UWAG Rules and Regulations

 

Article 1: PREAMBLE

The  United We Are gravel camp (UWAG) is a multi-day road cycling event, which will take place from the September 27th- October 2nd, 2024. The event will take place over 4 (four) non competitive consecutive riding days and five nights.

The United We Are gravel camp (UWAG)  is organized by Whitegrey Srls (dba No Gods No Masters®), Viale Luigi Majno 17, Milano 20122 Italy.

The following Rules and Regulations govern the entire event and are in place to ensure a safe and fair environment for all participants. It is the participant’s responsibility to be familiar with them and to ensure compliance.
UWAG participants need to refer to Event General Sales Conditions (EGSC) for additional specific conditions. These can be found below: 
https://nogodsnomasters.life/pages/events-terms-general-sale-conditions-2023

Article 2: DISCLAIMER

Each participant acknowledges that participating in a multi-day road cycling event necessitates a medium level of training. This preparation is crucial to ensure that everyone is medically fit and fully prepared to participate. By accepting the registration conditions, each participant takes full and complete responsibility in case of an accident that could occur during the outgoing or return trip to and from the event start or finish or during the 4-stage event itself. Each participant also takes responsibility for the risks linked to such event, including but not limited to, accidents with other participants, bad weather, and road traffic conditions. 

Bike touring and bike riding in general are an inherently dangerous sports and self-evidently expose each participant to a number of risks, in particular but not limited to personal injury, death or mechanical damage to bike equipment.

In signing up for the event, each participant acknowledges and accepts the above proposition and further accepts the following propositions, namely that:

Regardless of nationality, each participant should have their own Liability Insurance. Each participant absolutely and completely absolves the Organisation of all responsibility for the loss of or damage to any personal property, regardless of the circumstances. 

Furthermore, each participant should purchase their booking cancellation & travel health insurance.

The Organisation, whilst having made every effort to
(a) make the event as safe as possible for every participant, and
(b) having addressed that the event is governed by the rules & regulations of the Italian road code laws, is nevertheless not able to control, or anticipate, or foresee all events, and all participants accept this.

It may be necessary to cancel the event, or a stage or alter the route, for example in case of adverse weather conditions or force majeure.

Article 3: REQUIREMENTS OF PARTICIPATION

The UWAG is a cycle touring event open to all women cyclists (gender specific) aged 18 or older in the year of the event, from any country.

Participation in UWAG is subject to the presentation of a valid sporting license and/or a medical certificate specific to cycling. 
An Italian license (FCI, ACSI or FIAB) or any International license recognized by UCI carrying the attestation of a medical certificate confirming an appropriate level of fitness for cycling in competition. The cyclists holding such a “license” will need to send a copy to validate their ongoing affiliation registration (license clearly showing the mention “cycling” or “cyclosport” and attestation of a medical certificate). 
All other participants
- unlicensed,
- licensed but not recognized by UCI or
- licensed but without a medical certificate
will need to send the original copy of a medical certificate with the wording “fit for cycling” and dated less than 1 year before the first day of the event.
It's also mandatory that all participants sign a liability waiver, in which each participant declares that they're medically and physically fit to cycle for a few consecutive days.

Article 4: REGISTRATION AND ENTRY FEES

Registration for the event may only be done via the online registration platform at the following address: 
https://nogodsnomasters.life/products/united-we-are-gravel-camp

The Entry Fee includes many benefits for all riders:

Three and four-star accommodation for five (5) nights, breakfast, dinner (with the exclusion of alcoholic beverages when indicated), feed station during the ride, UWAG specific jersey, UWAG goodie bag with products and materials from our sponsors, NGNM gear at a discounted price, cycling guides, gpx tracks for each stage, mechanic, and van support.
Included are also a next-day briefing (attendance is mandatory), daily yoga and stretching sessions, and farewell drinks after the final stage—professional photos and videos produced during the event.

What is not included in the entry fee:

Personal Liability Insurance; Booking insurance, Alcoholic beverages when not included/mentioned in the communication or briefings; lunches and anything that is not outlined in Article 4 above.

Article 5: EQUIPMENT

All participants must have a gravel bike in good working condition and a hard-shell helmet to participate in the UWAG.

The following equipment is mandatory:

Hard-shell helmet, long-sleeve Windproof/waterproof jacket for cold weather, short and full-finger gloves, seat-post red light, front light, and working brakes, GPS computer with maps loaded and turn-by-turn directions.

