1. GFNY Maryland (“GFNY”) is a bike ride where riders are individually timed.

2. Entry

2.1. The entry to GFNY is open to riders aged 18 or older. GFNY has the sole discretion over entry numbers and cut off dates.

2.2. Riders who are serving a ban by a federation for a doping violation will be refused. Riders who have served their ban are allowed to ride in the event but will neither be timed nor be in the results and will start at the back.

2.3. Each rider has to ensure that his/her health condition is sufficient for the event.

2.4. Each rider is responsible for having sufficient insurance coverage. GFNY may offer additional insurance at its sole discretion.

2.5. Entries are not refundable, transferrable or deferrable. No rider shall be entitled to an entry fee refund in case of disqualification, race cancellation, race postponement or race modification.

2.6. GFNY reserves the right, in its sole and complete discretion, to deny entry, to revoke the entry application of any applicant at any time, and/or to disqualify any individual from the Event.

3. Equipment

3.1. Bike: any roadworthy bicycle is permitted. The following are not permitted: triathlon bikes, time trial bikes, triathlon/aero bars, tandems, e-bikes, prone bicycles, recumbent bikes and bicycles with chair seating (except for para-athletes) or mono cycles. Unsafe bikes can be banned at any time during the event.

3.2. Helmets must be worn by all riders at all times and have to be securely fastened with a chinstrap at all times while riding.

3.3. Jersey: the official event jersey of the respective year must be worn at all times. No exceptions. Wearing a different jersey will lead to a severe time penalty or disqualification.

3.4. Bike number: the number plate with the chip timing straps on the back must be attached to the handlebar and be clearly visible from the front at all times. Any alteration of the number will lead to a time penalty or disqualification or the timing chips may not work properly.

3.5. Jersey number: the jersey number must be worn on the jersey pockets, attached by safety pins. Any wrong positioning or alteration of the number can lead to a time penalty or disqualification.

3.6. Wrist band: the wrist band must be worn at all times during the event.

3.7. Riders have to carry at least one spare tube and a functioning pump or CO2 cartridge.

3.8. The use of headphones will lead to immediate disqualification or severe time penalty.

4. Start

4.1. Riders without their GFNY jerseys, bike number, jersey number, helmet and wristband at the checkpoint will be refused access to the start area.

4.2. The starting corrals close 15 minutes before the start.

4.3. Start order:

(1) VIP: Returning champions from the previous year (overall, age groups), guests

(2) Competitive corrals

(2.1) Top 10% of each age group of all GFNY World events of the previous 380 days. Top 20% of each age group of the previous GFNY Championships.

(2.2) Licensed racers in several corrals according to their ranking.

Minimum requirement: active Pro, active highest licensed amateur category.

GFNY reserves the right to limit the front corral to qualifiers at GFNY World events if there are space constraints.

Race corral requests may not be honored within a month of race day.

(3.) General GF riders according to their age group (younger to older)

(4.) Middle distance riders

(5.) Para-athletes with hand cycles

Riders have to start in their designated corral. Riders are allowed to start in a corral further back than their designated corral. If a rider attempts to get in a corral further ahead than allocated he/she will be put in the last corral or disqualified.

5. Competition

5.1. All riders are timed by chip timing from start to finish. Overall rankings are determined by gun time. Age group rankings are determined by net (chip) time. Only riders who complete the GFNY long distance course are eligible for competition ranking and prizes.

The middle distance is a timed but non-competitive event.

5.2. Categories:

Category is determined by rider’s age on December 31.

(1) overall m/f

(2) 18-34 m/f

(3) 35-39 m/f

(4) 40-44 m/f

(5) 45-49 m/f

(6) 50-54 m/f

(7) 55-59 m/f

(8) 60-64 m/f

(9) 65-69 m/f

(10) 70-74 m/f

(11) 75-79 m/f

(12) 80+ m/f

(13) under 90 him and her: times of a mixed sex team added. Riders have to be within 30 seconds at each checkpoint. Outside assistance between teammates is permitted and encouraged. No devices to push or drag are allowed.

