BSG Rider Requirements and Safety Rules

• All riders participating in BSG are required to display their assigned bib number on the bicycle they are riding and also on the back of their jersey. We provide both jersey and bike bib numbers.
• All riders participating in BSG are required to wear a bicycle helmet that meets industry standards.
• Headphones, radios, and/or any other noise amplification or personal listening devices are strictly prohibited during the ride. Exceptions are made only for medical devices such as hearing aids.
• All riders participating in BSG are required to understand and obey all traffic laws as they apply to cyclists in both NC and TN.
• BSG does not provide a closed course. Use caution at all intersections, railroad crossings, and steep descents.
• All riders participating in BSG agree that while riding in this event, they will always operate their bicycle in a way that allows the rider to maintain control of their bicycle while riding on any segment of the course, including steep descents and sharp turns, for their own personal safety and the safety of others around them.
• BSG is designed for participants riding a multi-geared bicycle with rim or disc brakes. Traditional road bikes and others that are similar in design are best suited for the steep climbs and fast, winding descents of BSG. Purpose-built tricycles and handcycles are allowed. We do not allow non-traditional bicycles such as unicycles, elliptical-type cycles, or any cycle built to carry more than two (2) riders. We do not allow roller blades, skateboards, hoverboards, or any other similar type of non-pedaling device.
• E-bikes or “Electric Assisted Bicycles”: BSG allows the use of Class 1 e-bikes (without throttle) and with specifications that do not exceed limits defined by NCGS 20-4.01 7(a).
• All riders must be 18 years old or older on June 24th, 2023.
• Riders must be present at the event to receive free promotional items.
• There is no camping or overnight parking allowed at the venue in Valle Crucis.

95-Mile Long Route Cut-Off Time

Important: Riders that have registered for the 95-mile long route, understand and agree, that in the event they have not reached the short/long route split at mile 33.3 by 10:30 am, they will not be allowed to continue on the 95-mile long route. Riders that do not make the cut-off will be directed onto the shorter route where they can continue to ride with full support until finished. The cut-off time will be adjusted if the ride start is delayed.

Registration Transfer Policy

Important: BSG Events, Inc. has a strict No Refund policy. Registered riders that can no longer participate in the event can transfer their registration for the same current year event to another rider at any time for an additional $50 transfer fee. The transfer deadline is June 21st. BSG does not offer registration deferrals. Registration fees paid are valid only for the current year’s event.

BSG Events, Inc. will only recognize registration transfers that are completed through the BSG registration site before the deadline of June 21st. Please login to our registration website to complete a transfer. Third-party transfers are not allowed. It is important that our event safety personnel know who they are attending to in an emergency situation. Not knowing is frustrating and time-consuming. For this reason, we require that all transfers be completed through our registration website. Bib numbers are assigned to registered riders for identification purposes. This is the only way for ride personnel to quickly and accurately identify you and notify emergency contacts. Handing your bib number to a friend on the morning of the ride may seem OK, but in the case of an emergency, it could prevent us from providing you with the best care possible.

Route Category Change Policy

After completing the online registration, riders who elect to change the category originally selected can do so through the BSG online registration platform by June 21st. Fees may apply. Contact the ride director if you have questions at info@bloodsweatandgears.org

Chip Timing 

BSG provides timing chips for non-competitive timing purposes. Riders should mount timing chips according to the instructions provided with each chip to ensure correct timing. BSG is not responsible for incorrectly mounted timing chips or timing chip errors of any kind.

After The Ride

Please enjoy all post-ride activities, including a free post-ride meal. Look for all-new, expanded post-ride activities in 2023. We do not have showers.

Volunteers

BSG is powered by volunteers that help make BSG possible every year. Community partners like Ashe and Watauga county Sheriffs and Rescue Squads help keep our riders safe along the routes. Numerous local area volunteer fire departments host our aid stations and keep the riders smiling as they click off the miles. From pre-ride planning to the final clean-up, our volunteers help make the difference that keeps our riders coming back year after year. We can never say it enough but thank you to the hundreds of volunteers that make the Blood Sweat and Gears ride a great experience for so many.

If you’re interested in finding out more about how you can volunteer for the 2023 Blood Sweat and Gears ride, please contact our ride director at info@bloodsweatandgears.org.