Crashes are an unfortunate inevitability, but they don’t have to end your race.

In the commotion following a crash, new riders are often so eager to chase back onto the pack that they forget their free lap. In criteriums, riders are entitled to take this free lap in the event of a crash or “tire puncture or other failure of an essential component.” If the course is a kilometer or shorter, riders are entitled to two free laps. (Note that these provisions expires in the final laps of a race.)

To claim your free lap, you must proceed to the wheel pit and check in with the official. Unless otherwise prohibited, you may take the quickest route to the wheel pit, including crossing or reversing the course. If there are neutral wheels or if you’ve left a spare of your own, you can change a wheel. You will then be inserted into the race in the group with whom you were riding when you exited the race.

What qualifies as a mishap? The USCF rulebook cites crashes and punctures, but precludes “malfunction due to mis-assembly or insufficient tightening of any component.” So, dropped chains, loose seats or rubbing brake pads do not qualify unless you find a particularly generous official in the wheel pit.

What happens if you come to a complete stop behind a crash but don’t go down yourself? Sorry, you didn’t crash. You’d better chase back on. (In such situations, the sly cyclist will gently flop to the ground, thereby “crashing.” But you didn’t read that here.)