COVID-19 and the Santa Fe Century

Greetings friends of the Santa Fe Century,



We have delayed making this decision for as long as possible hoping that we could chart a clear path forward for an event this fall. Unfortunately, no adjustments and mitigation we could make would change the fact that our event brings about 2,000 people together from all around the Southwest, as well as the U.S. That reality and the uncertainty that remains about how COVID-19 will continue to affect mass participation events like ours brought us to the conclusion that our efforts are best placed preparing for 2021.



We have made the decision to cancel the 2020 Santa Fe Century and will NOT be postponing for a date in the fall.



Unfortunately, we are unable to change our no-refund policy for registration fees or merchandise purchases of the 2020 Century. While our registration fees are low compared to similarly sized events, we are able to operate at or slightly above cost every year because we draw such a large amount of participants. However, this year we had to close registration long before we reached our “break even” point and after we had already incurred many expenses related to putting on the Century. We will be operating at a loss in 2020.



For our 2020 registrants, I hope you will take heart in the fact that the Santa Fe Century is a 501(c)(3) organization and every year we contribute thousands of dollars to local charities, foundations, and other groups that help support our event. For the last ten years the Century has provided bicycles to youth in Santa Fe County through a partnership with local libraries in connection with their summer reading programs. Your registration fees support our mission to support bicycling in New Mexico and ensures we can continue to hold the event in the future.



While we cannot offer a refund for riders registered in 2020, here is what we can do:

Deferred registration to the 2021 Santa Fe Century. We will provide a registration code to any 2020 registrant that wants to ride in 2021. We will be contacting 2020 registrants with instructions for claiming their deferred entry when registration opens for our 2021 event.

Mail all merchandise purchased at no cost to you. Unfortunately, the factory that makes the RA Racing Apparel Santa Fe Century merchandise is temporarily closed due to COVID-19 so we do not have all of our order in yet. If you purchased merchandise from a previous year, we will be mailing that out by the end of May. For 2020 merchandise we will mail that out as we get it.

2020 “Virtual” Santa Fe Century



While we may not be able to ride together on May 17th, we can still ride the route “together” virtually and on social media. Route maps and downloadable GPX files are available on www.santafecentury.com on the maps page.



Either solo or with members of your “quaranteam” (members of your household for example), ride all or part of any of the 3 rides of the Santa Fe Century in May and take a picture along the route. Tag the location and @santafecentury on Facebook and/or Instagram.



You can also join our Strava club and your ride will automatically be counted in the group’s miles.



Suggestions for stops along the route:

Santa Fe Community College

Santa Fe Brewing Company (Open for to-go beer sales from 3-7)

Madrid

Heart Break Hill

Stanley

Lamy Hill - 1.5 miles north of the Highway 41 and 285 junction)

Café Fina (open for to-go orders)

While you can ride the route all month (or anytime) the Santa Fe Century will have a “virtual ride” on May 17th. Any route. Any state. Any country for that matter. Just go for a ride on May 17th and tag @santafecentury on Facebook and/or Instagram in a picture along the way or join our Strava club and upload your ride. For an added challenge, ride the distance you would have on the day. Check out www.santafebikeweek.com for other virtual events during “Bike Month.”



This is not the result any of us were hoping for, but we believe it is the safest and best option for everyone. We will be back in 2021 (date TBD). Until then, keep riding, stay safe, and stay in touch on Facebook, Instagram, and Strava club.

Bicycle New Mexico

Miles of history pass under your wheels as you bicycle down the ancient Turquoise Trail, onwards through the Galisteo Basin to the old village of Galisteo, and back into scenic Santa Fe.



The Santa Fe Century is the first major cycling event in the spring in the Southwest. The weather in May is moderate and provides an opportunity to shed the winter gear for some wonderful springtime riding in Santa Fe, New Mexico.



The mission of the Santa Fe Century is to get people interested in cycling and to have fun doing it! Our ride is primarily volunteer led and organized. We welcome riders of all ages and abilities.