Community Bicycle Ride Rain Policy

Rain in the forecast and wet road conditions can present dangerous driving and riding conditions. This is a good time to review the CBR rain cancellation process so that everyone’s expectations can be level set.

The Ride Leader will typically go to the starting point of each scheduled Community Bicycle Ride and make a determination from that location. The weather in the valley can be very different and it can move through quickly. It may be raining at your house or workplace, yet clear at the starting point and vice versa.

As a result of the above statement, CBR doesn't always send ride cancellation e-mail messages for weather issues. The exception is when the whole valley has had such heavy rains that it is obvious at 90 minutes before that there will be no chance of a ride due to wet road conditions (e.g. large puddles) that will not diminish by the start time of the ride. CBR often will ride in light rain and spitting rain conditions. This helps you train for when your event or touring vacation includes a little rain.

Here are conditions at the start point would cause the Ride Leader to cancel the ride:

• If there is lightning in the vicinity of our ride,.

• If there are violent wind conditions and gusts,

• If it is pouring rain steadily,

• If the road surface has standing water or is covered with wet leaves.

The rides normally leave around 5 minutes after the posted meeting time. If the weather is foul, but looks like it might get better, we might hold the start for 10 minutes. The Ride Leader will monitor the weather conditions until 15 minutes after the meeting time. At that point, they will make a final determination of whether the scheduled Community Bicycle Ride will proceed.

What are your options at this point:

• If the Ride Leader does ride, you are not obligated to ride if you don't feel it is safe or comfortable for you to do so.

• If the Ride Leader doesn’t ride, it doesn’t mean you can’t ride. They will be happy to give you the route map of that day’s ride and you can proceed at your own discretion.

• If the Ride Leader doesn't ride, they will tend to go shopping until the bicycle shop kicks me out, and then go have a beer (or a coffee/muffin on a Saturday/Sunday).

Clothing recommendation: If the weather looks dubious, but it is acceptable at the starting point, CBR may still ride. It is best to bring a wind/rain jacket and toe covers with you on the ride to keep you dryer and warmer if we get caught in the rain. We will try to seek cover if it is available, but cover isn’t always available. Rain jackets don’t help you if they are locked in your car back at the starting point.