Welcome to the 2020 Oregon Gran Fondo
Friends/Community/Safety/Mental Health
All of the qualities that make up each and every one of you in search of a good day on your road bike! Thank you to the 12 agencies that have given support of our mitigatiuon plan including the City of Cottage Grove, Bureau of Land Management, South Lane Fire, Cottage Grove Police, Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce and Douglas and Lane County agencies.
This past few months have been incredibly unique and devastating for so many people. We believe that cycling is one of the best stress relievers and sources of Joy, and with that being said, Mudslinger Events has worked on mitigation with 12 agencies and has approval for the event on July 25th.
While this restart of our business has been costly and we will have increased expenses moving forward, we want to fulfill our goal of a safe and smaller cycling event that supports the local Cottage Grove area. After two succesful events at the Mudslinger on July 5th and the High Cascades 100 on July 18th, we found the process to be one we can expand on and continue to provide as long as the riders cooporate.
The Oregon Gran Fondo will be a scheduled self-start on July 25th based on your average pace that we will be asking you to provide in an e-mail on Tuesday the week before the event. This will allow us to schedule your starts that in reality are not specific, but rather a general guideline. What is specific is your arrival time in Cottage Grove to not overwhelm the one way packet pikcup area.
This is done so we can limit the number of riders on 6th and Washington in Cottage Grove while you pick up your gear and receive your transponder to track your result. The window of time we will be scheduling starts at 7am to 9 am with the Gran last start at 8:30 am. After finishing your result will be texted to your phone and if in the top 3 our retail space will be able to hand you a podium pint glass after the event untiul 6pm. Please remember to wear your face covering anytime in the presence of others.
If you are concerned about finishing the Gran and would like an early start, that is totally fine also. We would instead get you to the finish line earlier than have you miss a hard cut to have Cog WIld Shuttles pick you up.
First, please tell me if you are not able to ride, we will move you to 2021 or 2022 and hope we can get back to a regular mass start event where we will accept the first 50 deferrals that signed up for 2020. This limit is only to physically and financially be able to host an event with such small field limits allowed. We may be at this type of format for 2021, and Mudslinger Events will continue to attempt to provide safe outdoor events for cycling enthusiasts.
The information below is an edit from 2019. Please read for those that have done this event before. There are many changes to the normal process that are critical to meet phase 2 guidelines of retail for packet pickup and restaurant for aid stations. Be self-sustaining, wear a face covering prior to entering an aid station, and to and keep 2.5 bike lengths away from other riders
Packet Pickup and Online waivers from adobe sign
Online waivers are required to be signed for all athletes and volunteers. Be looking in your email for those to come through Tuesday the week of the event. They need to be filled out immediately or by Wednesday evening in order for you to participate. We need to prepare your packet with your necessary event info including race plate, twist ties, Zip Ties, labels and more.
Packet Pickup: Thursday 4:00pm to 6:00pm Landspeed's Fix on Willamette. Friday 3:00pm to 6:30pm in Eugene. Saturday 6:15am until 9:00am outside of the Cottage Grove Armory outside 6th and Washington. When arriving wear your face covering and maintain social distancing. Your packet will be pre-stuffed with all the gear and drop labels. You will also pick up your timing chip at this time. It is important to attach it properly to your bike. You will be charged $85 if it gets lost.
Bag drop: Friday 3:00-6:30 Village Green Resort Cottage Grove outside.
Please do not arrive prior to 45 minutes before your scheduled start to maintain social distancing at the venue. THIS IS CRITICAL!
Thursday
Friday
Friday Packet Pickup location and Non Porous Drop bags for aid 1 or Aid 2 from 3-6:30pm
Friday 3:00pm-6:30pm Village Green in Cottage Grove
Day of the Oregon Gran fondo saturday. Please arrive 45 minutes before your start time.
Start Times
Start Times will be scheduled and based on your estimated ride pace starting west of Cottage Grove. You must stagger your starting position and will be assigned a starting time that is a guide or time frame to when you actually will start. Starts will be socially distanced and depart with chip timing between 7:00am-9:30am. Gran Fondo latest start time is 8:30am. Medio Fondo latest start 9:30am. Start lists will be posted Wednesday for any last minute distance changes or updates!
