Principles and Guidelines for an Unsupported Challenge and a Solo Unsupported Challenge
In the “Miler” Club, supported rides are totally acceptable. This is not an event of any sort, so each to their own.
However, we see unsupported riding as presenting a different challenge to supported rides, and “solo unsupported” riding even more so….especially solo riding being a quite unique mental test. To this effect we publish the following set of guidelines indicating what we see as “unsupported” and “solo unsupported” rides, for those who wish to test themselves by taking up such challenges.
An ”unsupported” ride is based on one guiding principle: Cycle the mapped route end-to-end, in an ”unbroken” ride, self-supported, making use only of commercially available services (excluding transport-related services), implying no outside assistance.
A “solo unsupported” ride involves the rider completing the route totally on their own, with no outside support and no fellow riders at any time.
The Particulars:
Who: Any cyclist (s) may take up the challenge of a 1,000 Miler (or multiples thereof, e.g. 2,000 Miler) route at any time, in either direction.
When: Any Time, it isn’t an event.
Spirit: “Supported” rides are not frowned on at all. However, “unsupported” attempts are intended to be something different…..i.e., self-supported, self-timed, and observed as one stage, i.e. the clock runs non-stop. The challenge is complete upon arrival to the end point from the start. There are no required checkpoints or designated rest periods on course. There is no finish time cut-off, but the trip should be completed in an unbroken and unsupported fashion (“unbroken” meaning remaining on the route from start to finish).
Modus operandi: To complete the Route, a rider may resupply food / equipment, rent a room, launder clothing, even service their bike at commercial shops along the way. The intent is to ride unsupported between towns, and function self-supported when in towns. Any services utilized must always be commercially available to all challengers and not pre-arranged [excluding transport-related services). No private resupply, no private lodging.
Outside assistance with navigation, lodging (even booking) or resupply (especially receipt of supplies from a non-commercial shipper) is not allowed. Visitation: Unsupported riding is not intended to be a spectator sport. However, route-town locals only may interact with (i.e. visit the riders in their home town, cheer on etc) thru-riders as they pass through their locale. Out-of-town visitation to the 1,000 Miler mid-ride from challengers' family or friends—even if only a 'loosely-planned', remote possibility for rider rendezvous—is not acceptable for “unsupported riding, and would be seen as support . Unexpected visitors do sometimes arrive without warning as they pass on the same route as the rider. In this case, the interaction should be brief, and no assistance, food, water or any resupply should be accepted. No motorized transport should be made use of at any stage or time of an unsupported trip….not even during rest breaks or overnight stops…e.g. even if you want to go out to eat at night while staying in a town….walk or ride the bike, no lifts.
Route: Challengers must always ride 100% of the designated route as denoted by the most current map/GPX file provided. Minor route deviations within towns en route are acceptable, but the route must be rejoined prior to the rider exiting that town, and the deviation should not represent a “short cut”. Route deviations anywhere en route are acceptable in the event of unexpected road closure or inaccessibility (for flooding for example), but the alternative route taken should be longer/with more vertical ascent, not shorter/less vertical ascent.
Drafting: It is acceptable for unsupported riders riding in pairs/groups to draft their fellow riders, but NOT drafting any outside riders or any vehicles that happen to be on the same route at the same time.
For solo unsupported riders, no drafting of any other cyclist or vehicle is acceptable at any time.
Use of any type of air scoop or umbrella sail intended to harness wind power is prohibited.
Once a ride has begun, any assistance by an “outside” party, even in the case of emergency repair/replacement or injury, makes the ride a supported ride.
A “Mile” Club Challenge is a do-it-yourself challenge…where you challenge yourself. It is not an event. There is nothing to win or lose but honor….and it is all dependent on one’s own honesty and integrity.
Riders alone are responsible for their safety and logistics.
Riders must “self-police” their own conduct
There is no mechanism to communicate to riders on course
Riders alone are responsible for communicating with their friends and loved ones
Notes:
[1] Pre-arranged is defined as prior to the start of the race clock.
[2] Outside assistance is defined as any third party assistance in navigation or lighting and any non-commercial assistance in food resupply and/or lodging, transport or anything else. A service is deemed 'commercial' when it is for commerce, equally available to all/any riders.
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