The safety all of members of our CF community is paramount to us.

INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL POLICY FOR CYSTIC FIBROSIS CANADA 

HOSTED/SPONSORED EVENTS & MEETINGS

Introduction

The health and wellbeing of people with cystic fibrosis (CF) is of paramount concern to Cystic Fibrosis Canada. The purpose of Cystic Fibrosis Canada’s Infection Prevention and Control Policy is to minimize the exposure of people with CF to harmful bacteria at Cystic Fibrosis Canada hosted or sponsored events and meetings.

Policy

This Policy has been developed to minimize the exposure of people with CF to infection and to protect their health when taking part at Cystic Fibrosis Canada events and meetings.

The Policy is to be strictly followed at events and meetings organized by Cystic Fibrosis Canada, including those of its chapters.

As a matter of principle, Cystic Fibrosis Canada staff and volunteers are asked to anticipate possible situations that  could bring people with CF together in close proximity, and people with CF are advised to avoid events held in confined spaces, where it is much harder to stay away from, or to avoid being close to, other people with CF.

The Policy also applies to those who have been transplanted, since there is still a risk of acquiring new infections or of transmitting infections that remain in the nose, throat and sinuses.

Outdoor events

In an open air environment, there is less concern for person-to-person transmission of infections, but travelling with other people with CF in a car, or meeting them socially increases the level of risk.

People with CF may attend Cystic Fibrosis Canada hosted or sponsored outdoor events but are advised to maintain a distance of at least six feet (about two meters) from other individuals with CF at all times. Self-disclosure as a person with CF is voluntary. The organizer(s) of Cystic Fibrosis Canada hosted or sponsored outdoor events may assist with

voluntary self-disclosure through the provision of items such as clothing, stickers or wristbands.

Attendance by people with CF at Cystic Fibrosis Canada hosted or sponsored outdoor events are at the individuals’ own risk.

The following points provide advice on how to minimize exposure by people with cystic fibrosis to harmful bacteria.

• Follow universal infection control precautions as instructed by your CF healthcare providers, including frequent use of hand sanitization and practice of good cough hygiene.

• Do not travel to and from events with others with CF (unless they are siblings or parent and child with CF).

• Avoid activities associated with events that encourage crowding.

• Always be aware that there may be other people with CF present at the event, including those with B. cepacia, epidemic Pseudomonas, MRSA and other potentially harmful infections.

• Be aware that young children with cystic fibrosis are usually less vigilant about observing proper infection prevention control practices.

Indoor meetings and events

Close contact between people with cystic fibrosis is much more likely to occur at indoor events, which increases the risk of cross infection. Therefore, only one person with CF may be invited to attend a Cystic Fibrosis Canada hosted or sponsored indoor event or meeting, unless the individuals live in the same household. The decision on who is to be selected to attend is at the discretion of the event or meeting organizer(s). In the case where a person with CF has been selected or invited to attend a Cystic Fibrosis Canada hosted or sponsored indoor event or meeting, the organizer(s) shall make every reasonable effort to ensure no other persons with CF attend that indoor event or meeting.

Attendance by any person with CF at a Cystic Fibrosis Canada hosted or sponsored indoor event or meeting is at the individual’s own risk as there may be others with CF who may attend despite this policy. Anyone attending a meeting or event must assume that there may be people with CF present at the meeting or event.

Cystic Fibrosis Canada advocates for personal but informed choice. The organization values the contributions of people with CF in helping us achieve our mission; however it must also act on information based on medical evidence. Cystic Fibrosis Canada continues to explore all possible means of permitting the participation of people with CF at its events and meetings.

Current as at October 2018

Tax receipts over $20 are issued directly from the website when an online donation is made.

Tax receipts for fundraising events may not be issued for the purchase of a product, entrance fee, lottery ticket or revenue from an event. For example, if you hold a burger and beer night and raise $800 through tickets sales, raffle and silent auction, you may not submit that $800 for a personal tax receipt. If you have personal expenses from hosting the event, you can submit your receipts to us, and we will provide you with a personal tax receipt for the amount of your expenses.

All riders have a fundraising minimum of $1,000. If the minimum is not met by that time the person will be required to pay the balance by June 1st.

Please contact us as soon as possible if you don’t think you will raise the minimum required. We have lots of great ideas and resources. 

Raise $2,500 or more to be eligible for a free jacket or purchase a jersey on our website! 

Jerseys will only be provided free of charge for those that raise the minimum required. If you would like to purchase a jersey, please order yours at www.GearUp4CF.com.

