Gravel Worlds Para-Cycling Guidelines

Para-cycling is for individuals with permanent physical or visual impairment(s).

To be eligible for para-cycling, the para-cyclist must have a medically diagnosed condition that is permanent and meets one of the eligible impairments for sport adapted from the International Paralympic Committee listed below. Cyclists with acute injuries or temporary conditions are ineligible. Note: Neither a national nor an international para-cycling classification is required. 

Eligible physical and visual impairments are: 

1. Impaired Muscle Power: The muscles in the limbs or trunk are completely or partially paralyzed as a consequence of conditions such as spinal cord injury, polio, or spina bifida. 

2. Impaired Passive Range of Movement: Range of movement in one or more joints is permanently reduced due to trauma, illness or congenital deficiency (e.g. conditions such as arthrogryposis or joint contracture resulting from trauma). 

3. Limb Deficiency: A total or partial absence of bones or joints from birth, as a consequence of trauma (e.g. traumatic amputation) or illness (e.g. amputation due to cancer). 

4. Ataxia: Lack of muscle coordination due to problems with the parts of the central nervous system that control movement and balance, typical of conditions such as traumatic brain injury and cerebral palsy. 

5. Athetosis: Repetitive and more or less continual involuntary movements caused by fluctuating muscle tone arising from problems in the central nervous system, typical of conditions such as cerebral palsy. 

6. Hypertonia: Abnormal increase in muscle tension with reduced ability of muscles to stretch, and joint stiffness, slowness of movement and poor postural adaptation and balance, due to problems in the central nervous system, typical of conditions such as cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, and stroke. 

7. Short Stature: Standing height and limb length are reduced due to conditions such as achondroplasia and osteogenesis imperfecta. 

8. Leg Length Difference: Minimum of 7 cm length difference due to trauma, illness, or congenital conditions. 

Vision Impairment: Vision is impacted by either an impairment of the eye structure, optical nerve/pathways or the part of the brain controlling vision (visual cortex). Resulting in: a) Visual acuity of 20/200 (6/60 meters) or less in the better-seeing eye with the best conventional correction (meaning with regular glasses or contact lenses.) b) Visual field (total area an individual can see without moving the eyes from side to side) of 20 degrees or less (also called tunnel vision) in the better-seeing eye.

Para-cyclists must be able to propel themselves under human power over the entire course with one of the below eligible bicycles: 

● Bicycles 

○ Single upright bike 

○ Tandem: Athletes with a vision impairment compete on a tandem with an able-bodied sighted pilot. 

● Handcycles (recumbent or kneeling)

● Tricycles(*) 

● E-bikes or electronically assisted equipment is allowed in competition. The results of the Para category will be sorted by finishing time of non e-assist finishers, then finish time by three assist finishers.

Para-cyclists who choose to ride with an assistant or “Shadow Rider'' may do so. The Shadow Rider’s role is to assist at aid stations with nutrition, toileting, etc. At no point shall the Shadow Rider be in front of the para-cyclist providing a draft nor pushing the rider from behind while on course. The Shadow Rider will have a guaranteed entry with their para-cyclist and will need to pay the entry fee.

Para category distances will be allowed in all competitive distances. The courses will be the same in the para and non para categories. This includes the same use of gravel and dirt roads and field access that may be more difficult to traverse in wet conditions. During good conditions, all roads should be passable by Bicycles, Handcycles, and Tricyles. Please be understanding we are unable to control the weather or current road conditions on race day.

Winners of the 150 Lauf Gravel Worlds Para Category will receive a world championship jersey and pirate sword trophy.