Because each of the four routes varies in distance, elevation, and technical complexity, Total Elapsed Time is not a balanced metric for an overall ranking. Therefore, the Overall Leaderboard is ranked by Effective Average Speed.
To ensure parity, speed is calculated based on fixed “Standard Mission Distances”:
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Phoenix: 345 miles
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Los Angeles: 365 miles
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San Diego: 400 miles
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Reno: 448 miles
The Variable Penalty: Average speed is calculated against these fixed distances regardless of a rider’s actual recorded mileage. If a rider deviates from the course (wrong turn) and adds mileage and time, their average speed—and thus their rank—will suffer. Precise navigation is a tactical requirement for a top-tier ranking.