Race Categories, Race Rules, Points System,
and Kids Series Description (download pdf, 38k)

ACC RACE CATEGORIES Categories are as follows: Kids (6-13), Junior Men (14-18), Junior Women (14-18), Senior Men Sport (19-34), Senior Women Sport (19-34), Senior Men A (19-34+), Senior Women A (19- 34+), Vet Men Sport (35-49), Vet Men A (35-49), Vet Women (35-49), Master Men (50-59), Master Women (50+), Grand Master Men (60-69), Super Grand Master Men (70+)

Juniors, Vets, and Masters may choose to compete in the Senior A category regardless of age. This allows for the most competitive cyclists to race against each other, enhancing the quality of the events. Seniors must race in their own age category.

Racers who wish to race in multiple categories must fully register for each category & receive a separate Race Number for each category. For example, a racer may choose to race SMA for the road series and VMA for the mountain series. Women racers wishing to race in the SMA or VMA category must properly register and receive a Race Number for each additional category. A $10 fee is charged for each additional Race Number required. (The first Race Number is included in the club membership dues).

Additionally, all racers may register as a Singlespeed racer in mountain bike races. Points will be scored within their normal category, per above, as well as in a separate Singlespeed category. Racers start with their respective category. The 4 race minimum described in the Points System, below, applies to those seeking the Men's and Women's, A & Sport categories' SS championship. VW, MM, & GMM compete for the Sport category's SS championship.

RACE RULES The Aspen Cycling Club expects all racers to be familiar with USCF and NORBA rules. (Go to www.usacycling.org/officials/ to download rule books.)

ACC numbers must be visible during ACC competitions.

If you finish in a pack, check in with volunteer marshals to verify finish position.

For Time Trials, competitors must arrive at the start queue no later than 30 seconds before their start and start from a full stop. If no volunteer holder is available, you must start with one foot on the ground.

All competitors should behave in a respectful, adult manner towards other racers, race officials, spectators, etc. This means activities such as, but not limited to, the use of foul or abusive language or conduct, including conduct considered to be sexual harassment, use of force, interfering with the forward progress of another rider, riding dangerously, and pushing or pulling are prohibited. Short-cutting of a racecourse or working with riders that started at a different time is not allowed. At the discretion of the Race Director or Board of Directors, racers may be issued warnings or be disqualified for poor sportsmanship or rules violations. Warnings will be confirmed by the Board of Directors and communicated in person. The issuance of a third Warning, of any kind, will result in the racer being removed from the Club's membership for the remainder of the season. Racers removed from the membership will not be allowed to race or be eligible for end of season awards.

PROTESTS:  Please wait until after an event is over before talking to finish line/timing race officials. The Race Director will consider corrections to race results until the end of the day following a race. Race results will be final 24 hours after the completion of each race.

DRAFTING:  For road races, the ACC will have four separate starts: 1 )SMA, 2) SWA, 3) VMA, and 4) a mass start for the Junior, Sport, VW, MM, GM, & SGM categories. A racer is allowed to draft off of riders that they started the race with. Racers are not allowed to draft off riders that started in a wave before or after them, even if mingling is occurring at some point during the race.

OTHER POINTS OF ETTIQUETE & RULES:

• All competitors must keep to the right of the yellow center line, including at the finish line. This infraction will result in disqualification.
• Please stay completely off the pavement with your bike when stopped before and after road races. Courteously alert other riders and racers when overtaking them. Do not impede the progress of a passing rider. This is especially important in mountain bike races when riders from different classes frequently overtake each other.
• Point out upcoming hazards such as potholes or debris to other riders.
• Take the time to learn cycling etiquette, tactics, and how to ride in a pace line. If you are uncertain of how or why you should do something, ask an experienced racer.
• Racers may not use Aero Bars during a mass start race.
• You can ride any type of bike in any discipline. (Exceptions: Recumbent bikes are not allowed in mass start road races. Racers using Cyclocross bikes for the Rio Grande MTB Time Trial race will be given 3 participation points, but not full placement points.)

POINTS BREAKDOWN Winner: 30 points, 2nd: 28, 3rd: 26, 4th: 24, 5th: 22, 6th: 20, 7th: 18, 8th: 16, 9th: 14, 10th: 12, 11th: 10, 12th: 8, 13th: 6, 14th: 4, 15th and lower: 3 points. Ties will be averaged, i.e. 1st: 30, 2nd: 27, 2nd: 27, 4th: 24.

BIKE TYPES: Any type of bike can be ridden in any discipline. (See ACC Race Rules for exceptions). Points will be awarded if you ride a bike that is specific to or considered a disadvantage to ride in that discipline (i.e. an MTB in a road race or cyclocross race).

VOLUNTEERING/MARSHALLING: Bonus points are awarded for marshalling: 30 points for first effort and 15 for the second and subsequent efforts, with no limit. Points are awarded to the discipline marshaled. Trail days participation is awarded with 15 points for the first day and 30 points for the second, with a maximum of 45points—all going toward the mountain series and combined.

TEAM POINTS: Only the top three finishers in each category earn points for their respective teams. There are no limits on how many members can be on a team. Riders may only race for one team in a season. We encourage everyone to join a team and teams to actively recruit members.

FINAL STANDINGS: The sum of your best eight races in a discipline will be your season total in that discipline. Eight races are not required, thus if you complete seven races your season total will be the sum of the points from those seven races. If you finish all ten races your lowest race points will be dropped.

COMBINED STANDINGS: Combined standings are the sum of your season totals from each discipline. You must compete in at least four races in each discipline to be eligible for the championship in that discipline and four in each discipline to be eligible for the overall. Kids' race series are exempt from minimum requirements.

DUES AND POINTS: ACC members who have paid their current year dues will be eligible for points. All competitors will be listed in race results but only ACC members will receive points. The first ACC member will receive first place points, the second member will receive second place points and so on. Non-members will be removed from point calculations. If you choose to join the ACC once the season is underway you will only earn points going forward. Points will not be awarded retroactively.

CATEGORIES: You may race in different categories for the mountain and road series. You may change categories during a season; however, your points and race times do not follow you to the new category.

KIDS SERIES There are typically 5 races each season for children ages 6-13. Kids start 15 minutes before the other classes and all races coincide with the regular series. Keeping our young racers safe is a priority when selecting courses. Please note that ANY TYPE OF BIKE CAN BE USED. These races are free, but a parent or guardian must sign a waiver before the child can race. We will have end-of-season awards for all competitors, including an overall male and female winner. We

The Aspen Cycling Club is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to encouraging participation in bicycling at all levels. The Club sponsors weekly races, both on and off road. It also works with local government and bike shops in self-regulating the use of our local trails and roads for responsible bike usage.

Aspen Cycling Club, PO Box 4945, Aspen, CO 81612 Hotline: 922-2000 • e-mail: aspencyclingclub@yahoo.com www.aspencyclingclub.org