Race Rules

The Aspen Cycling Club (ACC) is committed to providing a safe, fair, and respectful racing environment.

ACC events are not USA Cycling (USAC) sanctioned events. However, ACC follows the rules, standards, and code of conduct principles established by USA Cycling as guidance and best practice. USA Cycling has no role in the administration, enforcement, or discipline of ACC events. See the complete USAC rulebook here.

GENERAL RULES

ACC numbers must be visible during ACC competitions.
One race bib assigned per year. $5 fee for lost bib.

Number plates must be affixed to the handle bars so that they are clearly visible from the front (not pointing up to the sky).

ACC Race numbers may not be cut, folded, or altered (doing so makes it very difficult to correctly spot numbers in a tight finish).
All competitors must keep to the right of the yellow center line throughout a race including the finish line. If there is no center line on the road riders must stay to the right half of the road.
Racers are not allowed to ride with racers from a different start wave. Drafting, pacing, riding in the pack, or otherwise helping or hindering racers from a different start wave is prohibited. Racers being overtaken by a pack from a later start wave should coast backwards through the overtaking pack and they may not finish in a sprint with that pack (unless other racers from their wave are also present).
If you finish in a pack, check in with volunteer marshals to verify finish position.
For Time Trials, all racers must register for a time slot. Racers must arrive at the start queue no later than 1 minute before their start and start from a full stop with one foot on the ground. If you miss your start time, your time will still be your assigned time.
Drafting in time trials is prohibited.

GENDER POLICY

The Aspen Cycling Club follows same the basic principles as described in the USA Cycling Gender Policy for Non-Elite Competition. See the USAC gender policy here.

Specifically: A racer may self-select their gender. In the event that a question should arise about a racer’s eligibility to participate in a manner consistent with their selected gender, any member may file a written grievance with the ACC board. In such a situation, criteria that may be used to determine a racer’s eligibility in a chosen gender include evidence of one or more of the following:

Does the racer’s gender in their “everyday life” match their selected racing gender
Has the racer obtained civil documents with their racing gender identified (i.e. state I.D., driver’s license, birth certificate)
Attestation of gender identity from a medical professional
Attestation of gender identity from a certified counselor, public official, school administrator, or other academic advisor

BIKE & EQUIPMENT

Helmets are required for all racers.
Electric assist bikes of any type are strictly prohibited.
Unicycles, tandems, e-bikes, and recumbent bicycles are prohibited. Exceptions will be made for riders with physical disabilities.
Front and Rear lights are required for Frying Pan race.
Mass Start Road Races:
- Only bikes with drop (road style) handlebars are permitted.
- Time trial handlebars, bars with forward pointing bar ends, bars with forearm/elbow rests, and straight mountain bike style bars are forbidden.
- Disk wheels and deep dish wheels over 410mm are forbidden.
Individual Start Time Trial Road Races:
- Any type of bike except tandems and recumbents may be ridden. Exceptions will be made for riders with physical disabilities.
Mountain Bike Races (mass and individual start):
- Mountain bikes must be used – cyclocross and gravel bikes are prohibited (unless stated, then tire minimum of 40mm)
- Time trial handlebars, drop (road style) bars, and bars with forearm/elbow rests are forbidden (unless stated for race).

CODE OF CONDUCT

All competitors are expected to:

Behave respectfully toward racers, officials, volunteers, marshals, and spectators
Use courteous and appropriate language
Alert riders clearly and safely when overtaking
Avoid impeding a passing rider
Point out hazards such as potholes or debris
Stay completely off the pavement with their bike when stopped before and after road races
Follow proper cycling etiquette, including safe paceline riding
Ride within their ability and prioritize safety

Participation in ACC events constitutes agreement to follow this Code of Conduct.

Prohibited Conduct

The following actions are violations to ACC rules and USAC-aligned standards, as determined by the Race Director and/or Board:

Unsportsmanlike Behavior

Foul, abusive, or threatening language
Aggressive or intimidating conduct
Disrespect toward officials, volunteers, or other riders
Failure to follow instructions from race officials

Dangerous Riding

Reckless or unsafe maneuvers
Interfering with another rider’s progress
Failure to yield when being overtaken
Impeding a passing rider
Unsafe riding in racing situations, including but not limited to navigating challenges presented by single track mountain bike terrain

Competition Violations

Short-cutting the racecourse
Drafting or working with riders who started at a different time
Taking unfair competitive advantage
Ignoring course markings or marshal directions

Road Race Conduct

Stopping on pavement before or after races
Failing to alert riders when overtaking
Failure to identify and communicate hazards

CLASSIFICATION OF VIOLATIONS

Violations will be categorized as:

Minor Infractions

First-time etiquette issues
Unintentional violations without competitive advantage
Non-aggressive conduct concerns

Serious Infractions

Repeated minor violations
Gaining competitive advantage (e.g., cross-wave drafting)
Dangerous riding behavior
Interfering with another rider

Gross Misconduct

Abusive conduct toward officials
Intentional course cutting
Physical aggression
Conduct endangering others
Pattern of repeated unsportsmanlike behavior

DISCIPLINARY ACTION

At the discretion of the Race Director and/or ACC Board of Directors, the following actions may be taken:

Level 1 – Verbal Warning

For minor infractions
Educational in nature
Documented internally

Level 2 – Official Warning

For serious infractions or repeat violations
May include time penalty or relegation
Documented in ACC records

Level 3 – Race Disqualification (DQ)

Removal from race results
No series points awarded

Level 4 – Series Disqualification

Removal from entire race series
For repeated violations or serious misconduct

Level 5 – Suspension or Ban from ACC Events

Determined by Board review
May apply to current and future seasons

Because ACC events are not USAC-sanctioned, all disciplinary authority rests solely with ACC leadership. ACC reserves the right to impose any level of discipline, including immediate disqualification or suspension, for any conduct deemed to pose a safety risk or constitute gross misconduct, regardless of prior history.

