It’s with great regret that I must inform you that the OBC Board of Directors has decided to cancel the 2020 Rideau Lakes Cycle Tour, for the first time in its 49-year history.

It goes without saying that the RLCT is our flagship event, and this decision was not easy. We’re facing ever increasing headwinds as a result of the public health response to the COVID19 virus, and although we were hopeful June would see a return to some kind of normalcy, the uncertainty regarding participant safety, and the need for extensive planning and preparation, not to mention upcoming financial commitments, has left us little choice but to cancel the event.

In addition, the uncertainty of event safety and viability later in the summer, with weekends crowded by other events, questionable volunteer availability, and unknown venue availability has led us to conclude a rescheduled 2020 RLCT is not feasible.

Due to sound financial management in previous years, the Ottawa Bicycle Club is in a position to make an exception to its long-standing no-refund policy. Registrants for the 2020 RLCT will be offered three options:

defer to the 2021 RLCT at no extra expense to themselves

a refund of 90% of their 2020 RLCT payment, or

the option to simply donate the 2020 RLCT payment to the OBC in support of the club, to help with our large COVID deficit

We sincerely hope to see you at the 2021 RLCT, which is why we're offering the no cost deferral, but we also understand that many would prefer to have cash now. We have already incurred significant expenses this year, and need to recover some of that, which is why the refund is set at 90%.

There will be subsequent email/messaging to you and on the OBC website with more details about these options and how to select the one that appeals to you.

You should also keep an eye on the OBC website. Many of our events (Sunday/Tuesday tours, Time Trials, and Youth training) are already pre-planned, so when the public health situation indicates it’s safe to do so, we’ll be opening those up.

As a matter of policy, we’re not planning to refund OBC memberships.

We still anticipate an active, albeit shorter, season. Even now, and even with the ban on group events, OBC members can still access our club routes via Ride With GPS, and, with the exception of routes that cross the provincial boundary, go riding on the roads as a single!

And if you do get out, post on the club’s Facebook page to let everyone know!

I want to say a huge thanks to the RLCT Committee and volunteers who have already put many days into planning for the 2020 RLCT. Even though we won’t be running the event, we truly appreciate their contribution and commitment, and look forward to welcoming them back next year.

Once again, I wish to make clear my deep regret at having to communicate the unprecedented decision to cancel the 2020 edition of the RLCT, but want to say the OBC is even more committed to being back for RLCT 2021, and a full 2021 cycling season. This will pass!

Be safe – Scott McDougall, OBC President