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SPORTING REGULATIONS AND GENERAL CONDITIONS OF SALE

PREAMBLE

The 2nd edition of the Gravel Fever Grand Châtellerault (hereinafter the Event) is organized on September 13, 14 and 15, 2024 by France Vélo Événements SAS.

This document defines :
(i) the sporting regulations for the Event (hereinafter referred to as the Regulations),
(ii) the general terms and conditions of sale applicable to any order of products or services relating to the Event placed with the Organizer via the Njuko registration platform (its website, mobile site or application) (hereinafter the Organizer's General Terms and Conditions of Sale).

The terms "you", "your" and "yours" refer to you, as the participant or consumer, or as the parent or legal guardian (over 18 years of age) if the participant or consumer is a minor in his/her country of residence.
Your registration for the Event implies your expressed and unreserved acceptance of the present Rules and of the organizer's General Terms and Conditions of Sale.

This document supplements the Terms of Use of the online registration platform known as Njuko (hereinafter referred to as Njuko), which can be accessed at Njuko.
In the event of any contradiction between the terms of the Njuko Terms of Use, the organizer's present General Terms and Conditions of Sale and the Regulations, the terms of the Regulations shall prevail over the General Terms and Conditions of Sale, which shall themselves prevail over the Njuko Terms of Use.

The Organizer may revise and update the Terms and Conditions and the Regulations at any time; please consult them regularly. Any changes made shall apply immediately upon notification, by any means, including publication of a revised version hereof on the Event website https://gravelfever.fr/.
In the event of any significant modification to the Terms and Conditions and/or the Regulations, the Organizer will endeavor to notify you by e-mail to the e-mail address provided on Njuko.

Important! Role of Njuko:
The Njuko site through which you placed your order enables professional sellers and organizers to list and sell their products and services. Although the Njuko platform facilitates the transactions carried out on it, Njuko is not the seller or organizer of the products and services relating to the Event.
Consequently, the sale of products or services relating to the Event forms a sales contract solely between you and the Organizer. The Organizer is responsible for the sale of products or services relating to the Event and for any claims or other problems arising out of or in connection with the sales contract between you and the Organizer.

 

A. SPORTING REGULATIONS

The present sporting regulations (hereinafter the Regulations) apply to all participants in the Event. They form an integral part of the General Terms and Conditions of Sale referred to above and comply with the regulations of the French Cycling Federation (Fédération Française de Cyclisme) specific to Ultra Distance cycling, as well as with the regulations for Randosportives and randonnées events.
In the event of any conflict with the provisions of the General Terms and Conditions of Sale, the provisions of the Regulations shall prevail.

ORGANIZATIONS AND DEFINITIONS
GRAVEL FEVER Grand Châtellerault offers various Gravel courses open exclusively to Gravel and Cyclo-cross (CX) bikes. For Gravel ADVENTURE, mountain bikes are tolerated.
For the GRAVEL FEVER FREE, DECOUVERTE and DUO events, mountain bikes and VAEs are accepted.
GRAVEL FEVER Grand Châtellerault is a series of rides, not timed in their entirety, except for two events, namely Gravel Fever Ultra* (Ultra distance regulations) and Gravel Fever RACE* (randosportives regulations with timed sectors). All other Gravel Fever events are randonnees.

The distances are as follows:

- Gravel Fever Ultra, linking the Terrasses de l'Observatoire de Meudon / Châtellerault over some 500km and 3400 D+.

- Gravel Fever Adventure, Châtellerault / Châtellerault over approx. 100 km and 1000 D+.
- Gravel Fever Race, Châtellerault / Châtellerault over approx. 140 km and 1200 D+.
- Gravel Fever Duo, Châtellerault / Châtellerault approx. 80 km and 500 D+.
- Gravel Fever Découverte, Châtellerault / Châtellerault approx. 50 km and 300 D+.
- Gravel Fever Free, Châtellerault / Châtellerault approx. 25 km and 100 D+.

Only portions of the Gravel Fever Race will be timed.
Times will be communicated to participants, with rankings for the following categories: scratch, men and women, best climber men, best climber women.

