On September 21, get your team together for an autumn Dart Populaire, a fun event for teams of three to five bikes meeting at a common destination. At the finish, you’ll find fresh cider, beer, and food (with vegan and vegetarian options), provided by your entry fee. All riders must be members of Seattle International Randonneurs—it’s free!
Start time: 08:30 on September 21, 2019
Start location: your choice
Route: 120 km of your design
Finish location:
Thompson Custom Bicycles world headquarters
2826 Friendly Grove Road NE
Olympia WA 98506
Note: There’s plenty of parking. If you’d like to leave a car at the finish, email Stefanie for instructions.
Cost: $10 per rider, payable through this website. Please indicate your team captain's name during registration when prompted.
Team registration have closed.
Individual riders must register and pay through this website.
Please indicate your team captain's name during registration when prompted. To do so,
sign in to your SIR member account. (Don't have one?
Create one. It's free!) Then the
Register Now button will be visible on the right side of this page (or bottom for mobile browsers).
Team captains must complete the
team registration form and send the team's signed waiver and a RWGPS link to the organizers (email at bottom of page).
Be sure to add your controls to the RWGPS route in two ways:
1) using the "add to cue sheet" tool, mark the controls as "hors category"
2) use "add POI" to display the controls on the route map
Background:
Each team will design its own route at least 120 KM in length. The traditional format for a Dart is point-to-point, like an archer's arrow or dart flying toward its target. Completing a Dart or other team event is also required for attaining a RUSA cup.
Designing your route:
Though not a classic Dart route, a large circuit or loop may also be used, such as to make a scenic tour of a region. However, an out-and-back route is not consistent with the traditions of the dart. A short out-and-back route segment is permitted, such as to obtain food and supplies in remote regions, but no control may be used more than once and no road segment may be used more than once in the same direction. If an out-and-back route segment is utilized in the overall route design, a control point must be located at its turnaround.
Distance traveled is calculated on the basis of the shortest route between checkpoints that can be legally traveled by bicycle. Maps or mapping software with accurate mileages will be used to determine distances.
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No rest stop may exceed two hours in any one location.
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If several teams use the same starting point, then starting times for individual teams shall be spaced at least one hour apart.
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The start time and starting place approved with the team's registration must be used.
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At least 25 KM must be ridden between the end of the 6th hour and the end of the 8th hour of the ride.
Under no circumstances may these two checkpoints be the same place, even if the planned distance has already been completed. The exact time and the location of the team at the 6th hour point must be noted on each control card and verified by the signature or business receipt imprinted with the time, date and location.
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Teams may stop their Dart at any point after reaching a total distance of 120 KM and a minimum of 25 KM past the 6 Hour Control.
Be sure to add your controls to the RWGPS route in two ways:
1) using the "add to cue sheet" tool, mark the controls as "hors category"
2) use "add POI" to display the controls on the route map
Team composition and riding rules:
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Each team is limited to a maximum of five members (machines) and a minimum of three members. Tandems or other multi-rider vehicles count as a single member. At least 3 bikes must finish together to get credit.
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Members of the same team may assist one another. However, teams are expressly forbidden to aid each other, even teams from the same club. The one exception to this is in the event of a medical emergency.
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During the event, riders may not draft anyone except their own Dart Populaire teammates.
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At least three team members (read: machines) must have ridden the same distance and arrive at the finish together.
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No following cars are allowed under any circumstances. Teams using a support car can receive support from their car only at the control points listed on their route cards.
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Assistance from other motorized nonparticipants is also not permitted, except in the case of a medical emergency. There may be secret and roving checkpoints.
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All riders are reminded that any failure to conduct the ride in accordance with SIR Brevet Rider Expectations, RUSA Dart Populaire Rules, applicable laws, or any special instructions or equipment requirements for this ride may result in a time penalty or disqualification.
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All riders are reminded to please conduct themselves per SIR standards. Be courteous to control workers and staff.
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All teams’ Brevet Control Cards are due to the organizer at 4:30 PM Saturday, September 21, 2019.