GOBA 2020 CANCELED;

SAME ITINERARY SET FOR 2021

2020 registrations can be deferred to 2021, 2022 or 2023;
add-on purchases will be refunded

Sidney, Wapakoneta, Versailles and Troy to host GOBA on June 19-26, 2021

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure has been canceled, and all registrations will be deferred to 2021, 2022 or 2023.

The good news is that all four of our GOBA 2020 towns — Sidney, Wapakoneta, Versailles and Troy — have agreed to serve as overnight hosts on next year's tour, scheduled for June 19-26, 2021.

Like us, many of you were excited about this year’s itinerary and were disappointed when GOBA had to be canceled. But the 2021 tour will retain the air and space theme and visit the towns in the same order and for the same number of nights, meaning we’ll still start and finish in Sidney, and have one layover day in Wapakoneta and two in Troy.

Many thanks to the local committees, who scrambled to quickly get us rebooked. They are eager to host us and won’t miss a beat in planning for our visit.

GOBA also has been working to refine the registration deferments to enhance their value and flexibility. A few highlights:

• The deferment will cover the entire cost of registration in whichever year you choose (2021, 2022 or 2023), even if the price of GOBA increases.

• A rider who signs up for GOBA 2021 or GOBA 2022 has until the start of the ride to defer the deferment — in other words, to withdraw from that year’s ride for any reason and transfer the deferment to the following year with no processing fee.

• GOBA 2020 registrants also can transfer or sell their deferment to another rider with no processing fee. (The original registrant needs to notify GOBA, and the new rider needs to register, for free). We’re looking into setting up a message board or other means to help facilitate such exchanges.

• Other ideas (some of them fun!) also are in the works for deferred registrants.

We are still finalizing the procedure involved in redeeming the deferment. Registrants were sent an email April 15 with a link to an online survey form to choose the year for your deferment, and a separate email with a link to the online transfer form to transfer a deferment to another person. The online survey form also will give you the option of applying your deferment to XOBA 2020 or converting it to a donation to Columbus Outdoor Pursuits. Links to the forms can be found in the box in the right column of this page. If you are a registrant and need either form, please email goba@outdoor-pursuits.org to obtain the links.

Later this year, we'll need riders to complete the online registration process again so that we have more up-to-date information for everyone. That process will include choosing the year when you'll take the deferment and purchasing add-ons. The year can be changed later if you wish.

Registrants who ordered T-shirts, jerseys, indoor sleeping, vehicle-camping passes, hotel shuttles, and towel, chair and tent services will be fully refunded those amounts by mid-May. Raffle tickets will not be refunded but instead entered into the 2021 raffle.

We ask for your patience at this time as we process refunds of the add-ons and set up the deferment forms. Please watch your email in-box and goba.com for updates.

The health and safety of our participants, volunteers and host communities is our highest priority. Never in our history have we had to postpone a GOBA, and we are counting on seeing you at GOBA 32 in 2021!

Thank you for your support, and please stay well!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

FOR 2020 REGISTRANTS

GOBA has set up an online survey form for all 2020 registrants to choose one of the following options:

A registration deferment that can be used for one free GOBA — in 2021, 2022 or 2023.
A credit equal to the amount paid for GOBA applied toward the registration fee for XOBA in 2020. The hope is that XOBA, scheduled for late July and capped at 50 riders, will meet health department requirements.
A donation toward our mission. Riders who want to convert the registration fee to a charitable contribution to Columbus Outdoor Pursuits will receive a letter recognizing the contribution for tax purposes. COP is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that holds GOBA and other opportunities for outdoor recreation and adventure.

Refunds will not be issued for registration fees. Under the cancellation policy stated under “other terms” on the 2020 registration policy page, “There will be no guaranteed refunds of payments for registration or camping services in the event of cancellation due to natural disaster, acts of God, acts of terrorism, epidemics or pandemics.”

However, full refunds will be issued by mid-May for camping services and other add-on purchases such as apparel, hotel shuttle and indoor sleeping. See the details below.

NOTE: GOBA 2020 registrants were sent emails on April 15 with links to two online forms: 1.) registration deferment survey, and 2.) transfers of a deferment to another person. If you need the links to the forms, please email goba@outdoor-pursuits.org.

REGISTRATION DEFERMENTS

When can I use the deferment?

A deferment to 2021, 2022 or 2023 will cover the entire cost of one registration in any one of those years, even if the price of GOBA increases. An online survey form was emailed to 2020 GOBA registrants on April 15 and asks which year they intend to use the deferment, though they can change the year later. The link to the registration deferment survey form also can be requested by emailing goba@outdoor-pursuits.org.

Can I defer my deferment?

A registrant who defers to GOBA 2021 or GOBA 2022 will have until the start of the ride to defer the deferment — in other words, to withdraw from that year’s ride for any reason and transfer the deferment to the following year with no processing fee.

Can I transfer my deferment to another person?

GOBA 2020 registrants also can transfer or sell their deferment to another person with no processing fee. The original registrant will need to use the online transfer form to notify GOBA of the transfer or sale, and the new participant will need to register, for free, at least a week before the ride so that GOBA has their information. The deferment transfer form was emailed to 2020 registrants on April 15. The link to the form also can be requested by emailing goba@outdoor-pursuits.org.

I don’t want to ride in a future GOBA. Can GOBA help me sell my deferment?

We’re working on setting up a message board or other means to help bring together people wishing to sell their deferment with those who want to purchase one. Any agreement for the sale of a deferment, including the price, is strictly between the two parties involved. Columbus Outdoor Pursuits takes no responsibility for the transaction or lack thereof.

Will I need to sign up again for GOBA if I’m keeping my deferment?

Yes. When regular registration opens later this year for GOBA 2021, we’ll need people with deferments to go through the online registration process again so that we have the most up-to-date information for everyone. There will be no charge for the registration, and you’ll be able to purchase add-ons. (None of the 2020 add-ons will carry over to 2021 except for the raffle tickets. The other 2020 add-ons are being refunded.)

Please watch your email in-box and goba.com for further updates.

ADD-ON REFUNDS

What items are being refunded?

GOBA has begun processing refunds for these 2020 add-ons: T-shirts, jerseys, indoor sleeping, vehicle-camping passes, hotel shuttles, and towel chair, chair and tent services. Raffle tickets will not be refunded but instead entered into the 2021 raffle.

Is there a processing fee for my refund?

The refunds will be made for the full price of the item, with no processing fee.

When will I get my refund? Do I need to apply?

You need not apply for the add-on refunds, as we have a record of your purchases. The process should be completed by mid-May.

How will I know if I received my refund?

Your refund will appear as a credit from DonorView (ConnectedView) in the credit card account that was used to purchase the item.