These events will take place on roads open to traffic.
Details of the routes will be communicated to each participant at least one week before the start, as well as on the website, social networks and when race numbers are handed out.
*see chapter on Timing and special features

 

B. DEFINITION OF EVENTS AND CATEGORIES OF FINISHERS

GRAVEL FEVER ULTRA 500 The Gravel Fever Ultra 500 is a semi-autonomous mixed terrain endurance challenge, combining gravel and roads. The event is timed, and each participant must cross the finish line in Châtellerault within the designated time window to achieve "FINISHER" status. For this edition, we are introducing three categories of "FINISHER":

    • Finisher Under 24: Complete the event in less than 24 hours.
    • Finisher Under 36: Complete the event in under 36 hours.
    • Finisher Under 48: Complete the event in less than 48 hours.

The start will be at 1pm on Friday, September 13, 2024.

There will be one or more refreshment checkpoints along the course. All participants must clock in at this/these CP(s) or be considered NO FINISHER.

Semi-autonomy means that each participant must be able to manage his or her own food and equipment needs between checkpoints. No assistance, be it food, mechanical or of any other kind to facilitate progress, is permitted outside the checkpoints, on pain of disqualification.

The following rules have been established:

  1. Organized accompaniment is forbidden on the entire course.
    b. Checkpoints will offer refreshments and food, to be consumed on site. No other assistance is permitted.
    c. It is forbidden to be accompanied or to accept any form of accompaniment outside the checkpoints.
    d. Between checkpoints, participants may purchase food and equipment in local shops, and choose to rest in hotels, with local people or in bivouacs, in compliance with local regulations.

The organizers reserve the right to penalize any participant who fails to comply with these rules, in order to preserve the spirit of the event.

Only participants equipped with helmets and clearly visible handlebar plates, and who have passed the necessary checks, will be allowed access to the refreshment posts.

The Gravel Fever Ultra 500 takes place on public roads and paths open to traffic, and all participants must scrupulously respect the Highway Code and the safety guidelines issued by France Vélo Événements, as well as the regulations of the relevant prefectural authorities. No right of way is given, and no signallers are posted along the route.

The Gravel Fever Ultra 500 is open to all cyclists, men and women, aged 18 and over. Participants must follow a route defined by a GPX track, which will be sent by e-mail at least one week before the event and will also be available on the registration site.

The start of Gravel Fever Ultra 500 will be at 1pm on Friday, September 13, 2024 at Terrasses de l'Observatoire, 5 Pl. Jules Janssen, 92190 Meudon.

 

1. CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION - LICENSE - MEDICAL CERTIFICATE

1.1 Registration exclusively on the Internet via www.gravelfever.fr and secure payment by credit card for all distances.
Registration will be considered complete and will therefore be validated as soon as it includes the following information for each participant.
Each entry entitles the holder to a handlebar number plate. No transfer of numbers is permitted for any reason whatsoever. All event registrations are personal, firm and final, and will not be reimbursed for any reason whatsoever, unless specifically stipulated in the regulations. France Vélo Événements encourages all participants to take out cancellation insurance via the Njuko platform at the time of registration. Any person who transfers his or her number without the third party's file being validated in Njuko will be held responsible in the event of an accident occurring or caused by the third party during the event. The Organizer declines all responsibility in the event of such an accident.

1.2 Age
To take part in the Gravel Fever Ultra 500, you must be at least 18 years of age on the day of the event at the latest.

1.3 Physical fitness
Please note that checks will be carried out during the event to ensure that it runs smoothly, particularly with regard to age and medical certification.
By taking part in the event, you are taking part in one of the sporting events organized or approved by a sports federation. Consequently, your participation is subject to the compulsory presentation of :
a French Cycling Federation license valid on the date of the event, bearing proof of the issue of a medical certificate stating the absence of contraindication to the practice of competitive cycling.
Copy of one of the following federal cycling or 2024 sports licenses (including a medical certificate stating the absence of contraindication to competitive cycling):
Licence FFC - Fédération Française de Cyclisme (Competition, Access, Mass event)
Licence F.F.TRI (Fédération Française de Triathlon)
Or - Medical certificate of Absence of Contraindication to the practice of cycling in competition dating less than one year to the day of the event, for non-licensed (FFC, FF TRI) and for all licensees of other cycling and sports federations (in particular FFCT, FFvélo but also FFC-Pass Loisir licenses).

