WHAT IS CENTURION CYCLING?
We’re combining the mass-participation buzz of a big-city marathon with the epic feel of riding in a stage of the Tour de France. If you want to race, you can race. If you’d rather ride, you can ride. Centurion Cycling events feature:
- Epic courses in unique venues
- Standardized format and set distances of 25 miles, 50 miles and 100 miles
- High quality of production, including a coordinated mass start, chip timing, controlled traffic and full support
- Enhanced atmosphere of an expo village
- Individual and team competition and camaraderie
Centurion Cycling welcomes racers, competitive cyclists, tri-athletes in training, recreational riders and families/friends to all embrace this new challenge and be a Centurion!
Please read below for more information about Centurion Cycling, and how we are changing the landscape of North American cycling events.
AGE REQUIREMENTS
Participants must be 18 years or older for the 100-mile event (and 100K at Horseshoe Valley) and the Time Trial/Hill Climb, 16 or older for the 50-mile event (and 50K at Horseshoe Valley), and 12 or older for the 25-mile event (and 25K at Horseshoe Valley). Anyone under 18 years of age at the time of the event must have a waiver signed by their parent or legal guardian at registration pick-up. For the Kid’s Ride, there will be a ride for ages 5-9 and a ride for ages 10-14.
Your age group for 2012 is determined by your age on December 31, 2012.
AGE GROUPINGS
For the Hill Climb/Time Trial events, age groupings are: 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+
For the C25, age groupings are: 12-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+
For the C50/C100, age groupings are: 16/18-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 54-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+
START CORRALS
Participants are asked to self-select their starting position for the registration process. By asking riders to choose where they start, we aim to provide participants a safer and enjoyable Centurion Cycling experience. Please take a look at the criteria for each Centurion Cycling corral, then make an honest assessment of your abilities/objectives for the event, and choose the appropriate corral during the registration process.
REMEMBER that no matter in which corral you start, your official race time will be reflected by the chip timing that begins once you cross the start mat at the end of the neutral rollout (varies for each event).
Corral No. 1: Racers
Have you finished a Centurion event in the top 5% of the overall field? Do you average 22-25 miles per hour/35-40 kilometers per hour. Own a racing license? Train at least 10 hours a week? Think you can be competitive in your age category? Completely comfortable riding in a fast-moving group? Not planning on making leisurely aid-station stops? Registering to race — not just ride? If the answer to most of these questions if yes, then you belong in Corral No. 1.
Corral No. 2: Serious Enthusiasts
Cyclists choosing corral no. 2 should also have at least some race or fast-paced group riding experience, but perhaps not enough free time to be a fully dedicated amateur racer. That means you ride 8-10 hours a week, 18-21 miles per hour/29-34 kilometers per hour, and may be signing up because you want to race against your friends and fellow semi-serious cyclists.
Corral No. 3: Casual riders
This corral is for those that ride approx 3-6 hours a week, 14-17 miles per hour/23-28 kilometers per hour, are comfortable riding around others, and have completed a century, charity ride or maybe some triathlons. Now you’re ready to check out a slightly more competitive cycling atmosphere. Your Centurion plan is to ride reasonably hard all day, but you prefer to stay out of the front-of-the-race fray, and will probably enjoy at least one or two leisurely aid-station stops.
Corral No. 4: Beginners
As the title implies, this is for beginners and is a family-friendly zone. Choose Corral No. 4 if you average under 14 miles per hour/under 23 kilometers per hour, are new to riding in a group, and are signing up for Centurion to ride your first 50 or 100 miler. Also the perfect starting place for families or other groups whose main objective is to ride together and enjoy the challenge and scenery.
CUT-OFF TIMES
1. To assure maximum participant safety and compliance with our community agreements, riders who wish to post an official time for the ride are required to reach cut-off points at pre-determined times.
2. Riders who do not reach cut-off points in the advertised time will be asked to stop and return to the start/finish via Centurion Cycling transport vehicles or sign a waiver agreeing to be personally responsible for obeying traffic laws and getting back to the venue on their own. Official cut-off times for Centurion events are listed on each event website under Quick Facts
TRAFFIC CONTROL
1. Riders will all start together and during the early portion of the event will be able to use both sides of the road for a rolling closure. The road is completely closed to motor vehicle traffic.
