MILENIO TITAN DESERT by GAES

The race

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1.1

What day does the race start?

The starting day is 28 April 2013

1.2

What is the timetable for the stages?

The start of each stage is at 7.00am.

1.3

Will the route be marked?

The route of the stages of the race is totally signed. In addition the organization provides each participant a Roadbook the day before each stage with the recommended route. No navigation knowledge is required but use of a GPS is recommended. It is only mandatory the passage for the CP's (checkpoints) so the race is also open to navigation.

1.4

When will I know the route?

The exact route will be revealed the night before each stage. In late March will be published the description of the stages, the exact mileage, start and a finish points and the altimetries.
In the route of the 2013 edition are envisaged three mountain stages and three stages in desert terrain.

1.5

What does the Marathon stage consist of?

It is a stage in which the participants do not have any external assistance in the camp and the assists mechanical and physiotherapists will be found at the end of the next day stage.
Participants must carry everything they need to spend the night in the camp because the usual haimas are replaced by a large common haima; without mattresses, sheets or blankets (it's recommended to bring a sleeping bag and air mattress).

1.6

How will the check points be located and how many will there be?

Checkpoints controls are placed depending on the route of each stage. Although varying with the path, there will be no more than 4 per stage.
They are listed in the roadbook with CP's display and followed by a number (eg CP1 - Checkpoint 1).

1.7

And if I don’t reach the check point within the time allotted?

In this case, the organisation will gather up the participants who have been left along the route with the pick-up car and transport them to the camp. These participants will be able to start the next day, but their times will not count for the general classification.

1.8

How many water points will there be?

This depends a lot on the route and the characteristics of the stage, but the organisation of the TITAN DESERT has planned that there won’t be more than 40km without a water point.

They will be indicated in the roadbook with the letters AV followed by a number (e.g., AV1, AV2, etc.)

1.9

What’s will be at the water points?

2 or more persons from the organisation, bottled water, energy drinks and shade.

Thanks to Powerade, AV2 and AV3 in each of the stages will have cold water and Powerade.

1.10

What happens if I drop out of a stage?

Participants who drop out of any of the stages will be excluded from the general classification. They will be picked up (both rider and bicycle) by the pick-up car and transported to the end of the stage. They will be able to start in the following stages, but their times will not be counted.

Personal logistics

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2.1

How can I get my bicycle to Morocco?

Whether you have hired the charter flight or if you prepare to travel to Morocco on your own your bike must travel to Titan Desert in the organization trucks.

The price of sending the bicycle from Barcelona to Morocco is included in the registration. All participants must submit the bike to RPM warehouse in the weeks before the Titan Desert, whether flying to Morocco with the organization flight or if they do it on their own.

In March we will give more details of this service but we advance some details:
- STEP 1: contact the organization to request the box for the bike.
- STEP 2: The organization will send a box, carriage which shall forward the participant (assuming the cost of this mailing) to RPM warehouse in the dates announced in March.

2.2

How much clothing should I bring?

We highly recommend bringing a cycling jersey and a pair of shorts for each stage, as well as a light windbreaker.  For the rest of the day you’ll wear bermudas and light T-shirts. From our experience in past years you might want something a bit heavier, without going to extremes.

Don’t forget a bathing suit for the hotels and some of the camps.

2.3

Are VISA needed to enter in Morocco?

Most of the participants traveling to the TITAN DESERT not need to obtain a visa to enter the country.

- Spanish citizens:
Spanish citizens can enter Morocco without a visa. Just need a passport with a minimum validity of six months after the race.

- Other countries do not require visas:
As the Spanish citizens, nationals of the following countries can enter Morocco without a visa:
Andorra, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, Congo, South Korea, Ivory Coast, Croatia, Denmark, United Arab Emirates, Slovakia, Slovenia , United States, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mali, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Nigeria , New Guinea, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, the Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Romania, Senegal, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey and Venezuela.

- Other countries:
The best option for citizens of other countries is to ask the Moroccan embassy in their country. You can also find information on the website of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Morocco:
• Website of Ministry of Foreign Affairs

2.4

How will I transport my equipment every day?

The organisation will take charge of this each day with a lorry. During the Marathon stage participants must clearly understand that they will not have access to their belongings and will have to limit themselves to what they can carry themselves.

The transportation in the trucks is limited to one bag per participant to travel in their respective truck (According race number)

2.5

Will we be able to call home?

Many of the areas where the camps are located have telephone coverage and are located near towns. Even so, there may be some areas or camps where there is no mobile coverage.

2.6

How can I arrive to the race by my own?

The organization offers charter planes to participants with departure from Barcelona and Madrid (http://www.titandesert.es/en/vuelos_2013/) however, if you travel on your own you can do it in the following ways:

by PLANE
- The nearest airport to the start and finish area of the race is Ouarzazate airport which has regular flights from Casablanca . It is located 110km far from the meeting point and the start of the race. It´s also 300km from Erfoud, the end of the race.
- Errachidia Airport has no currently regular flights.
- Marrakech Airport is 315km far from the start point, and is 510km far from the finish of the race. - Fez airport is 500km from the start point and 410km from the end.
If you choose to travel by plane with by your own we can arrange the transfer from the airport to the starting point and from the finish (contact the organization).

