Cycling Tour Without Bikes: Stages and Jerseys
Teams race a cycling tour on foot in four stages: team time trial, mountain stage, sprint and a flat stage in a pack. Symbolic jerseys are awarded at the end. Students build endurance, learn to pace themselves and practice running as a group.
How to play
- Make 5 cycling teams of 5 in pinnies and explain the stages and jerseys: yellow, green, mountain, and white for the most united team (3 min).
- Stage 1, team time trial (6 min): teams run two laps of a 150-yard cone course; the clock stops when the fifth runner finishes, so they must stay together.
- Stage 2, mountain (6 min): a loop with stepping up and over a gym bench and a cone zigzag; count the laps the whole team completes.
- Stage 3, sprint (5 min): a 30 m baton relay that scores for the green jersey.
- Stage 4, flat stage in a pack (6 min): 4 minutes of continuous running without the team spreading out more than 5 yards; each split the judge sees costs one point.
- Podium (4 min): add up the stage placings, award the jerseys with applause and cool down walking.
Rules
- Step on and off the bench one at a time, never jump off.
- Pass on the left without pushing.
- Nobody runs alone: the team waits for its slowest rider.
- Hand off the baton, never throw it.
Variations
Easier
Shorten the loop to 100 yards and remove the bench from the mountain stage.
Standard
Four stages with an overall standing and jerseys.
Harder
Add a 6-minute stage with riders taking turns leading the pack.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: completes the stages in a wheelchair on a route without the bench and acts as race director in the sprint.
- Hearing impairment: start each stage with a flag or raised cone.
- Lower fitness: alternate running and walking on the flat stage without penalty.
Learning goals
- Build aerobic endurance while pacing effort.
- Run as a group, matching a teammate's pace.
- Follow the rules and celebrate other teams' success.
Equipment for a class of 25
- cones: 20
- pinnies: 25
- gym benches: 2
- batons: 5
- stopwatches: 2
Teacher tip
Build teams that are balanced in fitness so the pack rule makes sense. Remind students that the white jersey rewards togetherness, not speed.
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