RULES OF THE ROAD

The organizers of the Best Buddies Challenge strive to conduct the ride in a manner that is safe for all participants, courteous to all road users, and legal. Below are some general rules and regulations that all cyclists must follow. Please read these guidelines before you participate.

All riders are subjected to the rules of the road as stated by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans).

1. OFFICIAL START LOCATIONS AND TIMES. Riders must start at Hearst Ranch or Ragged Point at the announced start times. Any rider who starts from an unofficial start area or before the start time will ride at their own risk without route support from the CHP or the staff. Such rides will not be covered under the Best Buddies Challenge ride insurance.
2. NEUTRAL START. (For Hearst Ranch start only) To enable all riders to get safely through intersections in the first 9.74 miles the ride will travel at the speed of the slowest rider (about 12 mph). Riders must follow directions of  the CHP and the Official Bike Marshals (aka Domestiques, wearing high visibility jerseys). Riders must stay in the right lane to enable traffic to pass.
3. RAGGED POINT START. Ragged Point will be opened with CHP officers stopping traffic until all riders are safely on the route. Once on Highway 1 riders must obey all rules of the roads such as, but not limited to stop signs, traffic lights and yield signs.
4. RIDE TIGHT AND RIGHT. Riders must ride no more than two abreast. In the absence of a bike lane, we advise riders to stay single file, especially on climbs and in heavy traffic.
5. LISTEN TO CHP AND DOMESTIQUES. Riders must must adhere to the guidance of the CHP and the Domestiques for instructions and warnings. They will be on the route supporting the ride for the day.
6. SAG AND MEDICAL SUPPORT. There will be Support and Gear (SAG) service on the course with experienced personnel and mechanics. There will be on-bike medics and multiple ambulances on the main course. There will be a SAG system on the route that can transfer riders and bikes forward. There will be a SAG shuttle service from each rest stop. A sweep van, designated by flashing yellow lights, will follow the slowest riders. Domestiques will also escort the slowest riders. Per order of CalTrans the route closes at 4 pm.
7. CARRY PUMP AND SPARE. Riders must carry a spare tube and a means of inflation.
8. HELMETS REQUIRED. Helmets are mandatory any time riders are on the bike.
9. HEADPHONES AND HANDHELD ELECTRONICS PROHIBITED. Headphones will not be allowed. The use of handheld cameras, phones and electronic devices while riding is prohibited.
10. SIGNAGE. Every effort will be made to inform riders of hazardous road conditions with signage. Mileage markers will be at 10 mile intervals until the final 10 miles when they will be at every mile thereafter.
11. REST STOPS. There are several rest stops. All rest stops will provide food and drink, medical support, restrooms, SAG and mechanics.
12. CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT DROPS. Riders may drop off clothing or equipment at any of the rest stops, using bags provided. Riders must mark the bag with their ride number and name. Lost and found will be at the luggage pickup area at the finish compound.
13. MEDICAL PLAN. A complete Emergency Medical Plan will be available to all support staff.
14. COMMUNICATIONS. There will be radio communication along the route and in all SAG vehicles. Some Domestiques have radios. Mobile phone service is not reliable throughout the course. Pay phones are available at Rest Stops 3 and 4.
15. RIDE WITH CAUTION. The State of California cannot confirm that this route meets all of the criteria set forth in Section 1000 of the State’s Highway Design Manual. It is the responsibility of the event organizer to inform orally and in writing each participant to ride with caution.