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Creating an event

Step-by-step setup from route upload to sharing your event.

Creating an event

This guide is the fastest way to create a clear, safe event that riders can actually use without confusion.

Quick checklist (2 minutes)

Before you hit create, confirm these 6 things:

  1. Route GPX is clean and complete.
  2. Timing mode matches the type of ride.
  3. Who can join is set correctly.
  4. Entries close time is sensible.
  5. Invite link settings match your intent.
  6. You understand the difference between opening entries and publishing results.

Step 1: Upload a clean route GPX

Use one GPX that represents the full route riders should follow.

Good GPX files:

  • start and finish are obvious
  • route matches the ride style (road/gravel/MTB)

ParcorPlus uses this file to render the map and calculate route context.

Step 2: Choose timing mode

Pick one timing mode based on how you want results calculated.

  • Time Trial: full-route timed effort, typically with slots.
  • Group Ride: wave-based route completion with timing context.
  • Timed Sectors: only selected sectors count.
  • Handicap: staggered starts, finish-based comparison.

If you are unsure, start with Group Ride or Timed Sectors.

Read: Timing modes

Step 3: Configure access and invites

This is the step most likely to cause confusion later.

Set:

  • Who can join (public / followers or club members / invite-only)
  • Enable invite link
  • for club events: Allow invite link to admit non-members (if needed)

If this is wrong, riders will either be blocked or invited too broadly.

Read: Who can join, discovery, and visibility

Step 4: Set entries close and start time

These two times control rider behavior:

  • Entries close: when normal RSVP changes stop.
  • Event start: when the event becomes active.

Step 5: Add sectors only if your mode needs them

You only need sectors for Timed Sectors.

If you are using Timed Sectors, choose sectors that are:

  • easy to understand
  • safe to ride
  • meaningful for effort

Avoid sectors that end at intersections, blind corners, or technical descents.

Read: Route & segment safety

After reviewing details, open entries and share the event.

Important wording:

  • Open entries means riders can join.
  • Publish results means standings become final.

They are not the same action.

If invite links are enabled, the shared link can open a read-only preview before login. Joining still requires login and depends on your invite/access settings.

Quick host check:

  • open the link while logged out to confirm preview experience
  • open again while logged in to confirm RSVP/upload behavior

Step 7: During and after the event

During event:

  • riders can upload/link activities only while event is active
  • if riders cannot upload, check lifecycle status first

After event:

  • publish results when ready
  • cancelled events stop new participation/uploads
  • archived events are cleanup/read-only for host/admin

Common mistakes to avoid

  1. Sharing an invite link without checking invite join settings.
  2. Forgetting entries close time and confusing late riders.
  3. Mixing up “publish results” with “open entries”.
  4. Adding too many sectors for the first event.

Need help quickly?

Use the troubleshooting page:

Event troubleshooting