Know that this is a battle by bicycle. The out & back will likely induce feelings of fight & flight. This will be celebrated throughout the finishing order! Or maybe journey & experience defines your NSBR. Either way... know that it will be a battle by bicycle. You should be experienced and confident sharing the road with cars. You are ready for bicycle repairs. The NSBR starts on a Wednesday with the idea most racers will finish, recover some and be back to conventional life on Monday.
ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK! Take care to understand that this is a solo, unsupported, one stage road race. If you have any doubt about what that means watch Inspired to Ride and then The Journey To The Other Side: Indian Pacific Wheel Race 2017 Documentary. The NSBR, as it is...the organizers, racers and the fans assume NO liability for entrants or bystanders loss, injury and or death. Cycling is dangerous. Cyclists are maimed and killed everyday, all over the world, by any number of reasons. This fact is a particular kind of tragic in that the loss can be preventable while at the very same time unavoidable. Everyday cyclists balance these risks and decide whether to cycle... the NSBR is no different.
The NSBR has made a good faith effort to encourage safety and survival by running the race on a nationally recognized bicycle route, United States Bicycle Route #41 aka North Star Bicycle Route.
Racers must use a GPS tracker. SPOT brand and Garmin inReach are both supported by MAProgress. You can use your own, either already activated or pay MAProgress to activate it for the race. Or, during open registration, you can rent a SPOT tracker from MAProgress. The trackers are linked and broadcasted live on MAProgress. It is very important to keep your tracker operating properly because that is how we race.
The NSBR charges no entry fee.
Tracking cost, payable to MAProgress, depends on if you supply your own tracker or rent one from MAProgress. 2020 cost was $26 tracking fee (if you have your own activated tracker) plus $58 if you need to rent a tracker (total $84). These prices reflect 7 days of tracking. If you'll need more time...it is up to you to arrange it directly with MAProgress. But honestly... if 630 miles will take you longer than 7 days then this is not the event for you.
Rented trackers will be available for pick up in south Minneapolis a day or so before race day. Racers are responsible for returning rented trackers... maprogress.com/tracker-returns/.
Divisions Division 1. Bicycles. Upright bicycles or bicycles resembling those of the Tour de France or Tour Divide. Division 2. Modified. Velomobiles, recumbents, bicycles with windshields, tricycles and any other approved Human Powered Vehicles. Division 3. Not solo. Tandems and other multi person approved HPV's.
Race Registration Open registration closes August 1, 2021. To register...Email NorthStarBicycleRace@gmail.com. Include:
Name
Race day age
Identifying gender
Residence city & state
Division competing in
Whether you will be providing a GPS tracker or if you plan to rent from MAProgress
You will be added to the NSBR 2021 Roster, will receive the emails and MAProgress registration password.