By CAR
Another option is to travel with your own car to the starting point of the race, in this case you must consider the following:
- You must manage customs formalities (ATA).
- The start and end of the race will not be in the same place (they are about 250km away).
- The organization can’t be responsible for the vehicles, whether they are in the starting point, as if they want to wait in the finish. Also any car is accepted in the race route during the race.
In any case, participants arriving by their own to the starting point the days before the race, can not stay in the same hotel as the organization and should manage their accommodation in other hotels.
They must be presented in the meeting point on 27 April from 10:00am.

2.7

Can I bring companions?

A programme for companions has been set up for the last day in Granada. The companions will be able to enjoy the last stage and the awards ceremony.

2.8

When can I pick up my bicycle?

The bicycles can be picked up in Barcelona one week after the end of the Titan Desert in Barcelona.

Those participants who have managed the shipping from home will receive their bike at home from 10 days after the end of the race.

2.9

How the assistance services works?

The organization does not offer assistance support (mechanical or physiotherapy) to participants.

Professional companies external to the organization offering such services to the participants of the race in the camps (except in the marathon stage). On the website of the TITAN DESERT you will find a list of companies that offer this service for the 2013 edition of the race.

You can hire the service directly to them: http://www.titandesert.es/en/asistencias/

2.10

Can I find sponsors?

Yes, sponsors may be freely enlisted and there are no special conditions regarding them.

2.11

What equipment is the most essential?

Support for the roadbook is essential and chambers parts. The rest depends on the needs in everyone race. The use of GPS is optional.

2.12

How will I carry the roadbook?

Each rider must have their own holder in DIN A-5 format, which is the size of the roadbook.

2.13

Is there electricity in the camps?

Participants will have access to an area for recharge electrical devices located next to logistics truck but each participant is responsible for the surveillance of their devices.

2.14

Can I bring some food?

The organization includes in the registration all meals in camp (breakfast, lunch and dinner). However, if you want you can complete your luggage with some cheese, sausages, etc ...
Also consider that the refreshment during the stages are only liquid so the whole supplementary feeding like sticks or gels you must bring it from home.

2.15

Can I wash clothes in the camps?

NO, it is strictly forbidden to wash clothes in the bathrooms of the camps to prevent water wastage. We advise all participants to wear clean clothes in each stage, it better prevents formation of sores and ensures the water for all participants.

Health/Legal

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3.1

What kind of temperatures will we have to endure during the stages?

For the dates on which the race is programmed, participants will likely have to confront temperatures of between a low of 15ºC and a high of 45ºC.

3.2

Do I need any vaccinations?

No vaccinations are required, although we recommend being up to date with your tetanus injections.

3.3

What level do I have to have to participate in the MILENIO TITAN DESERT by GAES?

Although the competition is open to all bike lovers, it is advisable to be in good physical condition. You have to be able to keep up a good pace in order to cover many kilometres.

3.4

Will there by a physiotherapist?

The organization does not provide the specific service for physiotherapy, although it does a doctor. Each participant can bring a physiotherapist assistance if he so chooses. As approaching the event dates be announced the companies will attend the race to provide services for physiotherapy. You can see the available companies in section assistances (http://www.titandesert.es/en/asistencias/).

3.5

What kind of insurance coverage will I have during the race?

The organisation provides medical insurance in Morocco and, in case of an emergency, repatriation to Spain.

3.6

What should my first aid kit for the race contain?

Anti-inflammatories: Ibuprofen, aspirin or Paracetamol  
Anti-diarrhoea medicine: Fortasec  
Potassium for cramps: Boy-K  
Antiseptic: Iodine – Topionic: for cuts or to dry sores on the hands, feet or seat 
Sticking plasters: For scrapes on hands and feet  
Cream for sores: Moisturising cream like those for babies’ nappies
 Oral rehydration solution: Casen or a similar brand to rehydrate during the race or on arrival at the camp.

Don’t forget sun protection cream!

3.7

How should I rehydrate during the stages?

The best thing is to rehydrate with water and oral rehydration solution in equal proportions. If you drink 4 litres during a stage, for example, it would be advisable to drink 2 litres of water and 2 of rehydration solution.

3.8

A bit of advice:

Since this is a race where it is very likely that you will have to walk as well as pedal, it is important that your shoes don’t hurt you feet. They should be broken in before the race.

  It is also important to change your jersey and shorts each day or, if this is not possible, to carefully remove any sand, since sand can cause sores.

Accommodation/Food

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4.1

Where are the camps located?

The camps are located in the desert, sometimes in uninhabited areas and remote of urban centers. Some camps are located in areas with permanent structures that improve comfort and service .

4.2

What kind of food will be provided?

The diet for the days the TITAN takes place has been developed by the nutrition experts at SoloBici magazine. It will contain varied and nutritious food, rich in carbohydrates, with salad, vegetables, cereals, pasta, etc. Everything the riders will need to endure the tough race days.

4.3

What will the conditions at the camps be like?

The camps have everything you need to live. Baths, showers, restaurant, medical and haimas beds. During the marathon stage participants will sleep in a large tent shared (no beds or mattresses). We recommend a sleeping bag and mattress, that you need to carry during the whole stage.

4.4

How will we sleep in the haimas?

There are fully equipped Haimas. In it wou will sleep on mattresses with clean sheets and the organization will locate to riders at their discretion, in Haima of three people, usually by teams.
If you want to share haima with a friend or partner and you now form a team you can apply to the organization by email to info@titandesert.com before March 15th. There will be haimas exclusive for women unless one of them ask us another location.