The Organisation will enforce a strict “NO HELMET – NO RIDE“ policy.

Failure to present this equipment may result in a participant being unable to start the event.

The following modifications or equipment are strictly forbidden:

Any system that does not conform to the definition of “gravel bike”. Bottles/cans made of non-deformable material (glass, aluminum…); Recumbent bikes, monocycles, tandems, electric bikes; Wheels having fewer than 12 spokes.

The Organisation reserves the right to perform random inspections on all bicycles, and the failure to comply with these conditions could result in a participant not being allowed to start the event or a stage.

Article 6: GROUP RIDING

The UWAG is a multi-day gravel non-competitive event.
All participants are required to cycle with their group with the spirit of camaraderie and support for fellow riders. There will be up to 3-4 groups, each with a different speed, led by group leaders. Each participant must mount a GPS monitor on their bike, with the tracks uploaded for each stage, in the event of being left behind or experiencing a technical issue.
Although there will be guides leading each group, it's absolutely necessary for each participant to also be self sufficient. 

Article 7: SAFETY DURING THE EVENT

All event's routes, of any type, will take place on roads open to traffic, some sections with normal vehicle and pedestrian traffic must be expected.
Please pay extra care at all cross-roads and intersections.

All terrains found on the event's courses require to pay maximum attention, also due to the poor maintenance by the local authorities.

Please pay extra attention when riding on all off-road segments, which may be subject to deterioration due to bad weather or unforeseeable events.

During the event, participants will encounter climbs and descents of various grades; extreme care must be taken.

The Organisation will enforce safety measure in accordance to Italian traffic rules, but participants are personally responsible for their own behavior and must remain vigilant at all times.

If any participant has any issue, physical, mechanical or else, at any point during the event, or in case of an accident, please alert the Organisation immediately.

Participants must adhere to the rules of the road and traffic police at all times including the following:

• Cycle on the right-hand side of the road, at all times; DO NOT cross the middle of the road at any time;
• Cycle in a pace line at all times;
• Sign and shout for hazards on the road, stopping and slowing to ensure safety for all group riders;
• Comply with all event road signage, if any, put in place by the Organisation;
• Respect traffic signal lights or signs;
• Respect other road users who are not participating in the event.

Additionally, the following rules have been put in place to ensure the safety of the participants and to allow for the effective management of the event:

• it is strictly forbidden to wear earphones at any time during any stages of the event.

• most of the stages of the event will start by riding at a moderate and regulated speed. Participants must respect the instructions given by the Organisation and their group leaders.

Failure to abide by the event Safety Rules could result in a participant being asked to retire from the event as laid out in Article 15 of these rules.

Article 8: MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

In case of a medical emergency, the Italian Emergency Health System will be called in 24/7 during the event.

Each participant authorises Organisation staff, representatives, contractors or other medical personnel to obtain or provide medical care for them, to transport them to a medical facility, and to provide treatment (including but not limited to evacuation, hospitalisation, blood transfusions, surgery and medications) they consider necessary for their health and agrees to pay all costs associated with that care and transportation.
Each participant agrees to the release (to or by Organisation, any cycling federation and/or sanctioning body, insurance carriers, other health care providers and their staff, representatives or contractors) of any medical information or records necessary for treatment, referral, billing or other purposes.

Article 9: TIME LIMITS

Although this isn’t a competitive event, riders must complete each day within an approximate 7-hour time limit to allow for the Organisation to provide all the services offered at the end of each stage.
All participants enrolled in UWA events must be physically fit and adequately trained to complete each stage within the time limit set by the Organisation.

Cut-Off times are dependent on several factors: distance and difficulty of each stage, weather, road conditions and total altitude gain and/or loss. Each stage will be communicated in advance in the Riders’ Roadbook, and at the daily briefing the evening before each stage. 

Due to logistic and organisational limitations, UWAG is not suitable to pure beginners.
If you’re unsure, please take this short quiz to understand if UWAG is for you: https://nogodsnomasters.life/pages/quiz-united-we-are-gravel-camp-suitable-for-me

Article 10: PERSONAL ASSISTANCE

During the event there will be feed stations (one per day) along the course. Regardless, participants are responsible for taking their own food for the ride (bars, gels etc) in case they miss the feed station.
Mechanical and water assistance (when possible) is provided along the course.
Acts of care and watching each others' back are highly encouraged during the event among all participants, making sure no one is left behind.
All drivers of private support vehicles must attend a mandatory briefing on day 0, following the rider briefing.

