HOW DOES THE EVENT WORK?

SIMPLE! 

The gun goes off in Llandeilo and the clock keeps ticking until you get back again after covering 502 miles on your journey around Wales.

Most events of this kind around the world operate a strict cut-off time with riders getting DNF'd if they miss them. 

WE DON'T!

Solo riders will need a follow vehicle and possibly a camper van (RV) and will ride the whole way with minimal stoppages for food and rest. It's a true endurance cycling event.  It's tough and the crew play an enormous role in keeping their rider fuelled and safe. Different bikes will probably be used depending on terrain. It'll about pace judgement for solo riders whilst team riders will be "going for it"!

Teams: They will need two follow cars plus another vehicle for riders & crew "off shift" to rest.  It's been proven that rotating riders regularly helps maintain a high average speed. Managing this efficiently is probably the challenge and requires excellent team work to get the riders around as quickly as possible. It's fair to stay that in these challenges, the crew play a massive role - ask the riders afterwards!

Medals are presented to both riders and crew at the finish. Riders will also be sent a Finisher's Shirt as will category winners.

Official photographs of Solo and Team Riders will be taken at the pre-race sign-on.

More information of events at the start and finish to follow.

Sorry Everyone but "The Rules & Guidance Section" below NEEDS to be read.

So essential is it, that it will be included with every communication we share before the event weekend. Your eyes may glaze over on the first read-through but I make no apologies for this! It's all relevant and needs to be thoroughly understood by everyone on your team

Race Around Wales

Rules & Guidance For Riders and Support Crew

RIDERS

The following applies to all Riders:-

• All Riders must wear approved helmets whilst riding. All helmets must meet GPSR or BSI standards (BS EN 1078). 
• Riders must complete all pre-race paperwork, including Rider Agreement and all waivers, in order to start. 
• Riders must ride the entire Race Route exactly as described in the Route Book or as modified from time-to-time by Highway Authorities/Police or Race HQ. 
• Riders must not ride on the Race Route in reverse direction. If a Racer rides past an Exchange or support location, the Racer must get off the bicycle and walk back to that point or wait for a Support Vehicle to pick them up. 
• Riders shall not draft any vehicle and must maintain a spacing of at least 30 meters from riders from other teams and Support Vehicles. 
• Riders may not be driven forward on the course except in the event of an emergency. In the event of an emergency Race HQ or a Race Official must be notified as soon as possible, preferably before doing so. When returning to the Race Course, Riders must then return to the point where they left the Race Route and notify Race HQ or a Race Official before beginning to ride again. 
• Riders must not receive adjustments or repairs to equipment, the bicycle or clothing while in motion. 
• A Rider may not receive pacing in any form from a Crew Member or other person. However, road side cheering is encouraged from Support Crew Members. 
• Push-offs by the Support Crew are allowed. 
• A Rider may ride a bicycle with a flat tyre or other mechanical problems but, if a Race Official deems it unsafe, the Rider must stop or proceed on foot with the bike until the bicycle is replaced or repaired. 
• Rider may proceed on foot along the Race Route as long as the bicycle is under control of the Rider and is being carried, dragged or pushed. A Rider separated from their bicycle may not proceed along the Race Route. 
• Riders may only ride alongside each other for a 15-minute period each 24 hours. 
• Riders shall not block or impede the progress of another Rider or Crew vehicle. 
• At traffic signals and stop signs Riders may not hold onto or receive balance support from any vehicle or person. The Rider may use a permanent object to assist in balance. 
• Moving Riders may not use “sticky bottles” (prolonged contact with a moving car using a bottle as hand to hand contact) to aid progress. Bottle handoffs should always be done on the roadside.
• Offensive and inappropriate behaviour which reflects badly on Race Around Wales will lead to time penalties and/or automatic disqualification from the event.
• Communication headphones are allowed between rider and follow vehicle to facilitate navigation. They are not to be used during RAW for playing music or other activity which prevents the rider from being aware of traffic/people around them.

BICYCLES 

• Bicycles must be propelled solely by human force. 
• Maximum length is 200 centimetres. 
• Maximum width is 76 centimetres. 
• Any number of bicycles or replacement parts may be used during the Race. 
• Windscreens, fairings and airfoils are prohibited, except on HPVs. 
• Aero-bars and their accessories are allowed. 
• Disc wheels, composite spoke wheels and wheel covers are allowed. 
• There are no restrictions on gearing, wheel or tire size. 
• Tandems, Recumbents, Hand Cycles and HPVs are permitted. 
• Racer must ride bicycles in the same Category throughout the Race. 
• Front Headlights. All bicycles must be equipped with a white front headlight that is mounted to the bicycle that is visible from 500 feet. The headlight on the bicycle must be on at all times while on the road – day and night. If the Racer uses a helmet light, the bicycle must still be outfitted with a front headlight that is mounted to the bicycle. The front headlight may be flashing or solid. 
• Rear Tail-lights All bicycles must be equipped with a red rear tail-light mounted to the bicycle that is visible from 500 feet. The tail-light on the bicycle must be on at all times while on the road – day and night. The light may be solid or flashing. Belt clip taillights on the Racer or back of the helmet can be used in addition to the bicycle frame tail-light but not in place of a tail-light that is mounted to the bicycle. 
• Recumbents, HPVs, Hand Cycles and other low profile bicycles tail-lights must be mounted at least 36 inches from ground level. 

Visibility and Reflective Material 

 All bicycles must have reflective material as follows:- 

• Crank arms – At least one piece of reflective tape, at least 0.25 inch wide, must be completely wrapped around both cranks halfway between the bottom bracket and the pedal axle so that the tape is visible from any direction. 
• Wheels – At least FOUR PIECES of reflective tape, at least 0.25 inch wide by 1.25 inches long, must be applied TO BOTH SIDES OF EVERY WHEEL, including spare wheels. Eight pieces of reflective tape total per wheel. REFLECTIVE WRITING DOES NOT COUNT. Reflective material must not be on the braking surface of the rim. 

