The Spirit of the Race
Race Rules and Rider Expectations
The Capital Coast Bike Race (CCBR) is a continuous, self-supported bicycle race operating under the strict principles of individual self-reliance and equal opportunity. Riders must navigate the fixed route entirely under their own power without private assistance, personal support crews, or pre-arranged favors.
Before you roll out of Washington, DC, review the mandatory gear list, time cutoffs, navigation rules, and rider conduct standards. Every participant is responsible for knowing the handbook and following instructions from race officials at all times.
Event Specifications & Key Parameters
| CCBR 300 | CCBR 500 | CCBR 850 | CCBR 1500 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start Location | Washington, DC | Washington, DC | Washington, DC | Washington, DC |
| Grand Depart | April 24, 2027 (07:00 EDT) | April 24, 2027 (07:00 EDT) | April 24, 2027 (07:00 EDT) | April 24, 2027 (07:00 EDT) |
| Cutoff Time | 40 Hours (Sat 23:00) | 72 Hours (Tue 07:00) | 144 Hours (Fri 07:00) | 240 Hours (Tuesday, May 4 at 07:00 EDT) |
| Tracking Interval | 5–10 Minutes Continuous | 5–10 Minutes Continuous | 5–10 Minutes Continuous | 5–10 Minutes Continuous |
Section 01
Definitions & Rider Classifications
1.1 Race Authority: The Race Director (RD) maintains ultimate authority over all timing adjustments, penalties, and status classifications. Decisions of the Race Director are final.
1.2 Official Rider Categories:
Solo Division
Solo (Male / Female): Individual riders competing entirely independently. No drafting, shared resources, or group tactics are permitted.
Pair Division
Pairs (Tandem or 2-Rider Team): Two riders travelling together. Pairs may draft one another and share equipment/commercial resupply, but must remain together at all times.
1.3 Official Status Classifications:
- General Classification Finisher: A rider who completes the full official route within the designated time limit while adhering fully to all self-supported regulations.
- Scratch (DNF): A rider who official withdraws from the event prior to crossing the finish line.
- Out of Category Finisher (OOC): A rider who completes the route distance but committed a rule violation (e.g., unauthorized aid, missed route section, drafting) or exceeded the official cut-off time.
- DQ – Disqualification
Section 02
Unsupported Standards & Self-Reliance Rules
2.1 Prohibition of Private Support: Riders may not receive private, personal, or pre-arranged assistance from friends, family, coaches, or personal support crews anywhere along the route. This includes:
- Follow vehicles, leap-frogging support cars, or motorized spotters.
- Pre-arranged personal resupply drops, laundry services, or roadside hand-offs.
- Personal lodging provided by acquaintances along the route unless open to all competitors on an equal commercial basis.
- Penalties will be given by the Race Director from added time to disqualification.
2.2 Commercial Equal Access Rule: All food, water, lodging, bike repairs, and supplies must be acquired exclusively from commercial businesses open to the general public or fellow competitors on identical terms. Services must be located along or directly adjacent to the course.
Banning of Pre-Booked Accommodations
Riders are strictly forbidden from booking lodging, commercial transport, or repair services prior to the official start clock at 07:00 EDT on Grand Depart day. All resupply and lodging accommodations must be secured while “on the clock” during the race.
2.4 Spontaneous Assistance (“Trail Magic”): Unsolicited, unplanned assistance offered spontaneously by strangers on equal terms to any passing rider is permitted, provided it was not solicited or coordinated prior to arrival.
2.5 Forward Progression & Off-Course Transport Protocol:
- All forward distance must be achieved solely under human power on a bicycle.
- If a rider leaves the official course for lodging, mechanical repair, or medical care, they may utilize motorized transport only off-course or backward.
- The rider must return to the exact geographical GPS coordinate where they departed the route before resuming forward cycling movement.
Section 03
Drafting, Pacing & Group Riding Regulations
3.1 Draft Buffer Zone (Solo Competitors): Solo competitors must ride independently at all times. Drafting behind other cyclists, motorized vehicles, or non-race riders is strictly illegal.
Solo Draft Zone Boundary
The mandatory draft zone is defined as a box 10 meters long (~33 feet) by 2 meters wide (~7 feet) behind any preceding rider or vehicle. Riders must maintain 50 (164 feet) meters distance unless actively executing a pass.