ATTENTION Participants living abroad:
You are required to provide a medical certificate bearing the Obligatory Mention of Absence of Contraindication to the practice of cycling in competition dating from less than one year on the day of the event, even if you hold a license issued by the federation of your country of residence.
This certificate must be dated less than one year before the date of the event, signed and authenticated by the doctor, whether or not the latter is established on French territory.
If the doctor is not based in France, the medical certificate must be written in French, English, Spanish, German, Italian or Portuguese.
Registration for the event implies each participant's expressed and unreserved acceptance of the present regulations.

 

2. NUMBER WITHDRAWAL

Bib numbers and/or handlebar numbers can be collected on presentation of the following documents:
- Your invitation, available for download from your Njuko account and/or sent by e-mail prior to the Event,
- Your identity card
- Your license or medical certificate meeting the above conditions (par 2.3).
Numbers can only be collected in the dedicated area of the Event Village, set up in each of the start towns.
Bib number collection times are as follows:
- Gravel Fever Ultra 500, Friday September 13, from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm at Les Terrasses de l'Observatoire, 5 Pl. Jules Janssen, 92190 Meudon.

All handlebar number assignments are firm and final.
No handlebar numbers will be sent by post.
The handlebar number plate is required for access to the start area and the living quarters, and must be fully legible during the event, even in bad weather.

How to register
Registration for the Event is carried out exclusively on Njuko (whether via the Njuko website, its mobile site or its application).
Anyone wishing to take part in the Event must first register as a Njuko member. To this end, the participant must complete a Njuko registration form and unconditionally accept Njuko's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The participant agrees to provide only truthful information regarding his/her identity.

 

3. RATES FOR GRAVEL FEVER ULTRA 500 RACE NUMBERS
For safety reasons, the Organizer reserves the right to limit the number of entries available.
Early bird rates are valid until July 31, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. for all paying events.
Event prices are as follows:
o Early bird bib €109
o Full-price race number 119 €.
The price of race numbers is expressed in euros, all taxes included, at the rate in force on the day of your registration.

All event registrations are personal, firm and final, and cannot be reimbursed for any reason whatsoever, unless specifically stipulated in the Regulations.

Each entry entitles the holder to one race number.

No transfer of race numbers is permitted for any reason whatsoever.

Any person transferring their race number to a third party will be held responsible in the event of an accident occurring or caused by the third party during the race.

The organization declines all responsibility in the event of an accident in this type of situation.

 

4. CANCELLATION AT THE PARTICIPANT'S INITIATIVE
For participants who so wish, "cancellation" insurance is offered at the time of registration for the Event on Njuko, the policy for which can be consulted on Njuko. This option must be taken out before the order is validated. This option allows you, under certain conditions established by the insurer chosen by the Organizer, to be reimbursed for all or part of the price of your race number only, to the exclusion of any other product or service ordered.

 

5. SAFETY
All participants are required to observe safety rules during the event. This includes wearing a helmet at all times, using lights during low-light hours and strictly observing traffic regulations.

In addition, to take part in the Gravel Fever Ultra 500 event, it is necessary to meet certain conditions and accept important responsibilities. These requirements are designed to ensure the safety and respect of all participants. Here are the key points to bear in mind:

Physical and psychological preparation: You need to be in good physical and mental condition to ride the Gravel Fever Ultra 500. Serious preparation is therefore essential.
Advanced level of cycling: Participants are expected to have acquired an advanced level of cycling in order to meet the challenges of the event.
Risk awareness: Participants must be aware of the potential dangers of cycling, such as individual or collective falls, as well as the risk of after-effects following an accident.
Following the GPX track: Participants must follow the GPX track of the event using a GPS meter or telephone to stay on the right course.
Managing supplies: It is the responsibility of each participant to manage his or her own food and drink supplies to ensure self-sufficiency during the event.
Respect for private property: It is essential to respect private property in the immediate vicinity of the course and checkpoints.
Assistance and rescue: Each participant is responsible for providing assistance and rescue to any other participant in difficulty, and for reporting this to the race command post.
Dealing with the realities of ultra-distance racing: Participants must be prepared to face the difficulties of a hilly course, sometimes difficult weather conditions, night-time riding, and the risks inherent in the event. Each participant remains responsible for his or her own decision to continue or to seek shelter.
Personal responsibility: Participants must understand that their safety depends on their ability to deal with problems encountered on the course, whether technical or physical. They therefore waive their right to seek help or assistance from the organizer in resolving such problems. By taking part in the "Gravel Fever Ultra 500" event, each participant accepts unreservedly and irrevocably the risks associated with the event, including accidents that may result in serious injury or death. They assume responsibility for any damage sustained during their participation, and release the organizer from all legal liability.

