Flèches Nationales

INTRODUCTION

The first Flèche Vélocio was introduced in 1947.  To respond to a growing demand by French or International randonneurs who want to ride a Flèche Vélocio outside France,  Audax Club Parisien created Flèches Nationales riders in team will be homologated by ACP.

These events must be organized according to the RULES of the FLECHES VELOCIO.

The Flèche Vélocio has three main features:

– Building a strong team spirit by training and riding together.

– Riding the longest possible distance in 24 hours, despite limited preparation and difficult climatic conditions.

– Getting all together in a symbolic place to share a nice time of conviviality.

The Flèche Vélocio heads to the traditional Easter Cycling Rally in Provence, organized each year by the French Federation of Cyclotourism, in memory of Paul de Vivie (Vélocio).
Thus the routes of other Flèche events should be directed toward a meeting place where all participants come together at the end of their ride. We suggest that this place be a scenic or historic site like:

– the castle of the Wartburg in Eisenach, Germany

– the Opperman Museum in Rochester, Australia

– the City of York, England

Flèche Vélocio – Rules for Riders

1. Each team is limited to a maximum of five members and a minimum of three members (multi-rider vehicles count as a single member).
2. Teams ride continuously during 24 hours (no rest stop may exceed two hours). All team members ride the whole distance.
3. Each team designs its own route. At least 360 km must be covered during the 24 hours, but the goal is to ride the longest distance possible.
4. The team captain must submit a proposal with a detailed route and time schedule to ARM. ARM will verify the schedule and determines the controls along the route.
5. Teams must have their location and time verified at the starting point and at each designated control. During the 22nd hour and at the end of the 24th hour, the exact time and the location of the team must be noted on each route card. A minimum of 25 kilometers must be ridden between both verifications.
6. It is not necessary that teams reach their announced finish point or that they stop there. The recorded location at the end of the 24th hour will be recognized for their homologation. For example, you start on Saturday at 9h a.m. You must get your card stamped Sunday at 7h (22th hour) and then, at least 25 km further, at 9h (24th hour)
7. No following cars are allowed. Teams can meet a support car only at the rest stops.

For a Flèche to be certified by the ACP, it is required that:

• At least three team members have ridden the same distance and arrive at the finish together.
• The covered distance is within plus or minus 20% of the announced mileage (with an absolute minimum of 360 km).
• The team captain to be presented at the meeting point and submit the completed brevet cards to ARM.

Each homologated member will receive a certificate with mention of the covered distance from Audax Club Parisien after the annual award ceremony of the ACP (in early January).

Traces Nationales – Rules for Riders

1. There are 2 to 6 bikes per team.
2. All team members ride the whole distance (they don’t take turns).
3. Teams choose their start place. Their finish place has to be the meeting place.
4. Minimum distance 200 km, maximum distance 360 km.
5. Start is possible from the day before the meeting, 00h00 (can be later).
6. There is no minimal duration between start and finish.
7. During the Trace, the duration of the rest stops is not limited.
8. Deadline to arrive at the meeting is specified by ARM.
9. Teams must show up at the meeting to hand their cards over to the ARM crew.
10. To be homologated, at least 2 bikes of the same team must finish.
11. A high-visibility vest must be worn at night or other low-light conditions.
12. Each rider receives a Trace card. A minimum of 3 controls, spaced at least 50 km apart, not including the start and finish controls, must be noted on the riders cards.

The ACP issues 1 homologation number per rider at the end of the year.
The ACP prints 1 certificate per rider, with homologation number. Certificates will be printed by ACP and sent by post to the ARM, no later than early January of the following year.