RELEASE AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY, ASSUMPTION OF RISK, AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT
(ADULTS ONLY — AGE 18+)
1) Parties and definitions
This Release and Waiver of Liability, Assumption of Risk, and Indemnity Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into by the undersigned participant (“Participant”) in favor of Goldilocks GRVL Cycling Club (“GGCC”), and GGCC’s organizers, ride leaders, volunteers, members, officers, agents, and representatives, and any sponsors or affiliated entities, and where applicable the owners/managers of any premises used in connection with an Activity (collectively, the “Released Parties”).
“Activities” include, without limitation: group rides, meetups, training rides, gravel/road rides, social rides, pre-ride briefings, post-ride gatherings, and any related event communications (including route sharing and online coordination), whether organized, suggested, posted, or led by GGCC.
2) Official vs. unofficial rides
Participant understands and agrees that:
- “Official GGCC Activities” are only those clearly identified by GGCC as official (for example, posted by GGCC organizers/ride leaders as an official ride, event, or calendar entry).
- GGCC’s communication channels (Slack, WhatsApp, email, social media, or other tools) may also be used by members to organize their own rides.
- Any ride, meetup, or event organized by members that is not explicitly identified by GGCC as an official GGCC Activity is an unofficial, member-organized activity, and is not organized, sponsored, supervised, or endorsed by GGCC.
- Participant participates in any unofficial, member-organized activity entirely at their own risk.
3) Nature of activities (not guided; ride at your own risk)
Participant understands and agrees that:
- GGCC Activities may take place on public roads, bike lanes, shared paths, trails, forest roads, and other facilities open to the public.
- GGCC is not a licensed guiding service, and Activities are not supervised instruction or professional coaching.
- Any “ride leader,” “pace lead,” “sweep,” or organizer is a volunteer and is not responsible for Participant’s safety, decision-making, navigation, or compliance with laws.
- Participant is solely responsible for riding within their abilities, maintaining control, riding safely around others, and making prudent decisions regarding conditions, equipment, nutrition/hydration, and whether to start/continue.
4) Participant representations (eligibility, health, skill, equipment)
Participant represents that they:
- Are 18 years of age or older and legally able to enter into this Agreement.
- Are physically and mentally capable of participating and have no condition that would make participation unsafe, or have consulted a medical professional as appropriate.
- Have a bicycle in safe working condition (including brakes/tires), appropriate gear for conditions, and will wear a properly fitted helmet at all times while riding.
- Will bring adequate water, nutrition, tools, lights (if needed), and appropriate clothing.
- Understand that mechanical issues, navigation errors, and delays may occur and that self-sufficiency is expected.
5) Assumption of risk (cycling is inherently dangerous)
Participant understands and agrees that cycling, group riding, and outdoor recreation are inherently dangerous activities that involve inherent risks that may result in property damage, serious bodily injury, permanent disability, paralysis, or death.
These risks include, without limitation: motor vehicle traffic; road hazards; gravel, potholes, ruts, loose surfaces; steep descents; wildlife; inclement weather; low visibility; heat/cold exposure; dehydration; falls; collisions with vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians, animals, or fixed objects; equipment failure; remote locations with limited cell service; delayed medical response; and the actions, inactions, or negligence of Participant or others.
Participant voluntarily and knowingly assumes all risks of participation, whether known or unknown, foreseeable or unforeseeable, to the fullest extent permitted by law.
6) Rules of the road; conduct; representing GGCC
Participant understands that a core part of GGCC culture is being safe, courteous riders and representing the club well in the community. Participant agrees that, during any Activity, they will:
- Follow all applicable laws, rules, and regulations (including traffic laws and trail/land manager rules).
- Ride in a safe and predictable manner, maintain adequate spacing, and communicate hazards when reasonably possible.
- Ride within their abilities and maintain control of their bicycle at all times.
- Be respectful to other riders and to the public (including pedestrians, vehicles, and other trail/path users), and yield when required or reasonably appropriate.
- Refrain from reckless behavior, harassment, intimidation, or conduct that creates an unreasonable risk to themselves or others.
- Not participate while impaired by alcohol, cannabis, or any drug or medication that impairs judgment, reaction time, or coordination.
- Follow the posted route/ride plan for official rides and understand that route deviations can increase risk.
