Safety

Riders must wear shoes, gloves and a helmet (see definitions in chapter Definitions). Knee pads and elbow pads are suggested optional safety gear.

Personal music systems are not allowed for any races on public roads where there may be motorized traffic.

Water and food are the responsibility of the rider. It is recommended riders carry their own water on races longer than 10k. Hosts may offer food and water stations at their discretion.

Unicycles

1. Riders may use different unicycles for different road events, as long as they comply with rules for the events in which they are entered.

2. Unicycle racing is divided into two categories: standard and unlimited. In the standard category, unicycles have a standardised wheel size and fixed transmission. The recognised classes in the standard category are the 16 class, 20 class, 24 class and 29 class. In the unlimited category unicycles are not-standardised by wheel size. The recognised class in the unlimited category is the unlimited class.

3. There is an allowable tire diameter range, minimum crank arm length and transmission for each unicycle class:

   Unicycle Class	Diameter Range	Min Crank Length	Transmission
   16 Class	0 – 418mm	89mm	regular
   20 Class	more than 418mm – 518mm	100mm	regular
   24 Class	more than 518mm – 618mm	125mm	regular
   29 Class	more than 618mm – 778mm	No limit	regular
   Unlimited Class	No limit	No limit	unlimited

4. For Unicon and continental championships, both standard and unlimited competition categories are mandatory for time-trials, criterium and fixed/free-distance races. For smaller regional and national championship events, the two competition categories are strongly recommended. Exceptions apply (see section 3B.2.4.1 )

5. For fixed/free distance races:

   1. If the distance is greater than 10km, the standard category is the 29 Class, and the Unlimited category is the Unlimited Class.

   2. If the distance is 10km or less, the standard category is the 24 Class and the unlimited category is the unlimited class. For age group competition, there should be a 20 Class for riders under 11 years old. The youngest age group for 24 Class wheels should have a minimum age of 0, so riders 10 years and younger also have the option of racing in the 24 Class (e.g. 0-8 on 20 Class, 9-10 on 20 Class, 0-13 on 24 Class).

6. For time-trials, the standard category is the 29 class and for the unlimited category is the unlimited class. For criterium, the standard category is the 24 class and the unlimited category the unlimited class.

7. A unicycle can be ridden if it is smaller than the class in which it is entered (e.g. 20 Class unicycle is allowed in a 24 Class race). However, if a race is over 20km, 24 Class and smaller unicycles are not permitted unless exempted by the race director.

8. Unicycles must be checked for compliance within their wheel class (wheel diameter, crank length and gearing), with the tire pressure that will be used in the race. Preferably, this check is carried out immediately before the race. Crank arm length is measured from the center of the wheel axle to the center of the pedal axle. Longer sizes may be used.

Rider Identification

Riders Must Be Ready

Riders must be ready when called for their races. Riders not at the start line when their race begins may lose their chance to participate. The Starter will decide when to stop waiting, remembering to consider language barriers, and the fact that some riders may be slow because they are helping run the convention.

Protests

1. Protests must be filed on an official form. Mistakes in paperwork, inaccuracies in placing, and interference from other riders or other sources are all grounds for protests. All Referee decisions are final, and cannot be protested.

2. The default protest time (counting from the posting of results) depends on the type of event and the time after the competition within the results are published. The default protest time can be extended or shortend up to the minimum by the Race Director. Every deviation from the default protest time has to be clearly announced when the results are posted, including stating the protest deadline on the results list itself. The protest time may be extended for riders who have to be in other races during the protest period.

   1. For a large event such as Unicon or continental championships, for all results published within 90 minutes after the end of the competiotion, the default protest time is 120 minutes, the minimum is 30 minutes. For results published more than 90 minutes after the end of the competition but before 8 p.m. of the same day, the minimum protest time is 120 minutes. For all results published after 8 p.m. on the same day or on another day, the protest deadline is 12 p.m. (noon time) on the day after publication.

   2. For smaller events, for all results published within 90 minutes after the end of the competition, the default protest time is 60 minutes, the minimum is 15 minutes. For results published more than 90 minutes after the end of the competition, the minimum protest time is 60 minutes.

3. All protests will be acknowledged within 30 minutes from the time they are received, and an effort will be made to settle the issue within those 30 minutes.

Fixed Distance Races

1. Fixed Distance Races are drafting races, with a wave or mass start, where riders races against each other over a defined and precisely measured distance.

2. The officiall recognized distances are

   1. 10 km

   2. Marathon (42.195 km)

Free Distance Races

1. Free Distance Races are drafting races, with a wave or mass start, where riders race against each other in a non-recognized fixed distance.

2. A Free Distance Race can be any race with a distance that is greater or lesser than 3 % from an officially recognized Fixed Distance. For Free Distance Races longer than a Marathon, a mass start is preferred.

3. The approximate distance of the race must be announced at the time of registration, to help riders plan and prepare accordingly.

4. There is no requirement for the course of a Free Distance Race to be officially measured. However, once the final course has been confirmed, the distance must be communicated to riders with at least kilometer-level precision. Organizers are encouraged to share a GPS track of the confirmed course whenever possible.

Criterium

1. A Criterium is a short drafting race with distances of about 5 km to 10 km. It can be held around city block(s) or within a large parking lot. The courses should have left and right turns and multiple laps with a recommended lap length of 500 m to 1000 m.

