RIDER SAFETY RULES AND REGULATIONS

Staging a Safe Ride for all participants is our main priority on all Fun Rides and UCI Gran Fondo Hangzhou Xiang Lake (ITT 16km ) & Qiandao Lake Age Group 136km

Acceptance of Rules & Regulations

In order to proceed with your registration you have to confirm that you have read and understood the event rules and regulations listed below and will abide by these rules and regulations for all associated events in the 15th Edition of the Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge.

Age Calculation

The riders age for ALL events in this series is set in line with the UCI Gran Fondo qualifying age eligibility which is defined by the rider´s age on December 31st of the year of the qualifier event (6th and 7th September 2025), in this case 31 December 2025.

Riders Age / Category

Riders Age / Category = Rider’s age on 31 December 2025

Timing Chips

Timing Chips – The events will be timed using rental chips only. These Timing Chips will be provided prior to each event in your race pack on per event rental basis and will need to be returned to the organisers at the finish recovery area of each ride. Failure to do so may incur a time penalty and you will need to pay the replacement fee of AED 300 for the lost chip, this will need to be paid prior to collection of your race pack for the following event.

Not Permitted:

The following is not permitted, and penalties may be imposed at the sole discretion of the organiser:
Headphones – Strictly No headphones allowed whilst riding, be attentive and alert to calls Using your mobile phone or taking selfies whilst riding – Let us take the photos. Making contact with any other rider whilst on the bike Physical contact with another rider with the intention of causing harm is strictly forbidden No helmet no ride Solid disc wheels, TT Bikes, TT Bars and aero bars are not allowed E-bikes or motors, only 100% human powered bikes are permitted Littering Carrying or wearing another riders timing chip during the ride When a seeded rider starts in an earlier group than their allocated / allotted seeding Rider Safety, Etiquette and Unsportsmanlike Conduct – All participants are to agree to act in accordance with acceptable Rider Etiquette. The following acts are deemed unfair or unsportsmanlike or potentially unsafe conduct in terms of this event and is strongly discouraged and the organisers reserve the right to sanction participants for flagrant violation of these etiquettes: Looking back in a bunch – don’t look back in a bunch this can cause and accident Not holding your line – keep it steady, ride in a straight line and a predictable manner Breaking suddenly without warning Overlapping wheels – Don’t overlap wheels! Keep a distance of approximately 1 to 1.5m off the rear of the wheel in front Sandbagging – on chip time format hanging back at the start to gain an unfair time advantage Blocking – Deliberately Blocking Being rude to marshals, race officials or other riders Etiquette Communication is key – Use hand signals and give clear instructions when passing or needing to move in a bunch. Hand signals & Calls – know your hand signals and calls and practice them on training rides Essential guide to road cycling hand signals and cal… (roadcyclinguk.com) Ride handle bar to handlebar, a safe distance apart Hold your line – keep it steady, ride in a straight line and a predictable manner No Sudden breaking – make the calls for any hazards Follow the rules of the road and course signage Always keep both hands on your handlebars Ride within your abilities – Seed yourself in an appropriate start group Keep the ICE number with you in case you need assistance: 056 211 4374 Take care when approaching slower riders – Keep right pass left and make loud calls – PASSING LEFT

Appeal Process

You may appeal a result or contest rider behaviour, by following the appeal process

Appeal Process – Any rider wishing to lodge an official appeal against another rider will nees to complete the appeal form, sign and pay AED 100 deposit for the appeal to be considered

Appeal Form – The appeal form will be provided as a downloadable digital form and hard copy form at each event at the information stand within the finish village.

Appeal Deposit – To lodge an official appeal, the rider will need to pay AED 100 deposit, should the offender be found guilty, the deposit will be returned to the appealer. Should the offender be found not-guilty, the deposit will be retained by the organisers

Team Entry Process:

To enter a Team please follow this link: (This link will be shared when we launch online entries) A Team leader will need to have all team member details to hand when registering their team online through the entry platform.

