Can you Adam and Eve it?!  Quite possibly the last ever Forfar Funduro (surely it can’t be true?) is this Saturday.  But don’t worry, you still have time to enter this amazing race if you’re quick!

We’ve said it all before but if you love either (or all) of the following, you simply can’t afford to miss this event…..

Trails that flatter your riding and allow you to keep your wheels firmly on the ground.  Super pumpy-jumpy flowy trails that let you go big over the jumps and bomb-holes.  Unbeatable craic and banter.  A hilarious Dual Slalom spectator stage where you can race head2head against your mate into the heart of the Angus Cycling Festival event village…….twice!

Forfar Funduro has all of this in spades and a whole lot more.  Convinced?  Good!  Get entering before it’s too late as online entries close at midnight tomorrow! (Tuesday 29th August).

If you’ve already entered, or you’re planning to enter, here are a few things you should know ahead of the weekend.  For other updates pop over to the Forfar Funduro page or follow us on that there social meeja.

Parking 

Event parking is within Reid Park, Forfar.  Access is via the Viewmount entrance (off the A932/St James Road – DD81LL).  Follow the Angus Cycling Festival signs.  PLEASE DO NOT USE REID PARK ROAD – IT’S A DEAD END!   

A one-way system and 5mph speed limit will be enforced inside Reid Park.  All vehicles will exit Reid Park via Hillside Road.  You will be instructed to park on the grass on either side of the main perimeter path by parking marshals who will be stopping traffic and directing vehicles to allow safe access for the public and event goers.  Please follow the marshal’s instructions and keep emergency access roads within Reid Park clear at all times. 

Starting Waves 

Riders will leave the event village in waves of 10 riders every five minutes from 9.30am.  Please be aware of your wave start time and be ready to go.  Listen for your name to be called out and come up to the start line. 

You can pre-book your starting wave by calling: 01738 850271 OR 07759 210460 on Thursday 31st August or Friday 1st September between 9am and 7pm.  Waves will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis.  It’s fine to book for a group of riders if you all wish to start at the same time, or if you’re not too fussed about your start time you can book your wave at race registration on the day.   

Race Registration  

Race registration will be at the Muckmedden Tent in Reid Park which opens at 8am on Saturday 2nd.  Please arrive at registration a minimum of an hour before your wave start time to be issued with a number board (which must be attached to your handlebars and visible at all times during the race) and a timing chip which must be worn on your wrist.  PLEASE WRITE ANY RELEVANT MEDICAL CONDITIONS/ALLERGIES AND AN EMERGENCY CONTACT NAME/NUMBER ON THE BACK OF YOUR NUMBER BOARD. 

Stages  

There are 10 timed Stages in total.   

Stages 1 – 4 are in Balmashanner and must be ridden twice in numerical order i.e. 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4 (equating to stages 1 – 8).  The cut-off time for these stages is 3.30pm.   

Stages 9 & 10 form the Dual Slalom in Reid Park and each side must be ridden once (these can be ridden in any order).  The cut-off time for the Dual Slalom is 4pm. 

Timing 

Stages 1 – 8 

Riders will leave the start line of each timed stage individually at roughly 20 second intervals.  You must “Dib-In” at the start and “Dib-Out” at the finish of each stage. 

Stages 9 & 10 (Dual Slalom)  

Riders will leave the start line of the Dual Slalom in pairs at roughly 20 second intervals.  The Starting Marshal will countdown with; 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, GO!  You must “Dib-In” at the top and “Dib-Out” at the bottom just like every other stage.   

It is essential that you stay in your lane for the duration of the run – if you dib-in on the left-hand lane, you must dib-out on the left-hand lane and vice versa.  If you change lanes halfway down, your stage time will not count! 

WE ARE NOT USING CONTACTLESS TIMING CHIPS SO DO NOT FORGET TO DIB IN AND OUT OF EVERY STAGE!  You are responsible for ensuring you have dibbed in and out correctly on all stages. 

Race Rules 

It’s not EWS so we don’t like to enforce too many rules but there obviously must be some rules for common sense and to keep everyone safe.  The most important rule is; “Always ride within your limits, have a great time, be respectful to others and go home in one piece!”   

Overtaking 

If you’re coming up behind another rider on a timed stage and you want to pass, politely shout “Rider passing on your right/left!” and overtake when they pull over and let you past.  If a rider wants to pass you, look for a safe place to pull in and let them past.  Don’t get angry, don’t get frustrated and don’t get downhearted if you’re overtaken, we’re all here to have fun at our own pace! 

Safety 

Every rider has a duty to make sure other riders are okay.  If you see a crash, stop and make sure the rider is okay.  If someone needs medical assistance, flag down the next approaching rider and one of you notify the nearest Marshal ASAP. 

All timed stages are connected by untimed transition sections in Balmashanner and Reid Park which are popular spots for dog walkers and families and open to the public.  Ride courteously always in these areas.  Any anti-social or dangerous riding on transitions or littering will result in instant disqualification. 

If you are forced to retire early through injury or a mechanical, please inform a Marshal and remember to hand in your dibber. If you do not report a retirement, we will presume you’re lost somewhere and call out a search party. 

Course Notes 

Stages 1, 2, 5 & 6 (in particular) feature several large jumps, kickers and bomb-holes, if you are not comfortable being airborne please read the signs and look for the easier option.  All large features will be clearly marked and either avoidable or roll-able.  You will have a second chance to ride all the quarry stages so familiarise yourself with the trails before “going big”. PLEASE NOTE these jumps caught out a few very experienced riders last year.  We want you all to go home in one piece with a smile on your face so please ride with caution!      

Mandatory equipment 

  • Fully fastening, undamaged safety helmet 
  • Bar End Plugs 
  • Working brakes
  • Closed-toed shoes
  • Packable, thermal/waterproof layer  
  • Sufficient snacks and fluids for several hours on the trails 
  • A multi-tool, mini-pump, spare tubes, quick link, puncture repair kit 
  • A fully-charged mobile phone with credit 

Recommended Equipment 

  • Full Faced Helmet 
  • Knee and Elbow pads 
  • Back Protector 
  • Emergency foil blanket and basic first aid kit 
  • Riding Gloves

Once you’ve finished racing, please return your dibber to the timing tent and collect your race times.  We can’t compile the final race results until every dibber has been handed in so please do this before you go and get lunch, get changed etc.  The charge for a missing dibber is £25. 

Prizes and Medals 

We have some amazing hand-made trophies to award to the fastest male and female on the day, plus some fantastic swag and Muckin’ Medals for all podium finishers thanks to our sponsors Bike CraftAlechemy BrewingIONProgression BikesWigwam SocksKali ProtectivesHaglofsAgricarSOLEHorizon Watches – Highland Coffees

As always it’s not just the fast boys and girls who win at a Muckmedden Event though.  We’ll be giving away bundles of goodies at the end of the day in our Random Raffle so hang around, cheer on the medal winners and hopefully go home with some tasty swag yourself! 

Discounted Airbag Passes 

Forfar Funduro is just part of the superb Angus Cycling Festival so there are many other things going on during the day, from the Big Tree Campervans Youth MTB Series to The Funky Mountain obstacle course and live music from Chris Sesar, Gillian Halliday and friends!  Best of all though, as a Funduro entrant you can buy an unlimited day pass for the Stunt Airbag for £5 from registration!  Go on, you know you want to…..