Open24 - Frequently Asked Questions
This is an adapted copy of the FAQ's posted prior to the four previous Open24 events.
As and when questions are asked we have added these to the list. We will be deliberately coy in answering any questions in regards to specific details of the event as it wouldn't take too much for those in the know to work out the location
Event Format
- Is it possible to compete as a team of 4? No – different classes will be taking very different routes
- Where is it? Not telling you, it will be in the final details released on the 12th July.
- Is water available (other than our own) at transition points There will be either tap water or water available in jerry cans at each transition.
- If there is any water jumps/canyoning, will we be able to wear a wetsuit? If there is any such stages on this years Open24 nobody will stop you wearing a wet suit
- One of us is injured can we get a refund? This question and ones similar have come from friends which makes it all the more difficult, but in summary no we are not offering refunds in the month preceding the event – A large portion of the Open24 costs are for hiring of equipment and staff, we have committed to these expenses on the expectation that everyone will come.
- Emergency food. What are we allowed to carry? Can this be high sugar foods such as honey, jellies etc? Again common sense, 4 jelly babies does not constitute as emergency food, most teams will carry a spare energy bar.
- Are substitutions of team members possible due to illness / injury? Yep right up to registration, it’s in our interest to get people racing. However for us it makes it considerbly easier if any changes are made by the Thursday prior to the event.
Moving Kit around
- Are you accepting holdalls i.e. like North Face 100L ones which fit within the size and weight requirements? Ideally not – we should warn you that there could be situations where bikes are loaded (carefully) on top of kit boxes.
- Just a quick question (which I think I know the answer). Are you supplying the kit boxes? Good question - err no we are not supplying the kit boxes. The standard boxes which we to see at every event we go to in the UK are the red and blue ones with yellow clasps as found in B&Q - cheap and plastic but ours have lasted a good 4 years of regular use. Example Mobile Storage Locker at http://www.solentplastics.co.uk/bigboxes.htm
- We have purchased a kit box at the Wilderness ARC can we use it at the Open24 In summary no. We have wrestled with this since we saw the boxes at the WARC, the boxes supplied to Wilderness ARC competitors by the organisers are around 2-3 times the specifications we state in the rules. To allow competitors to use these boxes would cause us huge logistical problems, as well as an increase in costs (we would in effect have to hire more vans and find more drivers). We have relaxed the rules slightly to allow the use of the “Rubbermaid actionpacker” boxes used by many competitors on international races.
- We have a box that is 850mm x 610 x 590 - so we're 11cm over in one direction, but 35cm under in another. Is it possible to use that box? That's a large Wilderness ARC kit box trying to sneak under the radar.... We increased the length of the box last year to accommodate the Actionpacker boxes which are narrower and thinner - the boxes you are referring to have considerably more volume. So sorry the answer is no.
Mapping
- Just wondered what format the Anquet Control locations will be in? They will be in the ADF format for the V6 software a sample file can be downloaded from this site - see event details.
- Can you open Anquet Files in Memory Map? Really don’t know as we don’t have Memory Map.
- I was looking at the Anquet mapping offer and it looks great. Can you confirm that for £20 we will get all that we need? Yep just follow the instructions on the web page.
- Can I just check, for the Open24 is it the case that we either have to buy maps and mark/laminate them ourselves or buy the Anquet ones? Yes thats correct
Mountain Biking
- How tough is the mountain biking course? Eg: Stairs, rates of climb and descent and condition of terrain (Woodland or cycle paths). In terms of terrain, it will be a mixture of tracks, minor roads and bridleways, as a general rule we do try and avoid sections that require carrying your bike
- Does the MTB clothing for use at night have to be fully waterproof, or can we use regular cycle over-top such as water resistant, breathable commuter top for example? Common sense prevails here, just pop a posting on sleepmonsters and I’m sure a plethora of story’s will rattle out about wrong clothing at the 2005 Wilderness ARC (a large number of teams dropped out) – we would have a problem if you set off with an Alton Towers plastic mac even if it was a clear night.
- Cycle lights - any minimum requirements for brightness? Nope – you will have fun if they are naff though.
