FAQ

It’s usually free. Check with each individual club to see if they will be charging.

Most clubs that put on events for ACES allow riders and spectators to camp primitively the night before an event. Check the individual club’s website to see if the event you want to camp at allows this.

Yes, AMA-membership is required to ride an ACES event. It’s $49 a year or $20 for a one-time entry. See AMA’s website for more details.

Nothing! It’s absolutely free to watch the enduros. Since enduros require travel by road to see the riders throughout the race, there really is no set location for spectators.

It’s $70 per event, if you choose to ride points-paying classes. (Nationals are operated by NEPG and have their own rate.) See rules to view what classes pay series points. It’s $60 if you choose to ride a non-points paying class.

Riders accumulate points in the following manner:
1 point for each minute late
2 points for the first minute early
5 points for each additional minute early

Points are added and scores compared. The goal is to have the least amount of points. Emergency checks are used to break any ties.

Key Time: Designated start time. Each rider sets their watch to match the “Official Key Time” watch located at sign-up. A rider will set their watch behind the key time watch by the number of minutes equal to the riding number they drew.

Example: When signing up, the rider on row 5 will go to the key time clock and if it reads 7:55, they will set their watch to 7:50 (to the exact second!). Therefore, at the start, this rider will leave when the flip board says 5 (their row #) and their watch should read 10:00 (Key Time), or whatever the designated start (key) time is. This will be the case for every rider – as long as they set their watch correctly. A rider can simply ride “turn to turn”, matching their watch with the posted turn times on their route sheet. A route card holder makes this easy to do and an odometer is a huge asset, but you can get by without one in the beginning.

Reset: These are mileage adjustments made throughout the day to put you back on the proper time schedule and prevent you from riding recklessly on roads. They are a chance to catch your breath and get a drink (if you are lucky). Resets are considered mileage ridden and can be used to position checks and get rid of free territory.

Free Territory: This refers to the areas where a club cannot put a check. By AMA rules checks must be three miles apart. So, when you hit an “in check” you have three miles before they can check you again. You should ride these as fast as possible, even if it is fast trail. You can build up some time just in case it gets tight and come out looking good. If it is fast trail, be sure to check your time at that 3-mile mark. Free territory also exists two miles before and three miles after a gas stop (not a gas available). Smart riders use all of their free territory.

Checks: Several types of checks are used to score you.

S (Secret) check – red and white sign – scores you to the minute. Extra penalty for being early.
E (Emergency) check – green and white sign – scores you to the second for ties. (Extra penalty for being early. If you are “on time”, than 30 seconds into your minute is a perfect score.)
Restarts – you can be there early and await your turn just like the start check.
O (observation) – determine if you made it to that point – can be used to prevent cutting – free territory does not apply to these checks
S,E and Restart checks must be on whole minutes (10:32:00, 10:33:00 etc.)

Only pro riders will have pre-assigned row numbers. All other riders but draw a number out of a bucket to select their row number. See “Rules” for a complete description.

An enduro is a timekeeping off-road race (with some on-road riding to “transfer” to other sections of land) that provides you with the opportunity to ride trails on private property that are not open to the public. In fact, many of these trails only get used once or twice a year by the clubs who have worked closely with the landowners and local authorities to provide you a riding opportunity unlike any closed course event (Hare Scrambles, GPs) that you may have ridden. The goal is to accumulate the least amount of points as possible throughout the race. See “Enduro 101” for a detailed description of how to ride an enduro.

-headlight
-tail light
-mirror
-valid license plate
-bike must sound test at or below 96db

– scorecard holder: You can check with your local dealer and have them order you one. The holders will not be sold at the event.

– route card holder: You can check with your local dealer to order one.

– computer that attaches to your handlebars (optional): Check with ICO Racing

Yes. You should have a valid motorcycle permit or license from your state’s BMV, as you are required to ride on the road at various points throughout the event.

You must be at least 15.5 years old with a valid motorcycle permit or license from your state’s BMV, as you are required to ride on the road at various points throughout the event.