Originally Posted by
texbiker
In retrospect maybe delaying the start would've worked?
I don't think so. That area got a ton of rain Friday overnight into Saturday morning. The weather radar had red and yellow spots along the route up until at least 10:00 am. If parts of the routes were already underwater after Friday, then even more would have been underwater Saturday. The rest stops were probably super wet too. Toss a few thousand riders and you have a mud hole. Sure, some hard core riders wouldn't mind, but the majority of riders are in it for fun. Plus, you need to consider the volunteers and staff. It just wasn't safe. A SAG team operating at 50% capacity due to social distancing was a factor too. The MS Society has had a pretty rough go of things since I started riding back in 2015.
2015 and 2016 were one day events due to massive rains (including the tax day floods in 2016)
2017 had a miserable day two with a 15-20 mph headwind the entire route. Plus, a two hour delay due to overnight storms that hit La Grange. Damn cold and wet start too.
2018 and 2019 were actually pretty good weather-wise. COTA was a hot mess though, especially trying to get out of there in 2018. The tram broke down and tired ass riders had to hike up a big hill just to sit in a car trying to get out of the parking lot.
2020 was, well, subject to 2020
2021 of course was cancelled.
Maybe 2022 can get things back to normal with actual training/t-shirt rides and a big two day event.