weather guidelines
The Georgia Cycling Association has laid out detailed guidelines for how the Association will conduct races in challenging weather. Our primary consideration is always the safety of our riders along with race support staff and race visitors. We must also take into consideration any potential damage to the race venue: trails and infield.
Our Weather Committee is headed by longtime National Weather Service (NWS) Meteorologist, Kent McMullen, along with six Core Staff members. This committee is in constant communication in the days leading up to a race. The team will look at any potential weather threats that could impact a race weekend, develop any emergency plans, and send out safety information based on the type of impending weather.
Any decisions regarding canceling, postponing, or altering race start times, lap lengths, number of laps, etc. will be made jointly by the weather committee and the land manager. Often this decision cannot be made until the morning of the race due to the unpredictable and rapidly changing nature of severe weather.
The league will make every attempt to notify the racing population as soon as possible via our Facebook page and on the georgiaycling.org homepage.
weather reference guide
weather guidelines
Races are held on their scheduled dates unless the racecourse on the day of the race is deemed unrideable and/or dangerous. Georgia Cycling will have the option to alter the start of a race from its published times if the weather has created unsafe conditions.
Courses and/or lap lengths may be altered or shortened due to weather conditions. Any changes will be announced at the pre-race coaches meeting if changes are known at that time. Last-minute changes will be broadcast to riders at the start of each wave via the race announcer. If conditions require a change in the number of laps during a race, a person will be stationed at the lap line advising riders of the change.
All racing will stop immediately in the presence of lightning and or severe weather as signified by the race director. Course marshals will direct racers off course where they can seek shelter in vehicles, trailers/RVs, or buildings.
Re-starting a race that has been stopped due to lightning or other emergencies:
If the race has been stopped (and the course cleared) due to lightning or another emergency, the race may be restarted or declared over depending on the schedule and number of laps completed prior to the stoppage. If time permits, racers will be able to resume laps beginning from the lap line.
Race registration fees:
If a race venue is moved or a race is rescheduled, race registration fees will automatically be applied to the moved or rescheduled race.
If a race is canceled due to weather conditions, fees will not be refunded.
race points - If a race is canceled (unable to be moved or rescheduled):
No team points will be awarded and the race will not be included in the season's overall team point standings.
No individual points will be awarded and the race will not be included in the season's overall individual point standings. Riders will still have a “drop race” available from the remaining races (refer to the Georgia Cycling Association Rule Book) and the 25 series bonus points will be awarded based on completion of all races in the shortened series.
race points - If a race is partially completed (some fields complete their race and others do not):
No team points will be awarded and the race will not be included in the season's overall team point standings.
Individual points will be awarded in all of the fields that completed their race and those fields will proceed through the season as normal.
No individual points will be awarded in the fields where races were not completed and the race will not be included in the season's overall individual point standings. Riders will still have a “drop race” available from the remaining races (refer to the Georgia Cycling Association Rule Book) and the 25 series bonus points will be awarded based on completion of all races in the shortened series.