Fastest Known Times: Racing the Clock, Respecting the Code

Autumn is upon us, and winter is right around the corner. With it many riders have hung up their racing wheels for the year, ready for some serious down time for an indefinite period of time. That is, until the racing bug bites again! For those itching to find an excuse to have something to work towards in the form of a micro goal over the next few months, attempting to break a fastest known time poses the perfect opportunity.

This managed by Dotwatcher.cc lists the Fastest Known Times (FKTs) for established cycling routes throughout the UK and beyond. The intention is to promote some of the best routes on offer, celebrate those who’ve completed these routes in exceptional times, and provide a resource that inspires others to embark on their own two wheeled adventures. Breaking the Fastest Known Time (FKT) for a particular route stands as a unique badge of honour. There are many parallels with an ultra distance race; victory is earned in the solitude of the landscape, the ever changing terrain and the effort at hand. There are no prizes for being the fastest and maybe even no one at the finish to congratulate you! The glory is subtle, but sweet: a name on a digital leaderboard, a deep sense of satisfaction, and perhaps a few quiet nods from those who know just how hard you had to fight for it.

In this new era of Fastest Known Times, it is our mission moving forward to grow the platform, expand the route library and encourage more FKT attempts. With this comes a responsibility to ensure fair play, preserving the legitimacy and spirit of this growing discipline. This isn’t just about being fast and having fun, it’s also about being accountable and racing with integrity. If you are planning your own attempt or just interested to learn more about this racing discipline, read on as we explain the rules and guidelines around an FKT attempt.

Photo credit: Kitty Dennis, Wild West Country 2025

1. Self Supported

At the core of an FKT attempt is the principle of self-sufficiency. Riders must carry everything they need or rely on commercially available services open to anyone. No support vehicles, no friends dishing out snacks or moral support on the roadside, and no secret gear caches or phoning your coach like a damsel in distress at midnight. It’s a test of preparation and resilience: fix your own mechanicals, find your own water, make your own decisions when things go sideways — because they inevitably will.

If you’re racing as a pair or tandem, you can support each other, but not outside that unit. No drafting other riders, no tailwinds from friends “just out for a ride.” This isn’t just about fairness, it’s about riding in the spirit of self-sufficiency and equal opportunity. If you need help, you find it the same way anyone else would.

Photo credit: Rob Gardiner, Wild West Country 2025

2. Solo Effort

Unlike mass-start ultra distance races or fondo-style events, FKTs are meant to be individual time trials against the clock and the course. Riders must go it alone, not as part of a group ride. The only exception is for those specifically targeting the pairs or tandem category, where teamwork is part of the challenge in itself.

There’s no one to chase, no one to draft, no one glued to your dot and no one to lift your morale when you’re 200 kilometres deep and questioning your life choices. It’s just you, the route, and the will to keep going. Sounds fun? Read on!

Photo credit: Sarah Barr, Dales Divide 2025

3. Elapsed Time

FKTs are measured by total elapsed time, not moving time. The second you start rolling, the clock starts, and it only stops when you reach the finish line. It won’t stop for power naps, mechanicals, bonk breaks, or those roadside existential crises we all know too well.

It's worth noting that some software defaults to showing moving time only, changing the category settings to ‘Race’ will resolve this to show elapsed time. Efficiency becomes a critical part of strategy. There’s no reward for speed if it’s offset by poor planning. You might be able to ride hard and fast, but if you blow 90 minutes looking for a late-night kebab shop in a small town, you’re bleeding time.

Photo credit: Sarah Barr, Dales Divide 2025

4. Routing and Deviations

The official route must be followed as published on the website, which can be downloaded from our .

Many routes cover vast terrain, and we understand that it may not be possible to stick to the route 100%. Flooded trails, bridge washouts, wildfires, roadworks - these things happen because the laws of nature don’t care about your FKT attempt. The rules allow for legitimate, temporary deviations, so long as you return to the route as soon as safely possible, and the detour doesn’t fundamentally alter the route (for example, by cutting out key climbs or creating a shortcut past a technical hike-a-bike).

Even then, after deviations have been accounted for your ride must still complete at least 98% of the published route, and log equal or greater distance and elevations of the published route. This allows a small buffer for unexpected obstacles, bearing in mind that deviations have to be legitimate - taking an alternative route through a town to visit the local Greggs doesn’t count!

Navigational errors also do not count as a legitimate deviation, if you went the wrong way for a few km and didn't go back to correct yourself then you might find yourself re-planning the whole attempt!

Photo credit: Kitty Dennis, Wild West Country 2025

5. Distance and Elevation

Your ride must log at least the same distance and elevation as the published route. If your file comes in short (even if you made it to the finish) your attempt won’t be valid. This closes loopholes around shortcuts, mapping errors, or “creative interpretations” of the terrain.

It also means that if your GPS unit dies on you, you’re potentially toast. Double-record your ride if you can; use a backup GPS or record using your phone, and consider a power bank part of your essential kit.

6. File Submission

FKT submissions require a complete ride file — .GPX, .FIT, or .TCX — or a public link from Strava, Garmin, or Wahoo. The data must show your full route, elapsed time, elevation gain and distance covered.

This is the sole piece of evidence we use to validate your FKT - no file, no FKT!

Photo credit: Rob Gardiner, Wild West Country 2025

7. Local Laws

Routes are on public roads and byways, which means that FKT riders must obey all local traffic laws. That means stopping at red lights, staying on the correct side of the road, and avoiding any behavior that could endanger others or undermine the legitimacy of the attempt. Be wary of pedestrians, pushchairs, dogs and mobility scooters in urban areas, they might not appreciate your FKT attempt but have as much right to be on the path as you do!

Between sunset and sunrise, front and rear lights are mandatory, along with appropriate reflectivity. A hi-vis gilet is advised at all times for extra visibility.

Photo credit: Rob Gardiner, Wild West Country 2025

8. Appeal Period

Once a new FKT is published, it enters a three-month appeal period. During this time, the community (that is, fellow riders or FKT fans) can contest it if they believe the rules weren’t followed. The reason for the appeal must be stated, following which the fastest known time in question will be reviewed.

This peer-review system keeps the community at the heart of it, enabling others to voice their opinions with mutual respect for fair play and equal opportunity.

Photo credit: Kitty Dennis, Dales Divide 2025