FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
GENERAL
WHAT’S THE SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE?
Expo and mandatory packet/goodie bag pickup: Friday December 4, 2020 from 1:00pm till 6:00pm and Saturday December 5, 2020 from 11:00am till 6:00pm.
All participants must come to the expo to pick up their race packet and goodie bag. This is mandatory for the event and will be the only time and locations where you will receive your race number and jersey. This will also be where you can exchange your jersey if it doesn’t fit.
Sunday December 6, 2020 Race Day:
6:30am opening of start area.
7:00am closing of start area.
7:30am race starts and opening ceremony.
9:30am – 3:00pm finish line festivities and showcase expo.
12:30pm podium awards (Overall winners)
1:30pm podium awards.
2:30pm course closes
HOW LONG IS THE RACE?
LONG COURSE is approx. 73 miles/118 km long.
MEDIUM COURSE is approx. 37 miles/60 km long.
Both race distances start and end at the Whitter Village Shopping Centre in Ironshore, Montego Bay.
WHAT LEVEL OF RIDING EXPERIENCE DO I NEED?
GFNY Road Cycling Event is all about achieving your best possible time which means you can compete against yourself or other participants. The level of experience is all dependent on what type of results you want to achieve. There are people who just want to ride GFNY Cozumel for fun with family and friends and there are people who want to compete for a podium position, the decision is up to you. If your not sure if your ready then the best decision would be to participate in the Medium Distance which is less competitive.
REGISTRATION
WHAT IS THE ENTRY FEE ? The fees vary greatly depending on when you pay for your entry, so we recommend you book early and save!
*There is no event day registration.
WHAT IS INCLUDED WITH THE ENTRY?
Various GFNY goodies, GFNY full zip Italian made jersey, course marking, 5 aid stations (fruits, Bars, and drinks, Various snacks), chip timing, post and pre ride food and drinks, competition prizes, finisher medals, winners medals, and a combination of fully closed and monitored traffic.
I ALREADY REGISTERED FOR THE LONG COURSE GFNY, BUT I’D LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MEDIUM COURSE GFNY. IS THAT POSSIBLE?
You can transfer your Long Distance registration to a Medium Distance registration at no extra cost until November 6. Please email info@gfnyjamaica.com to request a distance change.
IF I REGISTER FOR THE MEDIUM COURSE GFNY NOW, CAN I LATER SWITCH TO PARTICIPATE IN THE LONG COURSE GFNY?
You can transfer your Medium Distance registration to a Long Distance registration at no extra cost until Nov,6. Please email info@gfnyjamaica.com to request a distance change.
DO I NEED A RACING LICENCE TO PARTICIPATE?
No, a racing license is not needed or required.
SO IS THIS A RACE ONLY FOR RACERS?
No, not at all. GFNY is open to all fitness levels. Some will compete for prizes, others will do their best to beat the cut-off. GFNY Cycling is about doing your best whether it is competing for prizes or beating the cut-off.
IS THERE A MINIMUM AGE FOR PARTICIPANTS?
Riders must be 18 or older to participate.
WHERE AND HOW DO I REGISTER?
You can register online at www.gfnyjamaica.com
I CAN’T START. CAN I GET A REFUND OR DO A TRANSFER TO ANOTHER RIDER?
There are no refunds, transfers or deferrals.
CATEGORIES
WHAT TYPE OF BIKE CAN I RIDE FOR THE EVENT?
We suggest to use a road bike as it is the best option to ride in groups. You can also ride a mountain bike, touring bike or single speed (with two brakes). Triathlon bikes are no longer permitted for safety reasons.
If you chose to ride as a tandem, both riders have to register for the event. Tandems are not eligible for prizes. Recumbent bikes, trailers and bike seats are not allowed for safety reasons.
IS IT TIMED?
Yes, every rider will receive his/her start to finish time.
WHAT ARE THE CATEGORIES?
Each overall winner will receive an exclusive winners jersey, winners medal as an award. Overall winners are not eligible for the age group category. Age category winners will receive a unique winners medal.
Top three in each category are eligible for prizes from our sponsors.
Overall m/f
18-39 m/f
40-44 m/f
45-49 m/f
50-54 m/f
55-59 m/f
60-64 m/f
65-69 m/f
65+ f
70-74 m/f
75+ m
Under 90 Combined Age Him and Her*
90+ Combined Age Him and Her*
* Both members of a Him+Her Team must finish together (time difference not more than 30 seconds) to be eligible. Pushing is allowed.
WHAT ARE THE PRIZES?
