PacAt Rules

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Rule #1: No complaining about the rules.

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These rules are essentially similar to other long distance self-supported race rules. They represent the universal bikepacking ultra-racing ethos of honorable racing.

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The Pacific Atlantic Bike Race is based on one purpose: Crossing America by bicycle as quickly as possible in a solo, self-supported fashion.

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The Particulars:

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Who can race? Anyone who has the fortitude to race in a self-supported event.

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Requirement:  All attempts are intended to be solo / self-supported, self-timed, and observed as one stage, i.e. the clock runs non-stop. The challenge is complete upon arrival in St. Augustine, Florida. There are no required checkpoints or designated rest periods on course.

 

All racers will be tracked using SPOT indicators and any deviation from the official route will lead to disqualification.

 

Racing does not end until the rider reaches St. Augustine; there are no time limits and each racer will be tracked all the way for as long as they take. Winners in any category will be those who finish first, and all racers who do continue to the end - no matter how long they take - will be listed as finishers.

 

Modus operandi: To complete the Route, a rider must manage to resupply food / equipment, rent a room, launder clothing, even service their bike at commercial shops along the way. The requirement is to ride self-supported throughout the entire race. Any services utilized must always be commercially available to all challengers and not pre-arranged. No private resupply, no private lodging is to be used that is not available to every other participant.

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Racers should research the route and determine in advance where all likely resupply points, repair shops and all emergency services are located.

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Pacific Atlantic Bike Race strives for equal opportunity within the racing community. PacAt requires that every challenger—from those living along the route to those living on other continents—have an equal playing field. Therefore, outside assistance with navigation, lodging or resupply (especially receipt of supplies from a non-commercial shipper) is prohibited.

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Visitation: Family and friends may visit riders in route but can in no way provide material support or shelter.

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In the event of a serious mechanical that renders a racer’s bike inoperable, a rider may be assisted by motor vehicle in moving backwards, forwards, or directly off the route for mechanical assistance. A rider may also receive assistance returning back to the location they left the route, however they must return to the point where they left the route. The intent of this rule is to encourage riders to exhaust self-rescue options first, and ensure any rider who must leave the route will return to the same spot and will still ride the entire Pacific Atlantic Bike Race route .

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Shipping/receiving supplies (to the course): Challengers are encouraged to race as reliant as possible on commercial services along the route. However, in advance of a start, a competitor may cache food or equipment resupply at US Post Offices only, care of general delivery. Typical practice is to ship a replacement chain and other parts and clothing to the halfway point on route. If a racer misses a resupply due to PO closure, that box may be forwarded to another PO down route.

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Once a race clock begins, a rider may be assisted by a third party in receiving emergency repair/replacement items only. Food resupply is not considered an emergency. Emergency items must be shipped using a commercial shipper such as USPS, UPS, Fed-Ex, DHL, etc. Items may not be delivered privately by family, friends or even anonymous persons. Items may only be shipped to a commercial address (P.O., motel, bike shop, restaurant etc.), provided that address is equally available to all racers. Use of a private address (residence) along the route is forbidden. Utilizing any form of social media for help is also forbidden.

GPS navigators are essential, and the GPX ROUTE IS THE GOSPEL. SPOT GPS trackers are required for racing and can be rented from Trackleaders.

 

Final rankings will be based on SPOT tracking data. Mobile phones are also permitted, though service can be very spotty. Social media is actively encouraged, but within the spirit of the race, best applied as a way to send messages out, not so much back in.

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The PacAt is a web-administered, do-it-yourself challenge. Your integrity as a  PacAt racer is paramount. Finishers will be covered in glory and be listed for all time as among the honorable.

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Any bike is allowed within the rules.

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There are no checkpoints or officials on course

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Riders alone alone are responsible for their safety

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Riders alone must police their conduct

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There is no mechanism to communicate to riders on course

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Riders alone are responsible for communicating with their loved ones

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Updates to the dispatch are time-delayed and not intended ensure rider safety

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Online GPS tracking is also not intended to ensure rider safety. It is for info-only, and validation of course compliance

Elimination: Any racer found violating the Rules of conduct will be eliminated and will no longer be tracked.

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In the interest of safety, all racers are recommended to be off the bike for up to six hours each day.

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It is the sole responsibility of all riders to know the rules, police themselves, and in cases of course deviation, recognize their error  and correct it before proceeding on route. Any rider who defaults on any part of any of the rules  will be expected to honorably scratch from the PacAt racing challenge.

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If a rider decides to quit the race for any reason, they must text the race coordinator stating such so we won't be worrying about you.

If we see that the individual racer's 'dot' has  stopped for any length of time other than notified by the racer, we may notify the local authorities

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It is the rider’s responsibility to know and observe local laws.


Riders must act in the spirit of self sufficiency and equal opportunity for all racers.

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Note: If a racer voluntarily scratches from the PacAt mid-race, yet continues on to finish the  course, their individual tracking page will remain online/updated for informational purposes 'dot watching' only.