smaller.
    The organizers of the race, if it is necessary due to hazardous weather conditions, can stop a stage or define new finish point.

 

* Changes in regulations may be made so it is good to visit the site frequently. The changes will be highlighted in red.

BikeOdyssey is an 8 days XC (Cross Country) bike race across the Pindos mountain range, in Greece. Is the toughest race in Greece and one of the toughest mountain bike races in the world.

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Contact

Agiou Ioannou Theologou 31, Gerakas, Greece 15344
Office hours:
Monday - Friday 10h - 20h

 

+30 210 6613120
info@bikeodyssey.gr

 

Fast Stats

Some fast stats:

620

Km

19 800

elevation gain

57

villages

8

days