RIDER HANDBOOK
SPONSORS
welcome to the hakuba gravel fest.
We are excited to welcome you all to the inaugural Hakuba Gravel Fest. This event is designed to capture the spirit of adventure and of pure cycling spirit. We have selected a stunning location, based at the stunning The Happo Hotel and a course that will deliver in challenge as it will astound in its beauty. The less travelled roads of the Hakuba Valley will become your playground for a weekend of gravel essence , discovery and mateship both on and off the bike.
The gravel cycling scene has experienced exponential growth over the last few years and we are excited to create an event here in Japan that can meet the needs of this emerging cycling market, both deomestically and when the time is right, to our friends and gravel family from overseas.
We believe that the course offers riders the chance to enjoy an adventure like none other and we wish you safe travels and a wonderful experience.
Have a great ride.
Adam Cobain
RideJapan/Hakuba Gravel Fest Director
2022 COURSE
The Hakuba Gravel Fest is a course that takes riders on a 65km loop around the Hakuba Valley. The course has 13 gravel/dirt sections that total almost 40km. Each lap also has approximately 1300m of elevation gain.
On course there are two checkpoint/service locations 18km/48km where riders can replenish hydration and receive mechanical or medical support. These point are also mandatory timing points, so all riders must stop and sign in with the HGF crew.
The mixed terrain sections vary and include well used compressed dirt roads and rice field access roads, to purpose-built MTB trails and technical forest road. For this reason we recommend bikes with wide knobby tyres, and either gravel, CX or MTB bikes. This course is not suited to road bikes!!
1 lap =
Distance 65km
Elevation 1300m
Gravel 38km
PREPARATION
In order to have the best weekend enjoying the Hakuba Gravel Fest it is important to be well prepared. Spend some time reviewing the points below and make sure that you understand the basic requirements.
GPS
ALL riders are expected to have a functional GPS device with the RideWithGPS course pre-loaded. Following the route using the GPS is your primary way to navigate the course. DO NOT rely on course markings or other riders to navigate the course.
The final course will made available in the week prior to the event so please make sure to download the latest and most current version of the route from the website.
Bike
This is a gravel event with multiple sections dirt/gravel roads, forest roads. The course suits gravel bikes, CX and MTB bikes, so all styles of these bikes will be adapted to the terrain. We have tested 700X42C gravel tyres, 650X47C gravel tyres, 29X2.20 MTB tyres, however, CX 700X32C is also suited as long as there is sufficient raised/knobbed tread.
*File tread or road treads are not adequate or suited to this course.
Gearing should be suitable for low-speed technical off-road climbing and bikes should be well maintained and recently serviced so as to be able to safely handle long sections of rough terrain.
Bikes should be carrying at least 2 bidons (water bottles) and adequate spares, tools, tubes, patches, pumps etc to get riders out of trouble.
Body
The weather in Hakuba during early is mostly mild and we expect temperatures in the low 20’s. However, as conditions are susceptible to change, especially at some altitude during the ride, please make sure to pack wet weather gear, and warmers. Overnight temperatures are approximately 10degrees below daily temperatures, so pack appropriate off-bike clothing.
Food and Drink
Hakuba Gravel Fest offers some basic supplies at checkpoints, including water and some food and will also provide riders with the opportunity to have their own supplies transported to the checkpoints. Please bring your own on-bike supplies with you as options available in Hakuba City will be limited to those items that can purchased at Supermarkets/Convenience stores etc.
2022 COURSE LINK (.GPX .TCX)
Registration Pack/Bib
Registration is open Saturday 4JUN from 9:00AM until 12:00PM at The Happo.
Riders can collect their registration bag which includes bib number and bike number as well as other items from sponsors. Please attach you bib number to the rear of you cycling jersey or top and the bike number as indicated in the images.
Safety points and zip ties will be provided and please make sure the bike number is always clearly visible.
HAKUBA GRAVEL FEST
BIKE/BIB NUMBER
GRV TROPHY RIDERS
BIKE/BIB NUMBER
BIKE WASH
Bike wash will be provided b y the Muc-Off team at the event start location.
BODY WASH
We understand that some riders will need a wash after their ride before heading home. The team at THE HAPPO have made their hotel onsen for all riders post event on Sunday 5JUN.
Please bring your own towel or rental towels are available for a small fee.
location & PARKING
THE HAPPO | HAKUBA | NAGANO
START PROTOCOL
The start area opens at 12:15and ALL RIDERS need to sign on. If you DO NOT sign on, you will not get a finish time and will be DNS (DID NOT START).
Please make sure to visit the timing staff table and sign both the manual paper and be checked in in the timing system.
Once you are officially checked in, please remain in the start area to be present for rider briefing and start protocols.
