Code of Conduct

Version: v2026-04-06
Last updated: April 6, 2026

Purpose

Goldilocks GRVL Cycling Club (“GGCC”) exists to build an inclusive, welcoming cycling community in Bend, Oregon. We host supportive group gravel rides for all levels — whether you’re just getting started or looking to push yourself and get faster. Above all, we’re here to explore beautiful trails, make new friends, and grow together as riders.

GGCC is mission-driven, volunteer-led, and built for our community. Our founding leadership team guides the club’s programming and direction to keep rides welcoming, safe, and fun — and to help everyone know what to expect.

We’re genuinely glad you’re here. Thank you for helping us keep this community safe and welcoming.

This Code of Conduct applies to:

• Official rides and events
• Pre-ride/post-ride gatherings
• Online spaces used for GGCC coordination (including but not limited to: Slack, email, social, etc.)

Who this community is for

GGCC is a community for women (including trans women), femmes, non-binary people, and gender-expansive riders. This is not the right space for cisgender men.

Why this space exists

Building a truly inclusive cycling space doesn’t happen by default — it takes intention and a lot of proactive, sustained effort. A lot of riders have experienced being talked down to, pressured to ride beyond their comfort level, or made to feel like they don’t belong in group rides, even when that wasn’t anyone’s intent.

GGCC exists to create more room for people who are often underrepresented — a safe, supportive environment where you can show up, learn, lead, make mistakes, and take up space.

Bend has many great co-ed rides and clubs, and we often ride with and support those communities too. (One we love is Fieldwork Cycling — you’ll often find GGCC members there!) GGCC is simply our own dedicated space.

If you’re not sure whether this space is for you, please reach out to an organizer — we’re happy to help.

Our baseline expectations

We’re here to have fun, explore, and support each other. Everyone participating agrees to:

• Be respectful, kind, and welcoming.
• Ride and communicate in ways that prioritize safety.
• Respect boundaries and consent.
• Represent GGCC well in public spaces.

Zero-tolerance behaviors

These are deal-breakers because they undermine safety and belonging.

To protect this community, certain behaviors are not allowed and may result in immediate removal from a ride/event and/or removal from club spaces:

• Hate speech, slurs, or discriminatory comments (including sexism, racism, transphobia, homophobia, ableism, xenophobia, etc.)
• Harassment, intimidation, threats, or bullying
• Unwanted sexual attention or comments
• Deliberate misgendering or refusing to respect someone’s name/pronouns
• Stalking, doxxing, or sharing someone’s private information without permission
• Retaliation against anyone who raises a concern or reports an issue

Safety and ride culture

Safety is everyone’s responsibility, and ride culture is something we build together. The sections below cover how we expect GGCC riders to show up — on the road, on trails, and for each other.

Representing GGCC in public

Our reputation in the community is sacred. Please treat it accordingly. When you show up to our rides, you represent GGCC — before, during, and after.

Be courteous to drivers, pedestrians, and other trail users. Be kind and respectful to neighbors and local businesses. Be an outstanding steward and representative of the club, especially during our events and when you’re wearing a GGCC kit.

Come prepared & look out for each other

One of the best ways to respect your fellow riders is to come prepared. When everyone takes responsibility for themselves, the whole group rides better and safer.

That means:

• Downloading the route and reviewing it in advance
• Carrying a basic repair kit and knowing how to use it
• Bringing appropriate food, water, and clothing for the planned ride
• Knowing your limits and riding safely within your skill level

And when things don’t go as planned — because they won’t always — our culture is to look out for each other.

Check in on someone who’s struggling. Help with a mechanical. Share a layer or a snack if you have extra to spare. Call out hazards, point out turns, and keep the vibe encouraging.

GGCC riders show up for each other.

Respect for public lands

We’re incredibly lucky to ride in the places we do. That access is a privilege, not a given. Follow all posted trail rules and land manager guidelines, pack out everything you bring in, stay on designated trails, and leave every space better than you found it.

Shared paths & trails

We share our roads, paths, and trails with walkers, runners, kids, dogs, and other cyclists. We are guests in these spaces, not owners of them — and we want GGCC riders to be known as the most considerate people out there. Slow down, give people plenty of space, call out a friendly “on your left,” and always yield when it’s the kind thing to do.

Riding on the road

When we’re on public roads, ride single file as a default — it’s safer and more courteous to drivers. Riding two abreast is fine when the road is wide enough and traffic is light, or when the group is large enough that it makes sense to take the lane. Obey all traffic laws, signal your turns, stop at stop signs, and ride predictably. We share the road, and how we ride reflects on all of us.

Roundabouts

Bend has a lot of roundabouts, and they can be intimidating on a bike. The simplest rule: act like a car. Ride in the road (not on sidewalks), take the lane, signal your intentions, and ride predictably.

How GGCC is organized

GGCC is entirely volunteer-run — no one here is getting paid. The people who plan rides, manage our Slack community, handle logistics, run our website and social media, and keep things moving behind the scenes do it as a labor of love.

Our direction, programming, and branding decisions are made by the founding leadership team. This includes things like the ride schedule, official events, communication channels, partnerships, and how the Goldilocks name and brand are used.

