Flèche rules - a synopsis

Revised March 2023

See here for full set of rules

  1. This is a 24 hour thing via ACP and RUSA. Get on it.
  2. Only one organized flèche in a RUSA region per year.
  3. Team event. No individual entries. 360km min. Multiple teams using same route must start at least one hour apart. No rest stop may exceed two hours in any one location.
  4. Not a race. Riders must be civil at all times, obey laws.
  5. Min of 3 members, max of 5, tandems count as one. Can only help your team, not other (except emergency). Can only draft own team.
  6. No following cars. Support only at controls. No assistance from other motorized non-participants, except for medical emergency.
  7. Human power only. Front and rear lights, firmly affixed & mounted for whole ride. Wear a reflective vest and ankle bands in low/no light. Helmet.
  8. …route details… Proof of passage:   
    • clerk annotation on brevet card or store receipt including time and date
    • ATM or similar receipt with time, date, and location
    • postcard mailed from checkpoint
    • photo incorporating date and time taken and including the rider and an identifying artifact from the location (if allowed by organizer)
    • data from a GPS or other location device that includes location and time of passage (if allowed by organizer)
      ...In the case of forced detours due to road construction, accidents, etc., only the additional mileage verified by a postcard checkpoint or verification by a stamp/receipt from a merchant, post office, or police station at the far point of the detour will be counted. (Not sure how this matters - you must do 360km or more and you get credit for 360km)
  9. The start time and starting place approved with the team's registration must be used. All team members must have their route cards in their possession at all times during the ride.
  10. >25km (15.5mi) in last 2 hours of event. At the end of the 22nd hour of the ride, note time, elapsed distance and location on each route card. Get signature/stamp/receipt with location and time. If at 22 hour point where no verification is available, the time, distance, and location of the team shall be noted by the team members on their route card and get verification at next available point.
  11. Teams must have their location and time verified at the event destination point, or nearest town or village at the end of their 24 hours. Get signature/stamp/receipt etc with location and time
  12. At least 3 bikes must legally complete the team's course and arrive at the finish together. Only this group gets credit.
  13. Don’t cheat
  14. Don’t complain
  15. RUSA rules