Always follow:
The rules of the road.
The roads are open and dangerous at times. Please stay alert and obey all rules of the road. We love keeping you safe and no matter what competitive time you are going for will not make up for an injury that can set you back for weeks or longer.
PODIUM AWARDS - TOP 3 AGE PER AGE GROUP AND DISTANCE Pick up awards post ride from 2-6 pm on 6th and Washington. Please maintain Social Distancing! This will be in the same area outside of the Cottage Grove Armory.
Awards and food
SHOW YOUR BIB PROGRAM
We are excited to welcome the Oregon Gran Fondo to the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region! Our Sports Commission is here to help with the event and provide resources and information for planners, participants, staff and fans. https://www.eugenecascadescoast.org/oregon-gran-fondo/
Virtual awards Mudslinger Events Instagram 9pm Saturday Night with special mentions including a Special Best Team Award.
RIDER RECOMMENDATIONS BEFORE ATTENDING A CYCLING EVENT
Know how COVID-19 spreads Know the symptoms of COVID-19 Don’t travel if you are sick or are with someone who is sick Determine if you are at higher risk for severe illness and if you are, don’t travel Consider the possible risks you might encounter during travel Consider who you are traveling back to and what risk you might be exposing them to.
Is anyone considered high risk that you will be returning to?
TRAVELING TO & ATTENDING EVENT Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (or alcohol based sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol) Consider sitting out an event if your county is not in the phase that the county you are traveling to is. You know your situation best to make a good decision. We have a technical guide in the works. These are some of the highlights for 2020 to allow you to ride and relax! Remember not to draft even if your family. Avoid close contact with others (maintain 6’ social distancing) Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others including at packet pickup or any aid station socially distancing station Cover coughs and sneezes Clean and disinfect everything
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Bring all necessary liquids and foods to be able to provide for yourself.
- Utilize our Vallet Service for your non-porous drop bags for Aid Station 1 and Aid Station 2 for both routes and bonus single serve water stop for the Gran at mile 73.
- Always have a face covering on while in the venue or riding around not on course. A buff works well to pull up at times for on course.
- Be self sufficient with hydration packs, tools and a face covering for anytime in the venue area or stagging with social distancing.
- Packet Pickup is one way with social distancing. Please use hand sanitizer and or our hand washing sinks.
- All riders will self depart at a scheduled time to avoid crowding with a transponder for timing purposes on your fork. Max Participation of 150 riders, 50 riders an hour to cycle through at packet pickup prior to 10am.
- No High Fives, Hugs or Fist Bumping for 2020 please. A thumbs up will do just fine!
- No lingering after finishing remotely 10 miles east of Cottage Grove.
- Your start will be socially distanced at all events and lets make the finish the same.
- Please observe your scheduled arrival time based on your average pace to not arrive in Cottage Grove prior to 1 hour before your start time. Faster riders will be scheduled before less speedy cyclists.
- Please remember that anytime you are behind a rider stay 2.5 bike lengths (15ft) back. Have a face covering on to make the pass when safe. Leading rider is to yield when safe to do so.
- This is a Time Trial so aero bars are allowed!
- NO DRAFTING EVEN IF IT IS FAMILY
- Have fun and mentally unplug at the Oregon Gran Fondo
Rules:
The most important rule of this race is: BE RESPECTFUL!! We want to continue to have these events, so that means it is on YOU to follow the rules, to show consideration for others, and to be a good example for others to follow.
This is NOT A ROAD RACE! This is a Time Trial. Good news, TT bars are allowed! However, due to the nature of a TT, you must not come closer than 2.5 bike lengths (15ft) behind another rider unless you are overtaking them. At this point you must pull up your face covering, make a quick pass and proceed to be 2.5 bike lengths (15ft) in front of the person you just passed, at which point you can pull down your face covering.
