International Pro Cycling Rules
Category: Sports (Pro/College/HS)...
Posted Friday, July 06, 2007 at 10:01 PM [GMT-6]

Here are a few things you might not know about the wonderfully wacky world of pro cycling:

• Many people think that the pros use the lightest weight bicycles on the face of the planet, and while it's true that lightness is a valued attribute, there's actually a minimum weight limit governing bikes used in international competitions: 6.8 kilograms, which equates to about 14.99 pounds. (If that still seems awfully featherweight, it is. Things start breaking when they start getting this light. That's one reason the governing body has imposed a minimum weight limit.)


• Road cyclists, such as those competing in the Tour de France, must adhere to a dress code: When competing, all riders shall wear a jersey with sleeves and a pair of shorts, possibly in the form of a one-piece skinsuit. By shorts it is understood that these are shorts that come above the knee. Sleeveless jerseys shall be forbidden. Ironic, isn't it, that they can't wear pedal-pushers.


• Helmets are now mandated in international road races, with one exception: ...riders taking part in UCI ProTour events may, at their own risk, refrain from wearing a helmet during individual time trial races taking place entirely on a mountainous course. In an individual time trial (ITT), riders start at set intervals and therefore aren't exposed to the dangers of a large pack going at high speeds. Also, the implication of a "mountainous course" for an ITT is that it's going to be primarily uphill, so speeds will be much lower than usual.


• And, just so you'll know that the governing body has found no detail too small or obvious to ignore: The bicycle shall be propelled solely, through a chainset, by the legs (inferior muscular chain) moving in a circular movement, without electric or other assistance. Darn. So much for my plan to ride the Tour on a moped disguised as a portly Trek Madone.

All of these rules and many, many more are available via this 81-page PDF document provided by the Union Cycliste Internationale, the governing body for most international bicycling events, including the Tour de France.