For assistance in registering a team, please contact info@ucigranfondochina.com

Rider Eligibility

Age Eligibility for UCU Gran Fondo Qualifier Races is: 19+ years

Gender: There are no gender-based team categories, therefore a team may consist of all males, all females or mixed male and female.

Elite Status: Team members do not need to hold a valid Elite License; however only valid UCI License holders will be eligible to start in the Elite Start Group on the main event race day if they have qualified to do so. All non-license holders will start in one of the open seeded groups according to their seeding taken from the Build-Up Rides. (This rule needs CLEAR clarification – on the “if they qualified to do so” point)

Scoring & Results

All riders in a team need to ride with their allocated timing chip. Seeded Teams will start separate from rest of field for safety reasons Race Team v Social Team entry , Race teams will start in the front group, Social Teams are riding for the social and personal achievement, will start within their relevant speed group according to their seeding. The team´s time for each event is taken from the 4th team member to cross the finish line At least 4 riders in a team need to finish each event in order to stay in the competition If less than 4 riders in a team finish an event, the team will be scored as DNF and will be out of the team competition Each member of the team will still be eligible to compete in the individule as they finish each race. All safety rules remain applicable across all events.

NOTE: The below infographic serves a a is a helpful visual summary reminder of some of the basic rider safety rules, however all rider rules and regulations are included above and need to be read, understood and followed by all participants, failing which, the organiser reserves the right to issue time penalties, disqualifications and/or fines to any offending rider.

Cycling Safety: Essential Tips for a Safe Ride

Cycling is a great way to stay fit, enjoy the outdoors, and commute sustainably. However, staying safe on the road is crucial to ensure a positive riding experience. Whether you're a seasoned rider or a beginner, following key safety tips can help protect you from accidents and make cycling enjoyable for everyone.

1. Wear a Helmet

Wearing a properly fitted helmet is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself from head injuries. Make sure your helmet:

2. Check Your Equipment

Before each ride, ensure your bike is in good working condition:

Brakes: Test both front and rear brakes to make sure they stop the bike effectively.
Tires: Check tire pressure and look for any signs of wear or punctures.
Chain: Ensure the chain is lubricated and not too loose.
Lights and Reflectors: If riding in low-light conditions or at night, make sure your bike has front and rear lights, and consider wearing reflective gear.

3. Be Visible

Visibility is key to staying safe, especially in traffic. Cyclists can be hard to see, so make yourself noticeable by:

4. Follow Traffic Laws

Cyclists must follow the same rules of the road as drivers. This includes:

Obeying traffic signals and stop signs.
Riding in the same direction as traffic, not against it.
Using bike lanes where available, or staying to the right-hand side of the road if there’s no designated lane.
Yielding to pedestrians and staying cautious in high-traffic areas.

5. Use Hand Signals

Communicating with other road users is essential for safety. Use hand signals to indicate your intentions:

6. Stay Alert and Avoid Distractions

Keeping your focus on the road is critical. Avoid:

7. Ride Predictably

Erratic or unpredictable movements can confuse drivers and lead to accidents. Always:

8. Know and Avoid Road Hazards

Be aware of potential hazards on the road that could cause a fall or accident:

Potholes: Ride around them or slow down if unavoidable.
Debris: Be cautious of glass, rocks, and other debris on the road.
Railroad tracks: Cross at a right angle to avoid slipping.
Wet surfaces: Reduce speed and be careful on wet roads, as they can be slippery.

9. Ride Defensively

Assume that drivers may not always see you. Stay prepared for the unexpected by:

10. Stay Educated

Continually improving your knowledge of cycling safety can reduce risks. Consider:

Additional Tips for Specific Conditions:

Night Riding:

Group Riding:

Cycling with Children:

By following these safety tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and injuries while cycling. Staying aware, visible, and prepared are the best ways to ensure that your rides are enjoyable and safe for everyone.