Conditions of Entry

Conditions!

As much as we want to be relaxed, we live in a litigious society and insurance companies will sue at the drop of a hat. With that in mind, until there is a personal liability revolution in this country participation in ASSNATS ’25 is limited to those who have accepted the following, or children on whose behalf the following has been accepted. Entering constitutes acceptance, as does participation (with or without entry, although you need to have entered to participate but we can’t check everyone’s homework). 


1. Don’t be a dick

Be excellent to each other.   


We all enjoy chaos, but ASSNATS ’25 will take place on public roads, paths, dirt tracks and realistically also in the adjacent shrubbery. Everyone needs to obey the law and follow the more responsible suggestions made by the people wrangling the event. We hope not to attract the attention of the law, but if we do we should probably do what they say, too. 


Mountain biking and even riding on roads and paths is dangerous, especially the way single speeders do it. We’ll be riding on roads, shared paths, bike paths, fire trails, and singletrack. There will be some jumps, but hopefully nothing as precipitous as that drop-off at the Hobart waterworks. Some of the tracks are maintained by volunteers and are subject to the vicissitudes of the bush. Ride according to conditions, ride within your ability, do your best not to imperil others or yourself more than strictly necessary. 

It’s illegal to ride a bike without a standards-compliant helmet in the ACT. It is legal to ride on footpaths unless there’s a “no bikes” sign that I haven’t stolen yet, but you have to give way to pedestrians. In the ACT you don’t need to dismount for pedestrian (i.e. zebra) crossings, and cars even need to stop, but bikes do have to slow down to less than 10 km/h. 

2. Can one ever truly be prepared?

Riders are responsible for ensuring that they are adequately and appropriately prepared, both physically and mentally, for ASSNATS ’25. Training on rides and with sports recovery drinks is recommended. We’ll have some basic first aid kit and the ability to summon help (and of course we’re never very far away from the city), but you need to take care of yourselves. 

If we do need to call in a chopper or ambo, that’s on you cost-wise. You may want to consider appropriate cover, which is a thing that shouldn’t need to exist but does because neoliberalism. How’s that trickle-down working out for you?

3. Closing date for entries and transfer of entries

Depending on numbers we might need to cut off registration. Or we might be wildly overestimating things and it’ll just be the organising committee and Parbs. Get your entries in early. Feel free to telex us if you’d like someone else to use your ticket. We’re not too fussy, but we do need people to have accepted this stuff. 

4. Kids

The ride will be accessible to older kids (and most of them are faster than this bicycle event organiser). Depending on how many smaller kids come along we might put on some smaller events for smaller people. But the rides are long and sometimes steep and sometimes bumpy, so don’t bank on your 8-year-old keeping up. 

5. Drinks, alcoholic and otherwise

There’s going to be beer – we all know this. Riding a bike while over the applicable blood alcohol limit is as illegal as driving a car. Please act accordingly. Only for 18+. 

Mid-strength, low-alcohol, and alcohol-free options will be provided when beer is provided, and will be available at all venues. 

Bring water with you. There won’t always be taps nearby.

There’s going to be red cordial, lemonade, and water. Kids should watch their sugar intake. Adults should too, for that matter. 

6. Variations to the Event

We have a plan (really!), but we might need to change things at the last minute in the event of rain/landslide/boomer complaint etc. We don’t expect anyone to be too tightarsed about this. 

7. Privacy and photography

We’ll be taking photos and video, as will some of you. Share considerately, and seek permission especially for the more incriminating shots that will inevitably be produced. We may put some up on the website, but of course if you’d rather not we won’t – just ask. 

We won’t  share your details. Why would we? Who would want them?

8. Weather

We ride rain, hail or shine. Probably. If it’s truly shitful we might change the plans a bit. Either way, you agree not to complain or sue us. We’re not liable for you getting wet, struck by lightning, your in-pedal power meters short circuiting, or any loss, whether of dignity, virginity, or something else. 

9. Insurance

We recommend getting insurance for injury, accident, personal liability and so on. You can join the ACT’s cycling lobby group PedalPower which provides some insurance; there are other options. Make your own inquiries. 

10. Limitation of liability

We can’t be held liable for injuries during the event. We’re going to do our best, but riding bikes is dangerous and we’re riding on paths some of which are unpredictable, subject to tree fall etc and maintained by volunteers. Plus Canberra drivers, god help us all. The acknowledgement below contains a waiver of liability. We thought you should know. 

11. Bicycles

Ride your bike, or someone else’s. It can have anything from two wheels up, but more than two might be hard on some of the narrower tracks depending on arrangement. Recumbents are absolutely prohibited, of course, but if you ride one you’ll get a prize. Gears and e-bikes are permissible, but will be ineligible for most prizes. 

Lube your chain. Have at least one functioning brake. Your bike’s maintenance is on you. We will have some tools and lube of several flavours, and there are some friendly bike shops around. 

12. Acknowledgement and acceptance of conditions of entry

If an entrant is under 18 years old, a parent or guardian must accept the conditions of entry on their behalf. Probably check with any other parents or guardians too.

By entering ASSNATS ’25 you:

  1. acknowledge and agree that participation in the ASSNATS ’25 is inherently dangerous, foolish, liable to damage your reputation, and not to be recommended, and that you participate in the event at your own risk.

  2. accept these conditions (i.e. this document), which you’ve read. There will be a test. 

  3. understand that cycling can be a hazardous activity, particularly in traffic or among pedestrians, on bush paths, or with other singlespeeders.      

  4. promise do what you can to avoid injury and damage to others and yourself.   

      

  5. acknowledge that any kids in your care are in your care, and you’ll not let them push their personal envelopes too much.

          

  6. accept that the event organiser (Bottles and Chains (Federal Division) Inc.) limits its liability, as do all officers, members, volunteers and employees thereof, and all sponsors.

  7. waive, to the extent permitted by law, any claim, right or cause of action which:

    a) you personally; and
    b) each child in your care; and
    c) your heirs, executors and administrators and those of each child in your care

    may have in contract and civil wrongs law, arising from any personal injury, damage or loss arising out of ASSNATS ’25.

  8. accept that this release from liability operates in contract law in favour of the Bottles and Chains (Federal Division) Inc. and all officers, members, volunteers and employees thereof, and all sponsors

  9. understand that you should have your own insurance cover.