Teams are welcome and encouraged!   They're a great way to train, encourage your friends and community to join the ride, and celebrate your efforts at the end of the ride.

Don't want to ride alone?  Individuals riders are welcome to join a team.  

Refunds, deferral and transfers

REFUNDS - No refunds are available for any reason, medical or otherwise. However, we do recognize that unforeseen events may occur. Riders may transfer the registration fee to the following year. Note this must be done by May 1.

DEFERRAL POLICY - Participants can defer their GearUp4CF entry to the following year in the event of an injury or scheduling conflict. It is important to note that this policy is only in effect until May 1 and ALL deferrals must be made before that date. After this point, we will have paid for all venues and payments with no possibility of getting these funds back.

The cost for deferring an entry is $100. Contact our team at BCinfo@cysticfibrosis.ca for details.

TRANSFER POLICY - The Transfer Policy allows you to transfer your registration to another rider for a $100 transfer fee. Deadline for all transfers is June 1 and ALL transfers must be made before that date. After this point, we will have applied for all permits, purchased all event materials and confirmed catering numbers meaning that we have committed all registrations to the event, with no possibility of getting these funds back.

If you are receiving a transferred entry and want to be on a team, you must contact the team captain to add you to the team. Jerseys are not included in the transfer. Please note, payment for transfers and entry fees in these cases are the responsibility of the two individuals. Cystic Fibrosis Canada accepts no responsibility for the loss of payments.

Please note, payment for transfers and entry fees in these cases are the responsibility of the riders. Cystic Fibrosis Canada accepts no responsibility for the loss of payments.

Rider Support and Safety

Bike tech support will be available, however all bikes must be roadworthy prior to arrival at the site. E-bikes welcome.

It is your responsibility to ensure your bike is roadworthy prior to ride day.

• This is a fully supported ride. Bike mechanics will be available at the start and along the route, at the pit stops and roving on motorbikes to help fix flats and do minor repairs. Larger parts will need to be paid for so bring cash or a credit card with you just in case. If you are a fair distance from the pit stop and for some reason cannot proceed with the ride, call the dispatch number and we will determine whether it is best to send a pick up vehicle or mechanic to your location.

• Your safety is a priority for us. Medical personnel will be located at the start and on motorcycles roaming along the course. Our staff also have First Aid. If you have a critical emergency while on the route please call 911. If you need non-critical first aid support, locate moto-support nearest you, or call the dispatch number located on your rider card and we will dispatch the first aid support to your location.

• We will have bike racks available at the start. A volunteer will be monitoring bikes during lunch and after the ride but please note that the racks are not in an enclosure and we do not have security guards present on site.

• There is directional signage along the route but please ensure you are familiar enough with the route, have a rider card with you or have loaded the GPS route onto your phone. The Rider card contains a map reference, route directions as well as key contact numbers.

• We encourage riders to carry a phone or at least a one of your team members to carry a phone.

• Pit stops will have water and snacks to help keep you hydrated and fuelled for the ride, as well as washroom facilities.

• As a safety precaution, all riders must check-in at the pit stop and at the finish line, even if you do not intend to stop.

• Cystic Fibrosis Canada accepts no liability for damage or loss of property to bikes.

• Infection Control Policy: there will be individuals living with cystic fibrosis at the bike ride, so please read our Infection Control Policy. For a copy of the policy, please click here.

ALL RIDERS MUST ADHERE TO THE HEALTH AUTHORITY AND ROAD RULES.  

We ask that you please ride safely and responsibily at all times. Please ensure that you are following the health and saftey protocols set out by the Province of BC or your local health experts and that you are keeping both yourself and community safe at this time.Cystic Fibrosis Canada accepts no liability for your own personal ride (damage or loss of property to bikes).

Bike tech support will be available, however all bikes must be roadworthy prior to arrival at the site. E-bikes welcome.

Guidelines

• Make yourself familiar with British Columbia’s Rules of the Road or your local rules of the road
• Please ensure your bike is in good condition prior to your ride
• Be respectful of any other riders and always be aware of others around you and communicate well in advance when cyclling. Pass on the left only, politely saying "on your left". 
• Control the speed of your bike, even going downhill. Know your limits.
• If you do participate in the virtual ride by biking outside (road bike, hybrids, commuters, mountain bikes) please wear an approved cycling helmet. Riders must have the chin strap buckled at all time.
• All registered riders must agree to the waiver form.
• Riders are responsible for their own costs, including bike and travel (if permitted according to the health authority guidelines in your location.
• It is the responsibility of the rider to ensure their safety and adherance to the rules at all times.