- Are cyclo-cross bikes allowed instead of MTBs? Yes
On foot
- The main question (and concern) is the amount of running. Can it all be walked or is it necessary to run during this section or at any other time and, if so, over what distance? You don’t have to run anywhere, the estimated distances are now on the website.
- I guess that during the evening / night section competitors use a head torch or similar? A good quality powerful head torch would be the way to go.
- The waterproof jacket/trousers - do these have to have taped seams (as per OMM) or is untaped Pertex kit allowed? For one particular stage you will be expected to carry a suitable waterproof which has taped seems and has a hood. For the MTB sections you can use a pertex top without taped seems and it does not have to have a hood.
- Are trekking poles allowed? Yes
- Torch. Does a head torch count or do we have to carry separate torch too? Yes Head torch counts, although you will need to carry spare batteries or a spare torch as well
Rope sections
- I have never abseiled is this is a problem? no, we will set up the rope sections assuming no prior technical knowledge - so your safety will be in the hands of the rope technician not yours, however we won't put your harness on for you. Due to the volume of people on the event we won't be able to offer participants the chance to pause, contemplate what they are about to do, um arh, shall I shan't I - you will be politely removed from the stage.
- Would it be OK to miss the rope sections out? Yep although you will incur a penalty on your scores
- Is it possible to hire the kit required for the rope section? yes call Total Adventure on 015394 44451 or e-mail office@total-adventure.co.uk
- Can I use a prussic or other safety device instead of being attached to a safety rope? Yes, if you are either SPA, MIA, MIC or IRATA qualified. Please bring a copy of your certificate with you to registration. Unfortunately we can not accept other Adventure Race event certificates.
- Is a caving harness acceptable for the rope sections? No
- Is there a minimum spec for harnesses? CE rated and not knitted by your nan, you also can not use a caving harness.
- I have a petzl gri gri - automated belay device. Would this be ok to use as the ascender or do you want an ascender plain and simple? Mild Panic.. Ascender on the kit list. Phew - I've just checked the kit list there is no ascender on the kit list, so please feel free to leave your Gri Gri at home.
Paddling
- Do we need a paddle bag? If you bring your own paddles we recommend you have them in a paddle bag.
- How much will they be transported between transitions for us - should we bring old paddles rather than our best ones? Entirely up to you, we do our utmost to look after the kit we transport for you however ultimately we will not be held responsible for any damage that may occur. That said if we were racing we would use our own paddles.
- We've hired a sit-on-top. Will the buoyancy aids and paddles also be supplied? Afraid these are extra.
- I have 4 mini flares - if they are in date is that enough flares? Yes.
- Can we use red hand flares instead of Orange smoke flares? Yes.
- Where could we buy from the orange smoke flares from? Hand held or not? Day or night type? Try Windermere Canoe and Kayak 015394 44451 - hand held is fine - day minimum
- Does the spray deck have to go in the kit box? no - it can go in the storage space in the boat, likewise the pump if you have one - but NOTHING else, e.g wet clothing. For sit on tops any back rests need to go in your box. Bouyancy aids and paddles will be kept seperate.
Odd bits that don't fit under other headings...
- I have a few yellow 90 minute yellow glow sticks from previous races can I use these instead. Nope need to be at least 8 hours.
- Will there be some where we can leave our non-racing, faffing kit during the event as we are being dropped off? Yep.
- Quick question about the kit list for the Open24, do we have to have multisport helmets? Yes
- Do we really need multisport helmets? Yes
- Do we have to use a multi sport helmet at this years open 24? Yes
- I don't have a multi-sport helmet. Can I use a cycle helmet and a climbing helmet? No
Any top tips?
For the trekking section we will be making use of some remote areas and in some circumstances using control locations that are beyond the regular path junctions - familiarising yourself with contours on a map and how they would look on the ground would be a real benefit.
Pace yourself. In the last 3 years, the majority of pairs dropped their speeds on MTB and foot by as much as 50% in the second half of the event, causing many to be late in to the finish. Build up an understanding of how fast you travel on MTB and foot, so you can be realistic about what is possible during the event.
Rehearse your transitions on average pairs were taking 30mins on each transition some frequently taking 45mins, with the top competitors taking less than 10mins on occasions. Saving 15mins on each transition will save over an hour on the whole event, time you will wish you had on the Sunday morning.