1) All participants are required to wear an approved helmet at all times while they are riding. Failure to ride with a helmet will result in disqualification.
2) By participating in the events of the Colorado Triple Crown, participants are riding at their own risk. The routes used during the events of the Colorado Triple Crown (and other Challenge Series events) are open to traffic! There are no road closures, police escorts, or course marshals. Cyclists must ride defensively with safety as their utmost priority! Neither the RMCC nor its volunteers is responsible for the negligence of motor vehicles during these events, even if it results in injury or loss of life.
3) Riders shall obey all rules of the road! It is the rider’s responsibility to know the laws of the State of Colorado and to follow them. These are detailed at: http://colobikelaw.com/law.php. Flagrant disregard of local and state traffic laws will result in disqualification. Please come to a complete stop at all stop signs and red lights and use hand signals appropriately.
4) Lights that comply with Colorado law are required while riding during hours of darkness. Riders must have a white front headlight and a red taillight. Be sure you have fresh batteries! Participants riding during hours of darkness without operating lights will be disqualified! Please keep in mind that it is prudent to ride with VERY GOOD lights! Colorado mountain roads can often be strewn with rocks, sticks, or an occasional deer that wanders into the road! It is much easier to descend mountain passes safely when you can confidently see where you are going. Additionally, you will be able to ride more safely when weary-eyed drivers can easily see you from behind.
5) Cyclists must also ride with reflective gear during the hours of darkness. At at minimum, riders must ride with reflective ankle bands so that they are visible from all directions in low light conditions. Reflective vests (or a triangle) are also strongly encouraged.
6) To receive Triple Crown credit, the rider must be able to verify that they have completed the course. This may be done in multiple ways. When a ride is supported, the you may check in with the volunteer at each support point and the finish. You may also provide your Garmin file or Strava link to the ride leader. Rides may also have a time card where you record your time and a piece of trivia about each checkpoint. Or taking timestamped photos at key locations of the ride may also be used. This verification is not intended to be punitive but is intended to maintain the integrity of the ride series. We will celebrate your accomplishment by publishing the riders who completed each ride!
7) Each event of the Colorado Triple Crown has a time limit. All participants must complete the event within the time limit to be listed as an official “finisher” and receive Colorado Triple Crown credit. The time limits for all rides are 19 hours unless otherwise indicated.
8) The time that any support points are open will have time limits. These are imposed to ensure that the participants as as whole can receive the support they need to successfully complete the event. A cyclist who falls behind and reaches a checkpoint after it closes can continue riding, but may have to continue riding without support unless he/she can catch up with the support vehicle at the next control point. Bottom line: if a participant who falls behind is able to successfully complete the event within the time limit, he/she will still receive an official finishing time!
9) As a courtesy to the drivers of our support vehicles, we formally request that participants do not lean their bicycles up against a support vehicle. This can cause scratches to the support vehicles and may inhibit other riders from gaining easy access to their gear bags.
10) The RMCC reserves the right to remove any rider from the course for reasons related to their own safety or the safety of others!
11) The RMCC requests that riders do not urinate in public view. Whenever possible, riders are encouraged to use the designated restroom facilities at checkpoints, including parks, convenience stores, restaurants, etc.
12) The use of MP3 players/I-PODS/ear buds is not allowed as riders cannot safely hear other participants or approaching traffic.
13) Any rider found cheating (e.g., intentionally cutting a course) or deliberately violating the above rules will be disqualified.
14) The RMCC ride director reserves the right to interpret any existing rule or regulation, or to invoke new rules or regulations that are deemed necessary. The ride director’s interpretation and decisions regarding the rule is final.
15) Results for each event will be listed in finishing order, including name, gender, and age.
16) As rider safety is our top priority, the RMCC reserves the right to postpone or cancel any of the Colorado Triple Crown events due to adverse weather conditions or dangerous road conditions.
17) Unsportsmanlike conduct, including, but not limited to, foul or abusive language, insults and rude behavior, acts of violence among riders or event officials or volunteers, failure to follow the instructions of an event official or volunteer, or intentionally causing a crash may result in disqualification of the rider(s) involved and possible suspension from future RMCC-sponsored events.
18) For one of the rides over the course of the season, you may complete it afterward as a make-up and receive Triple Crown credit. Please contact the ride leader for each ride to coordinate this.