Passing Protocol
When passing another competitor, a solo rider has a maximum of 5 minutes to clear the 10-meter (~33 feet) draft envelope. The overtaken rider must immediately drop back 10 meters (~33 feet) once passed.
3.2 Pacing Restrictions: Riding alongside non-competitors, friends, family members, or media personnel setting pace or blocking wind is classified as illicit private support and will result in immediate reclassification or disqualification.
3.3 Group Riding Limitation: Solo riders travelling together for prolonged periods (greater than 5 consecutive minutes) create an unverified drafting benefit. Extended group riding is monitored via satellite tracker and may subject participants to time penalties or transfer to “Out of Category” status.
Section 04
Mandatory Equipment & Inspection Checklist
Riders must present their bicycle and equipment for inspection at the Grand Depart staging area by 05:45 AM on race day. Failure to present mandatory equipment will prevent departure.
| Equipment Item | Minimum Technical Specification | Mandatory Hours / Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Helmet | CPSC, ANSI, or CE approved bicycle safety helmet. | Worn and buckled at all times while moving. |
| Primary Front Light | Minimum 300+ lumen output with steady-beam mode. | Mounted and operational from dusk to dawn. |
| Secondary Front Light | Independent battery source (backup light or headlamp). | Must be operational if primary light fails. |
| Rear Lighting (×2) | Two independent red rear lights, at least one running solid. | Active continuously during low-visibility and night. |
| Reflective Vest/Harness | ANSI Class 2 compliant high-visibility reflective material. | Mandatory wear between 18:00 and 07:00. |
| Reflective Ankle Bands | Dual reflective bands attached around both ankles. | Mandatory during night riding. |
| Satellite Tracker | SPOT Gen4/5, Garmin inReach, or Trackleaders hardware. | Active 24/7 with an active subscription. |
| Emergency Survival Kit | Thermal foil blanket, whistle, basic first-aid supplies. | Carried on the bicycle at all times. |
Section 05
Navigation, Tracking & Data Submission
5.1 Primary Satellite Tracking: Every rider must carry an operational satellite tracker configured to transmit location updates every 5 to 10 minutes. Riders are responsible for keeping tracker batteries charged throughout the race.
5.2 Secondary GPX Logging: Riders must record their entire ride using a Garmin GPS head unit or watch. In the event of satellite tracking failure, the rider must submit their raw GPX log files to the Race Director within 24 hours of finishing.
Section 06
Traffic Laws, Night Operations & Safety
6.1 Strict Compliance with Traffic Code: The Capital Coast Bike Race takes place on open, public roads. All riders must obey all traffic signals, stop signs, speed limits, and lane designations across all traversed jurisdictions (DC, VA, NC, SC, GA, FL).
ZERO-TOLERANCE SAFETY POLICY: Traffic Light Violations
Running red lights or failing to come to a complete stop at posted stop signs poses severe safety risks and destroys the public reputation of ultra-cycling. Confirmed traffic light violations carry a mandatory 2-hour penalty for the first offense and immediate disqualification for a second offense.
Section 07
Penalties & Infraction Matrix
| Infraction / Rule Breach | First Offense | Second Offense |
|---|---|---|
| Drafting / Pacing (Solo Division) | 2-HOUR TIME PENALTY | Reclassification to Out of Category (OOC) |
| Inadequate Night Lighting / Reflective Gear | 2-HOUR TIME PENALTY + Halt until sunrise | Disqualification (DQ) |
| Pre-Booking Lodging or Resupply | Reclassification to Out of Category (OOC) | Disqualification (DQ) |
| Receiving Private / Personal Support | Reclassification to Out of Category (OOC) | Disqualification (DQ) |
| Course Shortcutting / Missed Re-entry Point | Disqualification (unless corrected) | Disqualification (DQ) |
| Forward Progress via Motorized Transport | Immediate Disqualification (DQ) | Permanent Ban from CCBR |
7.2 Appeals & Dispute Resolution: Appeals regarding penalties or official results must be submitted in writing to the Race Director within 12 hours of crossing the finish line, accompanied by raw GPX data, photos, or timestamped tracker logs.
