THE RULES
Go Fast.
Train hard and push yourself outside of your known capabilities. Surround yourself with nature and don’t stop pedaling until you cross the finish line.
Have Fun.
Take in the sights and sounds while you ride. Enjoy every last turn of the road and keep your eyes up to soak everything in. Bring a friend and cheer each other on.
Ride Safe.
We take rider safety very seriously and have aid stations and emergency crews on standby. Ride smart, ride safe, and support each other if in need.
FORMAT & TIMING
This is NOT a start to finish race format, the competition is all about the sections on course. A rider’s start to finish time is not used for any purpose. Placement is determined by a rider’s time through the designated timing section(s). Times are recorded via electronic timing chip. The times for each of the sections are then added together to give a competition-time. A rider’s competition-time is compared to others in their respective categories to determine placement. Timing sections will be identified on course maps.
On paved roads you must never cross the centerline, if you do you will be disqualified and asked to leave the course.
Please listen to directions by any and all course marshals or law enforcement at traffic control points. They are there to keep you safe. Anyone not following instructions may be disqualified upon review.
To be eligible for competition, and to receive your time splits, you must enter and exit timed sections during the posted times and within the marked area. All timed sections are open for specific durations; you must enter and exit each timed section during the specified scheduled time each section is open. This is figured on an average progression speed between 22 mph and 10 mph (note: this is not average ride speed, this is average progression speed and includes all stopped time, i.e total time inside timed sections). The times to qualify for finisher awards will be published on each event page.
Cut-off times MAY be established for reaching and for departing each checkpoint. Any participant not reaching a checkpoint before the established arrival cut-off time MAY be pulled from that course and sent on a shorter course.
If cut-off times are implemented, they based on an average speed of 10 mph and are established for the purpose of rider safety. We do not anticipate having cut off times for 2022, however, if we do, this will be announced in the rider guidebook and communications in the week leading up to the race.
You must stay to the right-hand side of the lane at all times unless passing or it is impractical to do so due to road conditions. Gravel roads, while lightly traveled are still open to traffic.
SUPPORT
Support Crews are NOT allowed on course, except to pick up a rider who is abandoning the event. IF A SUPPORT CREW VEHICLE IS SPOTTED ON COURSE, THAT RIDER/RIDERS WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.
Courses WILL have with limited mechanical support for catastrophic mechanical failures. Make sure to bring any tools and supplies like tubes, bacon strips, pumps and CO2 you might need to fix your own bike or for others to help you fix your mechanicals.
Should you not be able to continue we will assess your situation to determine if a medical evacuation is necessary. Be sure to choose a course that you KNOW you can complete, not the one you WANT to complete. If you cannot finish the course and do not have anyone who can pick you up, you may have to wait for a course sweep which could potentially take some time to reach you.
Support crews are NOT allowed at Aid Stations due to limited parking space available. Long Course riders are encouraged to stop at certain stores identified on the course map in the the spirit of self-sustainability. This is because the Intermediate and Long courses diverge there might not be another Aid Station until the courses rejoin. Long course riders should be prepared to carry extra water for remote sections of Long course.
EQUIPMENT
You must wear a bicycle helmet that has approved safety rating.
You must have the ability to carry water with you while riding.
At Gravel Roll events riders may use any standard bicycle except for recumbents. Riders needing Adaptive Cycles in recumbent style are allowed and encouraged.
At this time we allow electric pedal assist bicycles in the Short and Intermediate courses, but not the Long course (we are worried about range, please feel free to correct us). These bicycles may only assist the rider while pedaling and may not have a throttle or other control device that works independently of the rider pedaling. We do not have a specific e-bike category at this time and e-assist riders are not eligible for competitive awards but will receive a finishers prize and be eligible for the raffle.
Brakes. All bicycles must have an independent, functional brake on each wheel. If attempting the course on a fixed gear bicycle there must be a brake on the front wheel at minimum, preferably on both wheels #CantStopWantTo.
