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Shadow Tour / ST Promotion Team Time Trial (TTT) Plain English Official Rules:
Updated 1-22-08
1. General Rules:
A. Team Composition:
(1) Four Person Teams: Composed of four (4) adult riders 18+, male or female, or combination. DQ
(2) Final time for the team is the time of the final finisher. Of the original four validated team members, three must complete the entire course, with no substitutions for any reason. Therefore, teams may drop one team member and still be considered a complete team for time and placing purposes. Official finish time for the team is based upon the third team member crossing the finish line. Team Captain will inform the Timing Marshal when three of the original four validated team members have crossed the finish line in order to receive an official Finish Time for the team, pending final validations by course marshals relating to accurate navigation and penalties or disqualifications (if applicable). Disqualification (DQ)
(3) Team Roster: Team Captain is responsible to deliver a completed Team Roster to the Timing Marshal at the starting chute. The Team Captain is responsible for each team member accurately completing their required information on the form and for turning it in to the Timing Marshal for final validation and to receive an official team starting time. DQ
(4) All team members must have completed individual registrations for the applicable Shadow Tour event and have valid assigned Bib Numbers. Bib numbers may only be transferred by following Shadow Tour policies for "Refund, Rollover, and Transfers". DQ
(5) Divisions: Ages for team divisions are the average of all four team members ages on the day of the event. Mixed teams must have at least 1 male and 3 females, 1 female and 3 males, or 2 males and 2 females to qualify as a mixed team. There are no Club or Open categories for Mixed Teams. Club teams must have all team members as current year members of their club. Open category is for all other teams.
Club 4 Men: 20+, 30+, 40+, 50+, 60+
Club 4 Women: 20+, 30+, 40+, 50+, 60+
Open 4 Men: 20+, 30+, 40+, 50+, 60+
Open 4 Men: 20+, 30+, 40+, 50+, 60+
Mixed Team: 20+, 30+, 40+, 50+, 60+
B. Course Navigation:
(1) 100 Mile Route: Teams must navigate the full 100 mile official route as described on the corresponding Shadow Tour event website, in the precise order, covering every inch, with no shortcuts, re-routing, or changes. Teams incorrectly navigating the route (wrong turns, or who become temporarily disoriented), must return to the point they departed the correct route and re-enter the course at that point to avoid a Time Penalty (TP) or Disqualification (DQ).
(2) Rest Stops: Teams may only use Rest Stops and the Lunch Stop organic to the Shadow Tour ride. Teams may stop together, send a rider(s) ahead, or drop off a rider(s) to retrieve water and other nutritional items. Teams are not required to stop at any Rest Stop or Time Station. Teams may want to use 70 or 100 oz Camelbak style water systems to minimize the need to stop for water. However, the clock never stops once a team crosses the start line, until the fourth team member crosses the finish line. Regardless of the strategy selected, any use of a Rest Stop must be done safely and with RESPECT TO THE VOLUNTEERS. The Rest Stops are not primarily designed for TTT teams; don't expect race-style water bottle hand offs. It's the same for all teams, so there's no reason to shout commands or give any volunteers any grief. because it's taking too long to refill water bottles. Once again, keep a cool head, save your energy for the ride -- you'll need it!
(3) Outside Assistance: Teams are expressly prohibited from receiving any form of outside support, including any form of vehicle following the team on the course. Outside support relates to support outside of the organic rest stops and support provided to all riders at the century. Additionally, teams may not receive any assistance from other non-team riders, spectators, or vehicles or motorcycles of any kind. Teams may not have a team or personal SAG vehicle on the course.
(4) Turn-around Validation: The turn-around for the 100 mile course is located precisely at 50 miles at the northern most end of the course. All TTT team members must enter the turn-around snow-fense style chute before turning around. Inside the chute, a volunteer will mark the wrist bands of each team member to validate their completion of 50 miles. Teams must follow the instructions of the volunteers while inside the chute, to include stopping if requested. Teams will then be permitted to exit the chute, complete a safe turn-around, and proceed south on the course back to the finish in Ocotillo. TP/DQ
C. Timing:
(1) Start Time: For TTT Teams, the Start Window is from 7:00 A.M. to 7:15 A.M. The start window may be modified based on weather and numbers of individual riders. Individual century riders will be permitted to start at 7:15 A.M. Teams desiring minimal rider traffic should plan accordingly and arrive at 6:30 A.M. for an early departure time.
