2017 Davis Dart/Dart Populaire

For those who know the RUSA Fleche team ride, the Dart is its younger sibling.

DBC Woolies
DBC Woolies
What is the Davis Dart?

 
A Dart is a randonneuring event for teams made up of 3 to 5 members. (Tandems count as one member.) At least 3 members must finish together to get ride credit. No matter the team's pace, a successful Dart is all about camaraderie and working together.  
 
A minimum distance** must be covered in a specified number of hours. A road cannot be ridden more than once (e.g. no out-and-back route sections).
 
**This year's event includes a 13.5-hour ride that covers a minimum of 200 kms to assist those pursuing an R-12, as well as an 8-hour event covering 120 kms.
 
No individual entries are allowed. (If you are single rider interested in joining an existing team, contact the Davis Dart Coordinator.) 
 
Dart teams will start at 6:00 am, finishing at 7:30 pm. Dart Populaire teams will start at 11:00 am, finishing at 7:00 pm. Start times may be altered by the organizer based on how many teams are registered. If your team requires a start time outside of the times given above contact the Dart Coordinator to see if you can be accommodated.
 

Where and when does the Davis Dart take place?

 
On Saturday, 30 September 2017, Dart teams will launch from their chosen start location at 06:00 (11:00 for Dart Populaire teams). They then fly "like darts toward the bull's eye" in Davis, located in the heart of the Sacramento Valley. The finish will be at Jack's Urban Eats, 119A Sycamore Lane, in the Marketplace Shopping Center. All teams will converge at Jack's Urban Eats between 19:00 and 20:00 on Saturday night. (Riders may need lights and reflective gear.)
 
Teams must arrange for their own transportation home after the finish. The Davis Amtrak station is about three miles from Jack's.
 

Tips for gathering a team and creating a Dart/Dart Populaire route:

 
Create a point-to-point route at least 200 kilometers (125-miles) in length for the Dart, 120 kilometers (75 miles) in length for the Dart Populaire. Controls (store receipts) should be at least every 50-100 kms, and any major route turn should have a control to prevent shortcuts. It should have a town/control at least 25 kms from Davis in which to obtain a store/café/business receipt. You'll need to pass through that town precisely at the end of the 11.5th hour for the 13.5-hour Dart event, and the 6th hour for the 8-hour Dart Populaire event.)
 
Get a team together promptly. If you haven't ridden together before, be sure to do some populaires, centuries, and brevets as a team to see if everyone is compatible and of similar cycling speed.
 
Name your team! It could be your local club or something else fun, but keep it in good taste.
 
All teams need a designated captain who will handle the team's entry and subsequent paperwork.  The captain will submit a complete entry package which includes: the team's Davis Dart Entry Form; a signed Liability Release for each rider; the entry fee for the team. (Instructions below.)
 
Read about riding a successful team event in your RUSA handbook, and on these pages on the RUSA web site:
 

Team Captains: Registering your team and its route:

 
  • Prepare your proposed route map and itinerary and submit it to the Davis Dart Coordinator.  Each team's entry will need to include a highlighted map that shows their proposed route (RWGPS, Map My Ride, etc. are acceptable formats), as well as an itinerary with estimated arrival times. It should have a town at least 25 kms from Davis to obtain a store/café/business receipt. You'll need to pass through that town precisely at the end of the 11.5th hour (13.5-hour event) or 6th hour (8-hour event).
 
  • Fill out one Davis Dart Entry Form for your team.  Have each rider print and sign a Liability Release form. Download those forms here.

  • Pay the entry fee by check made payable to Davis Bike Club. It is a flat fee of $20 per team. (Sorry. We are not set up to receive PayPal funds.)
 
  • Mail the entire package to the Davis Dart Coordinator for approval.
 
  • Entries are due by September 15, 2017. Incomplete and late entries will not be processed.
 
Davis Dart Coordinator: Eric Senter, 2827 Belhaven Place, Davis, CA 95618
Contact Eric if you have any questions.
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