Article 11: WITHDRAWAL

Withdrawal during a stage: If a participant is unable to complete a stage for any reason, they must alert the Organisation and either cycle to the hotel on their own or get picked up by one of the supporting vehicles. If a participant withdraws or is withdrawn from a stage for medical reasons, they may not start the next stage until the their health is checked by a local medical facility who provides authorisation for them to do so.

Withdrawal from the UWAG: in case of complete withdrawal, the participant will be financially responsible for leaving UWAG and returning home, along with her equipment and luggage (including his/her bike bag/cover). 

Failure to start a stage:

If a participant fails to start a stage for medical, mechanical or any other reason, they should immediately let the Organisation know. They'll have the option to follow the ride (if there's an empty spot in one of the supporting vehicles) or stay at the hotel.

Article 12: DAILY SAFETY BRIEFINGS

Each evening, the UWAG director will present the following stage the Daily Stage Briefing. Participants will be debriefed on essential routes information and important safety notes. Any last-minute changes to the stage will be communicated during this briefing.
All participants must attend the Stage Briefing.

Article 13: AMENDMENTS TO INDIVIDUAL RIDE ARRANGEMENTS

For each UWAG riding day, the Organisation reserves the right to change at any time the course and/or the feed station position and/or the service cut-off times. To ensure the participants' safety in case of bad weather, the Organisation reserves the right to postpone the time of departure, to stop the stage, or cancel it.

Article 14: CODE OF CONDUCT

14.1 Respecting the environment
The event has a ZERO TOLERANCE TO LITTERING. Participants must keep their waste with them and only dispose of it in the waste bins provided by the Organisation at the feed stations or any other official waste bins they may see along the route.

The following penalties apply to the failure to abide by this rule:
The rider will be allowed to continue the event but in case of a second infringement, the rider will be asked to retire from the following stage.

14.2 Earphones
For safety reasons, it’s forbidden to wear earphones to listen to music during each stage. One earphone (just one year) can be occasionally used for answering phone calls, but should not be used continuously during each stage, with the exception of bone-conducting earphones such as Shokz.

14.3 Code of Conduct
NGNM's rides and events, including all United We Are events, are designed to promote and share a spirit of camaraderie, mutual support, and an empowering attitude towards one another. These events are non-competitive. Any behaviour that contradicts this communal spirit, or that exposes other participants to risks, including but not limited to reckless riding, failing to observe traffic code laws, not complying with Article 8 rules, or deriding or discriminating against others, will be reprimanded initially.
If the issue persists after the first call-out, the Organisation reserves the right to bar the participant from riding the following stage (s).
It's vital that groups respect the basic rules of pace-lining, paying extra-care in half-wheeling or braking. Check this link for more infos.

Article 15: INSURANCE

What follows below is subject to the general disclaimer set out above in Article 1.

Civil Liability: In conformance with all relevant current legislation of the dominant and governing jurisdiction [please see Article 1], the Organisation has taken out insurance that protects against civil liability of actions against third parties by the Organizer and its staff. The Organisation is not responsible for the personal liability coverage of participants and doesn’t cover any accidents they may cause during the event. Each participant is responsible for their own liability coverage, and the Organisation cannot be held accountable for any accidents or damages that Participants cause to their parties.
All participants in NGNM events should have their own Liability Insurance.

Personal Accidents: All participants should be covered by health/accident insurance in the event of injury (including death or permanent invalidity) resulting from an accident that may occur during any of the United We Are events. 
We highly recommend that all participants, whether residing inside or outside the Schengen Treaty countries, take out insurance guaranteeing the payment of a lump sum in the event of injury (including death or permanent invalidity) resulting from an accident that may occur during any of the United We Are events.
The compensation, depending on the damages suffered, will be paid only if the participant who suffers the accident during the event is insured. It is an optional insurance, but highly recommended. You can use it in addition to a similar type of insurance obtained via a sports license (UCI's, for example).

Damage to Personal Possessions: The Organisation declines all responsibility for loss or damage to any participant’s personal belongings. The organiser’s insurance contract does not cover loss or damage suffered by participants due to loss of or damage to personal possessions, including the bicycle and related equipment. To protect against costs and damages related to theft or damage to a bike or related equipment, all participants are responsible for obtaining their own insurance.

