Rules of The Great Bifurcation 2026
La Grande Bifurkade 2026 Regulations
General
La Grande Bifurkade 2026 is a self-supported Gravel and Bikepacking ride on open roads, without assistance. There is no timing and no ranking. It is not a race at all.
Participants must be of legal age to start the ride.
Registration
Registrations are made exclusively online on the SportsnConnect platform.
As La Grande Bifurkade is a very physical long-distance event, a medical certificate stating "no contraindication to ultra-distance cycling" issued within the last year is required.
It must be submitted no later than July 31, 2026, via the registration platform.
Withdrawal
No refunds will be issued in case of participant withdrawal. Cancellation insurance is offered during registration. We therefore strongly advise you to subscribe to it if needed.
Definition of Self-sufficiency and Assistance
La Grande Bifurkade is a fully self-supported ride. No assistance is provided to participants on the course. Each participant must manage their food, accommodation, equipment, and repairs by their own means throughout the course.
Abandonment
In case of abandonment, the participant will be self-sufficient to reach the finish or return home. No assistance can be provided by the organization.
In case of abandonment, the participant is obligated to immediately notify the organizer via the Whatsapp group or the numbers provided at the start.
No refund of registration fees will be issued in case of abandonment during the event, regardless of the reason for abandonment.
Civil Liability Insurance
Participants must be personally covered by civil liability insurance. They remain responsible for any accidents they may cause or be victims of. Participants are considered to be on a personal ride; therefore, neither they nor their relatives can hold the organizer responsible in the event of personal injury or death.
Participants undertake with full awareness of the risks involved in practicing gravel cycling and on open roads.
They commit to taking no risks, neither for themselves nor for others.
They release the organizer from all liability for any damage they may suffer or cause during participation in the event.
GPS Tracker
A GPS tracker will be provided to each participant for geolocation tracking.
A deposit of €50 (check or cash) will be required at the briefing evening or on the morning of the start. The deposit will be returned upon return of the GPS beacon.
In case of abandonment, the GPS tracker must be returned to the organizer within 2 days.
The Routes
2 routes are offered at the time of registration: 300km and 600km.
GPX tracks will be provided 2 weeks before the event. A GPS device is therefore essential to participate.
In case of difficulties or dangers on the route (impassable path, closed road, whatever its form...), the participant must adapt the route by going off track so as not to take any risks.
Start and Finish Locations
The route is a loop of 300km or 600km depending on the participant's choice.
The start and finish will take place in the Munster Valley.
Program and Schedule
The full program is available online on our website.
It is subject to modification for organizational reasons. In this case, participants will be notified by email or via the Whatsapp group created for the occasion.
The indicated times are for information only. We remind you that this is in no way a race or a competition.
Checkpoints and Validation
2 checkpoints must be validated. These are the same 2 checkpoints for both the 300km and 600km routes.
Checkpoints will be open at specific times. If passing outside opening hours, the participant must take a selfie and share it on the event's Whatsapp group.
On the 600km route, 3 additional selfie checkpoints must be validated.
Recommended Equipment
Each participant undertakes to complete La Grande Bifurkade with a suitable Gravel bike, in perfect condition and compliant with current regulations.
Electric bikes and mountain bikes are not allowed.
Recommended equipment:
A bike in good condition and compliant with regulations.
A helmet.
Front and rear lighting.
A bell.
A high-visibility vest.
A GPS or GPS device on your mobile phone.
A survival blanket.
Clothing suitable for all weather conditions.
Necessary equipment for your overnight stays depending on the type of accommodation.
Tires with a minimum section of 40mm are recommended.
Highway Code and Safety
Each participant undertakes to strictly respect the highway code and to take no risks for themselves or for others.
Image Rights
Participants authorize La Bifurkade to use their image rights for its communication needs.
Authorization valid in perpetuity, without royalty payment, and in all known or yet-to-be-known forms of media.
Cancellation or Modification of the Event
The organizer reserves the right to cancel or modify the date of the event.
The participant unreservedly and irrevocably accepts this right of cancellation or modification of the event date, and in such a case, waives the right to hold the organizer liable or to demand the payment of any compensatory sum in this regard.
In case of force majeure (e.g., bad weather conditions, safety problems, accident...), the organizer reserves the right to cancel or stop the ongoing event or to modify the route.
Prices
€130 / person
Contact Details
La Bifurkade
Local law association Alsace Moselle
hello@labifurkade.com