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Article 1
The Dart is a 12-hour event whereby teams of cyclists all ride to a common destination from
various starting points. The minimum distance required for the 12-hour period is 180 KM. A Dart is
administered by Randonneurs USA (RUSA) and its Regional Brevet Administrators (RBA). It is
patterned after the 24-hour Flèches-USA and Arrow team rides.
Article 2
The Dart is a team event; no individual entries are allowed. The start time(s) and finishing
destination will be set by each RBA for his or her event.
If more than one team uses the same starting point, then starting times for individual teams shall
be spaced at least one hour apart. Choice of routes and starting times is customarily assigned
according to the order of receipt of registrations, but the RBA has the discretion to do otherwise
if need be.
Article 3
Darts are randonnées, not races. Riders must be civil at all times, they must abide by all applicable
traffic laws, and they must follow the directions of all law enforcement personnel. Riders are expected
to observe local customs of decorum at all times.
During the event, each rider is considered to be on a personal ride. RUSA and other organizers cannot
and do not accept responsibility for any accidents that may occur during the course of the event.
(In the event that the team's progress or route is materially affected by the instructions of law
enforcement personnel, the team shall endeavor to adjust their ride to match as closely as possible
the timing and distance of their original route. Event officials may make reasonable adjustments to
accommodate the situation.)
Article 4
Each Dart team is limited to a maximum of five members and a minimum of three members. Tandems and
other multiple-rider vehicles count as a single member. Members of the same team may assist one
another; however, teams are expressly forbidden to aid each other, even teams from the same club.
The only exception is in case of medical emergency. During the event, riders may not draft anyone
except their Dart teammates.
Article 5
No following support cars are allowed under any circumstances. Teams using a support car can receive
support from their car only at the control points listed on their route cards. Assistance from other
motorized non-participants is also not permitted, except in case of a medical emergency. There may be
secret and roving checkpoints.
Article 6
Only human-powered vehicles are allowed. An approved helmet must be worn at all times while cycling
during the event.
It is possible that the Dart will be ridden entirely in daylight. If, however, the event includes hours
of darkness, all vehicles must be equipped with functional front and rear lights, per standard
randonneuring regulations. Front and rear lights must be firmly affixed to the vehicle and be of
sufficient brightness to satisfy the applicable State Highway Code(s). If there is nighttime riding,
lights must be mounted on the vehicles for the entire 12-hour period-team support cars may not carry
team lights during the daylight hours of the event. Riding in a group does not change the lighting
requirement; all riders must use their lights. Roving event officials can and will confiscate the route
card of any rider riding without lights.
During the hours of darkness, or other times when poor visibility exists (rain, fog, etc.), reflective
ankle bands and a reflective vest/sash/Sam Browne belt are required to be worn by each participant, per
normal RUSA brevet regulations. Reflective arm bands and white jerseys and jackets are recommended for
riding at night, as is placing additional reflective tape upon the vehicles. Fenders are also
recommended in order to help the team in case of inclement weather.
Article 7
Each team is to design its own route that is at least 180 KM in length. A successful Dart ride counts
as 180 KM in RUSA distance awards, even if a longer distance was covered in the 12 hours.
The traditional format for a Dart ride, like a Flèche or Arrow event, is point-to-point, similar to an
archer's arrow flying toward its target. Though not a classic route design for team events, a large
circuit or loop may also be used on a Dart, such as to make a scenic tour of a region. However, an
out-and-back route is not consistent with the traditions of this type of event. Out-and-back route
segments are permitted, such as to obtain food and supplies in remote regions, but no control may be
used more than once and no road segment may be used more than once in the same direction. If an out-and-back route segment is utilized in the overall route design, a control point must be located at the turnaround.
Distance traveled is calculated on the basis of the shortest route between checkpoints that can be
legally traveled by bicycle. Maps or mapping software with accurate mileages will be used to determine
distances. 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 from a merchant, post office, or
police station at the far point of the detour will be counted. A business receipt that is imprinted
with date, time and location would also be accepted. Further, such mileage will be counted only if
shown on maps or mapping software. No matter the circumstances of any particular detour, a minimum of
180 KM must be ridden in the 12-hour period.
Article 8
The start time and starting place approved with the team's registration must be used. Event officials
or RUSA officers may be on hand to officially supervise the start. All team members must have their
route cards in their possession at all times during the ride and must present their route cards to all
officials making such a demand.
Article 9
At least 25 km must have been ridden between the end of the 10th hour and the 12th hour of the ride. At
the end of the 10th hour of the ride, the exact time and the location of the team must be noted on each
route card and verified by the signature and/or stamp of a local merchant, official, etc. A business
receipt imprinted with the time, date and location would also be accepted. Lack of the 10th hour
checkpoint verification will result in disqualification. A verification by postcard is acceptable, but
only for times between 10:00 PM and 8:00 AM. In the case of a postcard verification, all members of the
team (or those still riding together) must sign the postcard. All team members' route cards (or those
still riding together) must indicate the time and location of this verification. Failure to follow this
requirement will result in disqualification.
Article 10
Teams must have their location and time verified at the event's finishing point, or nearest town or
village at the end of the 12 hours. If not at the event finish, other verification must be via a stamp
and/or a signature obtained at a place of business, a police station, or at a train/bus station.
A business receipt imprinted with the date, time and location would also be accepted. The exact time
and location must be noted on the route cards, as well as the mileage completed. A lost route card or
postcards used for verification which have missing signatures will result in the automatic
disqualification of the team member(s).
Article 11
For a Dart team ride to be certified by RUSA, and any regional team awards to be earned:
- At least 3 team members must have ridden the same distance and arrive at the finish together.
- At least 25 KM must have been ridden between the end of the 10th hour and the end of the 12th
hour of the ride. Under no circumstances may these two checkpoints be the same place, even
if the planned distance has already been completed.
Article 12
Any fraud, cheating, or deliberate violation of these rules will result in the exclusion of the rider
from all RUSA, RM, and ACP sponsored events for a period of time to be determined by Randonneurs USA.
Article 13
Any rider who registers and starts a Dart agrees by these actions the following: Any complaint or
questions about a Dart or its organization must be submitted to the event organizer in writing, within
48 from the finish of the event. The event organizer will review the complaint and forward it, with a
recommendation, to RUSA for a final decision.
Article 14
Randonneurs USA will be the final arbiter of any questions that arise which may not be covered
explicitly in these rules.
A version of these rules is available for download and distribution.
Approved by the Board of Directors, Randonneurs USA on March 1st, 2004.
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