INCIDENT REPORTING AND REVIEW PROCESS

Incident observed or reported by:
- Race Director
- Official
- Volunteer marshal
- Racer (formal complaint)
Documentation may include:
- Written statements
- Witness accounts
- Timing or course data
Rider Notification:
- Rider informed as soon as reasonably possible
- Opportunity provided to respond when reasonably practicable.
Determination:
- Race Director has day-of-race authority
- Board review required for series disqualification or suspension
Appeal:
- Written appeal may be submitted within 7 days
- Board will review the appeal within 7 days of delivery. Board decisions on appeal are final and binding, and participation constitutes waiver of any further review.

EDUCATION AND PREVENTION

ACC encourages all racers to:

Learn cycling etiquette and tactics
Understand paceline safety before participating in road races
Ask experienced racers for guidance
Promote mentorship and a positive racing culture

Whenever possible, ACC prioritizes education and correction over punishment — especially for first-time or unintentional violations.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Ride fast.
Have fun.
Be safe.
Respect others.

PROTESTS

Protests involving issues other than results should be directed to the Race Director immediately following the completion of the race. Please wait until after an event is over before talking to finish line officials.

The Results Coordinator will post results online as soon as possible following a race (usually by 10:30 PM). The results coordinator will consider corrections to the results until 12:00 PM the following day, at which time they will become final.

MARSHALING

ACC is a non-profit and we rely on the help of our members and community to run our races.

EVERY MEMBER OF ACC (except juniors) IS EXPECTED TO HELP THE CLUB BY MARSHALING AT LEAST ONCE. IF YOU DO NOT FULFILL THAT REQUIREMENT YOU WILL NOT QUALIFY FOR END OF SEASON RANKINGS.
PROXY MARSHALS – Do you have friends and family that can help fulfill your marshal requirement? If they come and marshal, they will count for your ACC marshal requirement. The online signup will have a question that designates who they are fulfilling the marshal requirement for.
NO MORE POINTS FOR MARSHALING. We need you (or your proxy) to marshal because without volunteer marshals the race series cannot be successful. ACC feels that we would have better competition if we leave out marshaling points and let the race series be decided by how you finish.
If a race is canceled marshal credit will only be awarded if you completed your duties prior to the cancellation (ie. you helped mark the course). Sorry – showing up on a rainy day and offering to help doesn’t count anymore.
If we do not have enough marshals, ACC will cancel the race at the start (unless some racers volunteer on the spot to fill the positions needed and the race can proceed).
Marshals will be entered into a year-end raffle and receive one entry for each time marshaling. The raffle will only be for marshals. Marshals that volunteer more than three times will be provided complimentary entry to the year-end banquet.
MS and HS racers ARE NOT required to marshal.

TRAILS DAY

Trails day participation is required to qualify for end of season points – this includes juniors. The ACC will host a scheduled Trails Day (typically on a Wednesday night) to encourage giving back to our trails system. If you cannot make the scheduled Trails Day you can still contribute and receive Trails Day credit by participating in a substitute trail work project. Please see the Trails Day page for details. Trails day participation does not count towards your marshal requirement.

Membership and Points

All competitors will be listed in the race results but only ACC members who hold a current ACC membership at the time of the race will receive race points. The first ACC member will receive first place points; the second member will receive second place points and so on. Non-members will be removed from point calculations. If you choose to join the ACC once the season is underway you will only earn points going forward; points will not be awarded retroactively.

POINTS BREAKDOWN

Points are awarded to registered ACC Members only.

Winner=30 points, 2nd=28, 3rd=26, 4th=24, 5th=22, 6th=20, 7th=18, 8th=16, 9th=14, 10th=12, 11th=10, 12th=8, 13th=6, 14th=4, 15th and lower = 3 points. Ties will skip following places (i.e. tie for first: 1st=30, 1st=30, 3rd =26).

TEAM POINTS

The top three ACC member finishers for each team in each category earn points for their respective teams. The marshal and trails day requirements do not apply to Team point scoring. There are no limits on how many members can be on a team. Riders may only race for one team in a season. We encourage everyone to join a team and teams to actively recruit members. Remember, non-members do not score points for themselves or their team.

FINAL STANDINGS

To be considered in the final standings you must race marshal at least once and you must participate in Trails Day (or a substitute trails day). Combined standings are the sum of your season totals from each discipline. You must compete in at least four races in a discipline to be eligible for the championship in that discipline. High School and Middle School categories are exempt from minimum race and marshal requirements but they must still meet the Trails Day requirement.

In each discipline (road and mountain) the maximum number of races scored will be total number of races held minus two (H-2). Your best H-2 races will be scored in each discipline. If you compete in fewer than the maximum number of races scored in a discipline your season points total will be the sum of your all your points in that discipline.

Final Points for Road- Example 1
Road Points End of Season Total=Highest (R-2) scores
where R=The total number of Road Bike races held during the season.

Final Points for MTN- Example 2
Mountain Points End of Season Total=Highest (M-2) scores
where M=The total number of Mountain Bike races held during the season.
If there were 9 Mountain Bike races for the season we would take the highest 7 scores.
So if you raced all 9 mountain bike race and won your mtb points total would be [(30*7)+30]=240

COMBINED STANDINGS

To be considered in the combined standings you have met the race marshal and trails day requirements. Combined standings are the sum of your season totals from each discipline. You must compete in at least four races in a discipline to be eligible for the championship in that discipline and four in each discipline to be eligible for the overall. High School and Middle School categories are exempt from minimum race and marshal requirements but they must still meet the Trails Day requirement.