Saturday, April 12
ALLATOONA CREEK PARK
5690 Old Stilesboro Road - Acworth, GA 30101
ATTENDEE NOTES
Whether you are attending this Trail Rangers Expedition Day as an athlete, coach, parent, or community member, here’s all the information you need to maximize your experience!
Our athletes enjoy it when there is an enthusiastic crowd, but we ask everyone in attendance to follow a few simple rules. This will help create a safe environment for everyone.
STAY BEHIND THE RED TAPE: When watching a race, always keep your body and belongings on your side of the red tape. If you lean over the tape to take a picture, you may inadvertently contact a rider.
BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS: If you are walking, keep your head up! Bikes will be moving all around you at high speeds, so do not look down at your phone or dig through your backpack while walking around the event site.
CROSS AT THE CROSSWALKS: When attempting to cross an active racecourse, please utilize our designated crosswalks and obey all crossing guard instructions. If you are in the woods, please look to make sure there isn’t a rider approaching you. Always cross quickly and never linger on an active racecourse.
CHEER FOR EVERYONE: As a spectator, anytime a rider passes you, shout out words of encouragement! You don’t have to know the person to support them.
LEAVE NO TRACE: Clean up after yourself and throw all trash in the proper receptacle. If you are in the forest, carry all the trash with you.
NO FLY ZONE FOR DRONES: Nobody may operate a drone at this race.
SPECTATOR GUIDELINES
VIEWING AREAS
Looking for the best place to watch the race? We have created special spectator areas that offer prime viewing opportunities. Our spectator areas are marked on the interactive map above. Of course, you are welcome to watch the race wherever you feel comfortable, so long as it doesn’t interfere with the competition.
A hammock in the woods provides an excellent vantage point to watch the race. Keep your hammock at least 10 feet away from the course, and DO NOT stack your hammock. Violations of this policy may result in being asked to leave.
PARKING
Save time and money by purchasing a Season Parking Permit. A permit costs $20 and grants you access to the ProGold Lubricants Parking Lot at all four Expedition events.
Without a parking permit, parking costs $10 per day. Purchasing a permit in advance saves you 50% off the daily parking rate.
THIS EVENT IS DOG FRIENDLY...FOR FRIENDLY DOGS
Your furry friend is welcome to attend this race; however, there are a few simple rules to follow:
Dogs must always remain on a leash. Unleashed dogs and their owners may be asked to leave and not return.
Please clean up after your dog. Poop bags are not provided, so please bring your own supplies.
Do not let your dog enter a Pit Zone tent for a team other than yours. Remember, most tents have food tables, which could be a tasty distraction.
PIT ZONE
The Bike Fettish Pit Zone is the base camp for all teams on race day. Each Trail Rangers local program has a space for tents, bikes, etc. This is a walking zone only! No bike riding in the Pit Zone.
Vehicular access is restricted to those with a Pit Zone Pass and only during designated times. Otherwise, there is no driving a vehicle inside the Pit Zone. Your local program lead will coordinate with coaches and parents on the process of getting supplies into the Pit Zone.
RANGER RACE PLATES
Each Trail Ranger will be provided with a single set of two race plates to use at all Expedition Days: one for the front of the bike and one for the rider to place on their back. All bike race plates contain a timing chip that tracks a rider’s time. Race plates must be positioned vertically on the bike; otherwise, they could result in a timing error. Replacement number plates will be available at the Race HQ tent for $25.
There is a tent on site called RACE HQ. This is your source for all questions related to the event. You can also purchase a replacement for a lost race plate, and it is the home of lost and found.
RACE HQ
SOUVENIRS & RAFFLE TICKETS
The General Store is the place to purchase souvenirs. From t-shirts to hats, Christmas ornaments to teddy bears, the Georgia Cycling General Store has it all.
You can also purchase raffle tickets at the General Store. Visit the store to check out the display of that day’s prizes. Tickets are $5 per ticket or get a SUPER 5 PACK for $20.
The Coaches Meeting will provide an up-to-the-minute overview of race day. Since event information can shift at the last minute, at least one representative from every team must be present at this meeting.
COACHES MEETING
NEUTRAL SUPPORT
While Rangers are expected to show up with a fully functional bike, mechanical issues can happen on race day. Free-Flite Bicycles is onsite with experienced and skilled mechanics to help assist. Please note that should a part need to be replaced, we do not offer complimentary replacement parts. Free-Flite Bicycles may have a limited selection of replacement parts available for purchase. Parts are subject to availability.
STAGING AREA
The Specialized Staging Area is where riders line up for the race. Student-athletes must follow the staging times posted below. If a rider is not in staging on time and misses their call-up, they will automatically be placed in the back of the field, with no exceptions.
One coach per team is permitted to enter the staging area. Parents are not permitted in the staging area at any time.
FAMILY CAMPGROUND
Come into town Friday night and save yourself a Saturday morning drive. Camping at a Georgia Cycling event is a fun family tradition. Spend the night before a race under the stars! Check-in at the Family Campground opens at 3 p.m. on Friday. All campers must be off the property by 5 p.m. on Saturday.
$10 per car/truck - $20 RV/Camper
Camping must be purchased online. No on-site sales.
BREWING UP COFFEE & TEA FROM 9 A.M. TO 1 P.M. CHECK THE EVENT MAP FOR THEIR LOCATION
Martha's Outpost provides 5% of their annual sales to support local trail organizations, benefiting public trail access for Georgia’s outdoor community.
| SCHEDULE FOR EXPEDITION 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 a.m. | Event Venue Opens | |
| Pit Zone Opens for Load In | Vehicles must have a permit to access Pit Zone | |
| Course Pre-Ride (coach:ranger ratio applies) | No riders may enter the course after 9:45 a.m. | |
| 10:00 a.m. | Coach Meeting | Gather at Race HQ |
| Skills Zone Opens | ||
| 10:30 a.m. | Pit Zone Closed | All vehicles must be out of Pit Zone by this time |
| 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. | TEAM TIME TRIALS | |
| 1:00 p.m. | Skills Zone Closes | |
| 2:15 p.m. | Pit Zone Opens for Load Out | Vehicles must have a permit to access Pit Zone |
| 2:30 p.m. | Medal Ceremony | |
RACE 1 FORMAT
THIS RACE COURSE IS APPROXIMATELY 2.2 MILES FOR ALL GRADES
The Race at Expedition 1 will follow a “team time trial” format. Each team will have an assigned start time between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. and will ride the course together. Here’s how the race will be conducted:
Racecourse direction is clockwise.
Each program will be given a designated start time. All team members must be in the staging area at their designated time to provide plenty of time for the team can be organized for the time trial.
This race uses a CHIP TIME format, which refers to the time it takes an individual to cross the start and finish line mats. It excludes how long it takes a rider to cross the start line from their starting position. Each rider will have a race plate on their bike containing a microchip that tells our timing computer when the Ranger’s bike passes over the start and finish line mats.
Every local program (ex, the Fayette County Trail Rangers) will line up together in the starting chute. Coaches will order Rangers in the chute based on skill level, with faster riders toward the front of the pack. This is designed to help manage rider safety.