#AMR2021

RACE MANUAL

Issue 0 : Preliminary information for 2021 riders

1
 INTRODUCTION

The Atlas Mountain Race is a serious undertaking that should not be underestimated. It takes place in an
environment that can be as tough as it is beautiful. It requires not only the ability to ride big days back to
back, but also knowledge and experience of being self-reliant in an arid mountain environment. Although
it is definitely a race, your primary concern should always be your own safety. Riders will experience the
natural beauty of Morocco, and the warmth and generosity of its people. It is an experience that will stay
with you a lifetime.

This race was primarily born out of my experiences racing the Transcontinental Race: an incredible
adventure and now Mike Hall’s legacy. He was personally involved in the Silk Road Mountain Race, the
AMR’s Kyrgyz sister race, prior to his tragic death during the Indian Pacific Wheel Race. He should have
been a part of it. I hope that making it happen is a worthwhile contribution to the unsupported racing
scene that he was instrumental in helping to create. He is sorely missed.

Nelson Trees - Founder

2
The Race Manual

Welcome to issue 0 of the race manual for AMR 2021. This edition of the Race Manual contains
preliminary information for 2021 racers. It details the course, the environment and climate of the race.
This document is your primary source of information about the Atlas Mountain Race.

The manual is the result of months of research and multiple scouting trips on the ground in Morocco as
well as lessons learned from the first edition of the race. We have put a lot of time and energy into
making sure that everything you find here is accurate and up to date. We have driven or ridden every
single kilometre of the route. Please take note, however, that things do change and it is possible that
there are minor discrepancies compared with the situation on the ground.

All information is provided in good faith and is believed to be correct at the time of writing. Whilst the
general lines of the manual are unlikely to change, preparations for the race are ongoing and subject to
modification until close to the start of the race. Please check that you have the latest version of the
manual before taking any actions based on the information given. Any major updates to the manual will
be notified to participants via email. Please make sure that you are able to receive our newsletters and
that our emails do not end up in your spam. Each updated version of the manual has a quick reference
guide giving major changes, compared to previous versions.

If in any doubt, do not hesitate to direct your specific questions to the race organisers via email only, at
[email protected]​c​. Messages to the personal email or social media accounts of members of
the AMR team concerning the race will not be systematically dealt with and may remain unanswered.
The AMR Facebook discussion group is a great resource to share information and preparations with
other riders, but is not a means of communication with the race organisation.

3
Why Morocco?

If you are reading this manual, you most likely have some ideas about Morocco and why it would make a
good place for an unsupported bikepacking race. If not, let us tell you a little more about the destination
before you embark on your adventure.

Morocco is a country where African, Arab and European cultures are entwined. Located at the mouth of
the Mediterranean Sea, Morocco is the closest point of contact to Europe for Africa as a continent. It is a
land of tolerance, a blend of cultures and religions, a country renowned for its hospitality. The fascinating
mixture of history, art, food, music and architecture makes Morocco an unforgettable destination.

The enchanting labyrinths of bazaars and souks in the old Medinas, the incredible historical monuments,
the friendly people, the vast and stunning snow-capped Atlas Mountains, the never ending warm and
windy Atlantic ocean coastline, and the impressive Sahara Desert, famous as a location for many
Hollywood movies, are just some of the country’s natural and cultural beauties that never fail to leave a
lasting impression.

The second edition of the Atlas Mountain Race will start in Marrakech, and take you on a tour of some of
the least travelled parts of the country, all the way to the resort town of Agadir. You’ll primarily be riding
on unpaved ‘pistes’ (gravel roads), many of which date back to the colonial era, when they were the only
way to reach out of the way villages, lost up in the mountains. You’ll climb up and over the High Atlas,
descending via an old mule trail, you’ll ride through rocky canyons, palm filled gorges, pass by hidden
oases and even have to make a couple of river crossings...

4
AMR 2021 & COVID - 19

Covid-19 has had an immeasurable impact on all of our lives, far beyond racing bikes. In the particular
context of the races that we organise, it has added a tremendous amount of uncertainty about our ability
to hold an event on a specific date. The pandemic continues to evolve extremely rapidly, and it is
impossible to be certain what the situation will look like in a few months' time.

Morocco has recently opened its borders for tourism again after a long period of closure. This is a
positive indication, but again, not a guarantee that in February we will have a safe environment for the
race to take place. That is why you should be aware of the information below.

The date for the race has been set for the ​6th to the 13th of February​. If Covid-19 makes it impossible
to hold the race at this time, we have already set alternate dates for the race: from the ​2nd to the 9th of
October 2021​. This is after the hot Moroccan summer and, hopefully, safely after the worst of this
pandemic.

We hope not to have to move the race to this date. The final decision will be made on the 4th of
December. This should be close enough to the start to be relatively certain it can go ahead, while still
allowing some time for riders to make their final preparations. ​As with everything these days though,
nothing is 100%.​ Please take this into account when booking flights and making reservations.​ We
strongly recommend flexible flights, and/or cancellation insurance.

In the unlikely event that the race cannot take place in October either, you will be able to transfer your
entry to 2022 or ask for a 50% refund of your entry fee.

Finally, if we decide that the race can go ahead but you are unable to join us due to restrictions that
apply to you because of your nationality, country of residence, etc. you must notify us 30 days before the
start of the race with appropriate supporting documents (link to an article on a government website or
similar). You will then be able to defer your entry to 2022 or request a 50% refund.

We know that none of this is perfect but we hope that it is a system that makes sense to you in the
current conditions. We thank you for your understanding!

5
Race Route

The race route is available on Komoot, the world’s leading route planning and navigation app, boasting a
community of over 6 Million users. The Komoot mobile phone app is available for iOS, Android and web
and Komoot has integrations with Wahoo and a range of Garmin devices. Komoot’s map, route planner
and navigation is available globally. As the official route partner of the 2021 Atlas Mountain Race,
Komoot is offering each participant a complete package voucher for komoot. This enables you to
download the entire map of Morocco for offline navigation with your smartphone.

You can download the GPX directly from Komoot in 8 pre-prepared sections. We will also send out the
final GPX as one piece and in shorter GPS friendly sections closer to the start of the race. The resupply
and other route information in this manual will be included in the GPX as POIs (Points Of Interest).

You can find the route at this address:

https://www.komoot.com/collection/1039399/-atlas-mountain-race-2021

The 2021 Atlas Mountain Race will start within riding distance of Marrakech, a previous capital of
Morocco and a city of great historical importance. It will cover around 1167 kilometers for approximately
23,000 meters of climbing. Below, you will find a brief outline of the route for the second edition of the
race.

We have taken great pains for the GPS track to be correct, but there may still be some slight deviations
required due to changes on the ground from one season to the next. In the unlikely case that you come
across a section where you feel the track is incorrect but see an obvious alternative, please make a note
and tell us about the deviation you took and why. It will help us to make a fair decision should any action
need to be taken at the end of the race. Another thing that we’d like to mention is that the quality of the
road surface can vary a lot over time, even in the time since scouting. If the track follows a bad section of
washboard but there is a smooth trail that runs parallel a few meters away, you may ride there. The race
is tough enough without imposing endless washboard on participants when there are other options
readily available. This does not, however, give riders license to follow any track they please. We will be
checking everyone’s GPS data at the end of the race to make sure that no shortcuts were taken. Time
penalties will be applied to riders who didn’t follow the track. Anything more than a small deviation may
lead to disqualification.

We have also checked out potential resupply points and have included those that we are reasonably
certain to be in operation at the time of the race. There will likely be more available in reality. Nothing is
100% guaranteed, so whilst you should be able to rely on this information for your resupply strategy,
always take extra precautions and build some margin into your plans. We encourage riders to do their
own research on resupply and Morocco in general.

6
Route Outline

The race will begin in Marrakech, at the Mogador Kasbah - Hôtel & Spa. This is the same location where
registration will take place. This will allow a swift departure from Marrakech. We will have local police in
place to calm traffic and escort riders for the first few kilometres, until we leave the main road.

