Death Valley Century

It is with heavy hearts that today we announced that Death Valley National Park is, again, revoking permits due to continued California COVID restrictions.

We've officially transferred our permit to Saturday, November 20th. We all have our fingers (and toes) crossed that the craziness will be over by then.

We know each of you were looking forward to finally having an event after nearly a year of cancellations and disappointments. No one could have imagined that "2 weeks to flatten the curve" would become the rest of 2020, and who knows how long into 2021, with constantly changing mandates and restrictions. While we've been trying our best to keep this event alive; California / Inyo County has some very strict "gathering" mandates; even though we're 100% outside. National Park Service Management decided early last year that each Park must abide by guidance/mandates in their State. Even healthy athletes like yourselves are not allowed to gather to ride your bikes; especially not at an organized event. SIGH. 

Planet Ultra is in the business of putting on world-class cycling events that get people outside riding bikes with their friends and loved ones, and promotes the physical and mental health of our communities. 2020 was a train wreck of a year for us financially. We cancelled 15 events, barely squeaking by with two Utah-based events, one Nevada event and our virtual double centuries and challenges. 2021 is starting, well, horribly, for event organizers. Many, many have already gone out of business. Those events are GONE. We're still doing our best to stay afloat, staying positive and praying that later this year we can get back to "normal."

Most, if not all of you, know that Planet Ultra is a two-person business, and this is what we do for our livelihood. To make our events happen, in addition to our time spent planning, entry fees are spent well in advance on permits, insurance, promotion, event supplies, giveaway items, event shirts, and much, much more.
 
We’re simply not able to provide full refunds.  Even a deferment pushes our immense financial losses to another date, another event, another year. To be painfully honest, we’re hoping that under the circumstances, each participant would see that their individual entry fee is small loss compared to the absolute devastation we're suffering, along with many small businesses across the county that are still shut down for reasons beyond their control. 
 
With respect to your entry fees, we have a few options for you, listed below.
 
We hope you and your loved ones stay healthy and safe. We hope some of you will travel to Death Valley and support the National Park and the Oasis at Death Valley hotel.  We look forward to hosting a fun and challenging event for you in November 20th.

Thank you in advance for your kindness and understanding.

Wishing you continued good health, blessings and gratitude in the New Year!

Deborah & Brian Bowling