Note: (1) When placing reflective tape on the wheels, frame or components, it is wise to first place a strip of easily removed tape, such as electrical tape, then place the reflective tape on top. 

SUPPORT CREW 

The PRIMARY role of the Support Crew is to assist the Rider(s) by helping them achieve their objectives AND ensure they complete the Race safely.

Riders must have a minimum of 2 Support Vehicles and 4 Support Crew Members. 

The following applies to Support Crews:- 

• Every Crew Member must have signed the appropriate paperwork, including all Waivers, prior to being permitted to participate in the Race. 
• The Rider is accountable for the behaviour of the Crew. Crew misconduct may result in a Penalty for the Rider. If it is determined that a Crew Member is a liability, that person may be suspended from participating in the event. 
• One Crew Member will be designated Crew Chief and will speak for the Crew and Rider in reporting problems, suggestions or other information to Race Officials. Other persons in their capacity as Crew should not speak in an official capacity to Race Officials, unless the Crew Chief is not available. The Crew Chief may designate another person to act on his/her behalf when necessary. 
• Crew members may not make adjustments or repairs to a Rider’s bicycle, equipment or clothing while in motion. 
• A Crew may offer assistance to any Rider or Crew participating in the Race at any time but cannot give misdirection on routing to another Rider or Crew. 
• Each Crew must be self-sufficient, communicating between their vehicles, locating food, water, fuel, supplies, motels, medical facilities and any other requirements along the Race Route. Race Officials are not allowed to assist Crew Members unless there is a medical emergency. 
• Push-offs by the Support Crew are allowed. 
• Crew may service a Rider other than their own as an act of "good sportsmanship." 
• If a Crew Member wilfully violates or attempts to violate a Rule in order to aid the Rider, the other Crew Members have the obligation to make a reasonable effort to stop and correct the violation, including reporting such violation to a Race Official. Crew Members have a moral obligation to these Rules no less than the Rider. 
• If a Rider wilfully violates or attempts to violate a rule, Crew Members have the obligation to make a reasonable effort to stop and correct the violation, including reporting such violation to a Race Official. 
• If a Crew Member is unexpectedly lost, causing the Crew to fall below the four-person minimum, they must immediately notify Race HQ. Based on the Rider’s location in the Race, distance traveled, Crew experience etc. The Event Director will determine as to whether or not an additional Crew will have to be obtained to finish the Race. 
• No Crew Member is allowed to ride a bicycle on the Race Route. 
• Crew must wear reflective vests at all times. 
• Inappropriate behaviour which reflects badly on Race Around Wales will not be tolerated and will lead to either a time penalty or disqualification.

Follow Vehicle Signage 

• Racers and Crew are responsible for ensuring that the Roof-Mounted Amber Flashing Lights are bright enough to be seen from a distance of 500 feet at all times, both day and night. However, they must not be so bright as to interfere with other driver’s vision. 
• All Support Vehicles must have and use the Race Signage provided by the race. The windshield, driver and front passenger side windows, as well as the passenger side 2nd seat windows must be clear of all obstructions. Notwithstanding the preceding, the “Race Around Wales” sign should be placed on the windshield close to the upper edge. Other windows may display signs or Rider Numbers. The rear windows should be as clear as practical. The driver must have a view of following traffic with inside or outside mirrors. 
• All Support Vehicles must display their Racer Number on all four sides with easily visible numbers. 
• All Support Vehicles must display on the rear of the vehicle the RACE ISSUED reflective sign, which says “Caution Bicycles Ahead”. That sign must be visible to drivers approaching from the rear. 
• Equipment Bike racks mounted to the rear bumper of Support Vehicles must not obstruct the Race Signage and vehicle license plate. 
• RVs (Recreational Vehicles) / Motorhomes RVs cannot be engaged in Active Racer Support – they cannot be used as a Follow or Shuttle Vehicle. 
• Dumping grey, brown and/or black water anywhere except at an approved location will result in disqualification. 

Operation of Support Vehicles 

The following applies to the operation of Support Vehicles

• Day-time hours are between 0700hrs and 1900hrs when LEAP FROG rider support (unless otherwise directed in the ROUTE BOOK guidance) should be in operation. During the hours between 1900hrs and 0700hrs crew must be operating DIRECT FOLLOW support.
• All Support Vehicles must use headlights and a Roof-Mounted Amber Flashing Light when providing support – Day or Night. 
• Support Vehicles engaged in Active Rider Support, must use headlights and Roof-Mounted Amber Flashing Lights. Hazard Warning Lights are ONLY to be used during DIRECT FOLLOW during night time hours. 
• Must not block or impede the progress of normal vehicular traffic, another Rider or Support Vehicle. 
• Must travel at speed of normal traffic flow when not following behind the Rider. 
• Must not pass the Rider more than four times per hour, except when providing Leapfrog Support, and when passing must do so at speed of normal traffic flow. 
• Must use lay-bys or other suitable stopping places for rider exchanges. Private driveways are to be avoided unless permission given by the homeowner. 
• Must not stop on the roadway in a traffic lane. When stopping, Support Vehicles must be completely off the road to the LEFT of the left edge of the traffic lane. 
• If a Support Vehicle is unexpectedly lost from the minimum two Support Vehicles, the Crew must immediately notify Race HQ. Based on the Rider’s location in the Race, distance travelled, crew experience and other factors, the Event Director will determine whether or not an additional Support Vehicle must be obtained to finish the Race. 
  

Some Rider Comments from the 2022 Trial Event