Allegheny Mountains Loop

FRIDAY - OCT 4th 2013 - 8:00am

The Allegheny Mountains Loop is a 400 mile bicycle route created and mapped by the Adventure Cycling Association.

The route begins and ends at Virginia Tech's War Memorial Chapel in Blacksburg, VA.

A "mass start" of individual time trails is proposed each year on the first Friday in October at 8:00am (local time).

This is NOT a race (in the traditional sense)

This is a Self-Supported Bikepacking Adventure !!!

The Allegheny Mountains Loop challenge is based on one simple idea...

Complete the 400-mile AML in a clock-wise direction pedaling north on the western half of the loop and southbound on the eastern half of the route as fast as possible in a solo, self-supported fashion. (Please note: the "challenge" includes climbing the "Ridge Alternate" and the "Mountain Lake Cutoff" when pedaling southbound)

This autumn adventure is planned during peak fall folliage and almost any type of weather is possible along the Virginia/West Virginia border this time of year.

NO ENTRY FEES - NO PRIZES - NO SUPPORT

*** Support can ONLY be expected and/or taken from local businesses on-site during their normal business hours OR from local residents not wielding shotguns ***

Interested participants are encouraged to RSVP by sending an email to...

RidetheAML <at> gmail <dot> com

IMPORTANT NOTES

The AML course is NOT marked... the responsibility to stay on course and maintain the proper direction rests solely on each AML challenger.
Receiving navigational assistance from friends or family watching your SPOT tracker would be contrary to the "solo, self-supported" ethos of this challenge.
Maps and cues for this route have been created by the Adventure Cycling Association and are updated at regular intervals.
Maps, cues, waypoints and addenda are available for immediate purchase and download in the form of .pdf files via the following link... http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes/alleghenymountainsloop.cfm
A .gpx file link is included in the "Important Links" section below. It can be downloaded by anyone who is "logged in" to Bikepacking.net.
Riders are encouraged to use a GPS.
In-person spectating is discouraged. Remote spectating is encouraged, including, but not limited to Trackleaders.com (or the SPOT website), blogs, podcasts, forum postings, or other reports by participants or non-participants.
Many of the roads and trails along the route are open to vehicular, equestrian and foot traffic. While riding, participants must yield to equestrians and hikers and follow all rules of the road.
Participants are expected to finish with the same gear (i.e. supplies): 1)that they begin with, 2) like-kind replacements or 3) more gear, excluding consumed materials and wrappers. For example, participants are prohibited from ditching gear on the last day to finish more quickly.
The route is composed of gravel, double track forest roads (65 miles), rail-trails(78 miles), paved roads (235 miles), and grass-covered abandoned easements (22 miles).
This is an "at your own risk" personal challenge that each rider voluntarily chooses to engage in.
The start time is merely a "recommended" start time for the route.
Your ITT can start any day of the year and at any time.
Family and friends can follow registered SPOT tracking devices in near real-time via this link... http://www.trackleaders.com/allegheny
A SPOT device is necessary to validate start and finish times and adherence to the route.
If you DO NOT own a SPOT satellite tracking unit, rental units are available from Trackleaders at a very reasonable cost (rental information will be posted in mid-August).

*** An email will be sent to all who RSVP to the address above with links for registering your personal SPOT device OR renting a unit from Trackleaders ***

IMPORTANT LINKS

ACA Route Description http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes/alleghenymountainsloop.cfm
General map of the loop http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes/alleghenymountainsloop.cfm?pg=detail
Greenbrier River Trail Map (segment of AML) -- Great listing all water, toilets and campsites along a 78 mile portion of the route.
GPX file link ... (click here)
My first full ride of AML (pics and videos)... http://goo.gl/KzptK
Photos ... http://goo.gl/auK4H
More Photos... http://goo.gl/nEjdq

BIKEPACKING ETHOS

The bikepacking "ethos" is occasionally refined, but nowhere has it been better stated than by the organizers of the "Grand Tour of MTB" (i.e. Tour Divide). For the clearest and most-concise rendering of "The Particulars", please click on the following link ... http://goo.gl/x4UA6

The following "rules" represent a set of ideals meant ONLY to "level the playing field" for those desiring to compare their personal efforts with those of other challengers. They are loosely based upon those of Tour Divide (link above) and will require a self-policing by the participants themselves for this challenge to have any meaningful and lasting relevance.

You MAY ...

Receive neutral support from the owners or operators of establishments along or off of the route, on-premesis.
Obtain supplies from commercial establishments along or near the route.
Share campsites, camp fires and hotel rooms.
Render aid to another participant, HOWEVER the receiver of the aid must withdraw from the event.
Leave the course at any time, provided that you return within 100 feet of the point you leave the course. (i.e. returning on the other side of the road is permitted)
Take as long as you need to complete the challenge, there is no time limit and no cut offs.

You MAY NOT ...

Pre-arrange any kind of support or supplies.
Utilize SAG vehicles.
Share food, beverage, parts or tools.
Set foot in a motor powered vehicle, if so, you are voluntarily withdrawing from the challenge. You must complete the route under your own power.
Engage in "drafting". A "no drafting" rule is in effect at all times.

***Aside from the exceptions listed above, participants must fully self-support themselves for the entire ride without "stashing" or caching supplies along the route. ***

FINISH TIMES

This is not a race, this is a mass start of individual time trials. As such, finishing times will be recorded, sorted from fastest to slowest into "places" and posted as a basis for future comparison, but there will be no podium ceremony or prizes. Finishing times will be determined by monitoring the trackers and it is recommended that a SPOT "check-in/OK" message be sent at the finish of your ride. Participants who finish within the same minute will be shown as having the same time and place. There could be a tie for any place, including first. Finish times will be displayed in a separate listing labeled "unverified" when the efforts of challengers cannot be verified referencing Trackleaders, a SPOT share page or a GPS tracklog file. There will also be a separate listing for ITT's using a tandem bicycle.

Participants may withdraw at any time. All withdrawn participants will be given DNF (Did Not Finish) status.

*** QUESTIONS, COMMENTS or SUGGESTIONS are welcomed at any time **