The route will then head straight into the mountains for a number of solid climbs on the way to an
all-piste crossing of the High Atlas. The road up to the summit of the pass is all driveable, albeit rough at
times (barring any recent water damage...). The last few kilometres to the summit have actually just been
completed recently and a road down to Telouet is planned. At the time of writing, however, the descent
will follow an old mule track. It’ll be about 4km with a fair bit of hike-a-bike depending on your mountain
bike skill level. There are plenty of larger rocks and boulders that will require some care when
clambering down.

After the mule track, riders will reach Telouet, which is significant for the presence of the old Glaoui
family Kasbah, once the main residence of this influential family under colonial rule. Having backed the
french colonisers, they suffered a rapid fall from grace after independence. It is now much diminished,
but some small signs of its previous splendour remain for those willing to take the time to visit its interior.

After leaving CP1 behind, riders will head east on a short section of tarmac before going off road again
as they make their way through red earth villages near Anmiter. They’ll then head into the foothills of the
Atlas and past Ouarzazate’s impressive solar power station. A man-made beacon that can be seen from
miles around.

They will then head south, briefly crossing the main road near Imassine. This will be the opportunity to
have some food and stock up on supplies before heading back out into the wilderness of the Anti-Atlas.
This next section is wild and remote, and stunningly beautiful. For SRMR veterans, there is even a river
crossing! There will be some pushing to make it up to the summit of the plateau but once up there, it's
well worth the effort. This old colonial piste, built atop a network of canyons is sure to be one of the
highlights of the race.

Past Afra, the going gets a bit easier in terms of elevation, with the route finding its way through a
network of disjointed tracks among the hills. It's sandy at times but generally rideable. Eventually, riders
will reach the waterfall at Tizgui and it's permanent resident, Omar. He’ll certainly invite everyone for tea
in this little oasis lost in the Moroccan hills. If you call ahead, he can actually have some food prepared
too but you may not want to risk the time this is likely to take...

The route then briefly rejoins the main road (the other option was around 20km of hike-a-bike…), riders
will be able to resupply at Ait Saoun before heading back into the mountains for the next remote stretch
to Tazknakht. It’s all dusty pistes and endless mountain vistas during this section of the race.

Taznakht is one of the bigger towns en route, there are guest houses and restaurants and shops;
everything you’ll need to refresh before heading out onto the piste. Riders will then continue west, taking
detours to avoid the main road and find more unspoilt backcountry gravel tracks.

7
They will then head south, eventually reaching Aguinane, a palmery hidden in an enclosed valley. The
road down into the village is another highlight of the route. You’ll certainly be happy that you’re heading
down rather than up, this vertiginous path. It’s technically a paved road in places, although the rough
concrete surface may have you wishing to be back on gravel. The exact checkpoint location has not
been set yet but it will be at one of the guesthouses in the valley and will make for an extremely scenic
spot for a brevet card stamp.

On their way out of the valley, riders will be treated to a short stretch of tarmac before heading off-road
once more. The piste gets rough here and there will likely be some pushing required. Resupply is
scarce, so be careful that you have enough to get through this section. It’s beautiful, but you’ll have to
earn every kilometre. These old colonial roads haven’t been maintained and the surface has been badly
eroded.

The next section between Tagmout and Issafen may be our personal favourite. It’s an old piste that cars
can no longer take because of two broken sections of road. That won’t stop us though, a short walk
down and around the wash out, and you’ll be back on the road. The sheer enormity of the effort required
to build this road, by hand, up in the Moroccan hills is staggering. It’s a truly stunning section of gravel.
The feedback from the first edition is that this was some of the toughest riding/pushing with a particularly
rough surface.

After Issafen, riders head into another remote section, following a river bed on their way towards CP3. At
the end of this track, they’ll come out in the Ait Mansour palmery, another green oasis in a land of arid
rock and stone. The checkpoint this year will be at a hotel in Tafraoute, after the palmery, as there are no
guest houses capable of handling the volume of riders. The exact location still needs to be determined.

After Tafraoute, riders will have some relatively long sections of tarmac that will speed things up, before
being sent off on some pistes that have been paved with concrete. Again, the views are incredible, as
are the roads you’ll follow. The landscape changes again and you’d be forgiven for thinking that you’re
on the other side of the mediterranean. There will be one last major challenge, involving a short
hike-a-bike to get onto one final, remote piste taking you at last out of the Anti-Atlas, with a ride down
towards the ocean and the finish line.

The finish itself will be hosted at the Mogador Al Madina - Agadir. We moved the finish line from Sidi
R’Bat to Agadir, to better be able to cater to the number of riders taking part. You’ll also be skipping the
sand that riders in the first edition had to contend with just before the finish… As always, there will be an
afterparty on the night of the race, with a few small prizes and the opportunity to exchangel tales from
the road.

8
Breakdown of the distance between checkpoints

Marrakech to Telouet : 126 km / 4000m

Telouet to Aguinane : 539 km / 7700m

Aguinane to Tafarout : 328 km / 4800m

Tafraout to Agadir : 173 km / 2300m

Brief outline of resupply points

Distance (km)
Origin Destination Total Leg Notes
Start Tamazouzte 30 30 Resupply point
Tamazouzte Small shop 39 9 Resupply point
Small shop Tidili Mesfioua 52 13 Resupply point
Tidili Mesfioua Small shop 58 6 Resupply point
Small shop Arba Teghedouine 64 6 Resupply point
Arba Teghedouine Shop 78 14 Resupply point
Shop Zerkten 83 5 Resupply point
Zerkten Spring water 121 38 Resupply point
Spring water Auberge Restaurant Telouet / CP1 126 5 Checkpoint
Auberge Restaurant Telouet / CP1 Ghassat - Bar/shop 186 60 Resupply point
Ghassat - Bar/shop Toundoute shop 1 216 30 Resupply point
Toundoute shop 1 Toundoute shop 2 216 0 Resupply point
Toundoute shop 2 Imassine restaurant 1 252 0 Resupply point
Imassine restaurant 1 Imassine restaurant 2 252 0 Resupply point
Imassine restaurant 2 Imassine shop 1 252 0 Resupply point
Imassine shop 1 Imassine shop 2 252 0 Resupply point
Imassine shop 2 Highway restaurant 255 3 Resupply point
Highway restaurant Afra - shop 353 98 Resupply point

Afra - shop Afella N'Dra - shop 381 28 Resupply point

Afella N'Dra - shop Cascade de Tizgui 392 11 Resupply point

Cascade de Tizgui Ait Saoun 417 25 Resupply point

Ait Saoun Tigonsa Cafe 419 2 Resupply point

Tigonsa Cafe Amagha - drinking water 484 65 Resupply point

Amagha - drinking water Taznakht 494 10 Resupply point

Taznakht Tasousfi - shop & restaurant 542 48 Resupply point

9
Tasousfi - shop & restaurant Ait Marouf - shop 1 577 35 Resupply point

Ait Marouf - shop 1 Ait Marouf - shop 2 577 0 Resupply point

Ait Marouf - shop 2 Tamskrout - hotel / resupply 610 33 Resupply point

Tamskrout - hotel / resupply Aguinane - small shop 664 54 Resupply point

Aguinane - small shop Auberge Paradis d'Aguinane 665 1 Resupply point

Auberge Paradis d'Aguinane Aka Ghuiren 696 31 Resupply point

Aka Ghuiren Tagmout - cafe & restaurants 781 85 Resupply point

Tagmout - cafe & restaurants Auberge Tagmout 839 58 Resupply point

Auberge Tagmout Issafn - small shop 844 5 Resupply point

Issafn - small shop Auberge Ait Mansour - possibly food 941 96 Resupply point

Auberge Ait Mansour - possibly food Tassirt - shop 951 11 Resupply point

Tassirt - shop Tagouramt - shop 957 6 Resupply point

Tagouramt - shop Tafraoute - shops & hotels / CP3 993 36 Checkpoint

Tafraoute - shops & hotels / CP3 Ait Omgas - shop 1002 9 Resupply point

Ait Omgas - shop Gite Amakhir - hotel 1044 42 Resupply point

Gite Amakhir - hotel Aouguenz (off route) - cafe & shop 1044 0 Resupply point
Sidi Abdallah El Bouchouari - shops
Aouguenz (off route) - cafe & shop & restaurants 1088 44 Resupply point
Sidi Abdallah El Bouchouari - shops &
restaurants ZIZ - petrol station - shop 1101 13 Resupply point

ZIZ - petrol station - shop Mogador Al Madina / Finish! 1167 66 FINISH

Toughest sections & notable difficulties

The best way to understand the toughest parts of the route and get a sense of the difficulties of the race
is to check on race recaps and blog posts by last year’s riders. They’re a friendly bunch and are likely to
share information if you ask nicely. Please do look carefully at the route and do your own research to get
an idea of where the going will get tough. Gradients and remoteness will be a good sign of when it’ll be
hard. Below is a short list of the sections that we estimate should be particularly difficult on a bike. It is
not exhaustive though, so there may be some surprises. Use this information as a rough guide.

