START A CIRCUIT
Each Circuit is made up of a network of GPS based race trails organized by the Community in the Ride Hermes Mobile app. Organizing a Circuit requires locating, setting and managing trails that meet the needs of your community. Other responsibilities can include obtaining sponsorship, awarding prizes or organizing live events.
We strongly recommend you have a close connection with the Onewheel Community and knowledge of local trails. A Ride Hermes App account is required to manage your trails and Messenger is needed to communicate between Circuits Leaders
Session #1: April 1st - June 30th
Session #2: May 1st - July 31st
Session #3: June 1st - September 4th
SEASON
Race Seasons are designated as “Session 1 to 3. Each season is three months long during assigned dates. The appropriate season should be chosen based on weather and trail conditions in your area. A season can be extended by request. Extensions can be considered if unexpected weather or trail conditions make it a necessity. All seasons must close by September 4th.
CIRCUIT NAME
Choose a name that describes your area and community. Using “Underground” in your name will identify it as part of the “Collective” and the benefits that come with it.
CIRCUIT LOGO
A Circuit Logo is required, Think of it as your “brand”. Recruit the local community to assist. Fiverr or similar sevices are helpful to find cheap freelance graphic designers.
CONNECT
Facebook, Instagram, Youtube... Connect and communicate with your community how you want. Recruit "Trail Ambassadors" to help manage trails. This can include reporting trail condition, mediating when issues arise and maintaining relations with the Trail Community.
RECORD ON RIDE HERMES
Choose your top ten trails and hit record. Use the recorded rides and make them a trail in the Hermes app
FIND TRAILS
Trails can range from a half mile to two miles. Ask your Onewheel Community for trails suggestion or find new trails with apps like Trailforks, MTB Project or All Trails.
SUBMIT
Submit your Circuit through the Rider Hermes Circuit Organizer Portal (coming soon). Circuit applications must be completed no later than two weeks prior to start of season. Your Circuit will be added to Hermes app and Underground Website after the application has been approved.
ENJOY
There is no right or wrong way to manage a Circuit. Find sponsors, make jerseys, organize live events, make your Circuit yours!
Selecting a Underground Trail
There is a lot of considerations when choosing the right Underground Trail. Is the Trail enjoyable? Does it track correctly? Is it safe? Will PEV use cause problems with the Trail Community? Here are some things to help make the right decision.
1. Distance 0.5 to 2.0 miles (Short trails do not track as accurately due to GPS Drift)
2. Accessibility
3. Avoid high traffic trails
4. Navigate with one path to the finish. Use the fastest route to avoid shortcuts
5. Cell service.
6. Legal and trail community friendly
7. Downhill or flat Trails preferred (Climbing gives advantage to light riders and boards like VESC)
8. Charging access
Set Start and Finish gates on a straight path with no other sections of the trail nearby. Tight turns or tree coverage near Gates will negatively affect GPS accuracy and can cause timing errors.
Avoid setting Start and Finish Gates at the same location. Set Start Gates away from rest areas where riders gather before or after a run. Riders can accidentally activate a gate if they get too close
Once a Trail is selected, ride it multiple times on the same recording. You will see if the Trail tracks well by where the lines deviate. This is GPS drift. Some drift is expected, but excessive drift should be avoided near the Start and Finish Gates. It's recommended to have others ride it, preferably with different phones and cell service. This is what a proper GPS track looks like after three runs on one recording.
How far apart should my trails be?
Locations of your trails is dependent on your community and trails. We had a Circuit with over 500 miles between Trails and another where all trail were located in a single park. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. Most important thing is that your Trails meet the need discussed on this page
