The Trace is the “younger sister” of the Flèche. The Trace is run parallel to the Flèche, on a shorter distance (200 km minimum distance), and with a possible overnight stop. The purpose of the Trace is to choose a tourist route and to ride it in daytime hours. Teams can start and finish on the same day, or they can start on the day before the common meeting with Flèche riders, make an overnight stop, and arrive the next day. Although it is shorter than the Flèche, and does not impose night riding, the Trace remains challenging, especially at Easter, when weather conditions are often rough, and we still lack training. Upon arrival, the participants in both Flèche and Trace meet and celebrate together. Organizing a Trace at the same time as the Flèche brings more riders together, and makes the party even greater. The Trace currently does not give distance credit or credit towards RUSA awards.
The team needs to design the route and submit it to RBA with sufficient time to approve it (usually two weeks). Routes are to finish at the RBA's home at 1119 Lake Rd, Ontario, NY. Team captains will want to review the official Traces USA Rules at the RUSA site.