Telouet Pass
The highest point in the race. At 2600m, in February, it's entirely possible that there will be snow up
towards the pass. There is a proper gravel road the whole way up, but the descent is loose and rocky
and will likely require some hiking. Don’t make the mistake of riding when it gets too loose. I can
personally attest that falling head first into large stones isn’t that fun and leaves a few marks...

Imassine to Afra
This remote section of the race is one of the most beautiful but it will also be tough. It's remote and dry
and rocky. The ascent will likely require some hiking due to the incline and surface. Think carefully about
supplies. The views do make up for the hardship though...

10
Aguinane to Tagmout
After you come out of the Aguinane valley and get off the tarmac again, the road deteriorates. There will
likely be some hiking involved.

Tagmout to Issafen
This is the broken old colonial piste that features in the teaser. It’s an incredible place but is also pretty
hard going. Many riders thought it was the hardest stretch last year. Well worth the effort though. Try not
to be here in the dark to make the most of the views if at all possible!

Piste after KM1067

One of the last, if not the last time you’ll have to push your bike. The ascent is quite short but it'll certainly
involve some hiking.

Race Categories

The Atlas Mountain Race is primarily designed as a solo challenge, but to make it more accessible to
less experienced riders or those that want to share the experience, we have also included a pairs
category. We will not be accepting teams or groups of more than two riders to enter the race.

The Atlas Mountain Race may be raced as a ​SOLO rider or as part of a ​PAIR​. These will be the two
finishing categories. The final race rankings will reflect these two categories with finishing times and
positions in these categories only. For more information on how this will work, head to the rules section
further down in this race manual.

Solo riders are expected to be entirely self-sufficient. They must not receive any outside assistance, be
that private resupply, navigation information, information on where they are in the race rankings, drafting
other riders, etc. The same rules apply for pairs riders but to the pair as a whole. They are allowed to
assist and support each other within the pair, but the pair as a whole cannot receive any assistance from
outside of the pair. If you have any doubts as to what constitutes outside assistance and private
resupply, we are happy to answer any of your questions.

We feel that a little further clarification can be helpful when it comes to solo racers riding together. We
don’t want to discourage people riding together intermittently and sharing the experience because of a
fear of being declassified or disqualified. At the same time, this is a race, and the rules need to be fair to
riders that truly ride the entire route solo. We’re not going to quantify precisely how much time can be
spent with another rider before it constitutes riding as a pair. Essentially, if you ride with someone, it
should be because you happen to be riding at the same pace at that time. What you should not be doing
is the following: planning to sleep in the same place, waiting for each other, etc. for days on end.

*Please note that you are only allowed to finish in the general classification in the same category as you
started in. For instance solo riders cannot finish as a pair if they decide to team up in the middle of the
race. The same applies if a Pairs rider finishes without their partner. In both cases, riders will be given a
finishing time, but will be removed from the general classification.

11
Race Coverage and Rider Updates

There will be three main channels for spectators to follow the race. First and foremost will be the Race
Map and rider ‘dots’; the go to resource for your family, friends and followers to check on your progress.
We expect many an hour will be spent by dot watchers poring over the race map to see how the dots are
progressing.

The second main channel is the podcast that we will be producing during the race. Planning is still
ongoing but it will likely include a number of introductory episodes and then some content live from the
field. The podcast will be available to stream on the AMR website, details will be announced after we
publish the first episode.

We will also be posting daily images on our social media channels. Look out for one of our two control
cars as they make their way along the race route on the lookout for riders. We may also be placing
photographers in some pretty remote and hard to reach spots, so keep an eye out, you never know
when they might come across you.

In addition to this, we will be keeping an eye on your social media. We recommend that riders get a local
sim card on arrival and add some credit, it’s very affordable and easy to do. You should be good to go
with around 100 dirhams of credit if you pick an internet only plan. You can ask one of the sellers of sim
cards to help you set up internet access on your phone. While a lot of the coverage will go to those at the
sharp end of the race, our control cars will be spread throughout the field and we will do our best to post
updates on as many riders as possible, regardless of where they are in the race standings. It’s not all
about winning.

The official hashtag for this edition of the race is ​#AMR2021

In addition to this, each rider will also be encouraged to use a personal hashtag unique to them in this
edition of the race. This will be comprised of the official hashtag above and the cap number given in 3
digits, for example:​ #AMR2021cap001

This will allow us and your followers to easily see a feed of all your updates across various
platforms as well as those who are posting about you. Cap numbers will be allocated shortly before the
start of the race.

While the race is in progress, the ways to get in touch with us will be printed on your Brevet Card and
these will include:

Email:​ [email protected]
SMS / Helpline: ​TBD
Trackers: SOS/Assistance: ​The use of the tracker buttons has precise instructions that must be
strictly adhered to, see details lower down in this manual

Atlas Mountain Race will be making updates via the following channels:

Instagram: ​@atlasmountainrace

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Facebook page: ​facebook.com/atlasmountainrace

On the blog section of our website: ​atlasmountainrace.cc

Our YouTube Channel: ​http://bit.ly/2YYlHnq

Next of kin following the race

The primary means of following the race will be the race map and the dots. However, please remember
that the information provided by the system is not infallible. As with other events where the system is
used, there may be periods where tracking is incomplete or less than 100% reliable. There can be
tracker failures and issues with tracker reliability. The race organisation has a number of designated
“Dotwatchers”, but welcomes information from those who are also watching their loved ones. It is natural
for people, especially friends and family, to worry about riders when their tracker stops moving for any
length of time. Please do not panic as there are any number of reasons why this could be the case. If
you are particularly concerned, you can send an email to ​[email protected], ​with a rider cap
number and ​TRACKING in the title. The person on duty at HQ, can then act accordingly and compare
with other data from the control cars and latest dotwatching logs. We will do our best to get back to you
in a timely manner and check on riders as necessary, but please understand that we are very busy
during this time.

Finally, for followers’ peace of mind, don’t forget that whilst the AMR is held in a wild and remote
location, the fact that all riders follow the same route, will ensure that if a rider does encounter a problem,
another rider will soon pass the same way. The control cars will be spread out amongst the field of riders
and traveling along the same route also. Finally, remember that there are usually locals about, even in
the most seemingly remote parts of the country.

Scratching from the Race

If you end up in the situation where, for one reason or another, you cannot continue with your race, and
wish to drop out or ‘scratch’ from the race please get in touch with us as soon as possible by sending an
email to [email protected]. If you are unable to do so, please use one of the contact methods
above. Include in your email as much information as possible regarding the circumstances of your
withdrawal from the race, including your full name and race number. Note that all riders are welcome to
celebrate with us at the finish regardless of how they get there. If you scratch from the race you are
responsible for your onward travel to the destination you choose.

