Proof of Control Point Check-In Question

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Bill Raymoure on April 25, 2010 at 8:29pm

You must get your card stamped at the control point. If you have a brain cramp you need to go back to the check point and get your card stamped. It really isn't all that hard (like riding, eating, hydrating, peeing, etc.).

Permalink Reply by David Berry on April 25, 2010 at 10:43pm

Hi Brian,
On the GLR brevets, you are correct that most of the controls are at a gas station or a convenience store. What you are required to do is have the clerk sign and date your brevet card. They will be expecting this, since lots of us will be out there riding. You are not required to purchase anything or keep a receipt. However, typically the controls are spaced at appropriate distances that it will be time to reload on fluids, food, etc (though no need to keep the receipt). Also, it is encouraged that you purchase something. These stores don't get paid by GLR or anyone else for supporting our ride. So it is nice if all of us can spend a few bucks so we are not freeloading.

Now, your question of if you forget your brevet card. One of the first rules of randonneuring is to protect the brevet card at all costs. Double check before you leave the control. In the case you did forget, yes, you must double back on the official route (no shortcuts) to retrieve your card. You do not need to have it signed and dated again though. Then you must continue back on your way, once again along the official route (we call these 'bonus miles')

Where this hurts you is from a time perspective. The clock is always running. So you are not in danger of being outside the time limit at the control you forgot your card at, but you could be in danger of being out of the time limit at the next or other subsequent controls (due to the wasted time of having to ride back and fetch the brevet card). Remember, there is not just a 13.5 hour time limit for the overall 200 km brevet. Each control has a time limit as well (if the control is at 100 km, then its limit is 6.75 hours, so it is just a percentile thing).

One more thing, the brevet cards go to Paris to be officially validated by the club in Paris (on ACP brevets anyway). What they do with them, I am not sure. But in any case, you need your official brevet card for your results to count.

Like Bill said, this all sounds much more complicated than what it is. Just focus on getting to the next control and get your card signed at each one. Double check before you leave that you did get your card signed (I have seen people forget to get their card signed at a control, so you get to do the drill outlined above) and make sure you have it securely on your person in a ziploc bag or something, and you are good to go.

Hope to see you out there Saturday.

Permalink Reply by Eric Peterson on April 26, 2010 at 6:34pm

On a brevet you want to take just things you need and have them well organized.

So leave your wallet behind but bring some ID, an insurance card, and a credit card along with some cash. Keep this in a zip-lock (heavy duty) along with your brevet card and carry it in a pocket of your jersey.
Then at a control all the things you need are in one place, and it's less likely that you'll forget to get your card signed as it will be there with your cash credit/card used to make your purchase.

If you did forget to get your card signed, I think that technically you could get a ride to the control and back as long as you completed the entire brevet course on your bicycle. But I would not plan for that.

Permalink Reply by Jim Kreps on April 26, 2010 at 9:44pm

All official rules are on the RUSA web site. All riders should become familiar with these.

But officially, from your GLR RBA, if you forgot to sign and date the control card, RBA's are allowed to accept reciepts from the store (clearly indicating the store name and time within the time limits on the control card).

Second, if you felt you had to ride back (no receipt) to the control to get the card signed, since you followed the course out to the point of realization, you can take whatever route you want back to the control, but most likely it will be the same route, however YOU MUST RETURN TO THE SAME POINT you left the route to finish your ride.

RBA's have some flexibility in accepting time stamps including issues if the store is closed (our controls are mostly 24 hour); however if your planning on riding P-B-P, these rules are NOT as flexibile.

Best advice I have for any rider is to stash you cash, ID and Medical Card within your control card zip lock bag and always buy something at each stop (even if it is just water), both to appreciate the store doing these favors for GLR and the habit of pulling out the cash to pay, oh by the way, please sign.

Finally, please THANK our cashiers for doing these favors for us.

Jim
GLR RBA

See you on the 1st. UpdateL 40 pre-registered, expecting 70 to 80 if past number predict the trend.

Registeration opens at 5:30AM SATURDAY. Ride Annoucements at 6:45AM. Ride starts at 7AM sharp. If you see me in the back room Friday night, and we have the sign in sheets out, we might register you Friday night.