RULES

El Piri (L’Esperit dels Pirineus) is a SOLO and SELF-SUPPORTED bikepacking event.  

To qualify for a Self-supported Finish and Time, full adherence to the rules is required. If you choose not to follow the rules, you can qualify for a Unclassified Finish, without Time. Non-compliance with any rules could lead to penalties, or disqualification. There is not a time cut off, anyone that makes it back to Girona is a finisher.  

There are five rules, clicking on each of them will give you their full detail.  

  • Integrity is: The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. 

    Serendipity is: Luck that takes the form of finding valuable or pleasant things that are not looked for.  

    The integrity of the event and rider is important, and riders should depend on self-reliance, not serendipity. 

  • Say hello to other riders, but do not spend greater than 90 minutes on a single occasion riding with them (within talking distance). No drafting. Stopping to share a meal and stories is fine – it does not count as riding. Sharing a hotel room is fine. If a person who is not part of the event wishes to ride with you, the above still applies; politely let them know it is a solo endeavour.  

    Pairs are considered a solo entity. 

  • 3.1 Allowed: 
    Use of or purchasing from commercially available public services. Water can be considered like air; you should aim to be self-reliant however if you need water just ask anyone. 

    3.2 Not allowed (considered support): 

    • No resupply caches on the route.

    • No pre-booking accommodation for during the event, before event starts.

    • No taking or using anything from other event riders.

    • No calling private individuals for help.

    • No asking on your social media for advice or help.

    • No taking items from dot watchers.

    • No knocking on a private residence to ask for anything (except water).

    • No over-reliance on painkillers.

    • No taking of WADA prohibited medication. 

    3.3 Allowed if considered serendipity: 
    Serendipity is a stroke of un-needed luck that helps a rider. Riders should not be relying on serendipity to get from start to finish. In such a situation, riders must answer three questions and accept serendipity is OK if it meets the test (see test here). If you cannot meet serendipity but require the help to finish, then accept and please report to Event Director.  

    3.4 Mechanical: 
    If you have a mechanical problem you should attempt to maintain your ride unsupported, using publicly available services to solve the problem. You may use motorised transport to travel off-route as needed.  

    3.5 Finishing your ride:
    Finishing with support is better than not at all, so accept that you may simply be unable to continue your ride without support. If a ride is aided by support, you will not be awarded a ‘Finish Time’. You will however be classified as a ‘Finisher’. Finishing, under any means, is encouraged if safe to do so and is better than scratching.  

  • 4.1 Riders must:  

    • Obey all local laws and traffic rules. These can be read on ‘Direction General de Traffic’ here. 

    • Offer assistance to another rider in need of emergency help. Do not hesitate; such integrity will be looked upon favourably and finish times can be adjusted. 

    • Show consideration for other people or vehicles on the route. Give way to walkers and horse riders. 

    • Have suitable insurance that includes liability, injury, death, repatriation. Proof required. 

    • Wear a helmet while riding. 

    • Use front and rear lights from dusk to dawn. Carry spare lights. Without working lights, you must not cycle at night. 

    • Validate their ride. Maintain a GPX file of their ride and use a tracker at all times, except if turning off before sleeping. 

    4.2 Riders should consider: 

    • Oversupplying with water and food. Although the route might not be always remote, resupply options can be limited at certain times of day. 

    • Sleeping enough. Sleep deprivation can be dangerous, and the body warns us when it is tired. Sleeping and riding strong is often faster and always more fun. 

    • Being cautious for animals on the track. 

    • Carrying suitable equipment such as: emergency foil blanket, waterproof coat with hood, full finger gloves, insulated jacket, sleeping bag, bivi or tent, means of communication, backup navigation device, identity card, cash, paper with emergency details, repair equipment for their bike. 

  • Leave no trace 
    Riders should read, be familiar with and follow the ‘Leave No Trace’ organisation’s 7 Principles. 
    As per our final rule, leave no trace. Any rider found to be knowledgeably leaving trace of their presence will be penalised.  

    ‘Pack it in, pack it out’. If you need to defecate in the wild, it is best to put it in a bio-degradable bag and put it in the nearest bin. Digging a hole and burying it is acceptable only if necessary.