Our favorite ride in the area is quickly arriving. As a committee we have fervently been watching the changing environment and climate our current public health crisis has placed us in. We have been patient in our decision of whether or not to hold this ride this year. Especially considering so many of the other races in the area and in neighboring states have decided to postpone their race until next year. We believe that under the current recommendations we are able to manage a safe and responsible 4PGF this year. As a result, we will be moving ahead with holding the 4PGF this year with the understanding that as the situation continues to evolve, as it has throughout the year, that we may need to revise this decision up to the day of the race. In order to make our event possible we have been collaborating with our local health authorities and government agencies to assure the safety of our participants and local citizens. The recommendations of these organizations include some changes that will be made to the race this year. Below is a summarized bullet point of some of the changes that may be expected. Again, there may be changes to these recommendations and rules for our race this year as our situation involves so please watch for updates.  Lets also be clear, The SE Idaho Public Health Department and our local government officials may request that we cancel the event up to the day before. 

• All volunteers and committee members working at the event will wear masks.   
• All food and water items will be pre-packaged and handled by volunteers and not racers.   
• There will be no congregating at the event before or after the ride.   
• Riders will be encouraged to maintain distance when stopping at aid stations.   
• At the start and finish riders will be encouraged to wear a mask and maintain physical     distance.   
• Wave starts will be instigated in order to help maintain distance at the beginning of the race.   
• Family members and support crews will be encouraged to not arrive at the park this year.    
• In order to encourage less congregating and less chance of the spread of COVID-19 no post-race lunch will be served on site. There will also be no pre-race dinner at packet pick up.   
• Hand sanitizer will be available at the start, the finish, and aid stations.   
• Any riders coming from designated “hotspot” will receive a pre-race message indicating the need to self-screen for symptoms of COVID-19 as indicated by public health authorities. At packet pick up they will be asked the questions again, as well as have their temperature taken.   
• In order to assure that we can safely manage the participants our race will be capped at 200 riders.   
• If the ride is canceled due to a COVID-19 related reason or if a member of the race committee asks a rider not to participate this year they have the following opportunities:      

1. We do offer partial discounts for those canceling during our cancellation periods.
2. If the event is NOT sold out, a discount code for 75% of your race registration fee will be offered until 5 days prior to the race date. No discounts codes will be given within 5 days before the event, if the event is not sold out. 
3.  If the event IS sold out, a discount code for 75% of your race registration fee will be offered until 5 days prior to the race date. No discounts codes will be given within 5 days before the event, if the event is sold out.
4.  Partial discount codes are only available for cancellations of completed registrations. A registration is considered incomplete if payment was mailed in and has not yet been received. Discount codes can be used to register for another Headwind Cycling event and will be valid for 12 months after the event date.  
5.  If the 4PGF committee deems that it is unsafe to continue to race, for whatever reason, within 5 days prior to the race you will be offered an opportunity for a 75% discount code to another Headwind Cycling Event·  We have added a virtual ride option that is able to be completed on your own time during the month of August

It seems as though masks have become an everyday part of life for us. Following our current recommendation all of our staff, committee members, and volunteers will be wearing masks during the event. All riders will need to bring their own mask to wear at the start of our ride, the end of our ride, and if possible, at any aid stations that you may take advantage of.

In order to put on the safest ride possible there will be some changes to how our ride starts and finishes. We will not be allowing pre-race congregations, or finish line congregations. Unless you are riding or stopping at an aid station, the park will virtually be closed. Monitor your email inbox because there will be no pre-race congregating or meeting this year at the start. All pre-race information will be sent out two days before in order to give you all of the last-minute information that you need to be aware of. We are also asking that family member and support crew not come with you to the race this year in order to limit the number of people around our riders, volunteers, and staff. 

Due to the close proximity of our pre-race spaghetti dinner and post-race lunch, and on  recommendation from our local government and health officials that we have all food be pre-packaged, we will not be offering a pre-race meal this year (but will likely return in future years). In addition to this, we will not be offering an on-site post-race lunch this year. We are exploring options and the financial impact of providing some off-site food or a discount to a local establishment. 

Decidedly some of the closest quarter areas during a ride is the start. In order to help mitigate this risk we will be implementing wave starts this year. Riders will be asked to arrive no more than 15-20 minutes before their wave starts and gather in the marked and designated area as quickly as possible.  Riders will be asked to prepare as best as they can before arrival at the start to limit the number of riders in the park waiting for their wave. How to sign up for waves?

Our ride garners attention from riders near and far. As a result, we will be implementing pre-ride screenings through pre-arrival questionnaires, packet pick-up temperature taking, and in-person screening. These screenings will be issued to anyone arriving from a “hotspot area” as deemed by our local, state, and federal health authorities. It is important that you keep checking your email prior to this race because much of our communication will be issued through email.

Considering the size of our race, venue, and historical number, in order to maintain the safety of all of our participants and the community, our race will be capped at 200 riders this year. In addition to this cap we will not be guaranteeing you a T-shirt if you register after July 24th. This year many of our sponsors are not able to contribute in the same ways that they have previously and as such we will need to make sure we are running a financially efficient ride, so very few extra T-shirts will be printed this year. Again, you are guaranteed a T-shirt if you register before July 24th.

Historically the cancellation policy for 4PGF has been no refunds for the event once you have registered. Considering the impact and uncertainty of this year we have decided to make an adjustment to this policy for this year only. Outlined below is our cancellation policy:·  We do offer partial discounts for those canceling during our cancellation periods.·  If the event is NOT sold out, a discount code for 75% of your race registration fee will be offered until 5 days prior to the race date. No discounts codes will be given within 5 days before the event, if the event is not sold out.·  If the event IS sold out, a discount code for 75% of your race registration fee will be offered until 5 days prior to the race date. No discounts codes will be given within 5 days before the event, if the event is sold out.·  Partial discount codes are only available for cancellations of completed registrations. A registration is considered incomplete if payment was mailed in and has not yet been received. Discount codes can be used to register for another Headwind Cycling event and will be valid for 12 months after the event date. ·  If the 4PGF committee deems that it is unsafe to continue to race, for whatever reason, within 5 days prior to the race you will be offered an opportunity for a 75% discount code to another Headwind Cycling Event

Another unique option we have come up with as a committee this year is the implementation of a virtual ride category for this year only. This ride will be $40 and will be available for anyone to complete throughout the month of August. This ride is unsupported to be completed at your convenience with your individual support. You will still receive a T-shirt if registered before the aforementioned date and a medal. This is a separate category and it is expected you will not use the aid stations provided on race day.