UWAT Rules and Regulations 2024

 

Article 1: PREAMBLE

The  United We Are tour (UWAT) is a multi-day road cycling event, which will take place from the May 23-29th, 2024. The event will take place over 5 (five) non competitive stages over 6 (six) consecutive days.

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

The Rules and Regulations, which follow, shall govern the entire event and are in place to ensure a safe and fair environment for all participants. It is the participants’ responsibility to be familiar with them and to ensure compliance.
UWAT participants need to refer to UWAT General Sales Conditions for additional specific conditions. These can be found: https://nogodsnomasters.life/pages/events-terms-conditions

Article 2: DISCLAIMER

Each participant recognizes that participating in a multi-day road cycling event requires a medium level of training and that she is medically fit 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 5-stage event itself. Each participant also takes responsibility for the risks linked to such an event, including but not limited to, accidents with other participants, bad weather, 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 to the event, each participant acknowledges and accepts the above proposition, and further accepts the following propositions, namely that:

The Organization is offering a Booking secure Cancellation & Health Insurance - (please read about the insurance policy here) as an optional add-on to the registration fee, which covers medical and health expenses due to illness or bike accident, in addition to reimburse cancellation penalties.  Such insurance is valid only to participants residing in the Schengen Treaty countries.

Participants residing in countries not included in the list above are excluded from this coverage, and should make arrangements to have their own Travel, Health & Accident insurance. 
Having said that, each participant to NGNM events, regardless of their nationality, should have their own Liability Insurance, as the booking insurance event doesn't cover for liability.
Each participant absolutely and completely absolves the Organization of all responsibility with regards to the loss of, or damage to, any personal property regardless of the circumstances. All terms and conditions of the booking insurance can be found here: https://nogodsnomasters.life/pages/uwat-secure-booking-insurance

The Organization, whilst having made every effort to
(a) make the event as safe as possible for each and 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 this is accepted by all participants.

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 UWAT is gender specific, and open to all women cyclists aged 18 or older in the year of the event, from any country.

Participation in the UWAT is subject to the presentation of a sporting license and or agonistic medical certificate specific to road 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 “license” will need to send a copy to validate their registration (2022 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 competitive road cycling in a mountainous environment” and dated less than 1 year before the first day of the event.

For an entry to be accepted, participants must ensure that they have completed the following compulsory actions:

1. Fully completed the online registration process; 
   
2. Having submitted cycling health certificate exclusively done for road cycling and/or UCI license documentation
3. Filled out the Registration Questionnaire received via email, with the inclusion of valid emergency contact details;

Failure to complete these compulsory actions could result in a participant not being allowed to start the event.
Additionally, for UWAT it’s required to have a good level of fitness to be able to complete 5 consecutive days of cycling for a total of 550km and 6000m elevation gain. Please take the following Quiz to understand if UWAT is for you: https://nogodsnomasters.life/pages/quiz-united-we-are-tour-too-big-for-me

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-tour-prod-page

The Entry Fee includes many benefits for all riders:

Four stars accomodation for six (6) nights, breakfast and dinner (with the exclusion of alcoholic beverages when indicated), a UWAT branded cycling kit, personalized bike plate and a set of bib numbers, a UWAT goodie bag with products and materials from our sponsors, NGNM gear at a discounted price for the event, guides for each group, gpx tracks for each stage, technical van support, food truck along the course, bus transfer to stage 1 start, bus transfer from stage 4 finish.

Daily rider briefing each evening for the following day’s stage. (Attendance is mandatory), daily yoga and stretching sessions, Closing ceremony dinner after the final stage. Photos & Videos produced during the event.

What is not included in the entry fee:

Personal Liability Insurance;  Booking and Health Insurance, Alcoholic beverages when not included/mentioned in the communication or briefings; Cost of transfers to and from the meeting point in Venice - Marco Polo Airport; Lunches and 
anything that is not outlined in Article 4 above.

All participants to NGNM events, regardless of their nationality or country of residence,  should have their own Liability Insurance, as this insurance doesn't include liability coverage.

Article 5: GOODIE BAG COLLECTION

Goodie Bag Collection will take place at the stage 1 hotel, on May 23th 2024. Participants will receive their personal goodie bag.

It is mandatory for each participant to retrieve his/her bib in person, no third-party bib collection will be permitted.

Article 6: EQUIPMENT

All participants must have a road bike and a hard-shell helmet in order to participate in the UWAT.

The following equipment is mandatory:

Hard-shell helmet, GPS computer, Long sleeve Windproof/waterproof jacket for cold weather, Full-finger gloves, seat-post red light, working brakes, front light always good to have.