Roles like ride leader are volunteer positions coordinated by the leadership team. We’re always grateful when members want to step up and help — and the best way to get involved is simply to ask. But official roles and titles within GGCC are assigned by leadership, not self-appointed. If you’re ever unsure about where you fit in or how to contribute, just reach out — we’re happy to talk it through.

We ask every participant to treat volunteers and organizers with kindness and respect. If you have feedback, concerns, or requests, please communicate them constructively and assume positive intent.

Outside events, promotions & the Goldilocks brand

A lot of our members run their own businesses in cycling and related fields — race companies, tour groups, coaching services, bikepacking trips, and more. We love that about this community, and we always want to be the loudest in cheering you on. These guidelines aren’t about limiting anyone’s ambition. They’re about making sure the Goldilocks brand stays clear and trustworthy as we grow, so we can keep protecting the experience we’ve all built together.

Official vs. member-organized rides

GGCC has an official ride schedule published here, with programming planned and coordinated by the leadership team. These are the rides where GGCC takes on an organizing role — setting routes, assigning ride leaders, and setting expectations. Official rides are posted in #ggcc-rides on Slack.

We also love when members self-organize their own rides — that’s one of the best things about this community! Use #member-rides in Slack to find riding partners and plan casual outings.

…But a ride organized among friends is just that: a casual outing with friends. It’s not an official Goldilocks event, and GGCC isn’t responsible for what happens there. If you’re putting together your own ride, just make sure it’s clear that it’s a personal invite, not an official GGCC event.

Using the Goldilocks name and brand

The Goldilocks name, logo, and branding are managed by leadership and should not be used for outside events, businesses, or projects unless you have explicit permission.

This includes things like:

• Marketing an event or ride as a “Goldilocks” event
• Using the Goldilocks logo or imagery in your own promotional materials
• Representing yourself as speaking or acting on behalf of GGCC

If you’re organizing something independently — even something cycling-related and primarily including GGCC members — we ask that it’s clearly presented as your own thing, separate from Goldilocks. Outside events should not be promoted or perceived as official GGCC events without explicit leadership approval.

If you’re ever unsure whether something crosses into brand territory, just ask — we’re happy to clarify.

Partners & sponsors

GGCC may pursue a limited number of partnerships or sponsorships that directly serve our members — like gear discounts or other tangible perks. These are established by leadership on a case-by-case basis and must bring real value to the community.

Being a member of GGCC (even a very active and beloved one!) doesn’t automatically make your business a GGCC partner or sponsor. If you’d like to share something about your business in our community, please see the guidelines below.

Sharing in our Slack community

Our Slack is first and foremost a space for connecting with each other and organizing around our shared love of gravel cycling.

We want it to feel like a group chat with your closest riding friends — genuine, helpful, and respectful of everyone’s time and attention.

If you run a race company, lead bikepacking trips, coach riders, or have something else you’re working on and want to promote — we want to hear about it! Letting the group know about your upcoming events or offerings is exactly the kind of thing that makes this community valuable. Just make sure it’s something this group would genuinely be interested in, and that it’s clearly your own thing (not presented as a GGCC event or partnership — see above).

More broadly, sharing outside events, recommendations, and resources is welcome here too — cycling-related or otherwise. When it comes from someone who’s genuinely engaged in the community, it feels natural and we’re all for it.

All we ask is that you’re thoughtful about it. We’d rather trust everyone to read the room than create rigid rules about what can and can’t be shared. If things ever start to feel out of balance, leadership may gently step in — but we’d love for that to never be necessary.

Reporting concerns

Part of looking out for each other is speaking up when something doesn’t feel right. Whether it’s a safety issue on a ride, something that happened in Slack, or a situation you’re not sure how to handle — we want to hear about it.

If something comes up during a ride that needs to be addressed right away, your ride leader is your first point of contact. For all other concerns, reach out to the club lead directly by contacting us here.

You won’t be “making it a big deal” by reaching out — we’d rather hear about something early than after it escalates. All reports are handled with discretion, and retaliation against anyone who raises a concern is a zero-tolerance issue (see above).

Enforcement

Our goal is always to protect the community and preserve the culture we’ve built together — not to punish people. Most situations aren’t black and white, and our first step is almost always a conversation.

That said, GGCC may take any action it reasonably believes is necessary to keep this space safe and welcoming, including:

• A private conversation or warning
• Asking someone to leave a ride or event
• Removing someone from communication channels
• Restricting or ending future participation

Final thoughts

We’re an entirely volunteer-run community with limited time and resources. Leadership and ride leaders are all donating their time and energy as a service to this community — please always keep that in mind.

We don’t promise perfect outcomes, but we do commit to taking concerns seriously, acting in good faith, and always centering the safety and wellbeing of our members.

At the end of the day, GGCC exists because we all love riding bikes and want a community that feels like home. Thank you for being part of it — and for helping us make it a place people feel proud to belong to.

Questions about this Code of Conduct?

• Goldilocks GRVL Founder: Jodie Lyons
• Primary club lead for 2026: Laura MacCarley