RACE ACROSS FRANCE by HEROÏN BIKES

RULES

1. INSTRUCTIONS

It is the responsibility of each participant and support team member to read and understand these rules. If there are any questions before leaving for the start, please email the organization at contact@raceacrossfrance.cc.

If there are any questions at the start or during the event, please contact the organization. Ignorance of these rules is no excuse. These rules have been adopted to ensure safety, fairness and to protect the integrity of the event.

DO NOT BE CREATIVE OR IMAGINATIVE WITH THESE RULES.

Security officials will enforce the rules. Penalties may be issued for safety violations by participants or support staff.

2. DEFINITIONS

The following definitions are used in all these rules:

Assistance or support team – A team that supports the participant or team throughout the event. This includes media teams that accompany the participant or team. It also includes any person who actively assists the participant or team in any way for any length of time.

Briefing – A meeting prior to the event for the support teams and the participant. One or more support teams, members, preferably the team leader, must attend the briefing.

Media briefing – Pre-event meeting for accredited media teams. Both personal and independent media are required to attend the media briefing.

Motorhome – An assistance vehicle that is larger than a van or pickup truck and is usually equipped with kitchen facilities, toilets, bedrooms, etc. A motor home cannot be the follow-up vehicle.

General Instruction Booklet – A document containing all relevant information regarding the event. The IGC will soon be available for downloading via a drive sent to all registrants.

Night conditions – Night begins at 7:00 pm and ends at 7:00 am, or whenever the tracking vehicle turns on its headlights. If in doubt about visibility, act as if it is night.

Daytime conditions – Daytime begins at 07:00 and ends at 19:00.

Participant – A participant refers to an individual on a team. Participants are those on the official list.

Cut off – A cut off point to be reached within a specified time, so that the participant can continue safely. There are two Cut off points on the Race Across France. Failure to reach a cut-off point within the recommended time may result in the participant being put out of the race (DNF) for safety reasons.

Team Leader – The team member responsible for the team and official spokesperson for the participant or team, as well as designated contact with safety officials.

DQ – Off-race. The final status resulting from the issuance of five penalties for breach of safety rules or one penalty for which the consequence is disqualification.

Official Distance – The length of the course after adjustments made during the course. DNF (Do Not Finish) – The final status resulting from an abandonment.

Exchange of participants – For teams, the exchange of participants occurs when the front wheel of the participant on the road overlaps with the rear wheel of the new participant, the participant on the road stops moving and the new participant continues. There are two types of exchanges: the rolling exchange, the participant starts moving before the incoming participant arrives and they overlap the wheels; and the stationary exchange, the participant stops and the new participant starts moving again. Both types of exchanges are allowed during the day. Only stationary exchanges are allowed at night.

RAAF Finisher – Solo participant or team completing the course during the organisation’s time limit.

Registration forms – Form to be downloaded and completed via the Njuko registration platform to be completed and signed to participate in the event.

Inspections – Pre-race inspections of vehicles, bicycles and documents. Participants must sign the final inspection documents. All inspections must be completed prior to the event.

Itinerary bis – Itinerary for motorhomes, camper vans and other assistance vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tons or too bulky.

Media or media team – Person or team documenting the event and its participants. Media may or may not be accredited. A media accreditation is a media registered and approved by the organization and has privileged access to the event. These media include the media selected by the organisation (RAF media), the media attached to the participants and teams (personal media) and the independent media. Unaccredited media includes media that simply show an aspect of the event and are not registered with the organisation.

Security Officials – RAF personnel designated to enforce security rules.

Penalty – Penalty or disqualification (DQ) resulting from a violation of a safety rule. Safety Officials may issue a recall, warning or penalty. Recalls are not reported to Organization HQ. Warnings and penalties are reported and followed up by Organization HQ.

Penalty boxes – Time stations where the participant/team must stop to perform the wait defined by the penalty, in case a penalty has been issued.

RAF Personnel – All persons involved in the organization of the RAF.

Organization HQ- Organization Headquarters. Organization HQ takes telephone calls from participants.

Time Station, monitor the event, record warnings and penalties, communicate…

Rules – The rules of the event as contained in this document.