SHARE THE ROAD
The ride starts in downtown Hakuba and uses roads in the valley that are shared with other road users. While much of the course is on very minor roads, please follow all standard road rules and signage, sharing the road and following the road rules.
DO NOT under any circumstances break the road rules and riders MUST STOP at all crossings, traffic lights, stop signs and give ways and simply share the road in a respectful manner.
Any riders seen breaking these rules of the road or of the event will be DSQ (DISQUALIFIED).
Our goal is making sure we meet the highest standard of respect to all we encounter, so we expect ALL riders to represent the cycling community and the Hakuba Gravel Fest community to the highest level and leave nothing on the course but your tyre tracks.
DO NOT LITTER and leave nothing behind.
CHECKPOINTS
Riders are encouraged to utilise the rider bag check-in service to have food, drinks, and clothing available at the two checkpoints.
These checkpoints are mandatory to stop at and riders must sign-in both manually and via the timing system. Before each ride begins we will indicate the area for CP1 and CP2 to drop bags to be transported to the checkpoints. Bag, while disposable are best, will be returned after the ride to the The Happo for riders to collect.
CHECKPOINT 1 IWATAKE
Location:
At base of descent near Iwatake MTB/Gondala station.
70km/140km riders | Lap1-18km
210km riders | Lap1-18km & Lap2-83km
Operation Hours:
Saturday 4JUN – 13:30PM – 15:00PM*
Sunday 5JUN – 7:30AM - 12:30PM*
*approx.
CHECKPOINT 2 BOB'S COFFEE
Location:
Right-side of road on Lake Aoki 200m past Rising Field Hotel
70km/140km riders | Lap 1 – 48km
210km riders | Lap1 – 48km & Lap 2 – 114km
Operation Hours:
Saturday 4JUN – 15:00PM – 17:00PM*
Sunday 5JUN – 9:30AM - 16:00PM*
*approx.
CHECKPOINT FOOD & DRINK
COURSE MARKING
The course will be marked in various ways, both with arrows and tape. While we do our utmost to make sure these are clearly visible and well positioned, your primary means of navigation is the GPS on your bike. Organisers take no responsibility for riders going off-course and offer the course markings as secondary support to GPS device.
Finish Protocol
We will finish at the Hakuba Olympic Ski Jump. Riders will enter from the top access road and enter the stadium keeping to the left and the lower fenceline before making a right turn toward the stairs where dismounting will be required. Riders will then either reach the finish line 20-25m from the top of the stairs. We do this to keep the finish line area safe and lower the speed across the finish.
Riders will be entered into the timing system for their result (or in the case of 210km riders, the 1st lap and the final time). Riders can enjoy the finish line vibes and help cheer the other riders on before departing the area along the top and down the road to The Happo for after-party and presentations.
Rider Cut-off
While we will not enforce any cut-off on course we will close the ski-jump finish area after 17:15PM on Saturday and 15:00PM on Sunday. The finish area will move to The Happo where late riders will be welcomed at the post event party. Riders must still visit the timing tent to be officially signed off and receive a finish time.
TIMING
Riders will be timed using our Webscorer Timing System. This will provide results across for the combined times for Stage 1 and Stage 2, as well as provide results for the prize podiums. It is a manual system that needs riders to be checked in on the touchpad system. This needs to be done:
Start Line
Checkpoint 1
Checkpoint 2
Finish Line
Please prioritise the checking in with the timing staff before gathering any food and drink at the checkpoint and finish line. If you do not check-in there will be no split time and possible DNF resulting in no finish time.
Prizes
Podium prizes/Awards for the Hakuba Gravel Fest are as follows:
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Saturday 4JUN Presentation 17:30PM The Happo*
-
-
70KM (1st,2nd,3rd | Trophy + Prizes) -
GRV Trophy Leaders Jersey Presentation (1st | Jersey + Prizes)
-
SPECIAL RIDER AWARD (1st | Jersey + Prizes)
-
-
-
Sunday 5JUN Presentation 16:00PM The Happo*
-
-
70KM (1st,2nd,3rd | Trophy + Prizes) -
140km (1st, 2nd, 3rd | Trophy + Prizes)
-
210km (1st, 2nd, 3rd | Trophy + Prizes)
-
-
GRV Trophy Leaders Jersey Presentation (1st | Jersey + Prizes)
-
SPECIAL RIDER AWARD (1st | Jersey + Prizes)
-
EVENT HUB & ACCOMMODATION
HAKUBA GRAVEL FEST DISCOUNT ACCOMMODATION
- THE HAPPO -
CODE : GravelFest2022
Bookable between June 3 arrival and June 6 departure.
King and Twin Rooms are ¥12,000/night with the code. You can enter the code here or from the link below.