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“Never scratch at night” is good advice from accomplished endurance racers. That is to say
always wait until morning to make any big decisions, things have a habit of looking a lot better
after a night’s sleep. That advice has saved many a successful race campaign, including my own.
- MIKE HALL

Contact with AMR during the race

AMR will be operating a mobile Race Headquarters (HQ), that will function 24/7 during the race period
and will be best equipped to respond to any urgent enquiries. The official race email,
[email protected] is the best way to get in touch with staff at race HQ. AMR staff will then be
able to quickly get in touch with the teams out in the field and pass on information as required to best
respond to any situations that arise. Details of how to get in touch with the HQ will also be printed on the
Brevet cards that will be given to riders at registration the day before the start of the race.

For the duration of the race, the main assets that AMR will have in the field are the two control cars and
medic car that will be traveling along the race route. These will likely be the most expedient means of
checking on a rider and responding to any situations that arise. They will all be carrying satellite
communication devices, and so will always be contactable.

Prior to the race we will be getting in touch with the emergency contact that riders provided during the
application procedure with more information on how best to get in touch with AMR. We will also provide
a brief guide on what is to be expected as a first time dot watcher and avoid any unnecessary worries
caused by such issues as intermittent tracking.

It is crucial for riders and their next of kin to understand before entering the race that informing your next
of kin of any relevant information may well be the only action that AMR are able to perform in the event
of an accident. Riders need to understand that they are fully self-reliant and responsible for themselves
and it simply may not be possible for AMR to provide any assistance, which therefore carries no
obligation. Riders will need to sign the Rider Agreement prior to their participation in the race being
accepted. It will be provided to them online before the start of the race.

14
Registration and Race Start

Registration

Friday 5th February 10 am - 3 pm

Location : Mogador Kasbah - Hôtel & Spa

ADDRESS : ​Avenue Mehdi Ben Barka, Marrakech

Coordinates :​ ​31.596859, -7.991636

Please make sure you bring all the documents with you that are outlined below in this manual or any
more recent communications from AMR. Copies of insurance documents are acceptable and you can
leave the copies with the registration team. We recommend that you carry a copy of your insurance
documents with you during the race.

Tracker deposit payment will be made available online in January through paypal, allowing for quicker
registration. Your deposit payment will also be reimbursed using paypal when you return your tracker.
This will be possible at the finish line in Agadir until it closes at midnight on Saturday the 14th of
February (the evening of the party).

When you arrive, give your name at the desk and follow our volunteers’ directions. We will check your
records and call you up to take care of any parts of the process we need you to complete. You can then
take your tracker and various goodies.

If you have your own tracker please ensure you have an active subscription in time for the race and turn
it on and test it after registration. We will have checked all trackers to ensure they have registered a
pre-race position and they are working properly but please also do so yourself. If you fail to test the
tracker we may not get a chance to check for errors before you leave and you may experience tracking
problems.

The AMR podcast host will also be present at registration and will be looking for riders to talk to for the
official race podcast.

Bike Box & Bag Transfer

We will be providing a free bike box & bag transfer service for riders, included in your entry fee. You will
be able to leave your bike box and one small bag with us at registration which we’ll then transport to the
finish line for you. The idea is for you to have a change of clothes and a few extra belongings that you
wouldn’t want to carry during the race itself. Although the bags will be kept in a secure place, please do
not leave any valuables to avoid any risk of lost items.

Bike Boxes
Bike boxes will be transferred from Marrakech to the finish line at the end of registration on the 5th of
February. You will be able to drop off youx box during registration, or in the evening the day before, from
5-8pm. ​Cardboard bike boxes must be provided flattened. Your boxes should be ​EMPTY​. We will not

15
accept boxes with additional personal belongings.

Bags
If you want to leave a small bag with us for transport to the finish line, please do so in the morning just
before the start. Your bag must be less than 40x25x20cm. ​We will not accept bigger bags. You will
need to make your way to the finish line to pick up your belongings. Nothing will be left at the registration
hotel.

Rider Briefings
The rider briefings will take place at ​Mogador Kasbah - Hôtel & Spa at 4pm on the 5th of February​.
This briefing is ​mandatory for all riders and will either confirm or update you on the information
provided in this manual. Brevet cards are your official record of race times and may only be issued at the
rider briefings, so make sure you attend. Without a Brevet Card, you may not appear on the race results.
You MUST attend or you will not be allowed to race​.

AMR Control and Media Crew on the Road

Atlas Mountain Race will be out in the field for the duration of the race in our two official control cars with
photographers. We will also be catching up with riders to talk with them for the race podcast that will be
published every two days throughout the race. Our media teams will have been briefed to capture the
race but not get in your way. Do please feel free to chat with us of course. Remember that if you want to
be left alone and get on with things though, you are under no obligation to stop and pose for the camera!

AMR Volunteers at Control Points

Please be mindful that most of the people you will meet at the start, finish and control points will be
volunteers who are giving their time to make all this possible. Please be kind and courteous to all
volunteers, no matter how tired you are, without these people there would be no race.

16
Race Start

Start:​ ​Mogador Kasbah - Hôtel & Spa

Coordinates:​ ​31.596859, -7.991636

Race Starts:​ Saturday 6th February 09:00 (GMT+1) (Please arrive 30 minutes before this time)

For the second edition of the race, we will start in Marrakech, from the same location as registration.
Please be at the start line, all packed and ready to go at least 30 minutes before the official start. Head
to the GPS coordinates written above and look out for signage and volunteers waiting to welcome you
for the start of the race.

17
The Checkpoints

There will be three mandatory checkpoints in Atlas Mountain Race 2021. They will begin operation at the
arrival of the first rider and they will close as indicated below. Checkpoints are used as a means of
confirming the passage of race participants along the route both as proof of full participation and as a
safety check for the organisers to confirm the physical location (and condition) of participants compared
to the satellite tracking data.

Passage through each checkpoint is confirmed by a stamp by the duty AMR representative in your
brevet card. Each checkpoint is located where there are certain resources or services. In accordance
with the principles of unsupported racing, any services are limited to those generally commercially
available. The race organisers and volunteers may provide you with information at their discretion. The
checkpoints are the best place for friends, families and supporters to cheer on riders should they decide
to do so. We recommend that anyone coming out to support riders get in touch with AMR beforehand.

Checkpoint Cut-offs

AMR will not be operating hard cut-offs for the race checkpoints. You will be free to continue on your way
around the race course even if you are outside the time frame of the race. You will be able to self
validate using a recognisable photograph at the checkpoint location. However, please be aware that if
you are outside the checkpoint closing times AMR will not be in a position to provide even the most basic
assistance should you require it.

Operating Hours (Local Times)

The checkpoints will be open 24 hours, but please do take care to consider others when arriving outside
normal daytime hours.

18
CP1:​ Glaoui Kasbah, Telouet

Control:​ Auberge Restaurant Telouet

Coordinates:​ ​31.289832, -7.236634

Closes:​ Sunday 7th February (GMT+1) at 12:00 (noon)

Distance from start:​ 126 Kilometres

The passage of merchant caravans, which connected the desert with the large cities situated on the
other side of the Atlas, and the proximity of the salt mines, made the wealth of the Pashas inhabiting
Telouet. The current kasbah was built from the 1860s by the El Glaoui family. Their power grew during
the colonial era, where their support for the French further reinforced their influence. Their fall from grace
following independence is one of the main reasons why the Kasbah is in such a state of disrepair. An
interesting and somewhat forgotten piece of Morocco’s heritage.

Food

The checkpoint itself will be at the Auberge Restaurant Telouet. Last year our hosts did us proud with an
excellent level of service, with hot meals and food throughout the day and night. We expect them to do
as well again this year. They’re already excited about the race coming through Telouet again. With the
checkpoint so close to the start, it’s going to be a busy one!

19
CP2:​ Aguinane Palmery

Control:​ TBD

Coordinates:​ ​TBD

Closes:​ Wednesday 10th February at 21:00 (GMT+1)

Distance from start​:​ 665 Kilometres

The Aguinane Palmery, built into the steep sides of this narrow valley is a truly spectacular site. Even
more impressive is the narrow dirt road that climbs at an incredible gradient up the cliff where a waterfall
can sometimes be seen in winter. Luckily, riders will be heading down the valley on this vertiginous,
piste. Truly a descent to enjoy at a casual pace given the width of the road and the great drops that await
at every bend, with no safety barriers in sight...