 

6. RESCUE AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
If a participant is experiencing difficulties or is seriously injured, it is important that he or she seek help from the emergency services.
The following options are available:
- By dialing the PC Sécurité number on the frame plate.
- By asking another rider to call for help if the rider is unable to do so himself.
- Use the SOS function on your GPS beacon.

It is the responsibility of each participant to come to the aid of anyone in danger and to contact emergency services.
Here are the emergency numbers to call in case of need:
- Ambulance: 15
- Police rescue: 17
- Fire department: 18
- General emergency number: 112

It's important to bear in mind that a variety of unforeseen environmental and event-related circumstances may result in longer-than-expected rescue times. In such situations, your safety will depend on what you've packed in your bag and on whether you've complied with the mandatory equipment.

All regulators and members of the organization are empowered to take the following measures:
- Exclude from the event any competitor deemed unable to continue.
- Evacuate any runners they deem to be in danger by any means necessary.
- Refer participants to the most appropriate medical facility. It should be noted that a runner calling on a doctor or first-aider automatically submits to their authority and agrees to accept their decisions.

A participant who wilfully strays from the course is no longer under the responsibility of the organization.

During the event, the only way for participants to communicate with the organization is to call the Security HQ number, which must be communicated in advance.

 

7. MECHANICAL ASSISTANCE
Mechanical assistance is permitted only in feed zones and checkpoints. Participants may not receive mechanical assistance outside these areas.

 

8. REFUELLING
Refreshment stations will be available at checkpoints and feed zones. Participants must plan their refuelling accordingly and be self-sufficient between these points.

 

9. MANDATORY AND RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT :
Each participant is responsible for their own bike and equipment. They must ensure that their bike is in good working order and that they have all the necessary equipment for the race, including repair and first-aid tools.
For reasons of safety and to ensure the smooth running of the Gravel Fever Ultra 500 events, the organization makes the following equipment compulsory.

9.1. MANDATORY EQUIPMENT :
- Approved helmet (CE STANDARDS)
- Front bike light *
- Rear bike warning light * (see below)
- High-visibility vest or harness
- Gps meter or phone with route downloaded in one or more segments
- Repair kits **
- Cell phone with the number of the security HQ recorded in it*** (in French)
- 1 Survival blanket (1.40m x 2m )
- Water reserve minimum 1 liter
- Food reserve
*Spare batteries for each lamp
**Multi-tools / 2 inner tubes / 3 tire levers / Pump / Patches and glue
*** keep your phone on, don't hide your number and don't forget to leave with a charged battery.

9.2. RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT (NOT MANDATORY)
Health
o Toothbrush and toothpaste
o Paracetamol
Electronics
o Derailleur charger
o Power bank or dynamo
Accessories
o Rilsan collars
o Plastic pouches
o Straps
o Chain lubricant
o Padlocks
o Warm clothing
o Compressible down jacket or thermal jacket
o Cap
o Choker
o Warm gloves
o Sleeves
o Second layer > An additional long-sleeved warm garment
o Shoe cover
o Long shorts or leggings
o First layer > A short- or long-sleeved garment
o A windproof jacket with durable water-repellent protection

Miscellaneous
o Identification
o Credit card
o Inflatable mattress and pillow

 

10. BIKE AND EQUIPMENT CHECKS
A compulsory bike check will be carried out at the time of number distribution.
All compulsory equipment will be checked when the number is issued.
A check may be carried out at each checkpoint exit.

