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Supported Rules

The Race Across Germany is about crossing Germany by bike under your own power. Riders in the Supported category achieve this with the help of a support team. This team provides food, drinks, clothing, navigation, gear, mental support, bike changes, and the preparation and follow-up of sleeping arrangements. This joint effort allows for record-breaking performances, adventures with friends, or simply the ability for cyclists to focus entirely on riding. The following rules apply to support teams:

  1. Support vehicles must be staffed with at least two people holding a valid driver’s license. The support crew is responsible for familiarizing themselves with local traffic laws and complying with them at all times.
  2. Motorhomes and vehicles with trailers may not follow the cyclist directly. They are, however, allowed to provide support while stationary from the right-hand roadside.
  3. Support vehicles must be clearly identifiable and meet mandatory safety requirements: These include a clearly visible warning triangle on the rear of the vehicle (a triangle sticker reading “Caution: Slow Vehicle” must be obtained independently), hazard lights must be used when driving slowly, a clearly readable sticker with the text “Caution: Cyclist Ahead” on the rear (provided by the organizer), and the start number on the left side of the vehicle (also provided by the organizer). The use of flashing roof lights or loudspeakers is not permitted in Germany.
  4. Support vehicles and crews must not obstruct other traffic. They must drive as far to the right as is practically possible. If another vehicle remains behind the support vehicle for more than one minute, it must be allowed to pass promptly. Traffic jam behind the cyclist and vehicle must be avoided. The support vehicle should stay near the cyclist during the day but does not need to follow continuously. It may drive ahead and wait at a suitable location to provide support while stationary.
  5. Solo participants are not allowed to drive within support vehicles. In team categories, at least one team cyclist must be actively riding on the route at all times. Rider changes must occur in relay style, where the next rider may only start once the previous rider has come to a complete stop. Team cyclists who are not currently riding may be transported and supported in the support vehicle by the crew. The entire route must be completed in a way that ensures every section is covered without gaps by at least one team rider under their own muscle power.

Violations by support crews can lead to disqualification from the event depending on the severity of the rule breach. Reports of violations can only be submitted by participants themselves within three days after the event ends. The final interpretation of all rules lies with the organizer.

Equipment Rules

Certain equipment is mandatory for safe and compliant participation. All riders must prepare appropriately in the interest of their own safety:

  1. A certified bicycle helmet must be worn at all times while riding.
  2. Riders are responsible for ensuring sufficient visibility in darkness by wearing reflective clothing or gear.
  3. To ensure personal and public safety, the bicycle must be clearly visible during darkness and poor visibility. Frame, fork, cranks, and rims must be equipped with reflective tape, material, or reflectors. (Reflective tape will be provided at accreditation, but riders are advised to prepare this in advance.)
  4. The bike must be equipped with a permanently lit rear light that complies with local traffic regulations. This light must remain on throughout the entire ride. Carrying a functional backup light is recommended.
  5. The bike must have a suitable front light that meets local traffic regulations.

Ignoring these rules may lead to a ban from starting or disqualification from the event. The organizer is the final authority in interpreting all rules.

Traffic Behavior

Riders must familiarize themselves with and follow all local traffic laws at all times. The following additional or specific rules apply:

  1. Riders must not obstruct traffic. If a vehicle remains behind a cyclist for more than one minute, the vehicle must be allowed to pass as soon as possible. Traffic jams must be avoided.
  2. Riders should closely follow the designated route. Exceptions include road closures, accidents, roads closed to cyclists, or construction zones: In these cases, local traffic laws must be followed and signposted detours used. Riders must independently find the shortest route back to the designated course. The route may only be followed if allowed by local traffic laws.
  3. The rear light on the bicycle must remain switched on at all times.
  4. The front light must be turned on during darkness or poor visibility.
  5. During poor visibility or darkness, riders are personally responsible for increasing their visibility through reflective clothing or gear.

Failure to follow these rules may lead to disqualification. The organizer is the final authority regarding interpretation of the rules.

General Rules

All participants are required to familiarize themselves with all applicable rules before the start:

  1. Riders must familiarize themselves with local traffic laws and comply with them at all times (see also “Traffic Behavior”).
  2. Movement on the bicycle must be powered solely by the rider’s own muscles throughout the entire event from start to finish.
  3. Riders may not draft behind a vehicle or hold onto one.
  4. Drafting is permitted only for team riders. All participants in the “Solo” category must ride alone (drafting is prohibited). Brief drafting while overtaking another solo rider is allowed if the maneuver is completed promptly. Riding side-by-side is permitted if allowed by local traffic laws. Unauthorized drafting may be penalized with a 15-minute time penalty per violation. Repeated or prolonged drafting (more than 30 km) may lead to disqualification from the ranking.
  5. Riders must follow the designated route in its entirety. The full course must be completed. Exceptions apply only in case of road closures, accidents, or construction (see also “Traffic Behavior”). Riders may leave the route for food or sleep breaks but must resume riding at the exact point where they left off.

Violations may result in disqualification or time penalties. Rule violations can be reported to the organizer (only by event participants) up to three days after the finish. The organizer is the final authority regarding interpretation of all rules.

Communication with the Organizer

To ensure fair, safe, and transparent execution of the event, the following communication rules with the organizer apply. All participants are required to fulfill these obligations diligently:

  1. At each time station, a report must be submitted on the website specified in the briefing, including start number, name, time, and time station. This must be done at the time station; failure to do so may result in a 15-minute time penalty. If there is no mobile signal, the entry must be submitted as soon as possible. The report must be in german or english language.
  2. Riders must document their route using GPS data and be able to prove on request that they followed the designated course. Compliance may also be verified by the organizer through spot checks and GPS tracking. Intentional shortcuts or detours via faster alternative routes may result in a 30-minute time penalty. Multiple or particularly severe violations (especially with clear intent to save time) will lead to disqualification from the ranking.
  3. Participants are responsible for ensuring the GPS tracker provided by the organizer is always adequately charged (USB-C cable must be brought by the participant). The tracker must be switched on independently at least 30 minutes before the start and may only be turned off upon explicit instruction from the organizer. In case of withdrawal from the race, the tracker must be returned promptly to the address provided on the device.
  4. In case of withdrawal, participants must publish a message on the website specified in the briefing (including start number, name, and time) and notify the organizer by SMS. Both communication channels must be used.
  5. All participants who reach the finish line in accordance with the rules will be ranked. Team riders will only be ranked if they finish together. Only participants who reach the finish line within the time limits stated on the website will receive a finisher medal and finisher jersey. The finish line will not be staffed after the deadline.

Failure to comply with these duties may result in disqualification or time penalties. The GPS tracker remains the property of the organizer. In the event of loss or damage, a flat fee of €350 will be charged.