Our rules of competition are listed below:

• Only riders who are registered as members of Midland Trailquests may take part in our events. This is a condition of our insurance, so if you turn up on the day and are not a member we will not be able to let you ride. Registration is free, however, does not need to be renewed and takes only a couple of minutes. You can register online here.
• Events are limited to a maximum of 200 riders as a condition of our insurance.
• You must report to the finish even if you retire. It is imperative that we are able to ensure all riders have returned safely. If you do not report back when retiring and a search for you is instigated by the emergency services you will be liable to pay for the costs of the search.
• You must wear a helmet throughout the duration of the entire event (penalty: disqualification).
• You must carry a whistle, first aid kit and coins or a mobile phone for emergency use (penalty: disqualification).
• You must ensure your bike is fit for purpose and roadworthy.
• You must only ride on legal rights of way for cyclists - public roads, bridleways, sustrans routes, BOATs (Byways open to alll trafffic) and RUPPs (road used as a public path). Do not use footpaths or private roads/tracks unless the event organiser has gained special permission for you to do so and these are clearly maked on the event and/or master maps. (penalty: disqualification).
• You must not ride in out of bounds areas marked on the competition or master maps (penalty: disqualification).
• Team riders must stay within voice contact at all times, and the use of mobile phones between team members is not permitted. (penalty: disqualification).
• Please follow the off-road code and shut all gates behind you. Our sport only exists with the consent of the land owners of the land on which we ride. Please do nothing that would make them complain against us.
• Slow down for and be courteous to other land users such as walkers and horseriders. Remember a Trailquest is a test of navigational skill and stamina, it is not a race.
• If you are late starting you will be given a start time of the latest start time available for this event and thus will have less time in which to ride.
• If you punch the wrong box on your control card by mistake, then you must report this immediately upon finishing. Failure to do so will result in you not being credited with the points for the mis-punched control.
• You should aim to return to the HQ within the time limit allowed for the event. Failure to do so will result in penalty points being deducted from your overall score as follows:
  • 1-5 minutes late - 1 points/min
  • 6-10 mins late - 2 points/min
  • 11-15 mins late - 5 points/min
  • 16-30 mins late - 10 points/min
  • 31+ mins late - All points deducted
• In the event of a tie on points, the rider or team visiting fewer controls (i.e. generally visiting more higher scoring controls) will be ranked higher and if the same number of controls have been visited then the rider or team starting earlier will achieve the higher ranking. Note that time taken is not used (other than for penalty points as above), as a Trailquest is not a race.
• Following an event, it is your responsibility to check your score has been calculated correctly. If you believe your score has not been calculated correctly then you should e-mail the event organiser with details. You have 14 days from the date of the event to do this, after which time the event result will become final and will not be amended.