RULES AND REGULATIONS

The following are the rules for riding the 2025 Okanagan Granfondo (OG). Anyone violating these rules or subsequent version of these rules, is subject to removal from the event:

• Waiver: All participants must read and agree to the Exclusion of Liability document. The complete document can be found at: www.okanagangranfondo.com/event-waiver.
• Event Cancellation Policy: The Okanagan Granfondo, in accordance with and at the discretion of event organizers, municipal and provincial authorities, as well as regional law enforcement, reserves the right to cancel or alter any of the events due to unforeseen circumstances or emergency purposes such as, but not limited to weather events and related consequences (e.g. flooding), hostile threats, highway closures mandated by provincial or other authorities, wildfires and/or population health and safety concerns. If such conditions force cancellation, refunds cannot be provided since funds will have been spent in preparation for Event Day.
• No Refunds: There are no refunds under any circumstances, including the cancellation of the event. If the event is cancelled, all registrations will roll over to the following year.
• Helmets are mandatory: Helmets must be worn correctly and done up at all times.
• Non-standard bicycles: (e.g. tandem bicycles, recumbent, and race wheelchairs) OG requires non-standard bikes to exercise extreme caution. The majority of riders may not be familiar with non-standard bicycles. The OG staff may require non-standard bicycles to start at the rear of the group. Due to size issues, it may not be possible to transport these bicycles back to the finish area should you require it. Unicycles and bikes with aerobars are not allowed.
• Electric Bikes are permitted in the OG under the following conditions:
  • The bike must be speed limited to 32km/h.
  • Riders must start at the back of the start corral.
  • Riders must respect the effort of self propelled riders and stay out of pace lines.
  • Any team member found to be pacing with an e-bike will result in the entire team being disqualified from the team competition.
• “Stay Aware, Ride with Care”: Look for obstacles, ride safely and predictably. Don’t swerve and weave, keep your head up, and ride in single file when possible. Please be aware of and exercise good road riding etiquette.
• Road rules: Obey all directions from police, traffic control personnel or course workers. Riders MUST give way to emergency vehicles. Where the route has a delineated lane closure (e.g. cones), crossing into the non-delineated lane is strictly prohibited. Many roads are open to traffic. It is up to each rider to be aware of the open road sections, to obey the BC Motor Vehicle Act and to keep as far right as possible. Do not cross the centre line (whether it is marked or not) at any time. Any rider crossing the centre line, riding dangerously or found to be violating other rules of the road will be disqualified without warning. The teams of riders who are disqualified will also be eliminated from the team competition. Disqualification will result from the report of any The OG staff, volunteer, course worker, Traffic Control Person, RCMP officer or Ministry of Transportation Official. All disqualifications are final and will not be subject to appeal.
• “Stay to the Right”: Unless passing another rider, ensure that you stay as far to the right of the road as you can; making it easy for traffic and other riders to pass you safely on the left.
• Course: It is your responsibility to know and follow the route.
• No personal support vehicles on course: Please let us take care of you on your ride. Avoid clogging up the route with additional cars and trucks.
• No unregistered riders: Riders found on a course for which they are not registered will be charged accordingly.
• Timing tag and number placement: All participants must mount their tag and number according to the instructions supplied in the rider package.
• Start Zones: Start corrals are assigned based on the average speed declared during registration.
• No personal audio devices (iPod, headphones, etc.): These devices present distractions, and ultimately place you and other riders at risk of accident.
• No littering: Throwing anything on the ground during in the ride will result in removal from the event.
• No public urination: Facilities are provided on course (aid stations) and at the Finish area.
• Caravan vehicles: Riders must heed instructions from course officials. Do not pass the Lead Event Vehicle at any time.
• Cut-off times: For course management and road safety, cut off times will be established for each route (TBC). Riders outside of these times will be asked to leave the course, and you will be offered a ride to the finish area.
• Treat course workers and volunteers with kindness and respect: We want our volunteers to stay safe and have a great time too. Abuse of OG volunteers will not be tolerated; smiles and thank-yous will.
• Right to refuse entry: The event organizers reserve the right to refuse entry into the event if any of the above rules are violated by a participant.

EVENT POLICIES

Personal insurance

You should talk to your insurance broker and make sure that you have adequate personal, life, disability and property insurance. Riders from outside of Canada should also make sure that they have adequate medical and emergency insurance coverage.

Event Cancellation Policy

The Okanagan Granfondo, in accordance with and at the discretion of event organizers, municipal and provincial authorities, as well as regional law enforcement, reserves the right to cancel or alter any of the events due to unforeseen circumstances or emergency purposes such as, but not limited to weather events and related consequences (e.g. flooding), hostile threats, highway closures mandated by provincial or other authorities, wildfires and/or population health and safety concerns. If such conditions force cancellation, refunds cannot be provided since funds will have been spent in preparation for Event Day.

Refunds:

There are no refunds for the 2025 Okanagan Granfondo (OG) events. There are no exceptions.

Deferrals:

There are no deferrals for 2025 registrations to 2026.

OPTIONAL REGISTRATION PROTECTION (REFUND) PRODUCT:

During the registration process, you have the opportunity to add refund protection offered from Protect Group. This enables you to receive a refund for the event if you are unable to attend. Please note: you CANNOT retroactively add refund protection. If you select this option, refunds are given by Protect Group. The OG is not involved in the refund process in any way. Refunds will be given on ALL cart items at the time of your initial checkout (items added at a later date will not be refunded). Please see HERE for approved refund circumstances. NOTE: the average cost of the refund protection is approximately $45 depending on the registration fee at the time. The roll-over/deferral fee is $75. We encourage all riders to protect their entries using the refund protection. NOTE: There are NO deferrals.

Transfer Policy

A registered rider can transfer an event entry to another individual for a fee of $35. The deadline to transfer entries is July 12, 2025 at 2:00 PM.

OG Youth (14 to 18 years) Rider Policy:

Riders under 16 are only eligible to participate in the Cortofondo (35 km) or Mediofondo (85 km) at the discretion of the organizers.