2. For the majority of the course all cyclists will be restricted to the right lane, observing what is commonly known as the yellow line rule. Shoulder riding will also be encouraged when possible.
3. Law enforcement personnel will monitor all major turns and intersections throughout the course, however riders are encouraged to remain aware at all times for traffic on the course.
4. All Centurion Cycling events will have motorcycles for on-course safety, readily available ambulance and medical services, as well as technical support and sag vehicles through the course.
MECHANICAL SUPPORT/ SAG
1. Mechanics in vehicles and on motorcycles will be on course to assist with major mechanical problems. Limited mechanical assistance will also be provided in the feed stations. Assistance is on a first come first serve basis, with a large course to monitor, so we encourage all riders to carry the basics like spare tubes, a patch kit and pump.
2. Sag wagons will patrol sections of the courses as well as follow the last riders. Sag wagons will provide transportation to any rider choosing to abandon the event. Sag wagons will sometimes carry minimum supplies of tubes, tires, pumps, tools, etc.
MEDICAL SUPPORT
1. Doctors, EMTs and ambulances will travel in the caravan to provide emergency medical support.
2. First aid assistance will be available throughout the course and at most feed stations. Refer to the final athlete information for specific details at each event.
3. In the case of serious injury, ambulances will transport riders to the nearest critical care facility for treatment.
4. Centurion Cycling has general liability and rider accident insurance. The accident insurance provides excess coverage only. In case of illness or injury, participants are responsible for their own primary medical insurance coverage for any medical expenses.
FEED STATIONS
1. Each Centurion Cycling event will have feed stations located approximately every 15-30 miles along the course.
2. Feed stations will be fully stocked with refreshments, water, energy drinks, food as well as some nominal mechanical and first aid support.
3. Keep left if you are not stopping. However, remember that the left lane may be open for through traffic, so use caution.
4. Keep center if you want to pick up fluid and/or calories without stopping. You will be serviced by volunteers at the middle and far end of the feed zone. They will do their best to hand off what you need as you ride through – so please slow down as you move through and loudly and clearly verbalize your needs.
5. Keep right if you want to stop and “dine in”. Move to the far right shoulder and dismount your bike out of traffic lanes. The roads are narrow, so take care not to block traffic. Remember, timing does not stop when you stop at a feed station.
RULES AND CONDUCT
1. All riders must wear an ANSI, Snell or other approved helmet.
2. No tandems or recumbent bikes (unless cleared by the event organizers in advance).
3. No disc wheels are allowed with the only exception being the specific Time Trial events at Centurion Ellicottville.
4. No earphones, radios or portable music devices (MP3 players, iPods, Oakley Thumps, etc.).
5. No private support. For the safety of all riders, private support vehicles are not allowed on the course. Interference by private support vehicles or feeders will result in that rider’s or team’s disqualification.
6. No Electric or Motor Propelled Bikes. Only fully human propelled bikes are allowed at Centurion Cycling events. Electronic shifting systems such as Shimano Di2 are permitted.
7. Carry identification and relevant medical information on your person. Please ensure that you provide pertinent medical information on your waiver card.
8. Always be aware of the rules of the road, traffic lights, signs and regulations – even with the presence of event and law enforcement officials controlling traffic on the course. No course is 100% closed. It is best to never assume you have the right of way.
9. The courses are not always completely closed – so please be courteous and do not impede vehicular traffic.
10. Pass other cyclists on the left and always announce your presence before passing.
11. Ride predictably by scanning the road, anticipating hazards and clearly communicating your intentions to other cyclists and motor vehicles around you.
12. Please use appropriate bathroom facilities – there are always portable toilets at feed zones.
13. Be prepared to address minor mechanical issues. Suggested equipment includes at least one spare tube/tire, patch kit and pump or CO2 cartridge(s).
14. Carry appropriate clothing in the event of sudden weather changes.
15. Carry appropriate nutrition and hydration supplies.
