In the lead-up to the Time Trial Provincial Championship on August 8, Cycling BC would like to remind riders of the equipment rules for the road and track disciplines. Among other things, raising awareness of the equipment rules by requiring compliance with them at provincial events will help BC riders to avoid problems with compliance of their equipment in case they should race outside of BC. Also, compliance with the equipment rules makes the sport more fair for all participants, regardless of the level at which it is practiced.
 
To that end, riders are expected to compete with bicycles that comply with the UCI regulations, regardless of their race category. Therefore, Cycling BC has prepared a set of guidelines to help riders interpret the equipment rules. It can be found on our web site by clicking here.
 
This document covers the following key points concerning the equipment regulations for road and track time trials:
 
- The minimum mass of bicycles (6.8 kg)
- The position and orientation of the saddle
- The maximum extension and angle of the aero-bars
- The maximum length to width ratio of aero-dyamic tubes, particularly as applied to some aero-bar designs (such non-compliant aero-bars are no longer permitted as of July 1, 2009)
- Conditions under which junior gearing is required for provincial road events in BC
 
As usual, bicycle measuring will be conducted at the provincial championship. Going forward, it will be conducted at other provincial-calendar time trial events where sufficient numbers of Commissaires are assigned and where the equipment is available to conduct the measuring session properly. However, whether a formal bicycle measuring session is conducted or not, riders should also be aware that the Commissaires have the right to inspect any rider's equipment at any time should they suspect it not comply with the rules or think it constitutes a particular safety hazard, and have the responsibility to refuse any equipment which doesn't comply with the regulations. Responsibility for the condition and configuration of all equipment including compliance with the regulations belongs only to the riders concerned. Failure to arrive at an event with compliant equipment and any subsequent refusal to start or disqualification is the responsibility of the rider alone.
 
This said, if riders aren't sure if some aspect of their equipment complies, they are advised to visit the bicycle measuring station early so that they have time to correct any problems.