Food
Essentially the same as for CP1. We are working on a new location for CP2 after a disappointing
experience with last year’s hosts. Preparations are ongoing to ensure that they are ready for riders’
arrival. We cannot guarantee that you’ll get the same welcome as at CP1 though at this time. Keep an
eye on this section in future updates to the race manual as it will be updating as we talk with local
partners.

20
CP3:​ Tafraoute

Control:​ TBD

Coordinates:​ ​TBD

Closes:​ Friday 12th February at 24:00 (Midnight) (GMT+1)

Distance from start​: 994 Kilometres

Although the checkpoint itself will be in Tafraoute, the highlight here comes about 60km before in the Ait
Mansour palmery. Another incredible, palm filled oasis hidden in an even narrower valley than Aguinane.
It may not have the incredible steep switchback climb up a vertiginous cliff, but it more than makes up for
it with the verdant palm fronds that cover the road at Ait Mansour. It will be a welcome change from the
sun scorched terrain before and after...

Food

We will be partnering with a hotel in Tafraout for the checkpoint, as yet to be determined. We will aim to
have food available throughout the night. Unlike at the previous checkpoints though, there will be other
hotels and restaurants available, relieving the pressure on the checkpoint itself.

21
Finish:​ Agadir

Finish Line:​ Mogador Al Madina - Agadir

Coordinates:​ ​TBD

Closes:​ Saturday 13th February at 24:00 (GMT+1) (midnight on the evening of the party)

Distance from start:​ 1167 km

Agadir, with its immense sandy beach and numerous lodging and eating options, will make a relaxing
place to enjoy some creature comforts and recover from the race.

Accommodation at the finish line

The finish itself will be at the Modador Al Madina. We will work on having a deal for riders should they
wish to stay at the finish line hotel. Otherwise, there are plenty of other options available in the area.

22
Finisher’s Party

There will be drinks, back-slapping and some speeches and small prizes on Saturday 13th of February
from 7pm until late. It’ll be the opportunity to chill out, exchange stories from the road and generally
recover from the ride.

Shuttle back to Marrakech

Transport will be organised for all riders back to Marrakech, should they require it on the day after the
finisher’s party (14/02). This will also include transport of your bike but is not included in the entry fee,
you will be able to sign up and pay for a spot online. The cost of the transfer back to Marrakech is not yet
fixed but will be, well ahead of the start of the race. We will send out an email after registration is
complete for you to sign up to this shuttle. We will then get back to you with pricing.

Safety throughout the Race

Entering this race should not be taken lightly, it is a serious undertaking that will require a high level of
fitness, extensive preparation and carefully selected equipment. As the organisers, safety is our primary
concern. The vast majority of the route is on 4x4 tracks or gravel roads with very little traffic.
Nonetheless, there are sections where you will not be alone on the road and as we have seen from the
recent tragedies in our community, sharing the road with cars can be dangerous.

The entire route has been checked and a full risk assessment conducted. It shall also be taken as a
clear indication to riders that the AMR is an ultra endurance bike packing race that pushes the
boundaries of races of this type and each and every participant must pay particular attention to his/her
race preparations. Your bike should be appropriate for the terrain and in perfect working condition. Lights
and brakes shall be in full working order. Use your lights in all conditions of darkness or reduced
visibility. ​We will be conducting a brief bike check at registration to ensure that brakes and lights
are fully functional. Almost the entire race takes place in a desertous mountain environment. ​We may
also check your equipment to ensure that you have everything on the mandatory equipment list.
There are long stretches of the route where there is no shelter, no habitation, and no services of any kind
available to compensate for poor preparation or inadequate equipment. Riders are advised to be
particularly vigilant with regard to the additional consequences of exhaustion, sleep deprivation and
extremes of temperature, where they may be completely alone for substantial periods during the race.

It is compulsory to wear a helmet compliant with EN1078 at all times when riding during the event.
Finally, take care to keep your insurance, identification and next of kin contact documents with you in a
safe, dry place at all times.

AMR teams on the road

We will have a medic car on the race route. We will keep it off the race map to avoid alarming loved ones
and followers of the race. Please do not count on this safety net, nor expect them to help in any way
unless there is an emergency. They are there for your safety but should not affect the way you ride this
race.

23
Warnings about riding the Atlas Mountain Race

As we have previously stated, entering into this race is a serious undertaking. It takes place in a
developing country where services and infrastructure are more limited than what you may be used to.
This is part of the attraction of the race, but you must also understand the risks that this entails. We will
go over some of the major risks that are inherent with taking part in this adventure below.

Terrain
The race takes part in serious, mountainous terrain. There may not be the altitude of other places in the
world, but it is nonetheless a difficult place to ride a bike. The tracks vary from smooth tarmac to
unrideably steep piste, and on to loose, rocky, riverbeds. It is almost all rideable but the going will be
tough. The trails also have a tendency to be rocky and there are loose rocks in many places. It is very
easy to crash out. Help will take a long time to arrive, so please do ride conservatively. The hike a bike
sections will be shorter than in SRMR but there will still be many points when you’ll need to get off the
bike and push. There are two river crossings, they shouldn’t be above knee deep, but the water is cold.

Climate and Weather Conditions

Conditions in the Atlas and Anti-Atlas are generally dry but it is entirely possible that it will rain or snow
during the race, particularly at the higher altitude of the first pass. The rest of the race deliberately takes
place further south and at lower altitude. That being said, it can get below freezing at night. During the
day expect around 15-20 degrees and at night around 0-8 degrees celsius. You may not need to use it,
but you must have wet weather gear and proper equipment to sleep at night comfortably at 0 degrees.

Emergency and medical services

Morocco is a developing country with extremely difficult terrain. Medical services are very limited outside
major urban centres. High quality medical facilities only really exist in major cities. There are also
extremely limited emergency response teams. There is no helicopter on standby to come to the
assistance of people in remote areas like there is in Europe or North America. It may take hours or even
days for emergency services to reach you, even with the SPOT trackers that all riders are required to
carry.

Resupply
Due to the wild and remote nature of some sections of the route, resupply will be one of the major
challenges that you will face to remain safe and ride efficiently. Information on resupply points that we
consider are reasonably certain to be in operation at the time of the race is provided in this manual.
Please be warned, that this information is for guidance only. There are also no doubt more potential
resupply points, so do your own research. It is good policy to keep some reserves in case you are
unable to get resupply. Keep in mind that re-supply options are also far more limited in Morocco. Most
small village shops will not have a great selection of snacks and high energy food that is convenient to
bring with you on the road. The distance between resupply points is up to 100km. Make sure you have
the reserves to pass these sections.

Water
The race may take place during the winter months but water is still extremely scarce. There are times
when you will need to take significant water reserves with you to make it from one resupply point to the
next. It may also be worth bringing electrolyte tablets with you to help with dehydration.

24
Food
More often than not, the food and sanitary conditions will be vastly different from those in your home
country and your stomach might not cope well with the change. Arriving just a few days in advance
doesn’t leave you much time to acclimatize to the local diet, so please remember to take with you
medication approved by a medical professional to relieve traveller’s stomach. The best plan is
prevention, so please use your judgement and take the necessary precautions to mitigate the risk of
illness. Be diligent about where you get water and what you eat.

Warnings and particular considerations for female participants

Morocco is generally a wonderful place for anyone to cycle, women included, but there are a number of
issues that solo female cyclists should be made aware of before heading into the mountains by
themselves. We want all participants of the Atlas Mountain Race to have the best experience possible,
so it's important for you to know the risks, situations to avoid and precautions to take. At the same time,
these recommendations are not here to scare you but simply to ensure that you go into the event with
your eyes open.