Road Book – The official RAF Road Book details the course with maps, instructions and rules. The Road Books are to be downloaded via a drive sent to all participants, allowing them to read and download all documents related to the event.

The course: all the courses are accessible via the Komoot platform and are free to download.

Photo session – All participants must take part in the photo session before the event.

Signage – Signage provided by the RAF for vehicles, bikes .

Transition Site – The location where the change of participant takes place.

Live Tracking – Web page allowing live tracking of RAF participants.

Leapfrog support – A type of support where the tracking vehicle is not directly behind the participant, but rather “leapfrog” in front of the participant. The vehicle stops safely on the side of the road at the designated areas, waits for the participant to arrive, provides all necessary assistance if needed, then lets the participant go, waits until the participant is out of sight, then resumes driving at normal traffic speed, passes the participant and stops again. Leapfrog support is not allowed during night hours.

Official time limit – Time limit for the organization to be present. This period cannot be infinite, outside of this period each participant is considered out of the event and is no longer covered by the organization.

Team – Team of several participants.

Time station or TS – Designated points along the course where participants must contact the organization HQ and inform them of their passage. TS can be held by RAAF personnel or left to their own devices. TS are mandatory for all categories of participants.

Signal triangle – Reflective triangles. Mandatory for all vehicles on public roads.

Follow-Up Vehicle – A support vehicle that functions as the participant’s primary support closest to the participant. During night hours, the tracking vehicle must be behind the participant at approximately 6 metres/20 feet. The participant must be in the headlight beam of the tracking vehicle. Only one vehicle may follow the participant during the event.

Assistance Vehicle – Vehicles and crew directly engaged in assisting the participant or team during the event. In some cases, an assistance vehicle may replace a follower vehicle after a decision by a safety official.

Media Vehicle – Vehicle used by RAF media, both personal and independent.

Transition Zone – The 500-metre zone before and after the transition site.

3.  CATEGORIES, TYPE AND AGE GROUPS

3.1. CATEGORIES (NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS AND GENDER)

• Solo with support (Male and Female) – 1 participant over the whole distance
• Solo Self-support (Male and Female) – 1 participant over the whole distance
• Team of 2 people (male, female and mixed) – 2 participants sharing the whole distance of 2600 km only with assistance
• Team of 4 people (male, female and mixed) – 4 participants sharing the whole distance of 2600 km only with assistance
• 8-person team (male, female and mixed)- 8 participants sharing the entire distance of 2600 km with assistance onlyMixed indicates that there is at least one male and female participant in teams 2 , 4 and 8. Tandem teams must have an equal number of men and women. 

3.2. TYPES OF BIKES

There are a total of 6 types of bikes accepted:

Standard (standard, compact, road)

Tandem

Recumbent bike

Handbike

Open (different types of bikes)

Tandems are considered a “participant”. One Tandem is considered in the Solo category, two Tandems are in the Tandem category in teams of 2 people. Tandems and recumbent bikes compete in their own Solo, Team of 2 and Team of 4 and 8 categories.

All members of a team must use the same type of bike. If teams use different types of bikes, they will be placed in the Open category.

The Open category is limited to the bike types listed above. Invitations to participate in the Open category are at the discretion of the organizer. A participant or team may apply to the organization to enter the Open category. Circumstances must provide a unique perspective on the event and match the infrastructure currently in place.

Consideration will be given to participants in the Open category for an early start. All Open category participants must respect the defined cutoffs. No participant will be considered as a Finisher after a finish outside of the organization’s deadlines.

3.3. AGE GROUPS

There are 5 age groups:

Under 40 years old

Under 50 years old

50-59 years old

60-69 years old

70 years old and over

The age used for the event is the age of each participant on 31 December of the calendar year of the event.solo: the age of the participant is taken into account.
Teams: the age taken is the average age of all team members.
This applies to teams of 2, 4 persons. There are no age groups for teams of 8 people, all will be listed as Open category.

4. QUALIFICATION

2600 Km only 

Solo Qualification Participants who wish to participate in the Solo and Solo Self-support category must first be eligible. The application is made in the form of an email or the registration form, listing the reasons why the participant wishes to participate in solo, cycling achievements or a curriculum of events must be attached. The application must be submitted by email to contact@raceacrossfrance.cc.

