Yes, you read correctly: by now the set of rules me and my group are using is so different from the original ones that it would be almost misleading to use "Leader 1" in the title :)
How have we ever gotten so far? We liked the game a lot from day 1, but were disappointed by some of its mechanics causing the races to resemble the real ones rather poorly, while offering very few strategic options. After lots of brainstorming and then testing, we finally arrived to this set of rules, which seems to play out nicely for all kinds of routes, while not being too complex. Enjoy!
As a bonus, a separate section of comments, where I discuss the motivation and real-life examples behind the new rules. Also, a bunch of concepts we have invented from scratch in order to make the game more versatile or realistic:
Appendix 1: additional concepts
Appendix 2: cobbled races
Appendix 3: individual time trials
Appendix 4: team time trials
Appendix 5: other classifications in stage races
Appendix 6: simulating real races
Appendix 7: peloton AD 2009
Last update, 21.01.2010:
- explicit "zero energy" rule (C.5),
- explicit "game end" rule (C.6),
- no blocking (you can pass through other riders),
- enhanced time trial rules,
- corrections and clarifications (especially when introducing team pursuit points, a.k.a. TPPs),
- brand new peloton 2010.
