Here’s the email I sent to the registered riders so you have additional access to it.
First. We are holding the event no matter what. At this point it is too late to back out. All the bags of chips I promised have been purchased already. =)
Rain, mud, and a creek: The area has received about 2.5″ of rain over the past 7 days. Most of that came early on, but we did get about a .5″ yesterday. Most of the route is not very muddy since the roads are mostly gravel to bedrock, as mentioned before. I can think of two sections that might be muddy. I will be riding those sections today or tomorrow. If they are in rough shape, we may bypass them, but at this moment I am not planning on altering the course for mud. I may alter the course for the creek crossing. I want to keep this section as part of the experience, but if the water is too high, we will. I will announce that on the Facebook Event page tomorrow.
To me, mud and messy roads are part of the gravel experience. Heck, I’m doing Mid-South in two weeks in Oklahoma, and their entire website is dedicated to talking about how bad the weather and roads will be. I have heard from several people concerned that they are worried about getting their bikes “too” dirty. Again, to be as blunt and as upfront as I think I have been from the start. This ride might not be the best for you – at least this weekend – if you are worried about road conditions. I want everyone to really enjoy the ride, including my volunteers and me, not worrying that you not having the time of your life.
Parking: We are going to open up parking at 8:00am. Please plan to come a little earlier than you had originally scheduled. Since we have gotten all of this rain, the drive leading to the original parking area is muddy, so 4×4’s in this area only and the rest of everyone else will be positioned along a couple of other locations in the grass along the road. We’ll get everyone parked; just know it will just take a little more time. So again, if you can carpool, please do.
Waivers: I have also gotten quite a few questions about the waiver release. 99.9% of you have e-signed the waiver. If you didn’t, you should have received an email asking you to. Below is the waiver that you signed. I don’t want to have to worry about releases the day of. So again, you signed the waiver unless you received an email specifically saying you didn’t with a link to do so.
Swag. Thanks to Outback bikes, we have some cool swag to give out. I will also be getting some other stuff in the mail today that should “fit” a few people perfectly. We’re also going to have some cool glasses and a few other things to hand out for the after-party.
Special thanks. Special thanks goes out to Michael Barman. He’s the best. Give him a hug and crush a frosty beverage with him when you see him, also, to Jacob Dearolph, who will be smoking a brisket for us to enjoy.
We are super stoked for this weekend. We have put a lot of sweat into it and I believe you are really going to enjoy getting a little dirty, sweaty and full of great food and stories.
thanks
Wayne Whitesides
East Point Track Club
Rider Waiver:
I, the undersigned, know and understand that BorderWars – A Southern Gravel Adventure (BorderWars) and its related events involve potentially hazardous or dangerous activities and conditions. I attend BorderWars and all related events out of my own free will and choice. In choosing to attend BorderWars and any related events, I FULLY ACCEPT AND ASSUME ALL RISKS, whether before, during or after BorderWars and its related events, whether or not an event is listed herein. These include, without limitation, physical injury, mental injury, emotional distress, trauma, sickness, illness, death, contact with others, equipment failure or defective equipment, inadequate safety equipment, the effects of weather including extreme temperature or conditions, traffic, contact with motor vehicles of all types and descriptions, collision with other persons, or fixed objects, the conditions of and/or design and other defects in the road and facilities, all risks along the route, and the negligence of others, including, without limitation, those persons organizing, sponsoring, volunteering or participating in BorderWars and/or events occurring in connection with it.
