If they arrive at their destination too early, teams normally ride an additional out and back.
How is proof of passage done for this? Can it be validated by GPX?
I think the psychological challenge of riding to York all day and overnight and then "riding an additional 'out and back'" in the morning (York) rush hour would be too great for me and, with more relevance, test the hardened of groups' dynamics. On the other hand a diversion a bit earlier when extraordinarily (wind-assisted) good progress was evident and motivating seems what the rules expect.
But the unplanned nature of an additional excursion is the nub of the (organisational/leader's) challenge. With a few hours to go, if we are ahead of (self-imposed) schedule, I want to have a plan, for example: Thorne is 48k from York (shortest). A possible diversion to add distance is, from Selby, to go via Wetherby (assured PoP) and come in on the Rufforth road. That's 80k - so 32k more.
But I'm not going to include Wetherby on my planned route, because we need to get to York for breakfast (9am say).
If the solution to this is a 'talk to the organiser' mantra, then has someone done this in the past and what was the organiser's advice? Or do teams never try to claim extra distance that they've enjoyed riding, further (up to 20%) ride more than they've planned? (in which case why the 'above' rule? Or is this a 'French' thing?
On the GPX side the rules say:
"5. CONTROLS Each team member shall obtain proof of passage at the starting point and each designated control in the form of a stamp, ATM or till receipt."
I don't think any proof by GPX is part of an Easter Arrow. Or if it is (and a team is (all team members are) prepared to rely on their little machines for 24 hours of recording) why not say this (in the rules)?
"3. DISTANCES. At least 360km must be covered during the 24 hours but you should plan more e.g. 400k or 500k as your target.
The team will be validated if the actual distance covered is within 20% above or below the one stated before the ride (with an absolute minimum of 360km) E.g. if you plan a 450km route the team must ride between 360 and 540km."
I'm assuming the "actual distance covered" (see #3 above) is the shortest route by cycle (assessed by whatever is the current flavour of 'app') between the start and the planned finish, via specified controls, not the bicycling meanderings of a random route. For example from the KFC in Retford to the McD at Goole services, the route via Thorne is 53k. You can go via Crowle (which would be 60k) but if those are the two controls the 'credit' (assessed distance) is 53k.
Less than 15 weeks to go now
It's balmy and the sun is trying to break through even, today down in Devon.