C2C - FAQ
As and when questions about the event come our way we will post replies here
Event Format
- Will we be able to change team mates at the end of each stage (Q from a team)? Yes we prob need to make it clearer. As you will see from route book each day has 3-5 stages - during each day every team member within a team of three has to do at least one stage, with at least two on each stage. You will be able to change over only at transitions.
- Are there to be any stages other than Kayaking and Climbing that will require specialist skills? No climbing on the C2C - other than the kayak requirements there are no other certificates required.
- Will there be any special kit specified in the 'Kit List' requirements over and above what you would normally specify for an Open 12 or 24 and when do you expect this to be issued? Good question - no special kit expected, other than what has already been specified for the kayaking sections.
- Are we able to use GPS? ie pre-program a route and follow it on screen? You are not allowed to use GPS's on this event.
- I am in a non-competitive team. Do we still get a dibber to collect points even though I know we won't be ranked officially nor can we claim prizes? The SI-Cards are being used to record your splits for each stage so in summary yes you do need an SI-Card.
- Can you change our team name / mascot? You can change this yourself likewise amend competitors within your team and add registered support crew. Just login here and under MY RACES click on AMEND COMPETITORS.
- Can you tell me what the start time is on Friday (from Whitehaven) - and is it a mass start? Yes it is a mass start and don't worry its not on the website, will be up in the next couple of days (the dithering is because we want to push it earlier to ensure competitors don't get caught out by the cut off on the swim and we needed to check with the water safety guys).
- Our team does not own any Sport Ident dibbers - where these included in the hire? If you didn't have an SI-6 number in your profile the hire charge would have been added when you entered the event.
- One of our team is the owner of a Garmin Forerunner 405 - can she wear this on the race? Yes
Support
- Do we assume that support vehicles can only offer support and team members change roles at official transitions? Yes that is correct. In the situation of a serious mechanical on the bike which would require support to continue, the team / competitor will be awarded 125% of the slowest time for that leg - non declaration of assistance would result in disqualification.
- Can support teams work together - e.g. helping load kayaks on vehicles? Oh yes we hope you will - loading a necky on your own is almost impossible.
- Just wanted to claify something for the C2C. We are a team of three without any additional support, are we allowed/is it feasible, for the non racing member on each stage to act as the support crew? Yep that is cool, many teams are doing this - wing us an email though as we are making bibs up for support teams.
- What happens in transition? Is it the same as in the open 5s, where you can change if needed etc. I am presuming that my support crew can put out bits for me to change in, eat etc? They can help you however you want, feed you, change you, sort your bag out, anything as long as you are within the transition area.
- Do you provide water at transitions or does our support crew need to carry a jerry can? Best to plan for your team to bring water. Some transitions will have a tap around others are in a field with no water. NB this will be noted in the route book - the overnight camp at Keswick does not have drinking water and you will need to bring your own.
On Foot
- Are we able to use trekking poles during the on foot sections of the race? Yes
- Do we have to follow the marked map on the Anquet downloads... for instance, do we need to go over all the hills between Lordstones and Clay Bank (per Anquet plot) or can we go round the contouring track (which meets the routebook description)? Very creative.. we need to be more perscriptive in the route book.. you need to follow the Anquet route and in the case of the North York Moors run follow the Cleveland Way.
- Will there be a mandatory route from the swim to the clock tower? Just to be clear the swim exits on the opposite side of the lake. But you can take whichever route you wish to the finish
- On stage 4 on the run, when you climb according to the grid references, the footpath appears to dictate that you go back on yourself, to go up to Robinson then double back to go along Littledale Edge. Is this correct? Yep - hope to have a control on Robinson will make this clear at briefing on Friday morning.
- Stage 4 on the cycle, at 247212 you have to use tarmac road for about 50m to pick up the Cumbria Way or is this not allowed? Yep that's fine
- Is there a clear footpath over Nine Standards, there is a footpath designated up to the top and I have grid references for the route over but there is no clear path designated on my map? Don't worry we will mark it on the maps we give you on Friday.
Swimming
- How many of the team have to do the swim on the first day? As with any of the other stages - Two.
