We have added link buttons to the “Top Ten Rules” for quick reference – see below
[LATEST UPDATE: 6 January 2025]
Q: Do I really have to wear knee pads?
A: Yes. This is one of the non-negotiable rules of SOE. No knee pads = no start for Race Day. This rule also applies to the Under-17 category and younger racers and their increased regulations requiring a full-face helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads to be worn at all times: lack of any one of these equipment items. = no start.
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Q: Should I use a cross-country bike for SOE2025?
A: Any bike that suits your riding level and confidence is suitable. The biggest advantage of a cross-country bike on the SOE2025 event route is going to be its lightness and climbing ability. However, a heavier bike (such as a down-country, trail, or enduro bike) might afford the rider better downhilling capability and confidence on the timed stages.
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Q: As a Enduro Race participant, if I cannot attend the Prologue Segment for the purposes of seeding on the morning of 12 January, will I still be allowed to race in the Main Event Course)?
A: Yes you will be allowed to start the stages on Race Day. However, you need to arrive early to collect your race kit and goodie bag, as well as record your attendance. It is advised to arrive AFTER 9.30am on Race Day so that you may be processed accordingly and put into the 4th Wave to start your attempt of the Race Day course. Racers who do not attend the Prologue Segment will still be fully-ranked and are eligible for podium awards/prizes.
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Q: How can spectators view the evnet?
A: Spectators are highly encouraged. Please inform spectators of the timings and location as per the content of the Race Week Schedule document – viewable and downloadable here. Spectators are encouraged to come with their mountain bikes in order to access the best viewing spots. Spectators: please park your bike in a considerate manner and do not obstruct the race course, racers, or event staff while the event is ongoing.
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Q: How does the lucky draw work?
A: You have to be present in-person to collect the lucky draw prizes. Your race plate number/ticket number (for racers) or nickname (for event staff) will be called up at the awards stage, and a limited amount of time is allotted before the call is forfeited and a new recipient is picked. This is a strong incentive to attend. the awards ceremony ,where we shall be interspersing the podium presentations with lucky draws!
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Q: How many podium prizes are there?
A: Podium places and prizes are awarded from 1st to 5th place for a full category (minimum of 5 racers entered). Non-full categories (less than 5 athletes entered) may be combined with an adjacent category.
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Q: How will SCF MTB Gravity Series Points winners be acknowledged and awarded points during the results tally and prize presentations?
A: A separate results sheet that tallies points across the contested OCBC / SCF MTB Gravity Series categories will be produced alongside the main SOE ranking results. This separate results tally does not affect the podium standings or their respective prize distribution in any way.
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Q: Any clues on what trail features or obstacles are part of the race route?
A: For timed stages, technical features will be included as per the official route of each trail according to the National Parks Board. NO ILLEGAL TRAILS (including shortcuts) shall be used for these timed stages. There will be a single route open for ALL timed stages, although multiple line choices shall be made available on each route. Do not assume that the shortest route will be designated a race route. Do not assume that uphill sections will be excluded from the race route.
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Q: I only have a hardtail bike. Should I use that for the race?
A: Yes! In fact we expect hardtail bikes to hold their own against bikes equipped with full-suspension (especially longer travel models). Take advantage of the versatility of hardtails on Singapore’s local terrain and train accordingly.
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Q: What type of training should I do to prepare for this race?
A: Strictly speaking from a coaching perspective, a successful athlete in this event should be able to produce high-powered anaerobic threshold efforts for between 1-4 minutes, repeatable after some substantial rest; as well as last for a whole day of riding at aerobic (conversational pace) efforts for between 2-4 hours. They should also be well-versed in riding Singapore’s local technical singletrack, including clearing of small-to-mid-size drops/jumps and occasional steep sections. But in all honesty, the course is designed to be one that is both fun and achievable in training (and hence racing), as if it were a ride route from any given weekend. Riding regularly on our local trails will give you sufficient familiarity to tackle this challenge come event weekend.
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Q: I’m driving to the event on 12 January 2025. Where can I park my personal vehicle / carpool vehicle?
A: Please heed public parking directives and availability around the following roads and estates: a) Cheong Chin Nam Road, b) Toh Yi Drive, c) Mayfair Park, d) Hindhede Drive. Racers park their vehicles in these circumstances at their own discretion.
FAQ – Part 1 (posted 17 November 2024)
Q: Why is the cost of the 2025 event so high?