I am aware that the risk of injury or death is always present in biking and BorderWars’s attendant events and that this risk cannot be eliminated by BorderWars organizers, sponsors, volunteers and the government and private entities that host or assist in the BorderWars events. I know and accept that biking and road accidents may result from the failure for any reason (including negligence) of BorderWars organizers, sponsors, volunteers and the government and private entities that host or assist in the BorderWars events to correctly determine the conditions and safety of the road, surface, route or weather or to predict where or when an accident might occur. All risks are known, appreciated and assumed by me, and I waive any and all specific notice of the existence of them and further waive the obligation, if any, that any other person or entity has to advise or warn me of them. I assume liability for and agree to pay my own medical and emergency expenses in the event of injury, illness, or other incapacity regardless of whether I authorized such expenses. I authorize the use and release of personal and medical information in connection with any medical services provided to me. I realize that BorderWars events require physical conditioning. I represent that I am in sound medical condition capable of participating in the BorderWars events without risk to myself or others. I have no medical impediment that would endanger others or me. I understand that a situation may arise during BorderWars and related events that may be beyond the control of the sponsors, promoters, volunteers, organizers, government and private entities or others that host or assist in BorderWars and all related events, or may arise from negligence by them, and I accept and assume all risks of participation and/or attendance.
I will be solely responsible for the condition and adequacy of my bicycle, safety gear and equipment. I will ride safely within the limits of my own abilities, my equipment and the riding conditions and in a manner that does not endanger others or me. Knowing these facts and in consideration of my entry acceptance, admission to and/or participation in BorderWars and its related events, I for myself, spouse, children, heirs, next of kin, assigns and anyone acting on my behalf, RELEASE, WAIVE, DISCHARGE, COVENANT NOT TO SUE AND AGREE TO HOLD Wayne Whitesides and the East Point Track Club; BorderWars sponsors and participating clubs, communities and organizations; BorderWars officials, emergency and support personnel, volunteers and their representatives; official Friends of BorderWars; persons and entities that provide event recommendations, advice or services relating to matters such as, but not limited to, route selection, design or maintenance, risk management, safety and first aid; all property owners, law enforcement agencies and governmental or public entities, including without limitation the State of Georgia and the State of Alabama, its counties, cities and special districts; and the officers, directors, employees, representatives, agents, assigns, and successors of all of the above, HARMLESS FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, DEMANDS AND ACTIONS OF ANY AND EVERY KIND, INCLUDING CLAIMS OF NEGLIGENCE, I have, may have or may hereafter accrue against the released parties directly or indirectly arising out of or relating in any respect to my attending or participating in BorderWars and/or any related events. My waiver and release of all claims, demands, actions and liabilities shall include without limitation, any personal injury, accident, illness or death and any property damage or loss that may be: (a) caused by any act, or failure to act, by the above-identified persons and entities, including without limitation, their negligence, errors, omissions, fault, failure to enforce rules, and conditions of the routes and/or event premises, and/or (b) sustained by me before, during or after BorderWars and its related events. I acknowledge that I am signing this agreement freely and voluntarily, and INTEND BY MY SIGNATURE FOR THIS TO BE A COMPLETE AND UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE OF ALL LIABILITY TO THE GREATEST EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW. I further acknowledge that no representations, promises, statements or inducements have been made to me other than as set forth in this document. I will abide by all BorderWars rules and regulations. I understand that my name, address, photograph, voice and/or likeness may be used in news, promotional or advertising content in all media forms created or distributed by Wayne Whitesides or the East Point Track Club.. I consent to such uses and waive any rights of privacy or publicity I may have in connection with those uses. I also waive any privacy rights that may result from disclosure of information about me, including without limitation, in connection with provision of any medical services by BorderWars sponsors and organizations. I further agree to indemnify and hold the parties released above harmless from any and all losses, damages, injuries, claims and expenses, including attorneys’ fees, arising from or relating in any respect to my attendance and/or participation in BorderWars and/or its related events or my breach of this agreement. If I am a minor, my parent or guardian also is signing on my behalf. We both agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement, waiver and release. I also waive all spousal claims relating to BorderWars, if any, that I hold or that may arise through me. I agree that no modifications or amendments to the standard Entry Form and this waiver and release shall be binding unless they are accepted in a separate writing signed by Wayne Whitesides or the East Point Track Club. All matters arising out of this Agreement and my participation in BorderWars and any related events shall be governed by the laws of the State of Georgia and the State of Alabama, without regard to choice of law principles, and shall be within the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and/or federal courts located within Polk County in the State of Georgia and the State of Alabama, and the parties hereby consent to such exclusive jurisdiction and waive objections to venue therein.