(14) 90 and over him and her: times of a mixed sex team added. Riders have to be within 30 seconds at each checkpoint. Outside assistance between teammates is permitted and encouraged. No devices to push or drag are allowed.

(15) Team of four (any sex): times of the fastest four riders of a team added.

(16) An age group exists as a competitive category if there is at least one rider of that age and sex taking part in the race.

(17) Sex categories are defined as sex at birth (male or female).

5.3. Prizes will be awarded to the top three in each category. Distribution of the prizes is at the sole discretion of GFNY. Prizes not picked up at the awards will be distributed to other riders. Prizes will not be shipped or handed to anyone but the winner.

5.4. All protests concerning the order of finish shall be examined and resolved by the chief judge, whose decision is final and without appeal. It is the rider’s responsibility to familiarize himself/herself with the rules of the event and the course before the start. Taking alternate routes or cutting the course short leads to disqualification from the current competition and to a ban at future GFNY.

6. Abuse

6.1. No rider may be disrespectful toward race directors, officials, staff, riders, volunteers, local residents or spectators.

6.2. No rider may use foul or abusive language during GFNY.

6.3. No rider may assault (an unlawful attempt, coupled with the present ability, to commit a violent injury on the person of another) or do battery (any willful and unlawful use of force or violence upon the person of another) to anyone connected with GFNY (including but not limited to riders, spectators, public officials, volunteers, staff, etc.).

6.4. Any of the above will lead to disqualification or a lifelong ban for Gran Fondo New York Inc. events (including but not limited to GFNY World events).

7. Conduct

7.1. Cyclists have to obey all laws of the road including traffic lights and stop signs unless overwritten by police. Violators may be ticketed by local law enforcement and/or disqualified and removed from the event.

7.2. No rider may make an abrupt motion so as to interfere with the forward progress of another rider, either intentionally or by accident.

7.3. Any rider who appears to present a danger to the other riders may be disqualified by GFNY either before, during, or after the event.

7.4. Pushing or pulling or any other physical assistance among riders is prohibited in all categories except the Him and Her categories where pushing or pulling is encouraged.

7.5. No outside assistance is allowed (incl. but not limited to team cars, personal support cars or handing in supplies from roadside).

7.6. If a rider is laying on the ground and is visibly in difficulty, any following rider has to stop and help unless there are already at least three people helping. You may continue if a) the victim is fine or b) medical personnel has arrived. Help others, you may need help one day.

7.7. Any misconduct with respect to the above will lead to disqualification and a lifelong ban at Gran Fondo New York Inc. events (including but not limited to GFNY World events).

8. Environment

GFNY is committed to protecting the environment. Any discarding of trash or food outside the designated trash receptacles at the aid stations or “eco zones” is prohibited and can lead to a time penalty or disqualification and a lifelong ban at Gran Fondo New York Inc. events (including but not limited to GFNY World events).

Any urinating in public is prohibited and can lead to disqualification, ticketing by local law enforcement and a lifelong ban at Gran Fondo New York Inc. events (including but not limited to GFNY World events).

9. Performance Enhancing Drugs

9.1 GFNY is committed to a drug free sport. Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs) are prohibited in preparation for and during GFNY. GFNY reserves the right to enforce doping controls before, during and after the event.

9.2 Any violation of World Anti Doping Association (WADA) rules will lead to disqualification, reclaim of prizes and a lifelong ban at Gran Fondo New York, Inc. events (including but not limited to GFNY World events). GFNY shares positive doping controls with other event organizations as well as the public at large a rule violation has been determined.

9.3 If a rider declines to be tested, he/she will be banned.

9.4 A Rider who tests positive at GFNY will have to reimburse the cost of the doping control. Furthermore, such rider has to reimburse GFNY for any damages to its reputation that are a consequence of his/her positive doping control. If the rider is part of a team participating at GFNY, the team can be held liable for this damage.

10. Acceptance of Risk

All those who ride and compete under these rules do so at their own risk. No liability shall attach to GFNY or any of its officials with respect to any loss or injury sustained or caused by anyone competing or riding in GFNY.

11. Changes

Course, date, rule or any other changes pertaining to the Event can be altered if deemed necessary at the sole discretion of GFNY.