Team Qualification

There are no team requirements.

5. TIME LIMIT FOR THE TEST AND FINAL TIME LIMIT

5.1. OFFICIAL TIME OF THE EVENT

The Race Across France takes place in 1 time zone. During the race, the official time is based on the UTC+1 time zone over 24 hours.

5.2. ORGANIZATIONAL PRESENCE

The organization team will be present from Thursday, August 13, 2020 (Mandelieu-La Napoule) at 8:00 am to Tuesday, August 26, 2018 (Le Touquet) at 12:00 pm.

5.3. INTERMEDIATE CONTROL POINT AND CUT OFF

Participants and teams must reach two intermediate checkpoints within the allotted time in order to continue the course safely. If the participant or team cannot reach these two checkpoints (CUT OFF) within the recommended time limit, the chances of covering the entire route in the presence of the organisation will be compromised.

5.4. CUT OFF and DELAY

CUT OFF / TS Situation

1 Mont Ventoux Sommet

2 Annecy Lac Doussard

These checkpoints are designed to meet safety requirements. Finally, these rules maintain the integrity of RAF compliance.

DELAY

maximum time limits :

RAF 2020 departure: Mandelieu, Provence-Alpes-Cote D’Azur, France

Arrival 300 kms : Mont Ventoux Summit > Max 24h from your departure time

Arrival 500 kms : St Jean en Royans > Max 36h from your departure time

Arrival 1100 kms : Doussard, Rhone-Alpes, France > Max 5 days from your departure time

Arrival 2600 kms : Le Touquet-Paris-Plage > Max 11 days from your departure time

5.5 DROP BAG

APPLICABLE TO CHALLENGE SELF SUPPORT AND ULTRA SELF SUPPORT

These points are for all Self support participants.

On each Drop Bag self support participants can pick up personal belongings. In order to benefit from this service, participants must entrust these items to the organisation before the start and fill in an inventory sheet and the event details at check-in.

The DROP BAGs are located at

Mont Ventoux Summit

Annecy Lac Doussard

Gueugnon

Le Touquet Paris Plage

5.6 FINISHER STATUS

To be considered a RAF Finisher, the participant or team must :

Finish the trip within the organization’s time limit.

Not be disqualified or out of the event.

ABANDON

Participants may choose to withdraw from the event for any reason, including physical exhaustion, medical, mental, emotional, mechanical, personal, etc. problems. However, beyond a period of 24 hours, if the participant or team has not returned to the track, they will be scored as DNF, in order to comply with RAAF safety regulations.

6 RULES

6.6 GENERAL INFORMATION 

6.6.1 INTENT AND PURPOSE These rules have three main objectives :

Security

Justice

Integrity of the eventThey are designed to be as minimally intrusive as possible.

6.6.2 SECURITY OFFICIALS

The main purpose of the safety officials is to enforce safety rules. If there is a problem, the team leader must contact a person in charge of the organization. If there is no safety officer nearby, contact the organization HQ. In general, the safety officials will contact at least the participants or teams. They cannot assist participants, support teams or media, except in case of medical emergency.

6.6.3 EMERGENCIES

In the event of life-threatening injuries, call 112 or 18 immediately. If Police are required for other situations, call 17. If the injury is not life-threatening, but needs to be checked by a medical professional, take the participant to the nearest hospital (waiting time may be several hours). All injuries and accidents must be reported to Organization HQ or a safety official as soon as possible.

6.6.4 ROLE OF THE HQ ORGANIZATION

Organization HQ is assimilated to organization. It may waive a rule, issue a new rule or amend an existing rule to meet safety compliance. If a new rule is created or an existing rule has been modified, all participants or teams will be informed as soon as possible. Notification will be made by message with the official event communication application “WhatsApp”, telephone, or when the organization HQ is contacted for Time Station control. The rule in question will be applied to all within 24 hours of the decision.

6.6.5 UNFORESEEN OCCURRENCES

During the event, participants may experience unforeseen events. Each participant must be aware of this. These events are part of the event and are part of the challenge of the Race Across France. No additional delays will be tolerated as the organization is present for a fixed period of time.

6.6.6 START AND FINISH OF THE EVENT

The race will start from Mandelieu-La Napoule and will stop for no reason until the finish in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage.