- There is no transition area between the run / swim on day one - where do we swap team members? We have thought about this and due to the distinct lack of areas to transition (also any parking in this area e.g foot of Cat Bells is likely to be full). The runners will have to be the same team members that do the swim.
- Will we have the option of using wetsuits? Yes if they fit in the drawstring bag
- Will buoyancy aids be compulsory or not? Nope and if you need to use one it must be worn (not used as a float) and packed in your drawstring bag.
- Will there only be a kit drop at the start of the swim? Yes although we are looking at getting trainers to the end of the swim - will clarify.
- Are we allowed to use swimming aids like flippers etc? Nope you can not use flippers or webbed gloves, or any other swim aids like floats.
- Just read the C2C update re swimming and running section on day one, as X is struggling to run off-road after an injury and I swim like a brick can we please swap? Fraid not on this one - no swapping of competitors at Nichol End.
- My support is not a kayaker and therefore cannot support me on the swim. Don't worry we will provide safety cover for the swim, your support team needs to see you finish the day in Keswick. If however there are any support / paddlers whose team member finishes early and they can lend a hand for an hour please speak to us.
- No support teams at nichol end marina, does this mean they're banned from coming to see you start the swim? We can't stop anyone but really there is little to no parking, and there is a real chance you will miss them finish. If for whatever reason you do turn up by a brew at the tea shop and DO NOT under any circumstances help your team / solo.
- Do we have to take compulsory gear on the swim/ run? and wear bibs? Yes and No.. nope you don't have to take compulsory gear on the swim or the run to the finish. But yes you do have to carry your bibs. You don't have to wear them on top, but our recommendation is that you wear them under a t-shirt or wet suit so you don't loose them.
- The run over Dale Head/Cat Bells will, I assume, require the carrying of mandatory safety equipment and water (ie Camelback or similar). As there is no provision for support crews at Nicol End are you envisaging competitors swimming whilst wearing camelbacks and running shoes? You can put any excess kit in the drawstring bags. We are hoping to transport a spare pair of shoes for you to the exit of the swim. Will update later in the week.
Cycling
- Do I have to use the same bike thoughout and does it have to be a mountain bike? one bike for the event, if you want to ride the off road stuff on your nice carbon road bike that’s fine with us - please note the bike you intend to use will have a tyrek strap attached with your number at registration.
- Can I use a cyclocross bike? Yes
- How strict is the 500m rule? very.. so to be clear you can not use the B5320 out of Pooley Bridge or use the A5086 through Beck (thats 600m) after the cycleway on the second stage.
- Assume that all the instructions that say "no use of x for more than y m" are each time, not cumulative for the stage!? Thats correct its not cumulative
- 1.5km limit on A roads until 3km from Northallerton... does that mean we can use more than 1.5km starting within the 3k radius? Yes thats correct and it does not mean you can use more than 1.5km within 4.5km.
- Can team members use each others bikes? In summary yes - we thought a lot about this, its where a team say has 2 mountain bikes and one road bike. We just thought it impossible to police and in the situation of one using a road bike there will still be one of a team pedaling a mountain bike.
- Are we allowed to use the black tracks in the open access area to mnt bike along? Definately not, if a farmer doesn't shoot you I will. :-)
- I assume we can't go along footpaths with bikes even if we promise to push them? Yes your right no pushing, carrying or cycling on footpaths.
- Northallerton finish, is this at the leisure centre? Yep thats the plan, town centre is a little too far on this day.
- On stage 6 are we allowed road wheels on the bikes? Yep
- On stage 12 there is a yellow dashed unmetalled road from 913894 to Gunnerside, is this allowed to be ridden on? Yep as per route book you can use this road.
- Are you allowed on the B6270 from Gunnerside south to pick up the track at 949977? Yes you can will change route book on last revision.