The Organisation cannot be held responsible for any possible accidents, whether the rider is the cause or the victim. Such accidents and their consequences must be covered by the participant's insurance policy. The Organisation will accept no responsibility for debts, costs that the rider incurs, the repair and damage costs to the bikes, or the loss of any other material owned by the rider. The participant absolves the Organisation of all responsibility regarding the loss or damage to any personal property, regardless of the circumstances.

Article 16: IMAGE RIGHTS

By participating in UWAG, each participant expressly allows the Organisation (or subsequent sponsors) to use, reproduce or have reproduced her name, image, voice and sports performance through the event for any direct use or as a derivative of the event and this, in any material, in the world, by any means known or unknown to date, and for the duration of protection currently granted for such use direct or derived by the law or regulations, judicial decisions and/or arbitration of any country and by current or future international agreements, including any extensions that may be made at this time.

Article 17: ASSUMPTION OF RISKS

By participating in UWAG, each participant understands that neither Organizer nor its staff, representatives, volunteers, contractors, or anyone associated with Organizer will be supervising Participant at any time. Participant agrees to be solely responsible for Participant’s well-being at all times; or, if applicable, Participant’s legal guardian shall take sole responsibility for Participant’s supervision before, during, and after the Event and Activities, including during free time and at all other times ;

Organiser has put enhanced health and safety measures in place due to the potential spread of COVID-19. I must follow all instructions while visiting any event-related venue, whether posted or otherwise communicated verbally or in writing. 
An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any place where people are present and may be contracted from other person(s) (including but not limited to any co-participant;
spectator;
Organiser staff, representative, volunteer, or contractor;
and/or any other person(s)).
COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness, permanent disability, and death. According to the centers for disease control and prevention and the World Health Organization (WHO), senior citizens and persons with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable. 
By visiting any event-related venue, I voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19, so I (or my child, if applicable) may participate in the event and the activities;

The Organizer contracts with independent contractors (not its employees or agents) to provide some of the Event services and to conduct some of the Activities participants will engage in. I acknowledge that the Organizer does not supervise or control these independent contractors and is not legally liable or responsible for their conduct. In addition, Activities take place on premises or at facilities not owned or controlled by the Organizer, and the Organizer does not oversee or take responsibility for any aspect or condition of these independent facilities or premises.

Article 18: RELEASE AND INDEMNITY

By participating in UWAG, each participant hereby acknowledges and agrees as follows:

TO RELEASE, INDEMNIFY, AND NOT TO SUE the organiser, Whitegrey Srls (dba No Gods No Masters®) , including all individuals and entities involved in its organisation and execution, United We Are Gravel Camp (UWAG), team members, collaborators, consultants, subcontractors, service providers, guides, mechanics, coaches, photographers, content creators, and any other individual or entity engaged in any capacity by Whitegrey Srls or in connection with the event, and all other persons or entities associated or involved with the activities (individually and collectively referred to in this Agreement as the "Released Parties”) with respect to any and all claims, liabilities, suits, or expenses (including attorneys’ fees and costs) (collectively referred to in this Agreement as “Claim” or “Claims”) for any injury, damage, death, lost property, stolen property, disposed property, or other loss in any way connected with the risks listed above or my enrolment or participation in the event and activities, including, without limitation use of any equipment, facilities, or premises, howsoever caused; negligence, whether passive or active, of the Released Parties; and/or any breach by the Released Parties of statutory duty.

EACH UWAG PARTICIPANT, UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES to waive any and all claims that may have against the Released Parties and acknowledge that neither they, nor their estate, heirs, assigns, beneficiaries, nor anyone else acting on their behalf, shall make a claim against the Released Parties for any injury, damage, death, lost property, stolen property, disposed property, or any other loss, including but not limited to those arising from ordinary negligence, gross negligence, or any other form of negligence, whether passive or active, by the Released Parties.

Furthermore, each participant agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Released Parties ("indemnify" meaning to protect by reimbursement or payment, including attorneys’ fees and expenses) upon first demand, from any and all claims, liabilities, damages, suits, or expenses brought by or on their behalf, their spouse, family members, co-participants, or any other person, arising out of or in connection with their participation in the event or activities, including but not limited to the use of any equipment, facilities, or premises. This indemnity expressly covers claims for property damage, loss of consortium, breach of contract, and any other claim, including those resulting from the ordinary or gross negligence of the Released Parties, whether passive or active.

Article 19: ACCEPTANCE OF THE REGULATIONS

By registering and entering in any United We Are events, each participant acknowledges having read and accepted these regulations explicitly and without reservation. In case of any disagreement in the interpretation of these regulations, the English version shall prevail.