6.6.7 NATIONAL LANGUAGE

The official language of the test is French. All participants are responsible for reading and understanding the rules and signage. Some documents and rules will be given in English.

6.7 RULE VIOLATION

6.7.1 RECALLS, WARNINGS AND PENALTIES

Security officials, the organization may issue a reminder, warning or penalty for a violation of the rules. The organization will keep a log of warnings and penalties.

Recalls may be issued for minor infractions. Warnings may be issued for more serious infractions. A violation after a warning has been issued will result in a penalty. Penalties may be issued at any time, with or without a reminder or warning.

Most penalties are for 1 hour. However, the violation of certain rules and the accumulation of penalties may result in disqualification.

Any dispute with a safety official may result in an additional penalty.

6.7.2 NOTIFICATION

If a warning or penalty is issued, a race official will inform the participant. Whenever possible, the notification will be made by a safety official on the course. In addition, when possible, the notification will be in writing.

6.7.3 PUBLIC ALLEGATIONS

Recalls, warnings and penalties will not be issued based on the allegations of other participants or the public. However, security officials may investigate the alleged rule violation. This may lead to the identification of behaviour that is contrary to the rules.

6.7.4 PENALTIES – PENALTY BOXES

Individual participants and teams that have received penalties must stop at the Penalty boxes. There are two Penalty boxes corresponding to the 2 cut off. The support team will have to call the organization shortly before arrival at these Penalty boxes to determine if any penalties have been issued. The support team must then call the organization HQ upon arrival of the participant to report the time of arrival and, if there are penalties, the participant or team must stop and complete their penalty. Once the penalty has been completed, the support team must notify Organization HQ and the participant is then free to leave the Penalty box. If no penalty has been issued, the participant proceeds to the time station as normal.

6.7.5 PROOFING

The following penalties are grounds for immediate disqualification:

Refusal to accept or abide by the contractual conditions required to participate.

Use of alcohol or prohibited substances by a participant or support team member.

Failure of a participant to submit to a screening test upon request by security officials.

Riding the course without a bicycle or in an assistance vehicle.

Assistance vehicles and drivers not registered with the organization and not insured.

Vehicle without a vehicle registration document.

Clinging to a vehicle on the move.

Using a bicycle not declared to the organisation.

Riding at night without a tracking vehicle and without suitable lighting.

Refusing to take a sleep break at the request of a security official.

Behaviour on the part of a participant or support member that is deemed inappropriate and that could cause safety, legal or reputational problems for the event or other participants and their crews.

Modification of road signs.

Do not drive through the entire event as described in the Road Book or as modified by the organization.

Replacement of the participant by an assistance member on the bike.

Disposal of waste water from a motor home in an unauthorized place.

Issuance of 5 penalties The decision to disqualify a participant or a team will be made by the organisation.

6.7.6 CALL

Participants and teams may appeal a decision or penalty as outlined in Appendix A.

6.8 POLICE AND TRAFFIC RULES (HIGHWAY CODE)

6.8.1 POLICE

The event takes place on open public roads. Prior to the event, the necessary authorizations have been requested. However, exceptional circumstances may occur (road accidents, road problems, works…). When an exceptional circumstance occurs, the participant or team must comply with the instructions given by the police (Police and Gendarmerie). The participants and assistance teams must respect the forces of law and order.

Sometimes, participants and the assistance team may encounter a law enforcement officer who is not informed of the event and takes actions that may hinder the participant’s progress. If a dispute arises with the law enforcement agencies, the organisation HQ should be informed immediately.

If the action follows a failure to comply with traffic regulations or safety rules, a penalty may be issued.

If a participant is stopped, he must note the time of stop, the location (exact mileage), the name of the officer, his registration number, the alleged offence or reason for stop, and the time of departure.

Again, PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL TO THE FORCE OF THE ORDER.

The support team must inform Organization HQ of incidents as soon as possible.

6.8.2 TRAFFIC REGULATIONS

Participants and the support team must obey all traffic regulations, including stop signs and traffic lights.

Only an exception is allowed when traffic is directed by a police officer or emergency personnel.

All traffic violations observed by safety officials will result in a penalty.

