The guiding principle is simple: do it yourself.
These rules describe the standard for a recognized self-supported attempt. They do not create an organized event or promise oversight, monitoring or assistance.
Core rules
- Ride the published route under your own power. No riding in or on motorized vehicles while advancing along the route.
- Be fully self-supported. No planned outside support, private resupply, caches, sag vehicles or prearranged assistance.
- Use services equally available to other riders. Commercial lodging, stores, restaurants, bike shops and public transportation used off-route for repairs may be used when generally available to everyone.
- Return to the point where you left. After leaving the route for a repair, resupply or navigation error, return to the same location before continuing a recognized attempt.
- Carry your own equipment. Do not share tents, lights, tools, clothing, food or other required kit as a planned strategy.
- Do not cache or drop equipment. Start and finish with the equipment you choose to carry, except for ordinary consumption, disposal, replacement or repair.
- No drafting or organized pelotons. Riders may travel near one another, but sustained aerodynamic assistance is outside the self-supported ethic.
- Unexpected kindness is acceptable. Unplanned “trail magic” may be accepted when it is spontaneous, not requested and not part of a support plan. It must never include forward transport along the route.
- Follow all laws, closures and land rules. Respect road and trail regulations, wildfire restrictions, private property, permits and instructions from land managers.
- Practice Leave No Trace. Respect riders, residents, businesses, wildlife, public lands and communities along the route.
Tracking and recognized times
A satellite tracker is strongly encouraged for anyone seeking inclusion in recorded finish times. Tracking is evidence of route progress, not a safety or rescue service. Tracker data may be delayed, incomplete, inaccurate or unnoticed.
Individual time trials
Riders may attempt the route independently outside the shared start. Any window used for inclusion in annual records will be posted on the Tracking page.
Responsibility
Every rider is solely responsible for evaluating personal ability, equipment, route accuracy, weather, fire conditions, closures, water, resupply and all other risks. Backcountry cycling can result in serious injury or death.