Race Rules
The general idea is to race from Canada to Mexico, under only your own power, and to be self supported between towns. In towns you can buy a meal, stock up on trail grub, even get a room for a shower and some quality sleep.
The overriding principle is simply to do it all yourself. All of the pedaling, pushing, bike wrenching, food buying (and eating...), water filtering, suffering, and all logistical figuring.
The race clock starts at noon on the start date, and ends for each racer when their front wheel crosses the International Border at Antelope Wells.
Prearranged outside support is not allowed. This includes, but is not limited to, assistance with navigation, delivery of supplies, lighting, or lodging.
You may ship food/spares to a PO (and only to a PO) before the race starts.
If you need something that you didn't bring and can't find on the route, you may have the item(s) shipped to you:
via a commercial delivery service (UPS, Fed-Ex, DHL, Airborne, or USPS)
to a commercial address (hotel, motel, restaurant, post office, bike shop).
This means that NO, you cannot have a friend deliver anything to you, and NO you cannot have anything shipped to a friend's house along the way. Commercial shipping, to a commercial address, period.
Competitors may only advance on the route via their own power. Bicycles must be propelled solely by human force.This means that windscreens, fairings, airfoils and objects intended to capture the wind are prohibited. Aerobars and their accessories are allowed.
If your bike breaks, you can continue to the next town on foot. Competitors may, in the case of an emergency, mechanical or other unforeseeable problems, be assisted by motorized transport (hitchhiking) in moving backward or off-route, but MAY NOT, under any circumstances, be transported forward on the route. Once you've solved your issue, you must then rejoin the route exactly where you left it.
Cell phones are allowed for GDR racers' emergency use only. By all means--bring it with you to satiate that need for "insurance", but keep it stashed away unless you're in dire straits. If you really, really need to use it, DO NOT HESITATE to do so. Once you've used it, you are DQ'd from the race. No exceptions.
This is a solo competition, but during the race it is likely that some racers may choose to travel together. This IS permitted. HOWEVER, racers MAY NOT draft other racers and MUST maintain separate gear.
The intent of these rules is to establish an equal and fair opportunity for all racers, and to eliminate any advantage gained by those who live near to or have friends/family along the route.
One last word on the rules:
The original intent of this race was to ride the GDMBR as fast as possible in the simplest/purest style possible. As time has gone on people have begun looking for loopholes within the rules that'll save them time on the course. This is human nature and all of us do it in different ways in our everyday lives. With respect to the GDR, we ask that you please consider the long term ramifications of finding and using loopholes--the race will only get 'easier' and (conversely) require more rules/regulations as time goes on. This goes against all of the principles that the race was founded on. People: PLEASE don't bring The Race down to your level--elevate yourself to the level of The Race. If you find yourself looking for loopholes, consider taking another year to prepare before racing. Most likely you'll go faster and enjoy it more as a result.
The Route
The GDR follows the Adventure Cycling Association's Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMBR). In order to navigate your way along during the GDR, you'll need the *MOST RECENT* ACA maps for the GDMBR.
Great Divide Racers must follow the ACA designated main route with two exceptions:
+-The first permitted alternate is the 116-mile section between Cuba and Grants, New Mexico. The off-road route is impassable when wet, so racers have the option to follow the alternate paved route if wet weather looms.
+-The second allowed alternate is between Grants and Pie Town, New Mexico, through El Malpais Nat'l Monument.
WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THOSE TWO ALTERNATES, RACERS MUST FOLLOW THE ACA DESIGNATED MAIN ROUTE AT ALL TIMES.
SINCE THE MAIN ROUTE CHANGES WITH TIME, IT IS CRITICAL THAT ALL RACERS HAVE THE MOST CURRENT MAPS AND ADDENDA FROM ACA. IF YOU AREN'T SURE, *CALL ACA* TO FIND OUT IF THERE IS A NEWER VERSION OF THE MAP.
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