Cullinan Ultra Gravel is set for April

Cullinan Ultra Gravel will take riders and their support crew on April 20 on a 260km life-changing experience from Cullinan to Dunkeld Country Estate, Dullstroom.

There is a limit of 500 entries for this year. The race is known for its gruelling terrain, with an elevation gain of 3 200m.

The riders have 24 hours to finish the race. They will start at sunrise and most riders are expected to finish around midnight.

This is a mountain and gravel bike event. Bicycles with drop bars will be allowed, but Tri bars will not be allowed.

All participants are required to wear an approved helmet at all times while they are riding. Failure to ride with a helmet will result in disqualification.

By participating, the participants accept that riding will be at their own risk. The routes used during the event are open to traffic.

There are no road closures, police escorts, or course marshals. Cyclists must ride defensively, with safety as their utmost priority.

Neither the organisers nor its volunteers are responsible for the negligence of motor vehicles during these events, even if it results in injury or loss of life.

Riders shall obey all rules of the road. It is the rider’s responsibility to know the laws of the road and follow them.

Flagrant disregard of local and provincial traffic laws will result in disqualification. Riders have to completely stop at all stop signs and red lights and use hand signals appropriately.

Lights are compulsory while riding during hours of darkness. Riders must have a white front headlight and a bright red tail light. The red tail light must be on at all times and not flickering.

Participants riding after dark without operating lights will be disqualified. Keep in mind that it is prudent to ride with good lights because it is easier to ride when you can confidently see where you are going.

Additionally, you will ride more safely when weary-eyed drivers can easily see you from behind. Each rider must also have a space blanket and whistle with them.

Before the start of the event, each participant will receive a GPS route file that will provide turn-by-turn directions and locations of support points and checkpoints.

Participants must stop at each checkpoint to have his/ her time recorded by the official. If an official is not present, the cyclist should make a mental note of the time they reach a checkpoint. A participant may be disqualified if he/she misses a checkpoint.

If a cyclist leaves the route, he/she must return to the route at the same location.

All participants must complete the course within the designated time limit to be listed as a finisher and to receive a medal.

Various checkpoints along each stage may also have time cut-offs. Time limits are imposed to maintain event integrity and allow other participants to receive the support they need to complete the event.

As a courtesy to the drivers of the support vehicles, the organisers request that participants not to lean their bicycles against a support vehicle.

This can cause scratches to the support vehicles and may inhibit other riders from gaining easy access to their gear bags.

The race director reserves the right to remove any rider from the course for any reason related to their safety or the safety of others.

Any rider or support crew member found cheating or deliberately violating the rules will be disqualified.

The race director reserves the right to interpret any existing rule or regulation, or to invoke new rules or regulations deemed necessary. The race director’s interpretation and decision regarding any rule are final.

The race will continue in rainy weather, but as rider safety is the top priority, the organisers reserve the right to postpone or cancel the event because of extreme weather or dangerous road conditions.

Unsportsmanlike conduct, including, but not limited to, foul or abusive language, insults and rude behaviour, acts of violence among riders or event officials or volunteers, failure to follow the instructions of an event official or volunteer, or intentionally causing a crash may result in disqualification of the rider(s) involved and possible suspension from future events.

For information about the Cullinan Ultra Gravel event, contact them at info@adventure.com.