A legal stop is defined as the complete cessation of all forward movement of the bicycle.

6.9 PRE-RACE

6.9.1 PRE-TEST REQUIREMENTS – PREPARATION

The organization must accommodate several dozen people. Cooperation and mutual respect make this possible. Warnings can be given for any delays.

The following warnings are given for the following situations:

Showing up at registration without all the required documents.

Not being ready for the inspection of assistance vehicles and bicycles.

Showing up late for the photo session.

Failure to attend the pre-departure briefing for a team leader and at least one member of the support team.

Not attending the pre-departure briefing for a participant – all participants must attend and be present throughout the meeting.

Do not register as a media team if following a participant or team with a media vehicle.

Not to attend the media meeting and be present for the duration of the meeting.

Not having at least one mobile phone for each media vehicle.

Not to participate in a press conference requested by the organization.

6.9.2 REGISTRATION FORMS

Refer to the registration forms for a complete list of requirements and details that will be verified during inspections. These forms will be emailed to each solo participant and first contact prior to the event.

6.10 ASSISTANCE VEHICLES

6.10.1 GÉNÉRAL

Each participant must start the event with at least two assistance vehicles, each with a minimum of two declared drivers. Before the start of the event, the assistance vehicles will be classified as: follower vehicle, assistance vehicle (car, motorhome). Before the event, the assistance vehicles must be inspected.

The following applies to all assistance and follow-up vehicles:

There is no maximum number of assistance vehicles for the teams (please note that there are 2 parking spaces available per team as well as the signalling equipment provided).

They must be properly registered.

Be insured according to French legislation.

Have at their disposal copies of insurance policies, vehicle registration documents, technical inspection validity and other supporting documents.

Drivers must have a valid driving licence for the vehicle used (translated into French for people who are not members of the European Economic Area).

Pass an inspection before the start of the event.

Possess an official event signage.

All follow-up and assistance vehicles must have at least flashing orange lights in operation, a movable warning triangle and 2 retro-reflective jackets. A motorcycle cannot be an assistance vehicle.

Each participant must be accompanied by at least one follow-up vehicle.

The vehicle designated as the follow-up vehicle may be changed during the event. The organization HQ or a safety official must be notified if a follow-up vehicle is replaced.

At least two members of the support team with a driver’s license must be present to follow a participant.

Although a participant may participate in the event with two or more assistance vehicles, only one vehicle may be designated as a follow-up vehicle.

Music systems must be reduced in urban areas, especially during night hours.6.10.3 FOLLOW-UP VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS The follower vehicle must meet the following requirements :

Must not exceed 6 metres in length and 2 metres in height.

Have front and rear windows, driver and passengers.

Coaches and motor homes may not be used as tracking vehicles.

Tracking vehicles may not have trailers.6.10.4 ASSISTANCE VEHICLES Solo participants may only have three vehicles engaged as assistance vehicles. One follow-up vehicle and two support vehicles. 6.10.5 ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE VEHICLES In the event that the follow-up vehicle breaks down, one assistance vehicle may be used as a follow-up vehicle. However, the assistance vehicle must meet all the requirements of a follow-up vehicle. The organization HQ or a safety official must be informed prior to the change.
If no safety official is available or telephone coverage precludes notification to the organization, continue the route and contact the first available safety official or the organization as soon as possible.

Campervans may be used as a support vehicle but not as a follow up vehicle. ⚠ Motorhomes, camper vans, will not be able to follow the entire route and will have to

on certain portions, it is compulsory to use a “second itinerary” which will be communicated by the organisation on the day of check-in.

Discharge of waste water in an unauthorized place is a reason for disqualification.

6.10.12 OTHER VEHICLES

All vehicles participating in the event must undergo an inspection.

Media vehicles can provide support as required. However, they cannot be hired as support vehicles. Media vehicles and drivers must be inspected and must follow all rules.

6.10.13 GENERAL RULES FOR ASSISTANCE VEHICLES

The following applies to the operation of support vehicles :

All tracking vehicles must use approved headlights.

The tracking vehicle must have the hazard warning lights on at all times.

Must not block or impede the progress of another participant or support vehicle.

Must travel at the speed of the traffic and not follow the participant.

