Pit Lanes and Hand-Ups

Hand-ups are forbidden in cyclocross. It is illegal for anyone to hand you any material anywhere on the course with the exception of the pit lane. A rider may not cut the course in order to reach the pit area. They must proceed forward along the race course until they reach the pit lane. Within the pit lane a rider may make repairs to their bike or change wheels and/or bikes only. They may NOT take on any additional food or drink anywhere during the race including the pit.

Here are some pertinent rules regarding pit lanes:
5.1.026 The pit area is the part of the course where riders can change wheels or bicycles.

5.1.038 A rider may only take the pit lane to change his bicycle or a wheel.
5.1.039 Equipment changes must be carried out within the confines of the pit lane and at the same point. A rider who has passed the end of the pit area must continue to the following pit area for any bicycle or wheel change. A rider who is still in the racing lane may enter the pit lane as long as he retraces his route in the racing lane and enters the other lane at its start without obstructing other competitors.

An advanced feature in cross is the double pit lane. This is placed where two different parts of the course come close together allowing the pit to be used on two different sides. The advantage of this is that if you have a mechanical or need to change bikes because of mud for example you have two opportunities per lap instead of one and are therefore always closer to the next pit.

Here is an example of a double pit lane:

Bikes, wheels, and if you are on a pro team your mechanic reside within the magenta area. A rider wishing to use the pit rides through the blue area. Any change to equipment must take place after the yellow line and be completed before reaching the red line. A rider may not ride through the blue area if not changing his bicycle or wheel(s). Should a rider suffer a mechanical after passing the end of the pit area (marked in red in the example) they may not turn around and re-enter the pit, but must proceed on to the next pit area. On the other hand, if a rider suffers a mechanical in the race lane between the pit entrance (yellow line) and pit exit (red line) they may retrace their steps along the race lane in order to enter the pit (as long as they don't interfer with other competitors).