Bikejor / Scooter / ParaCaniX

These classes add a mountain bike, scooter or wheelchair into the mix with your dog up front. It is a much faster sport than CaniX. We would advise that only dogs that are motivated to run up front and pull be entered into these classes as any lines dropping into a wheel at speed would not be pretty. It is essential that you train for this discipline so that you or your dog are not surprised on race day. All starts will be individual at around 1 minute intervals (as deemed appropriate by the start timer).

Bikejor / scooter will start half an hour before the CaniX (CaniX will only begin once all the Bikejor racers are off the course). This will give those that wish to enter the CaniX as well the chance to enter both (NB you cannot run the same dog twice on the same day in Bikejor/Scooter/ParaCaniX and/or CaniX - you will need two individual dogs if you want to enter both events). ParaCaniX may be run over the Bikejor course, CaniX standard course or CaniX short course, whichever is most deemed suitable (if required, ParaCaniX may have it's own course).

Please note

All our venues are open to the public (we do not have sole use of them). Please follow these simple rules (which also apply to CaniX but are more important in Bikejor/Scooter/ParaCaniX) and do not get carried away by the competition:

• Dogs must remain attached at all times during the race.
• When in the race always expect the unexpected – if you are approaching a blind bend or cannot see the track ahead temper your speed and make up the time on the straights where you have good visibility of the track ahead.
• If you are approaching a member of the public from behind walking on the track – slow your speed and pass safely, with a smile and a nod. Remember they may be wearing headphones and for sure would not expect a bike with a dog flying past them at speed. If startled by your dog they may jump back into your path resulting in a potentially nasty accident.
• DO NOT scream, or raise your voice to any member of the public to 'get out of the way' or anything in between.
• On the course you may encounter children, other dogs off-lead or horse riders, all of which can react unpredictably – control your speed accordingly and if necessary STOP until you can continue safely.
• Always follow the instruction of marshals.
• Just because you are on a bike it does not mean you do not have to pick-up after your dog.
  
  
• Under no circumstances must anyone do any Bikejor/Scooter/ParaCaniX training or warm-ups outside the designated race time on any day before, on or after race day. By all means please walk the course and/or do a CaniX warm-up with your dog, but as there are no marshals in place and public and other forest users would not have been made aware, the risk of incident is higher, with no support should anything happen.

Disregard for any of the above will result in disqualification.

Any collision with the public will result in immediate disqualification and possible banning from any future CaniX/Bikejor/Scooter/ParaCaniX event. Whatever the circumstance it is your responsibility to ensure the safety of all trail users.

Gear/equipment

It is your responsibility to ensure the correct mechanical working order of your bike/scooter/wheelchair and gear with regard to the safety of yourself, your dog, other competitors and members of the public. You must wear a helmet and gloves and your dog must wear a suitable running harness, connected securely to the bike via a bungee line (NB Springers or any similar side attachment will not be allowed). Your gear/equipment will not be inspected, but if deemed unsafe by any marshal on the start line or on the course you will not be able to race or asked to withdraw. Spot checks may be requested. The following must be adhered to:

• Your bike in general (to ensure that it is mechanically sound), special attention should be given to:
  - brakes (they must fully lock carrying your weight).
  - wheels and tyres.
• Helmet (this must not show any signs of wear or impact damage).
• Suitable running harness for your dog.
• Bungee line (which should be attached to the bike directly or via an attachement) at full stretch should be no longer than:
  - 2.5m (if using an attachement to extend the line the tip of the front wheel).
  - 3m (if line is attached directly to the bikes frame).
• Gloves.

The following gear is advisable (but not compulsary):

• Eye protection.
• Body protection.

The following gear will not be allowed:

• Any side attachment where the dog is encouraged to run alongside. These are fine for exercising your dog but due to the nature of narrow forest tracks and racing, cannot be used.
• Collar and lead, halties or choke chains.
• Attachment to the dog via a waist belt (the bungee line must be attached to the bike).

Bibs

Bibs should be attached to the bike (not your chest as when riding, you lean over and the marshals and finish timers cannot see your bib to record your time). Please work out the best way to attach the bib to your bike and come equipped.

Trail etiquette

The team coming from behind should say 'trail'. After being passed the team that was caught has the responsibility of maintaining a good distance behind the team that just passed. The reason is after a team is caught they now have fresh incentive to chase because the team is right in front of them. Instead of leap frogging back and forth, it's much better to allow the faster team to stay in front. This way both teams will arrive at the finish with faster times. Rather than having people stop their team as they're being passed, remain moving forward but try to keep to one side, usually the left.

There's a 'no man's land' for the last 500m of a race. In this area unlimited passing is permitted. It comes down to basic courtesy for the team that is passing...you don't want to ruin their chance of a fast time by interfering with their forward progress.