Must not overtake the participant more than four times per hour, except in the case of leapfrog support.

Do not drive or block private driveways of residences without authorization.

Do not stop on the roadway. When stopping, support vehicles must park in a safe location that does not interfere with traffic. If a follow-up vehicle breaks down, the support team must immediately notify Organization HQ, indicating the participant’s location and distance traveled. 

• 6.11 BIKES
• 6.11.1 GENERAL All participants must use bicycles of generally similar specifications. The specifications set out in the UCI rules serve as a general guide for the approval of equipment. Deviations from UCI rules must be approved during inspections by a race official. If there is any doubt about a bike or other equipment, contact the organization before making a decision.
  The following applies to bicycles :
• – Bicycles must be propelled only by human power.
• The maximum length is 2 metres (3 metres for tandems).
• The maximum width is 76 centimetres.
• Any bicycle or spare part may be used during the event.
• Sunshades, fairings and wings are prohibited, except on recumbent bikes.
• Extenders and their accessories are allowed.
• Solid wheels and wheels with composite spokes are allowed.
• There are no restrictions on gears, wheel or tire size.
• Tandems and recumbents are allowed.
• The organization reserves the right to prohibit, before the event or during the event, any bike or equipment that the organization determines to be unusable. It is the responsibility of the participant or support team to bring non-standard or customized equipment to the attention of the safety officials during inspection.

• 6.11.2 TANDEMS, LAPTERS AND HAND BIKES 
• Tandems are considered as a single participant. Tandems have their own categories in the event.
  A tandem is considered in the Solo category.
• 6.11.3 WARNING BELL
  (Législation française)
  6.11.4 REAR AND FRONT LIGHTING 
• All bikes must be equipped with red rear lighting visible up to 150 metres. It must be switched on day and night, and a rear reflector must be fitted at all times.
  A rear light attached to the participant’s helmet may be used in addition to the rear lighting of the bicycle. Under no circumstances may it replace it.
  Recumbents and handcycles must have lighting at least 90 centimetres above ground level.
  All bicycles must be equipped with front lighting visible up to 150 metres. It must be switched on day and night. The front light (white) may be flashing or fixed.
  6.11.5 VISIBILITY AND REFLECTIVE MATERIAL
  All bicycles must be fitted with a fixed reflective material (retro-reflector) arranged as follows :
• All bicycles must be fitted with a warning device (bell) consisting of a bell or ungrelot whose sound can be heard at least 50 metres away. The use of any other audible signal is prohibited.
• Rear – red in colour – at least 6 mm wide by 4 cm long.
• Front – white – at least 6 mm wide and 4 cm long. (Autocollantation allowed)
• Back of the pedals or the heel of the shoes. (Sticker allowed)
• Wheels (visible on both sides), orange in colour. (Sticker allowed)The reflective material must not be positioned on the braking surface of the rim.All participants must wear, at night and outside built-up areas only, an approved retro-reflective vest with a CE marking (French legislation). ⚠ The self-supporting categories must wear a CE-approved retro-reflective vest at night in built-up areas and outside built-up areas. During the day, the coloured bust clothing listed below will not be allowed (black, grey, white). It is recommended for safety reasons to wear brightly coloured clothing. This safety rule will be part of the inspection listing.
  6.11.6 PARTICIPANT AND NUMBER
  All bikes must have a number visible on the left side of the bike.
  All bikes must pass inspection prior to the event. The inspection list used by the safety officials is available upon request.
  6.12 CLOTHING, HELMETS AND LOGOS
  Participants and teams may use the RAF logo for promotional purposes. The RAF logo is available by written request to contact@raceacrossfrance.cC. All participants must wear approved helmets. All helmets must meet European (EEC) standards.
  The participant number must be displayed on the front and left side of the helmet.
  RAF may require the name or logo of a sponsor to appear on the participant’s clothing, helmet or vehicles.
  RAF reserves the right to prohibit the display of an inappropriate name or logo of a team or sponsor.
  Overalls and other clothing made of fabric designed to reduce wind resistance are permitted.
  The attachment of clothing to fairings is not permitted.
  Participants and support team members must be dressed appropriately throughout the event.

