media
DEAR BIRD,
FOLLOW THE NEXT 4 STEPS:
1. JOIN THE GB'26 WHATSAPP GROUP
1. JUNTA-TE AO GRUPO WHATSAPP DO GB'26
DEAR BIRD,
1. JOIN THE GB'26 WHATSAPP GROUP
2. DOWNLOAD THE COMPLETE VERSION OF THE ADVENTURE MANUAL
3. DOWNLOAD THE ROUTE FILES
L'ABETARDA 350 - GPX
GRAVEL BIRDS CLASSIC 750 - GPX
GRAVEL BIRDS XL 1000 - GPX
4. CONFIRM YOUR PARTICIPATION DATA
4. CONFIRMA OS TEUS DADOS DE PARTICIPAÇÃO
questions & Answers
Send us your questions and doubts about the event and manual. We will share the answers here to inform all participants. Please, read the Adventure Manual first. The answer may be there.
Q: Will it be possible to departure before the scheduled start time of the event (Saturday 8:30 AM)?
A: It will not be possible to start before the event's scheduled time. Although Gravel Birds is not officially a race, during the first few kilometers it will be important, for safety reasons, to monitor the position of all participants. Even in ultras, the start is usually a point of tension and prone to accidents. The tracking system will only begin showing the participants' position at the start time.
Furthermore, since the official start of the event is at 8:30 AM, being at a point on the route further on would mean that, from the event's point of view, a certain section of the route has not been covered. This contradicts point #4 of our Manifesto "Ride the route, ride safe and enjoy".
In short, all participants should be at the starting point a few minutes before 8:30 AM. In case of delay, you should also pass through the starting point.
Furthermore, since the official start of the event is at 8:30 AM, being at a point on the route further on would mean that, from the event's point of view, a certain section of the route has not been covered. This contradicts point #4 of our Manifesto "Ride the route, ride safe and enjoy".
In short, all participants should be at the starting point a few minutes before 8:30 AM. In case of delay, you should also pass through the starting point.
Q: Should I bring a bike lock?
According to safety and peace rankings, Portugal is considered one of the safest countries in the world. Bicycle thefts generally only occur in major urban areas. The Alentejo region, in particular, is quite peaceful. In four editions and after the participation of hundreds of riders, there has never been a single incident of bicycle or equipment theft at the Gravel Birds event.
For this reason, it's never excessive to take preventative security measures. Answering directly the question: yes, we advise you to carry and use a lock, in Castro Verde (including at the entrance to the briefing and dinner locations) and along the route. Currently, there are several lightweight lock options available in the market. A lock won't work miracles against certain tools, but it will always play a preventative and deterrent role. Other security measures are advisable: always collect and carry key items such as wallets, phone, keys and GPS devices, and use your helmet as a lock as well (linking wheel and frame).
However, this doesn't mean there can't be a first time. The event has gained significant visibility in Portugal. People with malicious intent will easily know that there's a cycling event with dozens of expensive bicycles and a tracking system indicating the participants' locations.
For this reason, it's never excessive to take preventative security measures. Answering directly the question: yes, we advise you to carry and use a lock, in Castro Verde (including at the entrance to the briefing and dinner locations) and along the route. Currently, there are several lightweight lock options available in the market. A lock won't work miracles against certain tools, but it will always play a preventative and deterrent role. Other security measures are advisable: always collect and carry key items such as wallets, phone, keys and GPS devices, and use your helmet as a lock as well (linking wheel and frame).
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