 

11. WITHDRAWAL
In the event of withdrawal from the "Gravel Fever Ultra 500" event, unless due to injury, accident or medical immobilization, the participant must follow the instructions below:
Notification of withdrawal: The participant must contact Race HQ by telephone (number provided when race number is issued) and notify them of his or her withdrawal.
Returning the GPS beacon: The participant must return the GPS beacon, either at the nearest checkpoint or at the finish of the Gravel Fever Ultra 500, or by returning it at his or her own expense to the organizer's address. In the event of loss or damage to the beacon, the participant undertakes to reimburse the service provider on presentation of an invoice for 300 euros.
Personal responsibility: If a participant withdraws from the event, he/she is personally responsible for finding his/her own way home, to his/her own vehicle or to any other destination of his/her choice. By accepting the rules, the participant releases the organizer from all responsibility and from any assistance relating to his/her evacuation or repatriation. It is strongly recommended that each participant anticipates a possible withdrawal by taking the necessary steps to organize his or her own repatriation.

 

12. DISQUALIFICATION
Participants who fail to comply with these rules may be disqualified at the discretion of the organizers.

 

13. CANCELLATION

13.1 Cancellation by decision of the organization :

  • Full refund excluding administration and insurance costs.

13.2 Cancellation beyond the organization's control or force majeure* :

  • No refunds.

*Cases of force majeure include: bad weather, security reasons, prefectoral bans, or any other unforeseeable event beyond the organizer's control.

13.3 Cancellation conditions for the participant :

  • Cancellation insurance offered upon registration. Refunds only possible for participants who have taken out this insurance.

 

14. GENERAL SERVICES
Road safety is the responsibility of the Préfecture de Police. A medical service will be present at each event. They may decide to withdraw a participant from the race for medical reasons. Under no circumstances will the Organizer be held liable for any participant who is unable to finish the event as a result of a decision to withdraw from the race taken by these general services.

 

15. SAFETY
Participants must comply with the safety instructions given by the Organizer's staff throughout the course.
Safety measures for the event will end at the finish line.
The proposed routes will be mainly on paths, tracks, trails, greenways, cycle paths, but also on roads open to traffic. For everyone's safety, it is essential that all participants RESPECT THE CODE OF THE ROAD throughout the course (one-way streets, stop signs, priorities, traffic lights, etc.). It's important to be vigilant and to respect these rules if you are to live together in these public spaces under optimum conditions.
On the course, it is essential to follow the instructions given by the organization's staff and the forces of law and order, in addition to the provisions of the Highway Code.

 

16. PARTICIPANT'S CHARTER: RESPECT AND ENVIRONMENT
When registering, participants are asked to respect the following commitments:
- Respect the Highway Code in all circumstances.
- Demonstrate civility towards all third parties (other participants, motorists, pedestrians, public transport users, public service agents, etc.).
- Ensure ecologically responsible waste management (food packaging, inner tubes, etc.).
- Respect the environment by avoiding any action that may cause damage.

The Organizer reserves the right to exclude from the Event participants who do not respect this charter.

 

17. LIABILITY INSURANCE
Each participant must be in possession of personal accident or civil liability insurance, either through a license issued by a sports federation, or privately.
Each participant undertakes to do so by signing the registration form, and acknowledges having read the offer made by the organizer on the registration form.
The organizer cannot be held responsible for any breach of this undertaking, and consequently for any incident or loss suffered by the participant before, during or after the event.
In the same context, the individual responsibility of all collaborators, assistants and members of the organization team cannot be engaged before, during or after the event.

 

18. EMERGENCY NUMBER
Participants will be given an emergency number, to be used only in the event of an accident or when a participant requires medical assistance, or to report an abandonment.

 

19. ANTI-DOPING
The Event is organized under the aegis of the FFC. As such, anti-doping tests may be carried out during the Event. Participants in the Event undertake to comply strictly with the ban on doping and with the provisions concerning doping controls, as they result from the laws and regulations in force, in particular articles L. 230-1 et seq. of the Code du Sport.

 

20. MODIFICATION - POSTPONEMENT - CANCELLATION
If circumstances require, the Organizer reserves the right to modify at any time the route, the position of refreshment stands and checkpoints, to postpone the date and/or times of the Event, to stop the race in progress, to cancel it or to set up a fallback route.

 

21. MEDIA, IMAGE RIGHTS
The organizer reserves exclusive image rights for the duration of the event for all registered participants.
Unless the competitor expressly requests otherwise, the organization reserves the right to use any photographs taken during the event for promotional purposes.

 

22. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND CIVIL LIBERTIES
In accordance with current legislation, participants have the right to access, rectify or object to any computerized personal data concerning them. This data may be used, transferred, rented or exchanged, in particular for commercial information operations, results and the press.