6.13 PARTICIPANTS

6.13.1 GÉNÉRAL

• The following applies to all participants.
• Participants must complete all documents, including all releases in order to be present at the start line.
• Participants must follow the course as described in the road book or as modified by the organization.
• Participants must not drive in the opposite direction.
• Participants must not overtake any vehicles and must leave a minimum of 30 meters space between other participants and the assistance vehicles.
• The participant must not receive any technical and material assistance or repairs on the bike equipment or clothing while on the bike.
• A participant may ride a bicycle with a flat tire or other mechanical problem. If a safety official deems the situation to be dangerous, the participant must stop or continue on foot until the bicycle is replaced or repaired.
• A participant may continue on foot on the course of the event as long as the bicycle is under his control (being carried, dragged or pushed). A participant who is separated from his bicycle may not continue the event.
• In the tandem event, both participants must accompany the tandem at all times.
• Participants may not walk for more than 15 minutes every 24 hours.
• Participants must not block or impede the progress of another participant.
• At traffic lights and stop signs, participants may not lean on a vehicle or receive support from a person.
• Participants must stop for drug testing, doping tests or penalties.
• Public nudity, urination, defecation, obscene or indecent behaviour is prohibited.

• 6.13.2 PARTICIPANTS AND MEDIA Participants must accommodate RAF media as much as possible. However, following a media vehicle is prohibited. Participants must travel to the right of the media vehicle during interviews.
  However, if a media team poses a problem for the participant, you may ask that team to leave. In the event of a refusal you may notify a security official. If the problem persists, you can call the organization HQ.
• 6.13.3 OREILLETTE
  The use of a system with a headset is not authorized in France by the highway code.

6.14 SUPPORT TEAM

Only for the distance of 2600 km

The main role of the support team is to help the participant or team to achieve the objectives and to carry out the event safely. Participants must have at least 1 assistance vehicle and 4 crew members. The following applies to support teams:

All assistance team members must have signed the appropriate documents, including waivers, before being allowed to assist the participant.

The participant is responsible for the conduct of the support team. Inappropriate behaviour by the team may result in a penalty for the participant. If it is determined that a member of the support team is behaving inappropriately, that person may be banned from participating in the support.

The participant may add crew members at any time during the event, provided the new members complete and sign the appropriate documentation, including waivers. The organisation HQ must be informed immediately and the documents are passed on to the nearest event manager. The team leader must have additional copies of the documents signed by the new team member.

A team member will be appointed as team leader and will speak for the team and the driver, reporting problems, suggestions or any other information to the organisation HQ. He will inform all assistants about safety rules. The team leader may designate another person to act on his behalf if necessary.

The assistance team may not make any adjustments or repairs to a bicycle, equipment or clothing in motion.

A team may offer assistance to any participant or participating crew at any time, but may not give poor route guidance to another participant or support team.

Each team must be autonomous, be able to communicate between its vehicles, be able to locate stores for food, water, fuel, supplies, hotels, medical centres and any other requirements along the route. Security officials are not allowed to assist team members unless there is a medical emergency.

Push-offs (start impulse) by the support team are permitted.

⚠ All members of the support team must wear an approved retro-reflective vest day and night, otherwise the participant will be disqualified.

6.15 ROUTE 

Each participant must follow the course as described in the road book.

6.16 CATEGORIES, TYPE AND AGE GROUP
6.16.1 CATÉGORIE SOLO

All Solo participants must be qualified to participate. The qualification is done when sending the registration form with the references included.

The Solo category designates a single participant. This category must cover the entire course from start to finish. This rule applies to tandems when two participants pedal on the same bike for the total distance in the Solo tandem category.

6.16.2 TANDEM

Two participants must always be present on the tandem at all times throughout the event and until the end of the course, whether pedalling or walking. This rule applies to the Solo Tandem and Team Tandem categories. There are no rules regarding the position of each participant. 

on the tandem.

6.16.3 EQUIPES

Teams do not need to qualify to participate in the RAF. However, participation in a long distance event is recommended.

Teams follow the same rules as Solo participants, however additional rules apply:

Teams of 8 participants must complete the course with a minimum of 5 participants, teams of 4 with a minimum of 3 participants, teams of 2 with both participants.

