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.)

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 is also not allowed. At the sole discretion of the race director, racers may be issued a Warning and/or disqualified for poor sportsmanship of any kind. 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 race officials, except in pack finishes when you must check in to verify your finish position. The Club will accept protests regarding race results for the 24 hours following their issuance. Race results will be final 36 hours after they are issued.

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.
• Remove yourself and your bike from the road before and after 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 SYSTEM Points are awarded from the results of each race. ACC Members compete against Category peers for maximum points. Non-race bonus points (see below) are available to maximize season totals.

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 1st place points, the 2nd ACC member will receive 2nd place points, and so on. Non-members will be removed from point calculations. If you choose to join once the season is underway, you will only earn points from that time forward. Points will not be awarded retroactively!

The point breakdown per Category is as follows: 30-28-26-24-22-20-18-16-14-12-10-8-6- 4-3-3-3-3-3-3…up to and including the last rider to finish.

Ties will be averaged, i.e. (1st) 30- (2nd) 27- (2nd) 27- (4th) 24.

Compilation of the final standings will be done as follows: The sum of your 8 highest scores out of the total number in each discipline will be your season total in the discipline. You do not have to compete in or finish all of the races. For example, if you only finish 7 races you will only get points for 7 races. If you finish all of the races, you still only get points from your top 8 finishes. This allows for misfortunes such as crashes, flats, bad days, vacations, etc.

Combined standings will be the sum of your season total from each discipline. If you participate in any of the non-series races in you will receive an extra 3 points per race toward that discipline in addition to your 8 best finishes. Applicable non-series races will be decided by the ACC Board on an annual basis, and will be posted on the schedule.

Ties within the top 5 places of each Category (Overall and Combined) standings will be decided by reviewing which racer has the most 1st place race finishes. If 1st place finishes were not the deciding factor, 2nd place finishes will be totaled.

You must compete in at least 4 races in a discipline to be eligible for the championship in that discipline, and you must compete in at least 4 in each discipline to be eligible for the overall. However, the Junior category and the Kid's Race Series is exempted from minimum requirements.

Bonus points are awarded for volunteering at a race as a marshal.30 points for first marshaling effort, 15 points for each additional effort, with no limit. Points are awarded to the discipline marshaled. If you are able to compete and marshal at the same event, only the higher points value will be counted, points will not be combined. Marshals must check-in with the Race Director to receive instructions and to be logged in the results as a marshal.

Bonus points are awarded for a day's work on local trails.Trails day participation is awarded with 15 points for the first day (new, 2009) and 30 points for the second day. A maximum of 45 points is awarded for Trails Days, all going towards the mountain series, as well as combined standings. Be sure to sign-in at the beginning of the Trails day to receive points. Points can be awarded for work done at non-ACC sponsored trails days. Self reporting may be required in all cases if a rigorous sign-in does not occur. Report these points to an ACC Board member, as needed.

Team Points will be calculated by adding together the combined total of each team member in each discipline. There are no limits on how many members can be on a team. We encourage everyone to join a team, and teams to actively recruit members.

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 encourage and need parents to help out and cheer their little racers on!

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