To be clear, we had a number of incidents with women that took part in the race last year. These went
from harassment with locals being inappropriately ‘touchy’ or ‘cuddly’ to more frightening cases where
several young men surrounded a rider and she had to shout and forcibly get out of the situation, leaving
her shaken and ultimately scratching from the race. We do not share these experiences to frighten the
women that want to take part. We want you to be aware and cautious. Most of our female participants
didn’t encounter this behaviour but it did and can happen again.

Our plan to deal with these kinds of incidents is threefold:

- First we will share some general guidance and recommendations in this manual (below).

- Secondly, for any woman who submits an application and is accepted, know that we have
participants from last year’s race who would be happy to talk more about the specifics of
what happened, discuss further recommendations, advice, etc. with you. Just send us an
email on the race email and we’ll put you in touch. You will be given the time that you
need to do this. We will put on hold your entry fee payment until you are ready to make a
decision, one way or another. We are also considering writing up further, more detailed
guidance for anyone who puts in an application.

- Finally, starting this year, the ‘help’ button on your tracker will be allocated for use in case
of any kind of harassment that a rider feel’s warrants our intervention or that of the local
police. The police had a very strong presence throughout the course last year and we
expect this to be repeated. With these kinds of incidents likely to occur near places of
habitation, we expect the response to be quick and effective. On receipt of a ‘help’
notification we will dispatch police and/or a control car immediately to the GPS
coordinates that come with the message. You will be able to ask exactly how to send a
‘help’ and other aspects of tracker use at registration or before the race by email. We also
plan to add some guidance on letting locals know that you have the ability to summon

25
 police quickly by pressing a button. Either a simple phrase or word to be spoken or a text
to show. We hope that this will have the effect of dissuading such behaviour.

General guidance and recommendations for female participants

- You may want to wear loose clothing that covers exposed skin/hair, in particular shoulders and
knees. This is of course not a requirement but it is local practice and may help to reduce the
attention that you receive. Some riders did this last year while others opted not to.
- A generally friendly demeanour with a smile and wave to passersby can help to immediately
instore a positive interaction with locals.
- If you are interacting with business owners, resupply, etc. a serious and businesslike manner is
generally recommended.
- You may feel safer wild camping where nobody knows where you are sleeping; than in a hotel.
We did have riders who received unwanted attention from hotel staff.
- If you are the subject of someone touching or groping you, call them out. A useful Moroccan word
is ​Hashouma ‘shame on you’ as you slap their hand away.
- If things go beyond this and the situation escalates, shout loudly and get yourself out of harm’s
way.
- Do not hesitate to ask for other riders’ assistance. Riding with a male participant will likely help
reduce unwanted attention. If you feel unsafe, we will not consider riding with another participant
as a breach of the rules. Your safety is paramount.
- If you experience anything that you felt didn’t warrant the use of the ‘help’ button but was
nonetheless a negative experience, please do report it using the official race phone number. It
will also function on whatsapp, making it easy to leave us a message. We can only act on what
we are aware of.
- Finally, come prepared in case of an unexpected period, this happened to several riders last year
and you will not find female hygiene products out in the Moroccan Atlas!

Mandatory equipment list

There will be a mandatory equipment list for all participants in the race. We will keep this as short as
possible. It is essentially a minimum checklist to make sure that you do not head out into remote areas
with inadequate equipment.

- Front and Rear lights

- Helmet
- Basic first aid kit - this includes bandages, antiseptic/sterile wipes, medication
- Suitable sleeping system. We won’t be enforcing a specific temperature rating for each piece of
equipment, but rather, you should have with you equipment to be comfortable sleeping at 0°c.
- Down jacket or synthetic equivalent. Something warm if you get stuck in cold/wet weather.
- Waterproof jacket
- Survival blanket : they’re super light and could prove invaluable in an emergency.
- Gloves : These are to protect you from the weather rather than cycling specific. You should have
two pairs, one waterproof and one warm.

26
Bike recommendations

There are a number of bike options that would all be solid choices for this race. There are few extremely
technical sections but you will benefit from wider tyres, flat bars and mountain bike geometry on the
rougher sections and on descents. When it gets very tough, you probably won’t be able to ride,
regardless of the bike you choose.

I think the ideal bike is something fast and light with at least 2.0” tyres. When it comes down to it, it will
depend on you: your bike handling skills, how much comfort you need for long days in the saddle, and
the bike that you have available. What I would recommend though is low gearing, with, at the very least,
a 1 to 1 ratio for your lowest gear. There are some steep, steep sections. You may well also want to go
with front suspension, but it is not required. I would personally ride a hardtail mountain bike on this route.
The surface is rocky and rough and you’ll enjoy things a lot more with a more serious bike.

27
Emergency Situations

Regardless of how competitive you are or where you stand in the race rankings, safety should always be
your primary concern. Please think carefully about your personal safety at all times and avoid
unnecessary risks. Many sections of the race route are remote and difficult to access. Help will most
likely take hours to arrive at the best of times.

In the event that you do find yourself in a life threatening situation, check your spot tracker and activate
the SOS function. If you are within cellular reception, please call us immediately. Contact information will
be given during the rider briefings and will be printed on your brevet card. If none of these options are
available to you, due to tracker malfunction, etc. you will need to find your own assistance.

We do not want to discourage people from using the SOS function on their tracker, but please know that
we take distress signals very seriously and getting help to the location of the incident often requires
massive coordination by the organisation. Please think carefully before using this function and ​use the
SOS only in a life threatening situation. We will not be able to establish the reason for the SOS call
until someone is physically on location.

We will have a team of Dot Watchers who will be monitoring your track very carefully for the duration of
the race and if we spot something unusual, we will likely make sure things are okay. We will put systems
in place to ensure that in the event that something happens to a rider, but that they are unable to notify
AMR, there will still be a response. An analysis will be made of the conditions before the period of
inactivity: terrain, speed, location, etc. to judge the probability that there is an issue and react
accordingly.

Next of Kin

All riders are required to give details of their next of kin, so that they can be contacted if AMR become
aware of any incidents or accidents involving riders. Next of kin will be contacted before the race and
notified that they have been nominated as a racer’s point of contact. They will also be advised of some of
the more important details of the rider agreement which riders have signed, the responsibilities of the
riders, and the limited obligations of AMR. They will also be given information on how to follow the race
and what to expect as it unfolds.

AMR advise that riders discuss their entry into the race with their next of kin well in advance of the event.
Their next of kin should understand that the rider is taking full responsibility for their ride and is fully
aware that they won’t be getting any assistance. This discussion is key to the avoidance of any
misunderstanding by participants or their next of kin.

Due to the nature of the event and the distribution of riders along the course, AMR cannot provide
emergency rescue to riders. Our commitment is to help coordinate the best response possible to any
incident and notify next of kin as soon as we can, once we are aware of an incident and provide them
with as much information as possible. In the event of an incident, AMR will not make any public
statements without first contacting next of kin, verifying information and obtaining their permission.

28
Registration Documents / Checklist

For registration you will need the following:

Photo ID - For example passport / driver’s licence / ID card to prove it is you and so no imposter can
steal your place on the starting line.

Doctor’s Note ​- ​We must ask you to provide a medical note signed by your doctor to certify that you are
in good physical health to undertake the demands of the event. The note must bear the name and marks
of a traceable doctor’s practice, confirm that there are no known health reasons that you should not
participate and mention the Atlas Mountain Race by name.

We will be providing a document that we recommend you bring with you when you visit your doctor for
the purpose of obtaining a doctor’s note. It will provide a brief checklist of topics that it could be useful to
discuss with your doctor (these are recommendations but not mandatory). This document can be found
at the end of this manual but will also be sent to all riders separately.

Insurance ​- All riders must have valid insurance which covers emergency extraction and repatriation.
Please bring your policy number and the name of your insurer, or a copy of your cover certificate.

Policies are also available which will insure you for your race fee should you have an accident before the
race which means you cannot participate.

It is the rider's responsibility to contact the insurer and confirm that the level of cover they require is
provided and in particular for AMR, which is a competitive event. Please note that there are no cash or
high value prizes in the AMR as this can affect premiums and cover.

