Frequently Asked Questions

Anyone aged 18 or over at the time of the event, with the physical preparation and experience appropriate to their chosen distance, may take part.

The Desafio ACDL by ElevoAve is aimed at people who enjoy cycling, adventure and long-distance challenges, offering an experience of personal achievement, discovery and camaraderie.

Before registering, every participant should understand the nature of the event and the concept of total autonomy, taking responsibility for their own preparation, gear, nutrition, hydration and route management.

The distance should be chosen according to each participant's experience, physical condition and ability.

The Desafio ACDL by ElevoAve offers three distances: 100 km, 200 km and 400 km.

All routes are circular, starting and finishing in Lamelas, Santo Tirso.

Each participant is responsible for choosing the distance that best matches their preparation and experience.

The Desafio ACDL by ElevoAve is open to Gravel and Mountain bikes.

Participants are responsible for making sure their bike is in suitable condition to complete the challenge.

Family and friends are of course welcome at the start and finish.

During the route itself, participants must take on the challenge in line with the autonomy principle set by the organisation.

Pre-arranged outside assistance intended to directly benefit a participant along the route is not allowed.

Yes.

Participants can ride together and share the experience along the route.

No.

The Desafio ACDL by ElevoAve is, above all, a challenge of endurance, autonomy and personal achievement.

Time records may be kept, but the spirit of the event values the experience, respect for the route, for fellow participants and for local communities more than any ranking.

The real goal is to push your own limits and reach the finish line.

Being a Finisher means completing the distance chosen at registration, following the rules and official route set by the organisation.

More than a time or a ranking, finishing the Desafio ACDL by ElevoAve represents the achievement of a personal challenge.

100, 200 or 400 km — the distance is yours. So is the challenge.

It means each participant must be able to independently manage every need that arises during the challenge.

The organisation does not provide aid stations along the route, nor any form of support to participants.

Each participant should plan their strategy in advance, taking into account:

• Nutrition
• Hydration
• Rest
• Navigation
• Gear, batteries and spare parts
• Mechanical repairs
• Effort management
• Possible accommodation needs
• A strategy in case of withdrawal

Autonomy is one of the defining characteristics of the Desafio ACDL by ElevoAve.

Yes.

Every participant must follow and complete the official track provided by the organisation.

If, for any reason, it becomes necessary to temporarily leave the route — for example, to find food, accommodation, mechanical assistance, or to deal with an unexpected situation — the participant must return to the official route at the exact point where they left it.

Detours that cut or skip parts of the official route will not be considered valid — that is, they will not count as a Finish and no medal will be awarded.

The official route will be provided by the organisation in .gpx format, for use with compatible navigation devices.

It is each participant's responsibility to make sure the file is correctly loaded onto their GPS/device before the start.

Navigation is each participant's own responsibility.

If you lose the route, use your own means to work out your location and return to the official route, at the point where you left it.

In the Desafio ACDL by ElevoAve, knowing how to navigate is part of the challenge.

No.

The Desafio ACDL by ElevoAve is completed in total autonomy.

Food and hydration are each participant's own responsibility.

Along the routes there may be cafés, restaurants, water fountains, supermarkets, shops and other places to buy food and drink.

We recommend planning ahead, especially for the 200 km and 400 km distances, where managing food and hydration becomes particularly important.

Yes.

Each participant is free to manage their own rest, in line with the strategy defined for their chosen distance, cut-off points and time limit.

Every participant should be prepared to fix mechanical problems on their own.

If a repair can't be made with your own means, seek outside help — for example, from a bike shop or workshop.

Any time spent off-route to fix a breakdown must follow the same rules for returning to the official route.

The Desafio ACDL by ElevoAve allows athletes to help one another.

If you withdraw, managing the situation is your own responsibility.

You should arrange the most suitable way back, including transport for yourself and your bike if needed.

In an emergency, safety always comes first — contact the appropriate emergency services.

You must inform the organisation of your withdrawal, so your situation is properly recorded and you are no longer considered a participant still on the route.

Where applicable, trackers must be returned to the organisation — this is also the participant's responsibility.

Taking part in the Desafio ACDL by ElevoAve is subject to the insurance conditions set by the organisation — civil liability and individual accident cover.

The organisation may set up checkpoints or cut-off points along the routes.

Where applicable, their location and the validation procedure will be communicated to participants in advance, through the event's official information.

Participants must follow all instructions relating to checkpoints.

Yes.

Time limits are set out in the Desafio ACDL by ElevoAve Official Regulations.

Although the gear you need may vary with distance and weather conditions, every participant should be prepared to ride the route self-sufficiently.

Recommended items include:

• Bike in good working condition
• Helmet
• GPS/navigation device
• Phone
• Power bank or charging system
• Front and rear lights
• Reflective vest or similar, if your strategy includes riding at night
• Spare inner tube or equivalent puncture-repair system
• Pump or inflation system
• Tool kit
• Food
• Water
• Clothing suited to the weather conditions
• Emergency thermal blanket
• ID document
• Means of payment