There will be various product prizes from our sponsors. Prizes include winners jerseys, winners medals, bicycle accessories and as we include more sponsors the list will keep growing. Medium distance overall and age group winners will receive winners medals and jerseys.
BEFORE THE RACE
WHERE DO I STAY OVERNIGHT?
We are working with a range of hotels so that we can offer special packages for our participants and their friends and family: from luxury to economical hotels. All packages include round trip transportation for you and your bicycle. We strongly recommend you book your hotels with us. You will be supporting hotels that are supporting the event and also you will be assured of many special privileges. We also ensure that these hotels are bike friendly and a GFNY Concierge rep will be at the hotel to assist you during scheduled hours.
I AM TRAVELING FROM FAR AWAY AND DON’T WANT TO BRING MY OWN BIKE. CAN I RENT A BIKE SOMEWHERE?
We highly recommend to bring your own bike but if you can’t then there will be a limited supply of rental bikes available through One Love Multisports. You can email us for more information at info@gfnyjamaica.com
WHERE DO I PICK UP MY START NUMBER,CHIP AND GOODIE BAG?
Packet pickup will be held at the expo Friday December 4, 2020 from 1:00pm – 6:00pm and Saturday December 5, 2020 from 11:00am – 6:00pm. The expo will be held at the Whitter Village Shopping center which is on the main A1 road, in Ironshore, Montego Bay.
CAN I PICK UP MY PACKET ON THE MORNING OF THE EVENT?
No. Pick up is only possible on Friday or Saturday. No exceptions.
CAN SOMEONE ELSE PICK UP THE PACKET FOR ME?
For safety reasons, every participant has to be present at packet pickup on Friday or Saturday.
IS THERE AN EXPO WHERE I CAN SEE NEW CYCLING PRODUCTS?
There will be a expo where you must pick up your race packet and goodie bag. Event sponsors will be present to showcase their latest products.
START
WHAT DO I HAVE TO WEAR?
Your wristband provided at registration is mandatory. Helmets with buckled chin straps must be worn at all times. Also, Keep your wristband on for post event festivities. You must wear your official GFNY Jamaica jersey, spandex shorts with a chamois, this will make your ride much more enjoyable. We also recommend that everyone uses suntan lotion all over, even under the jerseys.
Headphones of any kind are not allowed.
WHERE DO I PARK?
There is a large parking lot at the Whitter Village Shopping Center. We will be located on the north side close to KFC.
ARE THERE SHUTTLE BUSSES?
There will be shuttle busses and taxis available at a cost
DO YOU PROVIDE BAG DROP?
Yes, you can check in one bag at the baggage drop area by the start area. Don’t leave any valuables in the bag as GFNY is not responsible for any lost or stolen items. The bags will be picked up at the start and returned at the finish line which is the same place.
DOES GFNY START IF IT’S RAINING?
Yes, rain or shine, unless the event is cancelled by the authorities due to e.g. a severe storm.
HOW DO RIDERS LINE UP AT THE START?
First it’s VIP riders then top 10% of each age group from the previous two years (Long distance only) you can see the list here. After it’s licensed racers (Elite Cat3 or Master Cat2 or Women Cat2 or equivalent and higher ranked). Licensed racer who would like to start in the front corral must mail in there license before November 4, 2020 to be qualified for front corral start at infogfny@jamaica.com. GFNY JAMAICA reserves the right to restrict front start to higher categories if the demand is greater than the availability.
After that, riders will be grouped by Long Distance age group, Medium Distance, and physically challenged rider.
To allow as little interference as possible, we encourage beginner and slower riders to line up at the back of the start. With this you will be able to ride your own pace unobstructed.
WHEN DOES THE MEDIUM DISTANCE START?
The Medium Distance will start at 7:30am the same time as the Long Distance. Registered participants for the Medium Distance will line up in a corral behind the Long Distance 100 mile participants.
I’M RIDING THE EVENT WITH MY FRIENDS. CAN WE ALL LINE UP TOGETHER IN THE SAME CORRAL?
The main corrals are divided by Long and Medium distances. If your friend chose the Medium Distance and you chose the Long Distance then you may move to the Medium Distance section but your friend may not move to the Long Distance section.
DURING THE RACE
HOW MANY AID STATIONS DOES GFNY HAVE AND WHAT DO THEY PROVIDE?
There will be four nutrition stations and one additional emergency station spread out along the course with solid food and fluids as well at the finish. Please note that there will be no food or water at the start available. Make sure your bottles are filled and carry a snack that keeps you going for the first part of the ride.