29
Visas

With the Moroccan government’s policy of encouraging tourism to the country, there are many countries
that can enter the country for 90 days without a visa. This is the case for the countries below. If you are
not a national of these countries please find out well ahead of time what the procedure is to obtain a
tourist visa for the period of the race.

30
Satellite Tracking

Satellite tracking is included within the entry fee. SPOT personal satellite trackers will be available for
collection all day on Friday and their use demonstrated.

Private SPOT trackers

Private trackers are welcome and encouraged, there is a £40 discount for riders with their own device.

If you wish to use your own tracker we will require your share page URL and ESN number - there will be
a form available to submit this on or before race day.

(note that a Garmin style GPS device is not the same as a SPOT tracker and does not perform the same
function. For your SPOT you will also need an active service plan).

Prior to the start of the race you will also need to change the emergency contacts on your findmespot
page to those specified by AMR, this will ensure that emergency services are coordinated as quickly as
possible in case of emergency. Details on how to do this and the contacts to use will be sent to riders
separately by email.

All racers who do not have their own tracker will be supplied with one by AMR. It is the rider's
responsibility to keep this active and replace batteries as necessary. In the event that your tracker is not
active for any period of time then riders may be asked to present other evidence to confirm their ride in
order to get a valid time and place in the general classification. All finishers in the top 10 will need their
ride verified by a tracker.

AMR rental devices: SPOT Generation III

This is what the SPOT GEN III Units look like

Tracker Deposit

A refundable deposit of £180 against loss or damage will be required for each tracker online via Paypal.
Your deposit will be returned to you via Paypal once you have returned the tracker.

31
Tracker Instructions

Mounting device. Ensure the tracker has the SPOT logo facing up with a clear view of the sky, this
ensures the best satellite coverage. The ideal spot is up higher and/or away from you, it can be placed at
the top of a bag (the right way up) and transmit through the fabric but it shouldn’t be under other
equipment.

Turn on. ​Press and hold the Power button at the top left to turn on; lights will illuminate. THEN Start
tracking. Please leave your tracker on for the duration of the race. It will switch into power saving mode
when you are not moving so there is no need to ever switch it off. This will prevent the risk of accidentally
forgetting to turn it back on, causing concern from AMR and loved ones alike.

Start tracking. ​Press and hold the Track (footprint) button until the light illuminates green. The device
can be left on continuously, it is motion activated so will use very little battery when stopped.

Turn off. ​Press and hold the Power button until the Power light blinks rapidly.

OK button. ​For AMR 2021 you will be able to use the OK button in two situations: at the end of the day
to let us know that you have stopped for the night; and when you are stopped or plan to stop for more
than 6 hours. This will let us and our dotwatching team know that there is nothing for us to worry about
during a prolonged break. To ensure the message gets through, leave on under a clear sky for 20
minutes.

Help button. (hand icon) The help button will be used in AMR 2021. With the level of support that we
received from local authorities in the first edition of the race, we plan to leverage this to make the race
safer when it comes to female participants. If you are the victim of any kind of sexual harassment, please
use the help button and we will pass this on to local police who we believe will act swiftly.

Custom Message Button. (text message icon) We will not be using the Custom Message button for
AMR 2021

SOS button. SPOT's S.O.S. function should only be used for critical, life-threatening situations. Pressing
the S.O.S. button sends an alert directly to Race HQ and local authorities, who will work together to
coordinate an emergency rescue as soon as possible. As stated elsewhere in this manual, please be
aware that the response time may be significant, with help possibly many hours away.

Waterproof. ​The device is waterproof to a depth of 1 metre for 30 minutes. For more detailed
information, visit www.findmespot.com and view their “SPOT Gen3 user guide”

32
The rules

Introduction & Clarification of the Rules

When it came to deciding the rules of the AMR for inclusion in the first edition of the race manual, I first
had a look at how other unsupported races do things, and the slight differences that exist in the letter of
the law for each of them. They all share the same general principles but there is some variation both in
the rules that are spelled out and how strictly they are applied. In the end, I based the rules on the
system that Mike Hall developed for the last edition of the Transcontinental that he was involved in
before his tragic death. He was at the forefront of developing our sport and worked tirelessly to improve
and update things every year, learning from the experience of putting on one of the leading unsupported
races. From personal experience, I can say that the rules that he developed worked very well in the
context of the Transcontinental. The addition of the distinction between a completion and category finish
added another level of sophistication to distinguish between true solo finishes and riders who completed
the challenge but who could not truly say that they finished the race entirely unsupported. I think that
there is real value in retaining this system. It allowed for two categories of finishers, one a little more
lenient that made the race more accessible, and the other that ensured that those going for the win
would need to really do things entirely by themselves. Just to reiterate, here is the distinction between
these two categories as defined below:

If all ​RULES​ given below are observed then riders are awarded a C ​ OMPLETION​ and are included in the register of
arrivals​ which will be listed in time order. Where any reasonable doubt may exist and there is no evidence of a rule
breach, then benefit of such doubt is given to the rider.

If, as above, all ​RULES a

​ re observed A ​ ND ​the conditions for ​QUALIFICATION b ​ elow are met then riders will be
awarded a ​CATEGORY FINISH​ and be given a finishing position in the g ​ eneral classification​ for solo or pairs as
​ rrivals.​ Where any reasonable doubt may exist and there is no evidence of
well as being listed in the register of a
qualification then the rider will need to prove it.

However, there are also some notable differences between the Transcontinental and the Atlas Mountain
Race. It is more difficult navigating the grey areas between private and commercially available resupply.
What is acceptable ‘trail magic’ and what is outside resupply that will give one rider an advantage over
another? Where does the line fall between positive interaction with locals and relying on them to
complete your ride? When the nearest bike shop is back at the start of the route, several hundred
kilometers away, and a rider’s pump is broken through no fault of their own, should that mean the end of
their ride or of anyone who stops to help? How do we distinguish between these different scenarios in a
way that holds riders to a high standard of self-sufficiency and ensures an even playing field while still
being realistic? Following the rules is largely self-policed and riders need to feel that they can discuss
any issues that they had during their ride.

From the very first edition of the AMR we need a set of rules that best reflects the reality on the ground
while respecting the spirit and heritage of our sport. No doubt we will build on these rules and adapt
them as we learn more about the realities of the race in future editions.

The first topic to address is the interaction between riders and locals outside of clear commercial
resupply situations. In a country with a proud tradition of hospitality, it would be a real shame not to allow

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riders to accept offers of this kind. However, allowing riders to accept offers of food, drink and even
shelter, does create a lot of possibilities for contentious situations.

The principle that riders shall follow is this: they may accept legitimate, unplanned offers of drink, food or
shelter but must not go looking for it. Any help received must not be solicited in any way. It’s the
difference between stopping for a shepherd who waves you over and going off route and asking for
something. I absolutely do not want to hear of riders knocking on doors or going out of their way to get
help from locals. Riders should not be counting on the support of locals to get them through a remote
section. They should be fully self-sufficient and any offer from locals should be an opportunity for
interaction and positive experiences rather than a means of carrying less supplies or gaining any kind of
advantage. If they do get themselves into a situation where they came to depend on a local to get them
through it, then they should tell us about it and explain the circumstances.

What this means is that we will be adding one more rule for the second edition of the AMR, on a trial
basis.

- Riders must not solicit any form of private resupply from locals on the race route, any
such interaction must be freely offered and unplanned.

For riders who are pursuing a category finish (a requirement for contesting the overall win), the same
distinction when it comes to the burden of proof as in other situations will be observed. Unlike with a
simple completion, where we will assume that anything offered by locals was indeed in good faith, riders
seeking a spot in the general classification will need to prove that it was the case if any doubts arise. It
will not necessarily be easy to do so, meaning that there is a certain risk involved. We recommend you
document any of these situations to ensure that there is no doubt. Take some pictures, make a video,
whatever you feel can help. If you want to be absolutely certain that no questions arise, it may be best to
avoid the more substantial offers of hospitality such as shelter or a full meal. In any case, given the
slower pace of life in Morocco, you’ll most likely end up spending more time than planned if you do
decide to stop...

