BICYCLE CHECK LIST
Note to parents
You are responsible for making sure that your child’s bicycle is in a safe condition for racing. You may use this check list as an aide mémoire to help you.
All major components are secure and properly adjusted:-
- Frame is not bent or broken
- Seat and seat post not loose
- Handlebars and stem are ‘square’ and securely clamped
- Front forks and head bearings properly adjusted
- Wheel axles properly located and tightened in fork ends
Brakes:-
- Levers secure on handlebars and operate easily and smoothly
- Brake blocks are not badly worn or loose and do align with the wheel rim
- Brake cables are not frayed
- Brakes correctly adjusted and do not bind on wheel rim
- Cantilever brakes have safety bar between tyre and cantilever arm
connecting wire (usually a reflector bracket)
Wheels:-
- Wheel bearings correctly adjusted
- Rims are not buckled or dented
- Spokes are not broken or loose
- Tyres are properly inflated and have no cuts or blisters
Transmission:-
- Pedals and cranks are not loose
- Chain is adjusted properly and lubricated
- Gears are adjusted to change cleanly
- Gear cables are not frayed
- Gear levers are not loose on handlebar
Handlebars:-
Handlebar ends are plugged
- Handlebar extensions, if fitted, are secure and ends plugged
- Clip on tri bars or aero bars are not fitted for this race
- Any sharp edges caused by crash damage have been removed
THE MAIN RULES OF TRIATHLON
Marshal’s instructions must be obeyed.
You must not obstruct other competitors nor interfere with their equipment.
Your helmet must be on and fastened during the cycle section. ( Check, before the race, that your helmet fits properly – straps not too tight or too loose ).
Insulting or abusive language must not be used. This includes parents. ( Treat others with respect and courtesy ).
You must not accept help from anyone other than a marshal.
You must not be topless during the cycle or run section. ( You may wear a one piece or two piece costume or tri suit for the whole race. Boys wearing trunks for the swim must put on a T shirt, running vest or cycle jersey for the cycle and run ).
The penalty for breaking the above rules is disqualification from the event!
You must not ride your bike in the transition area. ( This includes ‘scooting’ so only your hands should be in contact with the bike on the transition side of the mount and dismount lines ).
Your helmet must be on and straps fastened while you are in contact with your bike.
( Make sure you fasten your helmet straps before you pick up your bike and keep them fastened until you put your bike down again ).
Your race numbers must be visible during the cycle and run. ( Make sure your race numbers are securely pinned on, especially if you are using a number belt. Take care if you have a stretchy top – race numbers don’t stretch and pins might rip out when you pull your top over your shoulders! )
The penalty for breaking these three rules is time added on to your race time.
Time penalties:-
Tristar 1 – 30 seconds
Tristar 2 – 40 seconds
Tristar 3 – 50 seconds
The penalty applied to the Youth races will be the same as Tristar 3 for the Wirral Mini Tri.
Penalties for the Short Course races will be half those of the corresponding Tristar age group.