ARE THE ROADS CLOSED FOR TRAFFIC?
Not all the roads will be closed for traffic. At all times riders have to follow the instructions of police officers and volunteers to avoid disqualification.
HOW FAST DO I HAVE TO RIDE?
GFNY is about riding a tough course as quickly as possible according to the rider’s fitness. The cut-off for completing the distance is 2:30pm which means you have 6.5 hours for the ride. This equals to approximately 10mph including all nutrition stops. A broom wagon will trail the ride at 10mph. Stragglers who get passed by the car can either get a ride or will be riding outside the event.
WILL THERE BE RESTROOMS AT THE START/FINISH AND ON THE COURSE?
Yes, start/finish area as well as aid stations are equipped with porta potties.
IF I HAVE A MECHANICAL ISSUE ON THE COURSE, WHAT DO I DO?
We highly encourage all participants to know basic safety and repair skills, including in particular fixing a flat tire. Be prepared and bring your own pump and extra tubes for your bike. Make sure you bring your bike to your local bike shop in the weeks leading up to the event.
However, if you are still unable to make the repair, course marshalls will accompany riders along all routes. Should you need assistance, just let one of the marshals know and, if a marshall is unable to assist you with the repair, a bus will take you to a rest stop where mechanical support may be available, or to the finish line. Please note that the wait for assistance and/or a ride to the nearest rest stop can be long and by waiting, you run the risk of not being allowed to finish the event. Visit your local bike shop to learn how to handle basic repair needs or ask an experienced riding buddy.
IF I NEED MEDICAL SERVICE, WHAT DO I DO?
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) will be on the course and on call. Police officers and bike mechanics will be traveling on the course on motorcycles and in cars. Police officers will be controlling traffic at intersections and volunteers will be guiding athletes for turns at intersections. Each of these people will be armed with the EMS contact numbers. If you need help, inform someone on the course and they will get help to you (or someone else) as quickly as possible and stay with you until help arrives. No matter at what point, help will always be close.
IF I HAVE A BAD DAY AND REALIZE I WON’T BE ABLE TO FINISH, WHAT DO I DO?
GFNY JAMAICA will have SAG (Support and Gear) vehicles along the course for any cyclists who are unable to complete the event.
Try to make it to the next or previous aid station, there you will have food, water, emergency medical services as well as volunteers to keep you company. If you are unable to ride to an aid station, there will be police officers controlling traffic at intersections as well as volunteers guiding athletes for turns at intersections, so ride forward or backwards until you see a police officer or volunteer and they will inform the SAG vehicle to pick you up. If you are unable to ride, move off the road and wait along the shoulder of the road until a marshall or police officer or mechanic rides by, they will be on the lookout for stopped cyclists. If you are riding and you see a cyclist on the side of the road who asks for help, when you get to the next police officer or volunteer, report that you saw a stopped cyclist and their approximate location.
I NEVER RODE IN A LARGE GROUP BEFORE. WHAT DO I HAVE TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT?
Group riding is faster as you save about 30% energy in a draft. It takes a bit of skill to get used to riding closely behind someone else’s wheel. Ideally, you find a riding partner to practice.
FINISH
WHERE IS THE FINISH?
LONG DISTANCE ROUTE start and finish at the Whitter Village. There is a supermarket, pharmacy and various shops, so everything is nearby if needed.
MEDIUM DISTANCE ROUTE starts and finishes at the same location as the LONG DISTANCE ROUTE. Hang around the finish area after your finished to see the finish of the LONG DISTANCE race it will be exciting for sure
HOW DO MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS GET TO THE FINISH?
Depending on which part of the island your coming from there will be taxi service throughout the morning and also during the day which can take your family and friends to the start and finish area.
WHEN AND WHERE DO I FIND THE RESULTS?
We are announcing the winners at the awards ceremony next to the finish line and the full results will be online on this site asap. You can also download our race app which will be available for download the week before the race. The race app will offer live race results to all participants plus many other features. Please keep in mind that live results may change through the day.
WILL THERE BE FOOD AT THE FINISH?
Yes, there will be food, drinks and entertainment throughout the day and lots of fun activities happening as well. We encourage everyone to hang around for all the festivities and cheering of our athletes.
HOW DO I GET BACK TO MY HOTEL FROM THE FINISH?
There will be taxi service available right next to the finish line line and bus service as well but if your up to it you wish to ride back to your hotel, but please take care with traffic.
IF YOUR QUESTIONS HAVE NOT BEEN ANSWERED WITH THE ABOVE, PLEASE CONTACT US AT info@gfnyjamaica.com