The Rules

Tour Divide is based off one guiding principle: complete the entire ACA Great Divide Mountain Bike Route under your own power and in a self-supported fashion.

• To complete the race, riders can resupply, rent a room or shower, launder clothing, etc. along the route, as long as the services are not prearranged. Tour Divide requires that every racer - from those living along the route to those living on other continents - have an equal playing field. Therefore, pre-planned outside assistance with navigation, lodging or resupply (esp. receipt of supplies from a non-commercial shipper) are forbidden.
• Racers must always follow the official ACA route based on the current edition of the maps. Old maps cannot be used unless updated with the current ACA Addenda. No ACA-mapped official route alternates can be used with the exception of the following TWO:
  
  • The 116-mile section between Cuba and Grants, New Mexico. The main route is impassable and potentially dangerous when wet, so racers have the option to follow the alternate paved route.
  • The section between Grants and the Pie Town road, through El Malpais National Monument.

  ***ATTN: New for 2008, ACA has added 3mi. to the official GDMBR main route (ie. race route) in Ovando, MT. Divide racers must ride this new stretch. Info here.

• Advancing on the route by any means other than your own power is strictly forbidden. In the event of a mechanical, medical, or other emergency, a racer may be assisted in moving backwards or directly off the route, but not forward. A racer may also receive assistance returning back to the GDMBR, however, the moment a racer rejoins the route, further assistance (esp. forward) is prohibited, even if a racer as already ridden that stretch prior to leaving the route. Again, assistance moving forward on the route, in any circumstance, is forbidden.
• Receiving deliveries on route: In advance of race start, racers can ship items to themselves using US Post Offices only. In the event of an equipment failure, racers may be assisted by a third party in receiving repair/replacement items on route. These items must be shipped using USPS, UPS, Fed-Ex, or another commercial shipper. Items may only be shipped to a commercial address (Post Office, hotel, bike shop, restaurant etc.), provided that the shipping address is equally available to all racers. Use of a private address along the route is forbidden.
• Based on precedent set early in the history of Divide racing, both GPS devices and mobile phones are permitted. GPS are non-essential as ACA route cues are easy to follow if one maintains an accurate cyclometer. Regarding mobile phones, it is strongly suggested that racers carry a calling card as mobile service is extremely limited. It is estimated that mobile technology works on approximately 15% of the route so there is little or no advantage to be gained from hauling the weight, concerning oneself with charging its battery. If you feel you an attachment to yours, perhaps this isn't the challenge for you.
• Racers alone are responsible for their safety
• Tour Divide is a solo competition but racing in the company of other racers is permitted, provided there is no drafting or sharing of equipment or supplies.