Participant acknowledges that GGCC may, but is not obligated to, ask a Participant to stop participating in an Activity if GGCC reasonably believes the Participant is acting unsafely or disrupting the group. Participant understands that any such action is not a guarantee of safety and does not create a duty to supervise, control, or monitor Participant or any other rider.
7) Community standards (welcoming, inclusive, zero tolerance)
Participant understands that GGCC is a welcoming community for women (including trans women), femmes, and non-binary riders. GGCC is committed to creating a respectful, inclusive environment.
Participant agrees to comply with the Goldilocks GRVL Code of Conduct. Participant understands the Code of Conduct is incorporated into these community standards by reference.
Participant agrees that they will not engage in hate speech, discriminatory comments, harassment, intimidation, unwanted sexual attention, threats, or other conduct that is disruptive or makes others feel unsafe, whether in-person at Activities or in any GGCC-related communication channels.
Participant acknowledges that GGCC may, in its sole discretion, ask any person to leave an Activity, remove them from group communications, and/or restrict future participation if GGCC reasonably believes they have violated these community standards and/or the Code of Conduct. Participant understands that any such action is not a guarantee of safety and does not create a duty to supervise, control, or monitor any participant.
8) Release and waiver of liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Participant hereby releases, waives, discharges, and covenants not to sue the Released Parties from any and all claims, demands, causes of action, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, or expenses arising out of or related to Participant’s participation in Activities, including claims alleging negligence of any Released Party.
This release includes, without limitation, claims for personal injury, wrongful death, property damage, emotional distress, or economic loss, whether arising from ordinary negligence or otherwise, except to the extent prohibited by law.
9) Indemnification and hold harmless
Participant agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Released Parties from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees) arising out of or related to:
- Participant’s participation in Activities,
- Participant’s acts or omissions,
- Participant’s breach of this Agreement, and/or
- claims brought by third parties arising from Participant’s conduct.
10) Medical care; emergency contact; no duty
Participant authorizes GGCC and other participants (but does not obligate them) to seek emergency medical treatment for Participant if reasonably believed necessary. Participant agrees they are responsible for any and all costs of medical care/transport. Participant understands no Released Party has a duty to provide rescue, medical assistance, or transportation.
11) Photo/video/audio release (required)
Participant understands and agrees that GGCC Activities may be photographed, filmed, and/or recorded. Participant grants GGCC and the Released Parties permission to photograph, film, record, and otherwise capture Participant’s name, image, likeness, voice, and/or statements during Activities.
Participant further grants permission to use, publish, reproduce, display, distribute, and create derivative works from such media, in any format and in any media now known or later developed, for any lawful purpose related to GGCC, including club communications and promotion (including on websites, social media, email, and other public channels), without compensation.
Participant understands and agrees that participation in Activities is conditioned on granting this media release. If Participant does not agree, Participant must not participate in Activities.
12) E-bikes and other motor-assisted devices
Participant understands that certain roads, trails, and land management areas may prohibit or restrict the use of e-bikes or other motor-assisted devices.
If Participant chooses to ride an e-bike or other motor-assisted device, Participant represents and agrees that they will:
- Review the route in advance and determine whether an e-bike is permitted on each portion of the route;
- Comply with all applicable federal, state, local, and land manager rules, regulations, and policies regarding e-bike access and classification; and
- Not bring or operate an e-bike on any trail, road, or area where e-bikes are not allowed.
Participant acknowledges that GGCC does not verify whether e-bikes are permitted on any portion of any route and does not provide legal advice regarding e-bike access. Compliance is entirely Participant’s responsibility.
Nothing in this Agreement requires GGCC to allow or disallow e-bikes on any Activity; GGCC may set ride-specific expectations regarding e-bikes, but Participant remains solely responsible for legal compliance at all times.
13) No minors; adults only
GGCC Activities are for adults only. Participant represents they are 18 years of age or older. No minors may participate.
14) Governing law; venue; severability; entire agreement
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Oregon (without regard to conflict-of-law principles).
Participant agrees that any dispute arising out of or related to this Agreement or the Activities shall be brought in the state courts located in Deschutes County, Oregon, or the federal courts serving Deschutes County, Oregon, unless otherwise required by law.
If any provision is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in effect.
This Agreement contains the entire agreement regarding liability and risk and supersedes any prior discussions or representations.
15) Acknowledgement and signature
Participant acknowledges that they have read and understood this Agreement, understand they are giving up substantial rights, and sign voluntarily.