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

Failure to present this equipment could result in a participant not being allowed to start the event.

The following modifications or equipment is strictly forbidden:

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

The Organization 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 7: GROUP RIDING

The UWAT is a multi-day road cycling non competitive event.
All participants are required to cycle with their group with the spirit of camaraderie and support for fellow riders. If necessary we’ll form up to 3 groups according to different speeds. It is mandatory for each participant to mount a GPS monitor on their bike with the tracks uploaded for each stage, in the event of being left behind or technical default.
Although there will be guides leading each group, it's absolutely necessary for each participant to also be self sufficient. 

Article 8: SAFETY DURING THE EVENT

The routes for the UWAT will not take place on closed roads, normal vehicle and pedestrian traffic must be expected.

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

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
- Comply, if any, with all event road signage put in place by the Organization;
- Respect traffic signal lights or signs;
- Respect other road users who are not involved in the event.

Most of the stages of the event will start by riding at a regulated speed. Participants must respect the instructions given by the Organization during this time.

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

Article 9: MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

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

Each participant:
authorizes Organizer 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, hospitalization, 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 Organizer, 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 10: TIME LIMITS

Although this isn’t a competitive event, riders must complete each stage within maximum of 7hrs time limit to allow for the Organization to provide all services offered at the end of each stage.
Due to organisational limitations, cyclists who are not fit to complete 5 consecutive stages averaging 100km each day and a cumulative total 6000 meter elevation gain (in 5 stages), are highly discouraged to take part in UWAT at this time, unless they're preparing for the event by following a suitable training plan.
If you’re unsure, please take this short quiz to understand if UWAT is for you: https://nogodsnomasters.life/pages/quiz-united-we-are-tour-too-big-for-me

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.

Article 11: PERSONAL ASSISTANCE

UWAT includes feed station zones put in place by the Organization for each stage. This includes all forms of support including receiving mechanical and food/water assistance.
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 May 23rd 2024, following the rider briefing.

Article 12: WITHDRAWAL

Withdrawal during a stage: if a participant is unable to complete a stage for any reason, the participant can call the Organisation and get picked up by the support van. 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 UWAT: in case of complete withdrawal, the participant will be responsible for leaving the UWAT and returning home, along with her equipment and luggage (including his/her bike bag/cover). Please check Insurance Policy terms and conditions here.

Failure to start a stage:

If a participant fails to start a stage for whatever reason they should immediately let the Organization know if they want to continue to ride in the event for the following stages.

In case the Organization is unable to transport the participant who has withdrawn from the stage, they must make their own arrangements to get to the start line of the next stage.

Article 13: DAILY SAFETY BRIEFINGS

The UWAT director will present the next stage at the Daily Stage Briefing. The following day’s stage will then be presented to the participants, which will include essential information on the route, and other important safety information. Any last-minute changes to the stage will be communicated during this briefing.
It is mandatory that all participants attend the Stage Briefing.

Article 14: AMENDMENTS TO INDIVIDUAL STAGE ARRANGEMENTS

For each stage of the UWAT, the Organization reserves the right to change at any time the course and/or the position of the feed stations and/or the Cut-Off times. In case of bad weather and to ensure the safety of participants, the Organization reserves the right to postpone the time of departure, to stop the current stage or to cancel it.

Article 15: CODE OF CONDUCT

15.1 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 Organization at the feed stations or any other official waste bins they may see along the route.

15.2 Feed Zone
The riders may use the ailments and products offered by the Organization or may use their own at the feed station zone. Should one want to use their own, please supply them to our feed zone team.

15.3 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 worn continuously during each stage.

15.4 Code of Conduct
NGNM events, including UWAT, are designed to promote and share a spirit of camaraderie, mutual supportive and empowering attitude towards each other. These events are non-competitive events. Any behavior that goes against such communal spirit, or that exposes other participants to risks including, and not limited to, reckless riding, not observing the traffic code law, not complying with Article 8 rules, deride or discriminate others, will be at first reprimanded.
If persisting after the first call-out, the Organization has the right to bar the participant from riding the following stage/s.
It's important that groups respect the basic rules of pace-lining, paying extra-care in half-wheeling or braking. Check this link for more infos.

Article 16: 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 Organization has taken out insurance that protects against civil responsability of actions against third-parties by the Organizer and its staff. The Organization is not responsible for the personal liability coverage of the participants, and doesn’t cover the accidents they could cause during the duration of the event. Each participant is responsible for its own liability coverage, and the Organization cannot be held accountable for any accidents or damages that Participants cause to their parties.
All participants to NGNM events should have their own Liability Insurance.

