First to the Line

First to the Line captures many of the strategies, tactics, and drama of road bicycle racing in a simple card game, as players control a set of riders in the race as they try to overcome the terrain and their opponents.

The game is broken into ten rounds. Each round a random terrain card is revealed, such as mountains, winding roads, or cobbles. These cause riders in play to fall behind based on their strength on that terrain, and also enable special cards to be played. A player's turn each round consists of drawing cards into their hand and then playing cards to deploy riders, make breakaway attempts, attempt to chase down the breakaway, or impose mishaps like flat tires on opponents. Within the simple and fast playing mechanics, the game enables players to deploy strategies familiar to cycling fans: Climbers make valiant breakaway attempts in the mountains, sprinters attempt to hold on for the finish line dash, and domestiques attempt to support them both as their director sportifs shepherd the team toward victory.

The first edition of First to the Line is produced as a full-color deck of standard sized playing cards featuring hand drawn art. It does not ship with a box.