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What the Bike Hash is about |
What the Bike Hash is about
The idea of the Bike Hash is that the Pack follow a trail laid by the Hares. The trail for the main ride on Saturday is usually about 30-40km, and for the Sunday 'hangover' ride 20-25km. About halfway round the trail there will be a stop at a shop where you can buy drinks. The ride is not competitive. Riders usually get back to the resort between 5 and 6pm after the Sarturday ride, and around lunchtime after the Sunday ride.
After the rides there are free soft drinks and beer, as well as do-it-yourself sandwiches - bread, cheese, ham, crisps etc supplied.
Depending on the Hare, the Saturday trail will probably have some 'technical' (i.e. difficult) sections in it, making unsuitable for most children. Most of the trail will probably be on laterite or other tracks and little used country roads. The Sunday ride is usually easier and suitable for the whole family.
The trail is laid in shredded paper with flour or chalk used for writing etc. The blobbs of shredded paper will usually be about 50 metres apart.
Every few kilometres there will be a Check marked with a cross (X). The trail stops here and will restart within 500 metres - in ANY direction! A check is a chance for everyone to re-group. Those who choose to stand near the check and wait should break the check when OnOn is called - i.e. when someone has found the new trail. To break the check spread some paper in the direction of the new trail, so that latecomers won't have to go looking for the new trail. This gives following riders a chance to catch up. If you are the one to solve the check make sure you are heard- go back (break the check) and collect the pack if necessary.
During the ride you will hear various odd shouts from the pack. Besides expletives these may include:-
On On! What you call if you are actually following the trail (This is the same as a couple of good whistle blasts)
Checking! What you call if you are looking for the trail.
Are You? Are you on Trail (on paper)? Reply with a loud 'On On' if you are on paper, or 'Checking' if you are atill looking.
A False trail will run out of paper If you find a False trail, call out "False trail" or "Off Paper" and head back to the last trail marker or Check.
An alternative False trail could be a U-turn marked with a "U" turn symbol. If you find a U-turn mark, call out "U-turn" and head back to the last trail marker or Check.
Remember,
The Hash is not a race; it is a fun ride for everyone
You must bring a helmet and use it.
Bring a whistle and use it (whistles are often on sale at the start of the ride, helmets are not).
If you are NOT following the trail, DO NOT call "On On!"
If you solve a check make sure that the check is broken. i.e. make sure that the pack has heard you or that you mark the trail from the check by laying paper.
Always carry enough water (at least 2 litres) and your mobile phone (with the Hare's number pre-programmed).
No one is expected to do more than they want to do; short cutting IS permitted.
Always have a spare inner tube and pump with you, it could be a long walk home! If you have a problem other people will help you if necessary, but don't exepct them to give you their spare tube.
Enjoy it !