Personal Accidents: All participants should be covered by a health/accident insurance in case of injury (death or permanent invalidity) due to an accident that may occur during the UWAT. 
We highly recommend that all participants residing inside or outside the Schengen Treaty countries take out an insurance guaranteeing the payment of a lump sum in case of injury (death or permanent invalidity) due to an accident that may occur during the UWAT.
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 the similar type of insurance obtained via a sports’ license (FFC for example).

Damage to personal possessions: the Organization declines all responsibility for loss or damage to any of a participant’s personal belongings. The organizer’s insurance contract does not cover loss or damages 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 Organization cannot be held responsible for any possible accidents whether the rider is the cause or victim. Such accidents and the consequences of them must be covered by the insurance policy of the rider. The Organization 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 Organization of all responsibility regarding the loss or damage to any personal property regardless of the circumstances.

Article 17: IMAGE RIGHTS

By participating in the UWAT, each participant expressly allows the Organization (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 18: ASSUMPTION OF RISKS

By participating in the UWAT, 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 ;

Organizer has put enhanced health and safety measures in place due to the potential spread of COVID-19. Each participant 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;
Organizer 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;

Organizer contracts with individuals or organizations that are 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 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 Organizer, and Organizer does not oversee or take responsibility for any aspect or condition of these independent facilities or premises.

Article 19: RELEASE AND INDEMNITY

By participating in the UWAT, each participant hereby acknowledge and agrees as follows:

TO RELEASE AND NOT TO SUE Organizer, Whitegrey Srls (dba No Gods No Masters® , United We Are tour (UWAT)), any applicable cycling federation and/or sanctioning body, Event sponsors, Event organizers, Event promoters, Event producers, Event directors, Event officials, Event staff, advertisers, administrators, contractors, vendors, volunteers, and all property owners and state, city, town, county, and other governmental bodies, and/or municipal agencies whose property and/or personnel are used and/or in any way assist in locations where the activities take place, and each of their respective parent, subsidiary and affiliated companies, assignees, licensees, owners, officers, directors, partners, board members, shareholders, members, supervisors, insurers, agents, employees, volunteers, contractors, and representatives 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 PARTICIPANT UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES HERE TO WAIVE ALL CLAIMS HE MAY HAVE AGAINST THE RELEASED PARTIES AND AGREE THAT NEITHER HE, NOR HIS ESTATE, HEIRS, ASSIGNS OR BENEFICIARIES NOR ANYONE ELSE ACTING ON MY BEHALF, WILL MAKE A CLAIM AGAINST THE RELEASED PARTIES FOR ANY INJURY, DAMAGE, OR OTHER LOSS, EXCEPT FOR CLAIMS FOR PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH, I MAY SUFFER; AND

PARTICIPANT SHALL PROTECT, DEFEND, INDEMNIFY, AND SAVE THE RELEASED PARTIES HARMLESS (“INDEMNIFY” MEANING PROTECT BY REIMBURSEMENT OR PAYMENT, INCLUDING ATTORNEY’S FEES AND EXPENSES) WITH RESPECT TO ANY AND ALL CLAIMS BROUGHT BY OR ON BEHALF OF ME, MY SPOUSE, A FAMILY MEMBER, A CO-PARTICIPANT, OR ANY OTHER PERSON, FOR ANY INJURY, DAMAGE, DEATH, LOST PROPERTY, STOLEN PROPERTY, DISPOSED PROPERTY, OR OTHER LOSS IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH THE RISKS OR MY ENROLLMENT OR PARTICIPATION IN THE EVENT OR THE ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION USE OF ANY EQUIPMENT, FACILITIES, OR PREMISES, WITH LIMITATION TO ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE, WHETHER PASSIVE OR ACTIVE, OF THE RELEASED PARTIES. THIS RELEASE AND INDEMNITY SECTION INCLUDES CLAIM/S FOR PROPERTY DAMAGE, LOSS OF CONSORTIUM, BREACH OF CONTRACT OR ANY OTHER CLAIM, INCLUDING CLAIMS RESULTING FROM THE ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE OF RELEASED PARTIES, WHETHER PASSIVE OR ACTIVE. PERSONAL INJURY OR WRONGFUL DEATH (INCLUDING CLAIMS RELATED TO EMERGENCY, MEDICAL, DRUG AND/OR HEALTH ISSUES, RESPONSE, ASSESSMENT OR TREATMENT) ARE EXCLUDED FROM THIS RELEASE AND INDEMNITY.

Article 20: ACCEPTANCE OF THE REGULATIONS

By entering the UWAT, 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.