Saturday, April 26
HERITAGE PARK
2543 Macon HWY - Watkinsville GA 30677
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 2 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 10:40 a.m. | All 3rd Grade Boys must be in Race Staging Area | |
| 11:00 a.m. | RACE: 3rd Grade Boys | |
| 11:10 a.m. | All 3rd Grade Girls must be in Race Staging Area | |
| 11:15 a.m. | ACTIVITY ZONE: 5th Graders (boys & girls) | |
| 11:30 a.m. | RACE: 3rd Grade Girls | |
| 11:40 a.m. | All 4th Grade Boys must be in Race Staging Area | |
| 12:00 p.m. | RACE: 4th Grade Boys | |
| 12:10 p.m. | All 4th Grade Girls must be in Race Staging Area | |
| 12:15 p.m. | ACTIVITY ZONE: 3rd Graders (boys & girls) | |
| 12:30 p.m. | RACE: 4th Grade Girls | |
| 12:40 p.m. | All 5th Grade Boys must be in Race Staging Area | |
| 1:00 p.m. | RACE: 5th Grade Boys | |
| Skills Zone Closes | ||
| 1:10 p.m. | All 5th Grade Girls must be in Race Staging Area | |
| 1:15 p.m. | ACTIVITY ZONE: 4th Graders (boys & girls) | |
| 1:30 p.m. | RACE: 5th Grade Girls | |
| 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 2 FORMAT
THIS RACE COURSE IS APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES FOR ALL GRADES
3rd and 4th Grade Rangers will compete under an “individual time trial” format during the Race at Expedition 2. Here’s how their races will be conducted:
Race course direction is clockwise
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 lines.
Each grade level and gender (e.g., 3rd Grade Boys) will have a designated start time (see schedule below). Rangers will be lined up in the start chute based on their finish times from the Race at Expedition 1, with the fastest riders staged at the front of the pack.
Each row of Rangers will contain five athletes. Rangers will be sent off on the course row by row with a buffer time between each row. This is designed to help manage rider safety.
5th Grade Rangers will graduate to a more traditional mountain bike race format during the Race at Expedition 2. Here’s how their races will be conducted:
This race uses a GUN TIME format, which refers to the time it takes to finish a race from when the starter's gun is sounded until crossing the finish line, irrespective of when the competitor actually rides across the start line. The first Ranger to cross the finish line wins. (Note: we do not use an actual starter gun, but rather a PA announcer who tells riders when to “GO!”)
5th Grade Boys and 5th Grade Girls will have designated start times (see schedule below). Rangers will be lined up in the start chute based on their finish times from the Race at Expedition 1, with the fastest riders staged at the front of the pack.
Rangers will be sent out on the course in waves of 20 student-athletes at a time. A small buffer time will be given between each wave of Rangers, designed to help manage rider safety.
The top 10 fastest riders (5 boys/5 girls) in each grade level will be recognized at the Medal Ceremony at 2:30 p.m. We encourage everyone to come together as a huge Trail Rangers family at the medal ceremonies to cheer on your teammates from across the state.
| WAVE TIMES FOR EXPEDITION 2 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CATEGORY | STARTS WITH # | STAGING TIME | START TIME | PULL TIMES* | TOTAL ALLOTTED TIME | LAPS | TOTAL MILEAGE | PLATE COLOR |
| 3rd Grade Boys | 1000s | 10:40 a.m. | 11:00 a.m. | 45 min | 45 min | 1 | 2.2 miles | RED |
| 3rd Grade Girls | 2000s | 11:10 a.m. | 11:30 a.m. | 45 min | 45 min | 1 | 2.2 miles | RED |
| 4th Grade Boys | 3000s | 11:40 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. | 45 min | 45 min | 1 | 2.2 miles | YELLOW |
| 4th Grade Girls | 4000s | 12:10 p.m. | 12:30 p.m. | 45 min | 45 min | 1 | 2.2 miles | YELLOW |
| 5th Grade Boys | 5000s | 12:40 p.m. | 1:00 p.m. | 45 min | 45 min | 1 | 2.2 miles | GREEN |
| 5th Grade Girls | 6000s | 1:10 p.m. | 1:30 p.m. | 45 min | 45 min | 1 | 2.2 miles | GREEN |
*Pull times remain at the discretion of event officials and are subject to change to ensure course and rider safety.