Thank you and stay safe!

Rules

• This is not a race. It is a self-paced, supported ride.

• Participants may use standard road bicycles, hybrids, commuters or mountain bikes.

• An approved cycling helmet is mandatory. Riders must have the chin strap buckled at all times.

• Please ride for the conditions. Ride safely and in control at all times, single file. Any cyclist deemed to be riding unsafely, discourteously or recklessly will be removed from the GearUp4CF event.

• No outside support vehicles will be allowed on the route.

• Emergency vehicles always have right of way.

• As a safety precaution, all riders must check-in at the pit stop and at the finish line, even if you do not intend to stop.

• Display your GearUp4CF bib at all times.

• Unregistered riders will be unable to take part in GearUp4CF.

• No headphones, personal stereos or cell phones whilst riding.

• All Riders must sign the waiver. Riders under the age of 19 years old, but over 16 years old, must have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian. A parent or guardian must be registered, have raised the minimum and participate.

• Riders who are travelling after the posted finish times are permitted to continue and must follow the road rules.

• No littering on the course. Riders are to dispose of garbage in designated garbage bins only. Riders caught littering will be disqualified from the event.

• All riders are to obey traffic officers and course marshalls. To disobey instructions from these individuals will result in disqualification from the event.

• Public urination is not permitted. Please use the portable toilets at the pit stops.

• Cystic Fibrosis Canada accepts no liability for damage or loss of property to bikes.

Guidelines

• Make yourself familiar with British Columbia’s Rules of the Road.

• Be respectful of other riders and help others when needed. Always be aware of others around you and communicate well in advance while cycling. Pass on the left only, politely saying “on your left” Ride with your head up, looking down the road, not at the person in front of you.

• If you choose to stop while on course, signal to the riders behind and pull over safely. Our support team may pull over and ask you if you’re okay.

• Control and speed of your bike, even going downhill. Know your limits. Crashes can occur when inexperienced riders do not have bike-handling skills to make quick decisions in a pack. Always plan an escape route.

• Never overlap your wheels with another cyclist.

• The use of aerobars is strongly discouraged by the GearUp4CF team.

GearUp4CF wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of our many amazing sponsors and thank them for their commitment to #AWorldWithoutCF. If you would like information about sponsorship opportunities for this year’s GearUp4CF,  please contact Lisa Sanchez at bcinfo@cysticfibrosis.ca or call 604-436-1158.

GearUp4CF wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of our many amazing sponsors! We would love to customise a sponsorship package for your business.  Please email Lisa Sanchez at bcinfo@cysticfibrosis.ca or call 604-436-1158.

For online donations made by credit card, tax receipts will be issued immediately to the donors email (don't forget to check the junk box if it hasn't arrived within a few minutes).

For cash and cheque donations, tax receipts will be sent out 6 - 8 weeks after GearUp4CF.

Parking at Blackie Spit:

There is a carpark at Blackie Spit that is locked overnight. 

Once you arrive, please proceed to our registration booth to check-in. Riders will receive a rider card (route map with emergency contact details) and a rider number for your bike which must be displayed at all times.

Riders are required to check in at each pit stop and at the end of the day.

Join us and help support and cheer on our GearUp4CF riders. We need volunteers to help with setting up, registration, bike valet and route markers.

GearUp4CF is managed by a dedicated volunteer committee and our Cystic Fibrosis Canada team.

• Registration - set up tents, tables, chairs, snacks and materials at the starting point

• Route Markers - direct riders at start/end which direction to go - arrow sign. *Must have a vehicle. Must wear a high visibility vest.

• Pit Stops - cheering on the riders as they come in for refreshments, helping to set up the tent and tables.

• Route maps - www.gearup4cf.com. We will update the route maps.

A reminder to please dress appropriately, bring extra water and food, a warm coat and a change of clothes.

The basics:

• Roadworthy bicycle
• Helmet (required)
• Small backpack (stored in the truck)
• ID and Health Care Card
• Reusable water bottle
• Rain gear (we ride rain or shine)
• Sunglasses and sunscreen
• Medications
• Pocket money
• Mobile phone
• Route maps
• Change of clothes

The age limit for all GearUp4CF rides is 16 years old. Anyone aged below 19 years of age is required to ride with a legal guardian who must sign the waiver for both of them. Each registered rider must raise the minimum funds for the ride they are registered for.