The Start. Located west on Main Street at River Road a few blocks from packet pickup Saturday, please socially distance and line up at a cone that has been set for you. When it is safe, and you have a green light proceed across River Rd for final staging, please. The only rules are face coverings on, and you must not start with a teammate within 2 cones of your position. This is to maximize social distancing and discourage road racing. We can't say this enough for all of you that are competitive to follow the rules. Any Tom Foolery or Shenanigans will result in disqualification.
No Drafting. Breaking the 2.5 minimum bike length (15ft) rule will result in a 15 minute time penalty. We have eyes on the course and appreciate your cooperation to make mitigated events happen. Yes, you can ride "together" as long as you are maintaining the 2.5 minimum bike length (15ft) between you and the person your are "riding with".
Always follow the rules of the road. We have flaggers at Cottage Grove Lorane, and Curtain and HWY 38 scheduled. Flaggers cant stop cars! They do attempt to and 99% of the time accomplish this goal. Proceed as always when safe.
Aid Stations and Drop Zones
Gran Fondo - 117 total miles: Aid stations at mile 32, water only at mile 73, and aid station at mile 94. First hard CUT at 2:30 pm at mile 73. FINAL hard CUT is 4:00 pm at mile 94. Finish of timing at mile 108.
Medio Fondo - 71 total miles: Aid stations at mile 32, and 48. First hard CUT at 12:00 pm at mile 32. Final hard CUT is 4:00 pm at mile 48. Finish of timing at mile 62.
Medio Mini-Gravel (NON Timed) - 25 total miles: Water only at mile 22.
Aid Station PROTOCOL (Pull up your mask)
Simple guidelines to follow and since you are starting outside of Cottage Grove at 20-40 second intervals from 7am. We would expect no more than 15 people at any aid station. This will allow you time to source your non porous drop bags at Aid 1 and/or Aid 2 for the Medio Fondo (71 Miles) and the Gran Fondo (117 Mile). The Gran has an additional water stop at mile 73 and the Mini-gravel untimed event has one water stop at mile 22. Please remember that we all have to follow the procedures that allow this to be competitvly fair. PB and J pre-wrapped at each aid station and a special individually wrapped treat for aid 2. Please maintain social distancing.
We will support you in your packets with Bobs Red Mill Bars and also Hammer Nutrition product in addition to our staff with PPE pre-making some Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches to prepare in sanitzied zip lock baggies.
Water will also be left out for you to socially distance and grab at all aid stations and at mile 73. After you are done with your drop bag and or any water bottles please place in the designated area and get back to your Fondo! THIS IS CRITICAL TO PLACE YOUR DROP BAG ON THE SUPPLIED TARP AND YOUR BOTTLES AWAY AS TO NOT CROSS CONTAMINATE
What is a drop bag? Where can they be dropped? Drop Bags can be dropped the night prior at the Village Green packet Pickup and also the day of the event if you choose on 6th and Washington until 7:15am for aid 1 and or until 8:30am for aid 2. A Medio rider can sneak in early the day of and if socially distant can place a drop bag in the Uhaul for transportation by 7:15 am. You cant check in though the day of until your scheduled time.
What each rider receives with entry? What restaurants are participating in the show your Bib program to use your 10.00 food voucher? Coming Thursday 7/23 with a nice list of resturants and breweries.
Sag Support and Ham radio control on course at key points along the route including a quick water bottle after the timed finish.
The Finish is located 10 miles away from Cottage Grove after your timing is done. Please remove the timing chip. With zip ties your fork could be scuffed, so please use electrical tape and place on the right fork blade mid way up for attachment.
Oregon Triple Crown and the Mudslinger Events Champions Cup
This is the kick off to the Mitigated Oregon Triple Crown and besides picking up your Oregon Triple Crown Gear at this event, we will also be scoring all of our events that we are allowed to produce in a comprehensive age group competition. MTB, Road, Gravel all count and will be scored based on the OTC age groups and distance rules. What do you get at the end of the mitigated season? That is TBD, but know if we can safely produce 4-6 events we will do it up right! Stay positive, bring your face covering and if you have an issue on course and have cell service my number is 541-225-7946. Cell Service is spotty at best for this unplugged edition of the OGF.