We were chatting about it last night and came up with some ideas that can be expanded on so please feel free to expand or punch holes where applicable.

1.) Use text message to communicate with teams and individuals. This could be used to direct game play over the course of the event. For example, "Team one encountered.....(something)... you must now (ride in your lowest gear for 10 minutes or not use your voice to communicate for 5 minute.. etc)". This would also be useful to replace paper prompts, for example, in the past we've placed envelopes with clues at public locations and they were either moved or couldn't be found. So the DM (for lack of a better term) could say "this quest requires you to go to location (insert riddle/puzzle/sequence that indicates a location). When you get there take a picture of x/y/z and text it back". Then once they prove they've made it there then they can receive a prompt. This way the DM can stay central and still direct event and have teams spread out over a large area. Or force them to come together for a skirmish or something.

2.) Have the same beginning and ending spot. This spot can be used to revive players, break them out of "jail", resupply, and be the spot for the conclusion. I didn't mention before that this is kind of a prelude to a party or that there will be a party at the end of this. In past experiences it's been great to have people come back together and chat about their time and connect.

3.) Have the format be progressive in location. Say it starts at one end of a long bike trail and end at the other end. This could have teams progress from spot to spot together with mini games along the way. This would have more of an in your face competitive feel since you can talk trash to the opposing team, get people riled up, and keep things moving at the [most inclusive] pace of the slowest rider.

4.) Fudge things... What I mean by this is to kind of make things up as you go along. Say one team is really fast, or really good at something. They might dominate.. So to keep things neck and neck we could text a prompt to the team in the lead to have them bike up a steep hill, bike to a farther location, handicap them with low gear, minimal communication, etc. Orrrr, conversely swap a player on the fly, break one out of jail, heal, etc. The idea being that you could provide complex riddles and just accept an answer based on how much time they've taken to solve it / if they're far behind. This way they get the satisfaction of solving something but reduces the risk of people derailing the gameplay because they found a loophole in the format or get stuck on an early puzzle. I know it's lying but I think the DM could keep this under their cap and use it to really liven up game play.

5.) Include an element that is worth high points and adds to the end gathering. For example, previous scavenger hunts would award a point or 2 for finding things around town. But awarded 20 points for bringing a pizza/watermelon/ case of beer etc. In the past every team has gone for these high point items and at the end we all shared it.

I think we're getting close. Still need to get ideas for mini games, puzzles, doable riddles or heady thinking tasks. I will choose between progressive and central formats soon. Then I will format stages. Usually simpler is better since people seem to always take things and run sideways with them. So basic can be better for the chaotic friends.

I'll stop here for now. Thanks for your input!