Environment & Safety Info

Environment

As cyclists, we acknowledge there are risks to riding your bike. There are risks due to weather, elevation, wildlife, slick and uneven roads, lousy drivers, and other cyclists. Whether biking in Colorado or Italy, we aim for safety first. Colorado has "open range" areas where you may encounter metal grates and cattle. In Italy and Spain, some roads can be curvy. No matter where we ride…we want everyone to be aware of their surroundings.

Be sure to bring rain gear as there is no predicting the weather.

Colorado has more than 300 days of sunshine annually…sunscreen is a must!

If you live at a lower elevation, know that the elevation in Grand Junction, Colorado is 4,600 feet, and one of our road biking rides takes us up another 2,000 ft. People who travel to Colorado frequently experience some form of altitude illness, usually self-limited.

Key to Preparing for Exercise at Altitude:

1. Ascend gradually; arriving a day or two before the conference begins is beneficial.

2. Hydration is essential as you acclimatize.

3. Avoid excessive alcohol.

4. Altitude medications are a consideration if unable to ascend gradually and are occasionally used by travelers to the Vail/Summit County area of Colorado, about 10,000 feet above sea level. Grand Junction is 4,600 feet above sea level, just below the elevation of Denver, the "Mile High" city.

We recommend you visit the Institute for Altitude Medicine website led by Peter Hackett, M.D., of Telluride, Colorado, an international expert on Altitude Medicine. This site is an excellent review of altitude medicine's physiology and medications.

Bicycle Safety

We all realize the benefits of cycling. We can boost our fitness and health, save money and help the environment. However, remember the keys to safe cycling before you hit the road. To refresh your memory, review the "Rules of the Road" as stated by the League of American Bicyclists, and check out  BicycleSafe.com for great safety tips and the importance of being proactive. Finally, you must wear appropriate helmets; we recommend wearing bright colors and lights on your bike.

While we strive to make this CME Conference and bike tour fun and exciting, we also do our best to make it safe. But, on the other hand, we also need you to take responsibility for your safety. Despite all efforts, there are risks of injury to yourself and others when biking, and Cycling CME is not responsible for any accident.

Remember that mountain biking brings challenges due to the varied terrain and obstacles. In Western Colorado, the trails can be sandy, lined with sharp rocks, and have switchbacks near rocky ledges. This is part of the beauty, but please use caution. Despite all efforts, there are risks of injury to yourself and others when mountain biking that is not preventable. Please refer to IMBA's "Rules of the Trail" for Mountain Biking.

Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns before or during our rides. Our goal is that you enjoy your entire biking experience...safely!

We have a Risk Management Plan and will gladly send it your way upon request.