(2) TTT Start Time: Team Captains will personally (in-person) check-in with the official Timing Marshal in the vicinity of the Start Chute with COMPLETED TEAM ROSTER FORMS in order to receive an official team start time. The Timing Marshal will begin assigning Start Times at 6:30 A.M. in the vicinity of the Start Chute on Saturday, the day of the ride. Volunteers will assist teams by sequencing them in this order: 1. Start Line Team (on start line), 2. Next three teams in start time order in the Team Start Chute Area, 3. Other teams assembling in the Team Staging Area behind the Start Chute. Once assigned an official Start Time, teams are responsible to be on time for their start. Late teams will be started at the discretion of the Timing Marshal and will be penalized by the time they are late up to a maximum of 15 minutes. TP
(3) Teams arriving for team check-in after 7:15 A.M. will be assigned a start time at the discretion of the Event Directors based on the density of rider and vehicle traffic, course conditions, weather, or any other safety concern. Unless check-in time is extended in advance, there will be an maximum 15 Minute Time Penalty for checking in after 7:15 A.M. TP
(4) Penalties and Disqualification: Time penalties will be issued as follows: 1st penalty, 15 minutes, 2nd penalty 30 minutes, 3rd penalty 45 minutes. A fourth penalty will trigger automatic disqualification. Judges will use the reasonable man standard in evaluating all potential penalty and disqualification issues. The most strict application of penalties and disqualifications will be toward:
(a) Safety involving other riders, volunteers, motorists, spectators, and teams
(b) Safety of the team
(c) Unfair advantages/Cheating
(d) Sportsmanship
(e) Administrative/Miscellaneous
D. Traffic Laws / Riding the Century:
(1) All teams must obey all traffic laws at all times on the course and will obey all instructions of any police officers. DQ/TP
(2) Stop Signs: At all Stop Signs, teams must come to a full stop, unclip and put at least one foot down on the asphalt, before safely continuing through the intersection.Be very careful in the vicinity and within Scissors Crossing (Stagecoach) and when entering or exiting any traffic circles (Salton Sea) on the course. KNOW YOUR ROUTE and stay to the right when moving through the Traffic Circle. If a team misses their turn inside the traffic Circle, DO NOT TURN AROUND and attempt to ride against the flow of traffic, rather, the team must continue around the Traffic Circle with the flow of traffic and exit at the correct point. TP/DQ
(3) Team Passing Procedure: To maximize safety and take into account the staggered starts of TTT Teams, this passing procedure must be followed by all teams when passing other teams, no exceptions; not even if you think you can outrun a passing team. TP/DQ
(a) An overtaking team's lead wheel triggers the procedure when it comes within one bike length of the team being overtaken (Pass Zone). Passing team members will verbally announce their intention to pass by saying "passing!" when they are inside the single bike length Pass Zone.
(b) The overtaken team must IMMEDIATELY YIELD to the passing team, allowing the passing team to SAFELY PASS ON THE LEFT, then falling back one full TEAM LENGTH, approximately 40 feet. At that time the passing procedure is complete and the passed team may attempt to re-pass using the same procedure.
(4) Drafting: The Shadow Tour TTT is a NO DRAFTING event. That means no team may ride in the Draft Zone (within two bicycle lengths, about 16 feet) of another team, individual rider, group of riders, vehicle, motorcycle, or any other moving object. The team is permitted to ride in a safe and organized pace line within and among their own teammates. TP
E. Safety:
(1) Safety must be the single most important aspect of the ride observed by all riders. DQ
(2) General Safety Requirements: Never ride aggressively among vehicles or other riders, ride to the right of the white line as much as safely possible, ride single file, except when executing a safe pass maneuver, signal your intentions when turning using arm signals and voice commands such as "Turning right!", or "Stopping!", point out obstacles in the road to other riders, relay messages, such as "Car back!, or "Team Passing!", pass only on the left and only when it's safe to do so, notify everyone of your intentions to pass by announcing "Passing on your left!", never flip-off anyone or in any way verbally accost a vehicle, volunteer, or rider. Stay cool and focused on the road, let others know if you see something unsafe, like a pothole or obstacle in the road, or sandy patch in the bike lane. TP/DQ
(3) Stopping: If a team needs to pull over on the side of the road, be sure to get completely out of the bike lane to allow other teams and riders to safely pass. TP/DQ
(4) Bicycle Equipment: Every rider is responsible to insure their bicycle is in completely serviceable and safe to ride condition. In particular, the front and rear brakes must both be fully functional, the headset and stem must be tight, and the handlebars securely tightened. Tires must be in good condition, with no signs of excess wear and tear or evidence of small pieces of glass, nails, or other sharp objects embedded in the rubber that could cause a puncture. All team members must wear a fully serviceable helmet while riding at all times. It is the responsiblity of each rider to have their bicycle inspected by a qualified bicycle mechanic to verify the bicycle is in top notch condition. TP/DQ
(5) Red Zones: Teams must follow all the instructions applicable to every Shadow Tour rider. At Red Zones, the 20 MPH maximum speed must be observed. CHP Officers, volunteers, and signs will be onsite to assist with enforcement of this critically important safety rule. All teams are subject to the same 20 MPH max speed, so there's no need to try and push it for minimal benefit...take it slow and safe in all red zone areas, especially in the vicinity of Box Canyon (Stagecoach), Campbell Grade (Stagecoach), and Yaqui Pass (Salton Sea) descents.
F. Cheating:
(1) Unfair advantage: As in any atheletic event where timing is a component there will be a very small fraction of individuals that seek to gain advantages by means outside the rules and the spirit of friendly competition. To clarify the Shadow Tour position on cheating, the definition shall be "any action or omission that creates an unfair advantage for one team over another" is considered cheating and will not be tolerated. All teams and riders are encouraged to report any instance of cheating, to include unsafe acts, to any Shadow Tour Official at their earliest convenience. DQ
(2) Drugs: Use of any USOC banned substance by any member or a team is cheating and will not be tolerated. DQ
(3) Reporting Potential Violations: Any team, official, volunteer, motorist, casual observer, or individual rider may report observed questionable actions of a team to the Timing Marshal at any time. All reports will be treated confidentially and will be reviewed thoroughly by Shadow Tour Officials. Time penalties and disqualifications may be imposed based solely on credible observations of eye witnesses. TP/DQ |