Learn Leader 1: Hell of the North
Learn the game in 5 short steps. Everything links to the full rules.
First across the line
You run a cycling team on a course built from hexagon tiles. The first cyclist to cross the finish line wins; in a stage race, the smallest delay over all stages wins. Every square beyond your free move costs energy, and energy is all you have.
Three kinds of rider
Each team has a rouleur (fast on the flat), a leader (the all-rounder) and a climber (fast uphill). The terrain where a move starts sets its free squares: 3/2/1 on the flat, 2 on hills, 1/2/3 on mountains, 4 downhill. Each cyclist also gets one quality: descender, fighter or sprinter.
Ride in the peloton
Everyone starts in the peloton, a token moved by the die. Riders at the back pay little energy, riders at the front pay more but can attack. Your support riders can spend one of six pursuits to speed it up by a square and take the lead.
Break away and draft
From the front of the peloton, attack with a move of at least 4 squares. Out on the road you ride your free squares and pay for extra ones: 1, 3, 5, 8, 11, 15 energy for 1 to 6. End right behind another rider to slipstream an extra free square next turn.
Risks on the road
Climbing too many paid squares risks a crack (double cost); paid squares over dark asphalt risk a fall (skip a turn); cobbles can puncture a tyre. Each risk gets harder to pass. Feed zones top up your energy, and weather can change any hexagon.