Rules, Regulations, and Safety

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) During the week prior to an event, each pre-registered rider will receive an official cue sheet and a copy of the Garmin file that will provide turn-by-turn directions and locations of support points and checkpoints. Participants must stop at each checkpoint to have his/her time recorded by an RMCC official. If a RMCC official is not present, the cyclist should record the time they reached a checkpoint and have the time validated by an RMCC official at the next checkpoint along the course. A participant may be disqualified if he/she misses a checkpoint. If a cyclist leaves the route, he/she must return to the route at the exact same location.

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 each event are posted below:

AntiEpic Gravel Grinder: 21 hours
Denver-to-Aspen: 16 hours
Colorado's Classic Double Century: 21 hours
Colorado Death Ride: 19 hours

Colorado High Country Double Century: 16.5 hours

Colorado Mesa Double Century: 17.5 hours
Cripple Creek Crippler: 19 hours
Cycle to Saturn Double Century: 19.5 hours
Kebler Kamikaze Double Century: 18 hours
Tim Kalisch Memorial Grand Loop: 18 hours
Tour de Moose Double Century: 18.5 hours

8) Various checkpoints along each stage may also have time cut-offs. The time limits are imposed to maintain event integrity and allow other participants to 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 or access to his/her drop bag 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 the 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, convenient stores, restaurants, etc.

12) The use of MP3 players/I-PODS 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 out 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.