Rules for Riders on Course

Violations of any of the REQUIREMENT rules will result in team disqualification.

REQUIREMENTS

1. HELMETS: Approved cycling helmets are mandatory for all riders. No exceptions.

2. THE WHITE LINE: Riders must stay as far to the right as possible to allow vehicles to pass safely. Requests from race officials to move towards the shoulder are mandatory. The only exception to this is pack riding. In any case riding over the centerline is unacceptable.

3. VEHICLE CONTACT: Contact between riders and vehicles in motion is not allowed. Riders may not be passed things from a vehicle. Support crew must be outside the vehicle to pass anything to the rider.

4. CHILD CARRIERS: The carrying of children in pull behind carts, tag-a-long bikes, child carriers, or any other device is NOT ALLOWED.

5. ORDER/ SUBSTITUTIONS: You must ride in the order that you have indicated on the registration form. Any substitutions may only be made from original riders (who have signed a waiver) registered on that team. Substitutions must be recorded on the Blue Race Sheet, which must be turned in at the finish line. A rider not completing a leg may not ride again in the relay. The substituting rider may ride a later leg. Only one substitution is allowed per leg to a maximum of three for the race. A fifteen (15) minute penalty will be assessed for each substitution. Note: If the leg 7 rider is substituted before the border crossing, the new rider will need their passport with them.

6. DROP OUTS AND BREAKDOWNS: If a rider fails to complete his or her leg they may have a substitute rider from their team complete the leg for them. See #5 above. If no rider can substitute, the team can go to the next checkpoint and contact the Checkpoint Marshall who will allow your next rider to begin their leg. Ensure that an outgoing time is recorded for the rider and note it on your Blue Race Sheet along with the fact that the previous rider did not complete their leg. The incomplete rider will be assigned a time equal to the slowest time on that leg.

7. DRAFTING: Drafting is permitted with other competitors only. Drafting is permitted between riders on standard bikes. Recumbent bikes may draft only with other recumbents. Drafting of vehicles is not allowed. No support riders are allowed on the course.

8. SOLO RIDERS:  Subject to the same rules as other teams.  Solo riders should NOT ride through ANY checkpoint (until they get to the Finish Line checkpoint).

9. AEROBARS: Aerobars are prohibited. Aerobars means any handlebars or handlebar attachments pointing upwards or forwards and offering forearm support.

10. DISC WHEELS: Disc wheels (or any spoke covers or other fairings meant to emulate disc wheels) are prohibited.

11. HEADPHONES: Any form of personal music device (e.g. IPOD, MP3 player, etc.,) involving headphones is prohibited.

12. DISPLAY OF RACE NUMBERS: Team numbers MUST be displayed on the RIGHT outer thigh, hip, or buttock (this means clothing is required). Bike race numbers MUST be on the front of the top tube just behind the headset. Both must be visible and horizontal while riding.  Rider and bike team numbers are supplied in your race package.

13. Most riders use mountain, road, or hybrid bikes.  Teams using recumbent bikes and teams using tandem bikes are allowed but that type of bike must be used by every rider on a team.  Recumbent bikes can only draft with recumbent bikes and tandem bikes can only draft with tandem bikes.

 SUGGESTIONS AND INFORMATION

A. CLOTHING: Riders are encouraged to wear bright clothing.

B. SOLO RIDERS: Only experienced riders should enter in this category.  A pit stop at Checkpoint 4 to take on fluids and food is recommended.

C. TEAM SUPPORT: Teams must be totally self sufficient for bike repairs and refreshments.

D. CERTIFICATES:  A Certificate template is available on the website and can be filled in with your personal rider information and printed.