The style and content of cue (route) sheets vary greatly between the regions. RBAs generally use a word-processing program or a spreadsheet to prepare cue sheets. Word processors allow better control over formatting and spacing but do not provide any help with addition of cumulative or inter-cue distances. Spreadsheets are handy but often have limited choices for font size and spacing. Pasting the source spreadsheet into a word document may be a good hybrid solution.
Essential cue sheet elements:
- cumulative distance from the start (or from the previous control)
- distance from the previous cue
- action (left, bear right, cross, etc.)
- control locations and their opening and closing times
- the road name or number - as actually seen at that location - (This is the most common problem with routes create solely by reference to maps, mapping software, or online mapping resources. If those tools are used to create the route, it is essential to ride or drive the route beforehand to uncover any such problems.)
Distances are usually given in miles and tenths of miles but for 1200km+ events with many foreign participants, you might additionally offer kilometer distances. (Mileage distances are still required.) This is trivial to prepare if one uses a spreadsheet.
Other content (see more detailed discussion below):
- warnings such as traffic, railroad crossings, road surface, or other hazards,
- intermediate or supplementary cues (not affecting turns) to help the rider confirm he/she is still on the route,
- and landmarks leading up to turns,
- services such as stores, restrooms, lodging.
[3/2010]
Control Open/Close Times
Once you have designed your route and specified controls, use the control point calculator to determine the opening and closing times for your brevet's controls. Specify these times on the cue sheet and brevet card. There are separate calculations for ACP-sanctioned, RUSA-sanctioned, and 1200km+ RM events, as their opening and closing times differ slightly.
Note that, brevets may have only one start time, for example, you cannot offer a and optional start time for a 400km brevet. With RUSA approval, 1200km+ RM events may offer more than one start time.
Services, Intermediate Towns
If there are towns and opportunities for services such as food, drink, restrooms, etc. between the controls, include them on your cue sheets. This information helps riders with planning. Additionally, indicating the opening/closing hours of stores and restaurants helps riders determine which late-night services might be available. If your route includes mountain passes, it is useful to riders if you indicate the summits, their milepost location and elevation.
Road Cues
Confirmation that a road has a stop sign, traffic light, "T" intersection, or some other landmark nearby aids navigation at night and allows educated guessing if road names are missing. You should also indicate turns and cues that are easy to miss, for example, turns on quick descents or unmarked intersections.
Include a legend for short hand notations; these notations are not always obvious to new or out of area riders who have never ridden your brevets. For example: SS – Stop Sign, SL- Stop Light, FL – Flashing Light, bc – becomes.
Contact, Abandonment and Emergency Numbers
Cue sheets should have the name and telephone number of the organizer so that a rider who abandons or needs assistance can call in. Some rural areas have not implemented "911" emergency service; if this is true in your area, include the telephone numbers of local emergency responders in the areas your ride pass through.
Cue Sheet Layout
Many riders will want to fold the route sheet into quarters so that it conveniently fits onto a handlebar clip, slips into a map case, or into a sandwich bag for protection from the rain. Make sure you lay out your route sheet to allow for folding. Your riders will appreciate not having to turn the cue sheet at awkward places on the route, so start a new quarter-sheet after each control.
Printing Cue Sheets
Print or copy route sheets with black ink on white paper. Avoid pastel and dark shades of paper; these do not provide as much contrast as white paper at night.
Route Maps
Maps are a great idea, even though it means more work for you. A cue sheet alone cannot help a lost rider get back on course. A map allows riders to "see where they've been" and perhaps judge the terrain ahead. Where a cue sheet provides direction that may seem ambiguous to a rider, a map may save a navigation error. In emergencies, a map helps identify nearby towns where a rider might obtain medical aid or a bicycle. Unless your event is in an area with few roads, it is advisable to highlight your route on the map so that riders have a chance of figuring out where they are and where they are supposed to go. Highlight the control towns (e.g., in a different color) so that riders can rapidly determine which part of the map to focus on. A map that is too small of a scale is almost useless; an extra sheet of paper weighs almost nothing and can save hours of frustration.
Note that whereas a route map is a nice option for your rides, it is required when you submit your route for approval.