- North York Moors section - Black path N of the Lion Inn at 676997 is a bikeable track and a standard short-cut on the Lyke Wake Walk etc... assume we can't use though as black? we had a couple of emails on this, the usual response is DEFINATELY no biking on black tracks but we thought we would contact the National Park to see if was worth trying to get permission. The response was "The black dashed line from the railway over Flat Howe to Rosedale Head is not a public right of way. There is NO RIGHT TO CYCLE THIS. I recall it to be little more than a wide sheep path at the western end, but after a line of grouse butts, the eastern 500m or so I understand to be a stoned estate track. It is open access on foot only and a sensitive area for nesting birds. We have had a lot of rain and Wednesday is forecast very wet so I think it would cut up if cycled so please avoid it and go around via the Lion Inn." NB this access officer reguarly competes in Open5's..
- OK a little confusion arose over the path referred to above by the competitor, they were referring to the short black path behind the Lion Inn 675997 to 679998. We put this to the National Park again, the response "Again this is strictly speaking only available for open access on foot, but I believe it to be a well used cut through to the Lion Inn from the former railway for pedal cyclists as well as walkers that should not cause any problems if used by your competitors on the day. As with public bridleways cyclists should please give way to walkers". Please do not use any other black tracks..
- On the first cycle you state no use of a or b roads for more than 500m therefore can we use the minor road that skirts around murton fell to the north and then down past loweswater to the top of crummock water? Yep yellow roads are not A or B roads so you can use that road.
Kayaking
- If we hire a tandem kayak - would I need to pick up and transport to event or is this 'magically' done for me? Magic is what we are good at. Yep we will transport it to the start and collect it from you after the Ullswater section of the event. You need to have the capability to transport during the first two days of the event.
- Q about the kayaking requirements for the C2C!I have a Joint Service Military qualification equivalent to 5 star (called the Whitewater Leader) would this suffice for paddling an elite boat? some extensive email communication followed this question. A copy of the syllabus was submitted to our kayaking safety advisors and they have agreed that the qualification is suitable as qualification to paddle an elite boat subject to seeing the certificate.
- My kayak club have said they can do just the kayak part of the 2* award, which is to the same level as the full 2*, but only for kayaks, not canoes. Is that enough for the race, or do I need to do the open canoe part as well? You need the full certificate.
- Please can you clarify if all 3 members of the team for the C2C need to have the 2* canoe qualification? Nope they don't all need the qualification - however one of the paddlers will and we STRONGLY recommend the second of the pair paddling also has this qualification. Please note a 3 star is required for those paddling elite boats.
- We have done our 2 star but don't have a temp certificate and the assessor has sent it off to the BCU. The BCU say's its a 6 week turnaround we may not have a copy in time for the event, is this a problem? Yes it is - you need to provide proof that you have passed otherwise you will not be able to start. You will need to obtain a copy of a temp certificate from your assessor.
- Flares - are mini flares or Red flares acceptable? Yes have updated kit list.
- Portage between Buttermere and Crummock - can you confirm support teams are not allowed to help us here? Yep, as per the rules they can only assist you within the bounds of a transition (which is between the Transition IN sportident box and Transition OUT sportident box).
- Do we have to carry our trolley on the kayak for both lakes (Buttermere & Crummock)? Yes if you wish to use one. As per rules you can't ditch kit or place it prior to the event or have a support team member bring this to you.
- Just to confirm any new 3* is sufficient - it doesn't have to be sea kayak? Kind of, it has to be a kayak discipline so not Canoe.
- Are spraydecks inc with the kayak hire? No
- Can we portage our boats along the road between Buttermere and Crummock? Nope and also where ever you do portage your boats it must be on rights of way and not across farmers fields.
- Had a look at the buttermere portage at the weekend. Can i bring my own donkey? Yep as long as it fits in your boat
- Can we use the stream to portage on stage 3? Yes, however there may be storm debris to negotiate and it is not deep enough to paddle.
- Will the kayaks be at Whitehaven on the Thursday? Nope on will arrive Friday morning.
- Can you just clarify the access to the pooley bridge transition - the GR 472249 in the route book is north and on the west of the river, whereas the anquet file makes it look on the east of the river just past the houses? Doh should have said East side sorry.. brain is getting a little fuddled.
Anything else
- Why does my 5 month old son have pockets in his trousers? Good question, will get back to you on that one.
- Did Adam have a belly button? you got us - what's the answer?
- Do Bears snog in the woods?