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Applications to race open with plenty of notice through our social media accounts, at dedicated times throughout the year for our three races. During the application window the application forms become available as soon as the applicant has registered and created a profile at lostdot.cc. Applications are open for a minimum of 2 weeks to allow plenty of time for riders to get their application in. The application process consists of completing registration, downloading and reading the Race Manual (available after registration and a few legal questions) and completing the application form - which will give us an idea of your knowledge regarding route planning, an understanding of the basic requirements of the race, and an idea of your experience to date.
There are no qualification requirements, however, we expect applicants to have gained relevant, multi-day, long distance expedition experience either alone or as part of a small group.
Completion and payment will be available to those riders who are offered a place. The entry allocations procedure remains the same as usual; there will be a mixture of pre-selected applicants and a ballot. Since we now have so many veterans returning to race we can no longer guarantee all riders of previous races spots to race as we have in the past.
There will be a number of pre-selection quotas to encourage and reward certain applicants. If the number of applicants in these categories exceeds the quota then they will be selected in a ballot. If a rider is not successful in the pre-selection ballot then they will be put into the main ballot. Exact quota numbers will be determined proportionally and be dependent on the demographics of the entries as a whole.
Pre-selection will be made for the following:
Volunteers - those who have given a significant contribution to a Lost Dot race as a volunteer in the last race will be prioritised. There will not be a quota on volunteer places.
Veterans - In the past most if not all veteran racers got a place, however there are now too many veterans to make that possible and so there is a quota and a pre-selection ballot for these applicants.
Under-represented applicants - namely women and under-represented groups may have a quota. Read our diversity and inclusion statement.
All solo riders unsuccessful in the quota ballots or not eligible for pre-selection will go into the main ballot. It is not the purpose of the allocation process to delete entries from the process as not good enough. We may contact applicants if we believe there has been a gross misunderstanding of the event's demands or that the applicant may be a liability to their own safety or that of the event. We do reserve the right to refuse entries but this we generally reserve for those that are made as obviously non-serious, abusive or containing false information. There may be other circumstances but you get the idea.
There will be a separate quota for pairs riders. Riders who apply as a pair will only be eligible for a pairs place, if unsuccessful they will not be entered into the main ballot. Riders must firmly decide and commit to which category they are entering and enter only one. Duplicate registrations will be removed. Pairs entry cannot be back door mechanism to a solo start. Riders should assume that selection is only made for the category of the application and they will not necessarily be able to transfer from one category to another at a later date.
A Control is a mandatory key location which racers must navigate to in order to validate their participation in the race. It is also where the race records their timings for race reporting. Controls are chosen for their dramatic terrain, natural beauty and often include icons of cycling or adventure. Their locations also shape the race as a whole and the terrain and route dilemmas which may occur in-between. A Control usually consists of a ‘Control Point’ and/or ‘Control Parcours’
The Control Point is a fixed station, often a local business such as a hotel, where race staff validate the arrival of the racers by recording their arrival and time stamping their Brevet Card. The control point is often a place where food, accommodation and communications services are available. The control points are established by the production and media team who will arrive in one or more of the control vehicles. They are then manned by volunteers in shifts until the control closure time. Some controls provide a round the clock reception whilst others may temporarily close overnight and have an automated check in feature. Failure to report in at any of the control points will mean that the rider is no longer qualified for inclusion in the finishers classification. Control Points are open from the time of arrival of the first rider, to the date specified in the Rider Manual. After this time the control will be closed and no longer be manned. Riders who arrive after closure of the control are excluded from the General Classifications but remain within the race.
In 2022 we analysed our carbon footprint, and found that 70% of emissions are a result of rider travel to and from races, with the vast majority being a result of air travel. Therefore with the launch of our newest race, The Accursed, we have committed to limiting its carbon emissions by making it ‘no-fly’. This means that only riders who commit to travelling flight-free to and from the race will be able to take part. At present, The Accursed Race is our only official no-fly race.
We acknowledge that this is a difficult undertaking, and are committed to doing what we can to make this easier, more affordable, and less daunting for those involved. As such, we are doing the following:
We have also planned the race so that the majority of riders will be able to travel, take part, attend the party, and travel back within two weeks of leave.