Official Participants FAQ & Rules

Q1: What is the Peninsular Divide?
The Peninsular Divide is a self-supported, ultra-endurance cycling race of approximately 1,520 km with over 21,000 m of elevation gain. Riders must complete the official GPX route within the cutoff time, fully responsible for their own decisions, equipment, and safety.

Q2: Who can participate?
Anyone aged 18 or above who is physically and mentally fit. The Organiser may request a medical certificate or signed waiver of fitness. By entering, you declare that you are capable of completing an extreme endurance event.

Q3: What am I agreeing to by registering?
By signing this agreement, you acknowledge the risks of ultra-cycling and accept that the Organiser is not liable for accidents, illness, injury, theft, loss, or damage of any kind. You ride at your own risk.

Q4: Are registration fees refundable?
No. All fees are non-refundable. This includes if you withdraw, fail to start, are disqualified, or cannot finish.

The Peninsular Divide does not offer refunds, as the entry fee covers non-recoverable expenses such as event preparation, logistics, insurance, and administrative costs that begin well before the race. Participants are informed of these costs at the time of registration. The refundable tracker deposit will only be returned upon the safe return of the device in good working condition; any loss or damage to the tracker may result in a deduction or forfeiture of the deposit.

Q5: What if the race is cancelled or postponed?
The Organiser may cancel, postpone, or modify the event due to weather, disasters, government restrictions, or safety reasons. No refund is guaranteed. At the Organiser’s discretion, partial credits or transfer to a future edition may be offered.

Q6: Can I transfer my entry?
Entries are personal and cannot be transferred to another rider unless explicitly approved in writing by the Organiser.

Q7: What are the categories?
* Solo – Fully independent, no drafting, no outside help.
* Pair – Two riders riding together as one unit. Both must remain within visible distance. Drafting is only allowed within the Pair. Riders may assist only their teammate (sharing water, food, mechanical parts or tools). No outside help.

Q8: What if my teammate (Pair) withdraws?
If one member of a Pair withdraws, the other cannot continue as a Solo competitor. The Pair is classified as DNF (Did Not Finish).

Q9: Can a category change mid-race?
No. Solo cannot switch to Pair, and Pairs cannot split into Solo.

Q10: What if my partner has a crash or mechanical?
The other rider must wait and assist if safe to do so. If one cannot continue, the Pair withdraws.

Q11: What does self-supported mean?
* No private support vehicles on route.
* No pre-arranged supplies or roadside assistance.
* No help from friends or family during the event.
* Only services open to all riders (shops, hotels, mechanics) may be used.

Q12: Can I accept help from strangers?
Only if it is spontaneous and unplanned (e.g., a villager offers water). Repeated or arranged help is forbidden.

Q13: Can I hand over bags to my family?
No. Riders must carry all gear at all times. Passing items to or receiving items from non-participants is a violation.

Q14: Can I accept help, share gear or draft with other riders?
No sharing of gear or food between Solo riders. No drafting except within registered Pairs.

Q15: What risks am I exposed to?
* Weather : storms, extreme heat, heavy rain.
* Traffic : dangerous drivers, roadworks, poor road surfaces.
* Nature : floods, landslides, fallen trees, stray dogs, cattle, wild boar, elephants.
* Human factors : fatigue, collisions, criminal activity.

Q16: What if I crash or fall ill?
You must stop racing and inform the Organiser. Evacuation is your responsibility. Emergency services may be contacted, but the Organiser is not liable for delays, costs, or outcomes.

Q17: What about remote areas?
You may be hours from the nearest hospital. Helicopter evacuation is not guaranteed. Specialist care may not be available locally. Riders are responsible for all medical, evacuation, or repatriation costs.

Q18: What is the official cutoff time for the race?
The race must be completed within the official cutoff time of 156 hours from the official start.

Q19: Are there checkpoint cutoffs?
Yes. Each checkpoint may have an official cutoff time. Riders who fail to reach a checkpoint before its cutoff may be relegated to “Non-Competitive” (NC) status, but may still continue riding and finish the course within the overall cutoff of 156 hours.

Q20: What are the classifications in the race?
1. General Classification (GC): Rider completes the full route within 130 hours.
2. Finisher Rider completes the full route within 156 hours.
3. Non-Competitive (NC): Rider misses a checkpoint cutoff but still completes the full route within 156 hours.
4. DNF (Did Not Finish): Rider does not complete the route within the 156-hour cutoff.
5. DSQ (Disqualified): Rider is removed from the race for violation of the rules.
6. DNS (Did Not Start): Rider registered but did not start the race.

