Thank you for registering for Tour de Line! 

Please read this entire brief.
 
This ride is a fundraiser for Richmond MORE and is a community event to promote and showcase Richmond’s mountain biking trails. A huge thanks to those that make the Richmond Trail system possible mainly Richmond MORE, the James River Park system staff and volunteers and others who have helped expand and maintain our trail system.

If you have only been to the bikereg page please check out the event website here:

http://rvamore.org/events/tour-de-fall-line/

Basics:
 
The start/finish and after party is on Mayo Island.

I am not sure if there is an address but google seems to place a pin very close to 513 S 14th St, Richmond, VA when I type that address in. The venue is directly across the street from Wise Recycling and has a VCU parking lot logo on the gate.
 
Here is a map with a pin directly over the event space:
http://goo.gl/maps/GZKKV

If you cannot find the venue with this information you will get lost on the course.
 
There is a large parking lot on the island where you can park.
 
Course:
 
There are three different course lengths 50, 28, and 14. Both the 28 and 50 miler have some very technical sections. Be prepared to walk some sections if technical pieces scare you.

Please review the google map links below and familiarize yourself as best as possible with the course beforehand. 

50 miler: https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=ztdge_Ufwz38.k81NxSPoH3Uk
28 miler: https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=ztdge_Ufwz38.kJKaWRHr5Oz0
14 miler: https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=ztdge_Ufwz38.kR7JjNA0JbAw

 
Course Markings:
 
We have marked with roads sections of the course with green arrows that have a tail (image below).
The base of the arrow should always be facing you when you make the turn. This is important because sections with two-way traffic will have arrows in each direction. The arrows are generally always on your right side, especially in a two way traffic situation. Arrows on the road sections are generally stenciled while any gravel trails on areas prohibited to vehicles will have hand painted arrows.
 
The road section of the course has turn arrows before the turn and confirmation arrows afterwards.
The trails will be marked with bright lime green flagging tape. Please keep a look out for this tape to make sure you stay on course.
 
We STRONGLY encourage every rider to keep a charged smartphone with a link to the Google map of your course whether it be 50, 28 or 14. You should also load the .GPX file into your garmin and smartphone and bring the queue sheet with you. 
 
A word about the difficulty of marking a course (and keeping a course marked) in an urban area -  Marking this course has been a huge challenge. Some flagging tape we’ve put up has disappeared within hours of us marking the course. We will check everything the day before the event but we cannot guarantee that all arrows and flagging tape will remain. 

Because we are in an urban area, there are hundreds of turns on this course. And our trail systems are so heavily used we have many side trails that form that we don’t want you to take a wrong turn down. This is very different awareness level than is needed on a road ride in a rural area or a ride in the national forest. Stay alert!

We have given you all the tools we can: arrows, flagging tape, course marshalls, a .GPX file and a cue sheet. However, you are ultimately responsible for finding your way on this course - good luck! We will have as many course marshalls as possible at the event directing you!

This is why it is extremely important that you review the maps online, use the .GPX file, and keep a copy of the cue sheet with you.
 
We have a .GPX file that we strongly encourage you to use to navigate the course. PLEASE USE THIS FILE IF YOU HAVE A GPS OR SMARTPHONE. Using this file will make your ride easier, trust us.
Link to download the .GPX file:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B51JHNP-f8PpZk1WbExKWUhKX2s/edit?usp=sharing
Please see this article on how to use a GPX file with your Smartphone or Garmin, especially if you have not used them before:
http://www.virginiaenduranceseries.com/p/gpx-track-files-how-to-navigate-with.html
From the link above:
“Below are basic instructions on how to start exploring using GPX files. Please note that while the track lines displayed on your device will sometimes be spot-on, at other times they will likely be a bit off. It may appear as though you're supposed to turn right where you are ... but there's no turn. The turn is probably up to 100ft in front of or behind you. Essentially, the GPX track and your GPS capable device are very helpful navigational aids, and you still need to use good navigational judgement, read the terrain and having a map of an area is helpful too.”

This is not a competitive event so don’t worry about it if you go off course or don’t ride it precisely. If you get lost, backtrack or skip ahead onto the course and keep going! This is an urban mountain biking adventure. Treat it as such and have fun.

Schedule of events on Mayo Island:
 
50 miler
7:00 am to 7:30 am - Day of registration and check in 
7:45 - Pre ride safety meeting 
8:00 - Departarture
 
28 miler
7:30 am to 8:00 am - Registration and check in 
8:15 - Pre ride safety meeting
8:30 - Departure
 
14 miler
8:45 am - Registration and check in
9:45 - Pre ride safety meeting
10:00 - Departure
 
All riders
11 am - Beer available
12 Noon - Food by Lee’s Chicken available
2pm - Band starts (Andrew Ali and Josh Small) 
6pm - Event closes

Rider responsibilities:
When you sign in to the event, you must provide a contact phone number. In the event of you not passing through a checkpoint and / or not getting checked off at the end of the event, we will call this number to contact you. It will be best if this number is your own mobile number and you are carrying that phone for the event.
Both the road and trails sections of the course are COMPLETELY OPEN and it goes through some very busy pedestrian areas (Belle Isle Foot Bridge, Nickel Bridge, all the singletrack etc.).  You must alert your presence to people walking, and pass them slowly.
 
●	You must yield to peds when on sidewalks
●	If you are slowing down please alert the rider behind you
●	Let faster people pass if they ask 
●	Communicate with your other riders and be safe
Although most of the course is on trails and quiet roads, short distances are on busier roads. Stay alert, obey the law and get to the finish without mishaps.
When you pass through a checkpoint / aid station, you MUST ensure you have been positively identified by those manning the checkpoint. This is an event on open roads and trails and we need to keep track of all participants. 
If you get lost, call the Course Director, John at 804-690-7439. He will do his best to get you back on track.
If you leave the event at any point without notifying a checkpoint or signing out at the Finish, you ARE TO call the Course Director at 804-690-7439.
Checkpoints / Aid Stations
These are manned by volunteers and they are primarily there to check off your progress around the course. There will be water and energy food (bananas, Clif Bars, Shotblocks) at each location. You are urged to make the most of the water and food to ensure you have enough energy for your ride. There are stores along the way that are indicated on the Google course map if you want something different from the aid stations.
There will be a mechanic with basic tools at each of the Checkpoints. While they won’t be able to perform a full workshop service, they should be able to patch you up and keep you moving if you have a minor problem.
Aid 1: Reedy Creek on Buttermilk (Mile 16 (mile 19 as well if you need it)) - Open 9am, CUTOFF 12pm
Aid 2: Top of Larus Park (Mile 29) - Open 10:30am, CUTOFF 1:30pm
Aid 3: Entrance to Powhite (Mile 37 and Mile 38.5) - Open 11am, CUTOFF 3pm
If you show up after the cutoff you can exit the ride by turning in your number plate or we can try to find you a SAG. 
SAG / Sweeper
There is a SAG / Sweeper Vehicle for the event. This should not be seen as an easy option back to the finish if your legs are a little bit tired. We do not have the capacity for that. 
If you NEED recovering from the course, call the Course Director at 804-690-7439. He will pass on your details and recovery back to the Finish will be coordinated. If you have a medical emergency call 911. There are trail marking along the course (BM23, FH 12 etc) to help the teams ID where you are. Once you are safe call to check out of the ride.
Thank you and see you Saturday!