Weather/Air Quality Protocol and Refund Policy

Weather/Air Quality Protocol and Refund Policy


Weather/Air Quality Protocol and Refund Policy

Unlike many other youth sports, mountain bike racing is a highly weather dependent activity. The MICL must evaluate many factors regarding the impact of moisture, temperature and other environmental conditions on the safety of participants, spectators, staff and volunteers along with the long-term impact on the trail systems and venue. 

Any decisions regarding cancelling, postponing, or altering race start times, lap lengths, number of laps, etc. will be made jointly by the League director, the land manager, and the Race Director. Often, this decision cannot be made until the morning of the race due to the unpredictable nature of wet or stormy weather, or acts of nature such as lightning, forest fires, etc. 

MICL Weather & Acts of Nature Guidelines:

  • Races are held on their scheduled dates unless the race course on the day of the race is deemed un-rideable and dangerous.
  • The MICL will have the option to move the race to the Sunday of the same weekend if the weather or act of nature has created dangerous conditions on the scheduled race day.
  • The MICL will have the option to delay the start of a race from the published times if the weather or act of nature has created dangerous conditions.
  • Courses and/or lap lengths may be altered or shortened because of weather conditions. Last minute changes will be broadcast to racers at the start of each wave. If conditions require a change in number of laps during a race, a race official will be stationed at the lap line advising riders of the change.
  • When possible, the MICL will develop a wet weather course alteration in case of extremely wet conditions that threaten the trails used for the race.
  • All racing will stop immediately in the presence of lightning as signified by the chief referee. Racing may continue once the league director, chief referee, and chief marshal have determined it is safe to do so.
  • Re-starting a race that has been stopped due to lightning;
    • depending on schedule and number of laps completed, the race may be declared over
    •  if time permits, racers will be able to resume laps beginning from the start line

MICL Air Quality Guidelines:

The MICL will follow the Montana DEQ recommendations as adopted by local school districts. Current air quality readings as well as forecasts can be accessed online at airnow.gov.

  • Green and Yellow Air Quality Index (0-100) – No change in MICL races.
  • Orange AQI (101-150) – Length of races may be shortened to 45 minutes or less. 
  • Red AQI (150 +) – MICL will cancel all scheduled races.

The MICL will assess the forecast as well as the current air quality readings. Decisions to cancel or alter an event due to unhealthy air quality conditions will be made as early as possible.

Communications/Refunds/Rescheduling Races:

  • Communication of delays, changes in start time, courses, and so on will be made by the MICL as follows:
    • through a league ‘Singletrack Times’ email announcement
    • on the public-address system on the race day
    • on MICL social media platforms
    • via emails to team directors 
  • MICL will not refund fees due to inclement weather, acts of nature or air quality conditions
  • MICL does not allow registration transfers to subsequent races
  • League Registration – 50% of the League Registration fee will be refunded if cancelled by the student-athlete more than 7 days in advance of the first race. Any cancellations less than 7 days in advance of the first race forfeit 100% of their League Registration Fee.