Q21: What equipment is mandatory?
* Helmet
* 2 x Front & 2 x Rear lights
* Reflective vest or clothing
* Rain jacket & emergency blanket
* Tubes, tools, pump

* GPS device & bike computer
* Powerbank & cables
* Hydration (bottles or backpack)
* Mobile phone with emergency contacts
* Tracker (provided by Organiser)

Q22: What if my tracker fails?
You must notify the Organiser and provide proof of your route (bike computer, receipts, app logs).

Q23: Who maintains my bike?
You are solely responsible for your bike’s condition, tools, and spares. No mechanical support is provided by the Organiser.

Q24: What leads to penalties or disqualification?
* Outside assistance
* Private support vehicles
* Shortcutting or missing route sections
* Failure to check in at checkpoints

* Littering or environmental damage
* Unsportsmanlike conduct
* Dangerous riding or traffic violations

Q25: What behaviour is expected?
* Respect traffic laws and local communities.
* No littering, trespassing, or vandalism.
* Show sportsmanship to all riders.

Q26: Is drafting allowed?
* Solo: No drafting.
* Pair: Drafting allowed only between registered partners. 

Drafting is defined as riding within aerodynamic advantage for more than 20 minutes. Violations = penalties or NC status.

Q27: Will my image and data be used?
Yes. Photos, videos, and GPS tracking may be published for media, documentation, and promotion.

Q28: Can I request privacy?
You may request limited media exposure, but GPS race tracking is mandatory and public.

Q29: Can I have a family member or friends take my photos on route?
Yes, but they must not have any direct contact with you, provide assistance, or be seen riding alongside you. If family or friends intend to follow the entire event for photography, they must apply for an Outside Media License from the Organiser. Any breach of self-supported rules through media interaction may result in penalties or disqualification.

Q30: Can I hire my own media crew?
Yes, but only with prior written approval from the Organiser. A Media License must be obtained for any private media crew covering the race. Media crews are strictly prohibited from providing any form of assistance, support, pacing, or interaction with the rider. Their role must remain purely observational. Any violation will result in immediate penalties or disqualification of the rider.

Q31: What if I decide to scratch (SCR)?
If you choose to scratch (withdraw) from the race, you must immediately inform the Race Director. It is your responsibility to arrange your own transport to the finishing point in order to return your GPS tracker and collect any personal belongings left with the Organiser. Failure to return the tracker will result in a penalty fee.

Q32: If I have declared scratched (SCR) due to mechanical issues, can I be reinstated into the race?
No. Once a rider declares SCR, they are officially withdrawn and cannot re-enter under any circumstances. This rule exists to ensure fairness, prevent outside mechanical assistance from giving advantage, and to maintain the integrity and safety of the race. A rider who has left the official race cannot be reinstated.

Q33: Can family members, friends, or supporters meet me at checkpoints, restaurants, or hotels?
No. This is a self-supported race. Any pre-arranged meeting with family, friends, or supporters at checkpoints, restaurants, or hotels is considered outside assistance and strictly prohibited. The presence of personal supporters at such locations creates an unfair advantage and undermines the principle of self-sufficiency. Violations will result in penalties or disqualification.

Q34: Can a restaurant or shop owner provide me shelter from bad weather or let me sleep overnight?
Yes, but only if it is spontaneous and available equally to the general public. Riders may take shelter or accommodation from restaurants, shops, or other public facilities if the opportunity arises naturally during the race. However, pre-arranging shelter, beds, or assistance from businesses in advance is considered outside support and is not allowed.

Q35: What if I am riding in a quiet area at night and a stranger on a motorcycle offers to ride with me for safety?
This is not permitted. Accepting a companion, even a stranger with good intentions, constitutes outside assistance and is a direct breach of the self-supported rule. It also creates a safety and liability issue for the Organiser, who cannot control or account for third parties joining the race. Such actions will result in disqualification.

Q36: Can rules or routes change?
Yes. The Organiser may amend rules, routes, or checkpoints for safety, legal, or logistical reasons. Updates will be announced at briefings or via the official WhatsApp group.

Q37: Which law applies?
This agreement is governed by the laws of Malaysia. Any disputes will be resolved in Malaysian courts.

Q38: Who provides insurance?
You must carry valid personal accident and travel insurance covering ultra-distance cycling in Malaysia.

Q39: What if I do not have insurance?
You will not be permitted to start.

Disclaimer

All information provided on this website, including event details, schedules, rules, policies, and route information, is correct at the time of publication. However, Prestige Events Production reserves the right to make changes or updates at any time without prior notice.

Such changes may include, but are not limited to, event routes, schedules, categories, checkpoints, race rules, and entry requirements. Any updates or revisions will be communicated through the official Peninsular Divide website or social media channels.

Participants are responsible for staying informed of the latest announcements and updates before and during the event. Prestige Events Production will not be held liable for any inconvenience, loss, or misunderstanding resulting from changes to the event information.

By using this website and registering for the Peninsular Divide, participants acknowledge and agree to this disclaimer.