If one or more participants are injured or drop out, no additional participants can replace them.

After the start, no change of category and/or type of bike is accepted.

Penalties will be assigned to the team and not to the responsible participant.

In case of a penalty, the entire team is obliged to stop temporarily in order to carry out the penalty delay in the Penalty box.

6.17 DEPARTURE

• Participants must be present in the waiting car park 1 hour before departure.
• 30 minutes before departure, participants must be in the departure area.
• 15 minutes before the start, the participant must be in the start line.
• 30 seconds before the start, the participant is called by the announcer.
• After a short interview, the start is given for the participant.

• 6.18 ARRIVAL
• The official finish will be upstream of the finish line. Details will be given of the location and the remaining distance to be covered in the second quarter of 2018. 

7.SECURITY 

The Race Across France provides a route that must be followed in order to be covered by the organization. In order to ensure the maximum safety of the participants, a set of rules is defined. All the points stated in the rules and below must be understood and respected otherwise the organisation declines all responsibility.

7.1 INSURANCE

• Only the participants are covered by a Civil Liability insurance contracted by the organizer. Members of the assistance teams are not considered participants and are therefore not insured.
• Each participant can take out medical repatriation insurance, in this case please contact the organisation before 01 July 2018 to find out the terms and conditions. (contact@raceacrossfrance.cc)
• When welcoming the participants, they will have to complete and approve by signature all of the following documents:
• Disclaimer of liability
• Safety Compliance Charter
• Submit one medical certificate per participant, for this type of event (ultra distance cycling).
• Approve and sign the settlement

7.2 COURSE SAFETY

Each tracking vehicle will be required to have a first aid kit. This safety rule will be part of the inspection listing.

Each member of an assistance team must wear a CE-approved retro-reflective vest day and night. This safety rule will be part of the inspection list.

In case of life-threatening injuries, call 112 or 18 immediately. If the Police are required for other situations, call 17. If the injury is not life-threatening, but needs to be checked by a medical professional, take the participant to the nearest hospital (waiting time may be several hours). All injuries and accidents must be reported to the organization or a safety official as soon as possible.

It is forbidden to “cut corners” or be in the left lane on the entire course. ⚠ Important safety feature: During mountain descents, many people are not allowed to be in the left lane on the course.

Accidents occur because motor vehicles (cars or motorcycles) shift into the left lane. It is therefore important to stay as far to the right as possible for each participant when going downhill. If this rule is not respected, the participant will be immediately disqualified.

7.3 COMMUNICATION 

Each self-supporting follower/participant vehicle must have at least one mobile phone with the “WhatsApp” application and a DATA plan of at least 1 GB. This will be part of the inspection listing. A list of telephone operators can be provided upon request: contact@raceacrossfrance.cc

When sending information from the organization to the participants (route modification, change of a safety rule…) the organization must be able to certify that each participant has received the information. Therefore, only the mobile application “WhatsApp” will be used to communicate, this secure application has an automatic reading acknowledgement to validate the correct reception and reading of the message. In case of inability to use this means of communication, an SMS will be sent, the participant or support team will have to validate by SMS the reading of the information.

The mobile number of each participant/team must be communicated at the time of registration, in return the official number of the organization / organization HQ will be communicated. A test will then be carried out.

8.CANCELLATION

8.1 CANCELLATION ON THE PART OF THE ORGANIZER

The organisers may have to modify the route or cancel the event in the event of force majeure “unforeseeable, irresistible and external to the people concerned” (e.g. administrative decision, epidemic, climatic event, natural disaster…) In the event of cancellation of the event due to force majeure or beyond the control of the organiser, no refund will be possible. A postponement of part of the registration fees may be considered for the following year for those who have subscribed to the cancellation guarantee only. The cancellation guarantee is fixed at 20 euros per participant.

Cancellation for a cause recognized by the organizer (other than force majeure). The organiser will refund the full amount of the entry fee if the event is cancelled for participants who have taken out cancellation cover.

8.2 CANCELLATION ON THE PART OF THE PARTICIPANT

TIP: Don’t forget to insure your bib when you register online.

You cancel, we refund your race number, without reason, without exclusion, without proof, refunded in 72H00 The insurance covers only what is unforeseeable and accidental