2. A Criterium can be run in one of the following two variants:

   1. As a set distance criterium, where all riders will complete the same number of laps.

   2. As a time-based criterium, in which all riders ride one more lap after a set time and then everyone finishes the race.

Individual Time Trial

1. An Individual Time Trial is a non-drafting race, with an individual start for each rider, where each rider races against the clock.

2. An Individual Time Trial can be run in one of the following two variants, either as part of an official unicycling competition or as independent events, such as record attempts:

   1. As a distance-based time trial, in which a given distance is completed as fast as possible.

   2. As a time-based time trial, in which the greatest possible distance is completed in a fixed amount of time.

Hill Climb

1. A Hill Climb is a unicycle road race held on a sustained uphill course, designed to test the riders’ climbing ability rather than their top speed on flat or descending terrain.

2. A Hill Climb must take place in a region with appropriate topography, featuring a continuous ascent over several kilometers. Flat or downhill sections should be avoided, especially at the start and the end of the course. A flat section may be used if required for a safe and practical race start. The course must either have an average gradient of at least 6 %, or a total elevation gain of at least 850 meters.

3. There is no fixed maximum distance for a Climbing Road Race. The course length should be determined based on local topography, aiming for meaningful and challenging durations. Organizers are encouraged to consider a minimum distance of 5 km.

4. If topography allows, organizers may offer two course options: a longer “Expert” course and a shorter “Beginner” course. Both courses should follow the same climb whenever possible.

5. The majority of the course must be on paved road surfaces. Short unpaved sections are allowed only if they are smooth and rideable. The entire course must be rideable by elite riders without requiring dismounts due to excessive steepness or technical difficulty.

6. Intentionally running to gain time is not permitted.

7. A Hill Climb is a single unlimited-category competition, meaning that all riders, including standard category, start together in the same race without separation by unicycle category. When the event is held at an UNICON, additional awards shall be given to the top three males and top three females using 29″ standard unicycles.

The Start

1. Riders start with the fronts of their tires (forward most part of wheel) behind the edge of the starting line that is farthest from the finish line.

   1. With an individual start, the rider may start mounted, holding onto a starting post or other support. The rider may place the starting post or other support in the location most comfortable for them. The rider may mount after the start signal, if they wish. The rider has to start directly behind the Start line.

   2. With an heat or mass start, riders may start mounted, holding onto a starting post or other support, or onto each other. Riders may mount after the start signal, if they wish.

2. Rolling starts are not permitted in any race. Riders may lean before the start, but their wheels may not move forward during the start beeps or counting down. Rolling back should be avoided.

3. All commands of the starter are to be given in English at Unicon or international competitions. At other competitions, English is optional.

4. For heat or mass starts, the starter must announce the last remaining minute before the start. About 10 seconds before the start, the starter should give the command “Ready”. After the command “Ready”, all riders must move to their starting position. As soon as the Starter is satisfied that all riders are steady in the correct starting position, they gives the command “Attention” and starts the race. This can be done by a start sequence as follows:

   1. Usually, a start-beep apparatus is used. This provides a six-count start: “beep – beep -beep – beep – beep – buup!”. The timing between (the start of) successive beeps is one second. The first five beeps have all the same sound frequency. The final tone (buup) has a higher frequency, so that the competitors can easily distinguish this tone from the rest. The proper moment to start is the beginning of the final tone.

   2. As an alternative, the Starter will give a three-count start before firing a starting gun on the fourth count. Example: “One, two, three, BANG!”. The time between (the start of) each of these elements must be the same, and should approximately 1 second.

   Both variants allow the rider to start leaning ahead of the “buup/BANG”, for an exact and predictable start. It is recommended to use one or the other of those two options for all races in a competition if possible. The option to be used must be announced in advance of the competition.

5. If the Starter is not satisfied that all is ready for the start to proceed after they gave the command “Ready” and the riders are on their starting position or they otherwise abort the start, the command should be “Go Back”. If a start-beep apparatus is used and the start sequence is already started the start should be aborted by blowing a whistle or other clear and predefined signal. Where a rider in the judgement of the Starter, after the command “Ready”,

   1. causes the start to be aborted, for instance by dismounting, without a valid reason (such reason to be evaluated by the Starter); or

   2. does not place themselves in their final starting position at once and without delay; or

   3. disturbs other riders in the race through sound, movement or otherwise,

   the Starter must abort the start. The Starter may warn the rider for improper conduct (disqualify in case of repeated infringement of the Rule). However, when an extraneous reason was considered to be the cause for aborting the start, or the Referee does not agree with the Starters decision, no rider gets warned or disqualified. This decision must be clearly indicated to the riders.

The Race

The Finish

Finish times are determined when the front of the tire first crosses the vertical plane of the nearest edge of the finish line.

Riders are always timed by their wheels, not by outstretched bodies. If riders do not cross the line in control, they are awarded a 5 second penalty to their time. “Control” is defined by the front of the wheel crossing the vertical finish plane (as defined above) with the rider having both feet on the pedals. (Note: a rider is not considered in control if the unicycle crosses the finish line independent of the rider. The finish time is still measured by when the wheel crosses the vertical finish plane and the 5 second penalty is applied.)

In the case where a rider is finishing with a broken unicycle, the rider must bring at minimum the wheel to the finish line, and time is still taken when the wheel crosses the finish line. The 5 second penalty is applied.