A: Because we the organisers are committed to bringing the MTB community in Singapore the most value-for-money event on our local trails possible. That means lots of perks and benefits for participants, equitably distributed and gratefully supported by our generous event sponsors and partners. We also owe it to our amazing volunteers to take the best possible care of their welfare and wellbeing while they work tirelessly as a team to bring this event to you. Additionally, there are unavoidable overheads associated with approvals, safety coverage, rental of logistics equipment, printing, catering, and so on – amidst a post-pandemic events management landscape. We seek your kind understanding on this matter and hope you will continue to support our event in spite of the rising costs we are all experiencing.
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Q: What additional safety regulations are applicable to the Under-15 and Under-17 category racers?
A: All entrants aged 13 to 16 years old required to don full-face helmet, knee pads, and either elbow pads or a long sleeve top as compulsory attire items at all times when riding their bike (on both timed and untimed stages).
All entrants aged 12 years old and younger are required to don full-face helmet, knee pads, and elbow pads as compulsory attire items at all times when riding their bike (on both timed and untimed stages).
The definition of a full-face helmet = one that meets ASTM F1952 standards for downhill rated cycling helmets (suitable for rider aged 5 years old and above). This may entail a one-piece construction or a convertible construction (a removable chin-bar), but the entire helmet must be rated to that standard accordingly, and not hold a rating based on a component-by-component basis (eg: main helmet structure and chin-bar structure rated differently when separated).
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Q: What mountain bike is suitable for this event?
A: The mountain bike you typically ride in Singapore will fit in perfectly as the ideal machine for this event. There are basic requirements concerning the component specifications of the bike used by all riders (across all categories and courses), namely:
– Bike must have two independent, operational brakes.
– Bike must have bar-ends / edges of handlebars capped or covered.
– Bike must be able to be clearly marked with adhesive component stickers (provided by the Event organiser) on the following components (which will be checked to be in good working order): front triangle, rear triangle, front fork, rear shock (if applicable), front wheel rim, rear wheel rim.
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Q: Is the Singapore Cycling Federation (SCF) involved with SOE2025?
A: SOE2025 has been granted sanctioning by the SCF, and is classified as a Category 3.1 Mountain Bike Enduro (MTB END) event under their current events classification structure. The chief advantage of sanctioning is that it grants all participants the benefit of event insurance on event day – through the default inclusion of event day race licence for each participant who is not already a UCI annual race licence holder. The planning and organisation of SOE2025 remains 100% independent from SCF: SOE2025 works with SCF-appointed commissaires specifically for sporting control duties, but relies entirely on a volunteer crew and contracted companies (ambulance/paramedic company, F&B partners, timing system vendor) in order to work.
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Q: How are results calculated and compiled for the enduro format of MTB racing, for this event?
A: The cumulative timing from the timed Stages (5 stages, attempted on afternoon of 12 January by Enduro participants OR; 3 stages attempted on morning of 12 January Kid-duro participants) are added together to give the overall event timing for a participant. The prologue stage timing (applicable to Enduro racers only) does not count towards this total. The participant with the fastest overall event timing is declared the winner (within their category). Only one attempt per timed stage can be made (no repeat attempts are permitted).
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Q: Do untimed transfer stages factor into the overall event result?
A: Transfer stages, both before and after timed stages, are considered untimed segments, and do not count towards the overall event timing. However, there are maximum time limits for some transfer stages – exceeding this max. limit will incur a penalty in the form of the duration of time exceeded on the particular transfer stage (expressed in minutes and seconds) is added to the offending participant’s overall event timing. In short, don’t be late and dilly-dally on your transfer stages – transfer stage timings are INCLUSIVE OF RECOVERY TIME post-timed stage, ACTUAL MOVING TIME on the transfer stage, and QUEUEING TIME leading up to the start of the next timed stage.
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Q: What are the timed stages?
A: The detailed Event map and reveal of the full course (for Enduro Prologue Segment, Kid-duro Course, and Enduro Main Event Course) will take place no later than 2 weeks before the Event weekend. Detailed mapping, descriptions, and GPS device-compatible navigation files (downloadable from the web to your smartphone, GPS watch, or bike computer) will be available on this website as well as on Trailforks.
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Q: When will the course markings be put up?
A: Course markings consisting of tape, arrows, and information signage for all 2 trail locations (Bukit Timah, Chestnut) will be put up 1 to 3 days before Event weekend. Public information signage (notifying the public of the Event) will be put up no later than 2 weeks before Event weekend.
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Q: Will there be orientation rides leading up to Event Weekend?
A: The Event Organiser will work in partnership with local MTB instructors and coaches to develop training sessions that help orientate and prepare participants for the demands of the Event course – most likely within the time span of the last 2-3 weeks prior to Event weekend.
SINGAPORE OPEN ENDURO 