The second main topic that requires some discussion is assistance between riders. There has been
quite a lot of debate about what constitutes outside assistance between riders, particularly for
mechanical problems. This was especially true for relatively minor infractions such as lending someone a
pump. The view that we have adopted for the first edition of the AMR is that any assistance received
from another rider means that you will not be disqualified but you will be eligible for a completion only.
The assisted rider will not be able to receive a spot in the general classification. We will also slightly relax
the rule regarding the rider doing the assisting also being penalised. Helping another rider will not affect
their standing in the race. This makes the AMR somewhat more lenient than the Transcontinental but I
think that in the context of Morocco, where a mechanical can mean not only the end of your race but also
the ride, it is justified.

Finally, I would also like to clarify what to do if you suffer a mechanical that you are unable to fix yourself
or any other issue that requires a hasty retreat towards civilisation not under your own power. We will
allow you to hitch or pay for a lift out, but also back, as the distances involved are such that riding back
to the spot where you had the issue would essentially mean the end of your race. However you get back
to where you were, it won’t be easy and it will cost you a lot of time. If you do end up needing to do this,

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we expect you to document the exact location where you were picked up and make sure that you return
precisely to the same spot. The best solution, of course, is to be certain of the gear you bring to
Morocco, carry plenty of spares and ride conservatively to avoid breaking anything in the first place.

So that pretty much wraps it up for the rule clarifications. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have
any doubts or questions. The same goes for during the race. You may well have to wait until a town or
checkpoint a fair bit further down the road until you can tell us about any issues you had, but please do
so. There is some serious satisfaction to be had from knowing that you managed to complete the ride
entirely by yourself without any outside assistance.

The Rules

The Atlas Mountain Race is a race from point A to point B, via a predefined and shared route on a
bicycle for solo riders without any dedicated assistance. It’s pretty simple really but some people do
whatever they can to get one over on the rest of us, so we need some rules.

Put simply, there will be two types of finishes for AMR 2021.

If all ​RULES given below are observed then riders are awarded a ​COMPLETION and are included in the
register of ​arrivals which will be listed in time order. Where any reasonable doubt may exist and there is
no evidence of a rule breach, then benefit of such doubt is given to the rider.

If, as above, all ​RULES ​are observed ​AND ​the conditions for ​QUALIFICATION ​below are met then
riders will be awarded a ​CATEGORY FINISH and be given a finishing position in the ​general
classification for solo or pairs as well as being listed in the register of ​arrivals​. Where any reasonable
doubt may exist and there is no evidence of qualification then the rider will need to prove it.

To summarise: in the presence of doubt Rules compliance is generally assumed, but qualification ​must
be proved.​

If a category finish is desired it is in the rider’s interests to actively avoid doubt.

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RULES FOR COMPLIANCE

Here are the rules that ​all riders must meet in order to be awarded a completion and finishing time for
the Atlas Mountain Race.

1. Ride from the designated start line to the designated finish via the route provided and the 3
manned checkpoints listed in this manual and specified on the Brevet Card.

2. No 3rd party support, private lodgings or resupply. All food, drink and equipment must be carried
with you or acquired at commercially available services

3. Riders must not sollicite any form of private resupply from locals on the race route, any such
interaction must be freely offered and unplanned

4. No drafting (other than pairs with their partners)

5. All forward travel overland must be human powered

6. All riders must maintain evidence of their ride

7. Travel insurance, cycle helmets, lights and equipment in the required equipment list are
mandatory, we may be checking

8. Riders must know and observe all local traffic laws

9. Ride in the spirit of self-reliance and equal opportunity

CONDITIONS FOR QUALIFICATION

Riders will qualify for Solo or Pairs general classification if:

- They begin and finish their race under the same classification
- They remain self-sufficient for the entire duration of their ride
- They validate at controls within the time of operation

NOTES

In order to provide a simple framework for the race this is a simplified set of rules and is therefore open
to interpretation. Interpretation for the purposes of race reporting will be made by the race director. The
race director’s decision is final.

This is a largely self-certified race and it is taken on trust that the ride presented has been ridden in good
faith. However, if that trust is found to be broken, for example if the rider is pictured drafting another,
dismissal of the offending riders will be swift and definite. You are strongly encouraged to report foul play
in your fellow riders. This should not be viewed as malicious against the rider(s) in question, but a favour
and duty to the racing community and in the interest of preserving an honest self-policing racing culture.

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Riders should act within the spirit of the rules as well as within the letter of them. This is largely what
Rule no.9 means. In the event that a competitor is found to have broken, bent or attempted to circumvent
the rules in order to gain an advantage, violations will be taken on a case by case basis. Just because
there isn’t a rule to cover the specific flavour of deviousness chosen, it doesn’t mean a rider will get away
with it.

Riders who do not validate at controls within their designated times of operation, by definition exclude
themselves from the validation procedure provided by the event. ​Riders must understand that if they
are not within the time-frame of the checkpoints’ operation, they are essentially entirely on their
own. It is extremely important to understand this.

Riders should talk to us. If there’s ambiguity in the rules or riders don’t know what to do; then they should
ask. If you think you did something cheeky but you didn’t mean it - tell us, explain why and surely
everything will be OK. If you need to make a judgement call, think about the spirit of fair play and doing
the right thing, think of the rider behind you and the rider in front, how you would feel if you were them.
Tell us what you see. Collect evidence, make a video of your predicament, that kind of thing. The more
up front you are, the better.

Pairs riders

In the pairs category, riders in the pair act as a unit and may share food, equipment, information and
resources between themselves and help each other including riding in each other’s slipstream. No
support is to come from outside the pair and resources cannot be shared outside the pair. To all intents
and purposes, the pair shall interact with others outside the pair as if they were a solo rider.

Solo and assisted finishes

A solo finish is regarded as a finish ‘with honours’ and qualifies riders to contest the overall General
Classification. [I.e. a rider cannot win the Atlas Mountain Race if they do not qualify for a solo finish].

Should any rider receive outside assistance from another rider in the race then this is classed as an
assisted finish and is not eligible for either Solo or Pairs classification since riders must start and finish
under the rules of their classification in order to qualify. The exception for this is that riders can help
another rider in an emergency situation on the understanding that the rider who needs help gives up
their Brevet Card to the helping rider and scratches from the race. This allows the helping rider to
help/rescue a rider in distress and also achieve a Solo Finish. If a rider gets themselves into a situation
where they required rescue, but then carry on to the finish, whatever the merits of the ride, they cannot
reasonably be said to have completed the Atlas Mountain Race.

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 Doctor’s Note Checklist

The Atlas Mountain Race is a serious undertaking that will require a high level of fitness and preparation
from participants. It presents a number of specific medical challenges that should not be underestimated.
More information on some of the topics that we recommend riders discuss with their doctor can be found
below. Please do not wait until the last minute to take care of this. For example, rabies immunization is
given over a 21 to 28 day period.

The doctor’s note should clearly show the name of your doctor and medical practice as well as a
statement that there are no contrary medical reasons for your participation in the Atlas Mountain Race.
The full name of the event must be present on the note.

● Travel in a developing country

Morocco is a developing country and there are a number of illnesses associated with travel there. Ask
your doctor about the kind of medication that could be useful to counter the effects of traveler’s diarrhea
and other possible afflictions.

● Rabies
There is the possibility of rabies from animal bites. Please ask your doctor about rabies prevention
including immunization. This is not obligatory but may be worth exploring.

● Other Immunizations
Please check on the appropriate immunizations for travel to the region and ensure that you are up to
date on immunizations for tetanus, etc.

● Basic First Aid/ Medications

It may be useful to ask your doctor for recommendations on what to include in the basic first aid kit that
you are required to bring with you to participate in the race. In addition to your usual personal
medications, please discuss whether you should carry other medications such as antibiotics -
considering the remote nature of this

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