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9 short rules

  1. MOVE AS FAR AWAY FROM THE STARTING POINT AS POSSIBLE WITHIN THE SPECIFIED TIME AND RETURN ON TIME

  2. NO SUPPORT, RESUPPLY, OR LODGING FROM FRIENDS/FAMILY

  3. NO DRAFTING (EXCEPT WITHIN A TEAM)

  4. ALL FORWARD MOVEMENT MUST BE SELF-POWERED

  5. FERRIES MAY NOT BE USED, INCLUDING SHORT RIVER CROSSINGS

  6. ALL RIDERS MUST RECORD AND KEEP EVIDENCE OF THEIR RIDE

  7. NO HELMET, NO LIGHTS = DISQUALIFICATION

  8. RIDERS MUST KNOW AND OBEY LOCAL TRAFFIC LAWS

  9. RIDE IN THE SPIRIT OF SELF-RELIANCE AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Goal of the race

  • The goal of the "Point of Return" race is to travel as far as possible from the starting point in Münster (Am Mittelhafen 42, 48155 Münster) and return within the allotted time. At the point of return, the participant sets a GPS point.

  • The winner is the person who has the greatest straight-line distance measured between the starting point and the set GPS point.

  • The direction of travel and the turning point ("point of return") are determined by the participants themselves.

Proof & GPS documentation

  • All participants must carry a GPS tracker provided by the organizer.

  • It is the responsibility of drivers to handle their tracker carefully, maintain its signal, or collect appropriate evidence of their journey to prove that they have driven in accordance with the rules, both in spirit and in letter.

  • For double security, the target point is defined by:

    • a GPS point set in Google Maps (or another GPS-enabled device) and

    • to document a photograph.

  • The photo must show the participant themselves as well as a clearly recognizable structure (e.g. gas station, street sign, supermarket, etc.) that is clearly identifiable on Google Maps.

Dotwatching

  • A key principle of Point of Return is that the point at which one turns back is not determined by comparing one's position with that of the competition. Instead, each participant should experience this moment in the race as a personal challenge, whether alone or together as a team.

  • For this reason, there will not be continuous visible tracking at the beginning of the race. During the race, we will publish a screenshot of the map at 10:00 and 18:00 each day (see picture). Two hours before the end of the race, the map with the leaderboard will be published via several channels: on the website and on Instagram.

  • However, there will be the option to share your location with family and friends beforehand via a QR code on the tracker.

Scoring & Time Limit

  • What is important is not the total distance traveled, but the direct line distance between the starting point in Münster and the set GPS point.

  • Anyone who arrives at the starting point after the specified time (4 pm) has elapsed will unfortunately not be counted – regardless of the distance covered.

Transportation & Fairness

  • The entire route must be completed under your own power.

  • Motorized vehicles (cars, trains, ferries, etc.) are prohibited.

  • E-bikes, recumbent bikes, and tandems are not permitted.

Team trips & support

  • You can participate individually or as a team (maximum 4 people form a team)

  • Riders in a team act as a unit and may share food, equipment, information, and resources among themselves. They may also help each other, including riding in each other’s slipstream. However, no support may come from outside the team, and resources may not be shared outside the team.

Navigation & Personal Responsibility

  • The route must be navigated independently – using a GPS device, map or other means.

  • Each participant carries their own equipment, supplies and tools or obtains them along the way.

  • Repairs or supplies may only be accepted in publicly accessible facilities (e.g., bike shops, supermarkets). The assistance must be potentially accessible to everyone and not provided by friends or family.

Accommodation & Overnight Stay

  • Overnight stays in accommodation are permitted.

  • Each participant determines the length of their own breaks

Security

  • The traffic regulations of the region or country through which you are traveling apply.

  • Everyone rides at their own risk and is required to use functioning lights and safety equipment (helmet).

  • In the event of bad weather or dangerous situations, each participant decides for themselves whether to continue the race. In the event of extreme weather conditions affecting several countries, the race director may cancel the race.

  • If you have any questions, the race management can be contacted by phone.

  • Participants are required to carry basic medical equipment (e.g. bandages)

Registration & Liability

  • Participation is only permitted with:

    • fully completed registration form,

    • signed terms and conditions and disclaimer

    • paid registration fee.

  • Participation is only permitted for those of age over 18

Violations of the rules & disqualification

  • Violations of these rules may result in disqualification.

Frequently Asked Questions:

May I take a different route back than the one I took on the way there?

Yes, you are not obligated to take the same route back. You are completely free to plan your route.

 

Are elevation changes included?

The trackers from Follow my Challenge (the same ones used in the TCR) send the location at short intervals, not continuously. Therefore, continuous measurement of elevation gain is not (yet) possible. However, we are currently developing a kind of side challenge where certain high-altitude checkpoints award points – a sort of mountain ranking. This points system would be independent of the main competition for the longest point of return.

 


Am I allowed to use short ferries to cross rivers?

Unfortunately not, the entire route must be crossed under one's own power, and rivers must be bypassed or crossed via bridges.


Can I register with friends?

You and your friends are welcome to register as a team (maximum 4 people). Click on the corresponding option during registration.

 

Am I allowed to start as a team but finish alone if someone drops out?

Once you start as a team, you must also finish the race as a team. If one member drops out and cannot continue, the others can of course finish the race and will still be tracked, but will then be excluded from the rankings.

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