Opal Wapoo Gravel Experience Registration Still on Hold

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Riders compete on 50 and 100 mile courses through a network of gravel roads winding through the hilly countryside

Riders compete on 50 and 100 mile courses through a network of gravel roads winding through the hilly countryside

The COVID-19 pandemic seems to be changing weekly if not daily and per the video posted by the Opal Wapoo organizers, the Opal Wapoo Gravel Experience has been RESCHEDULED for August 29, 2020.

The Opal Wapoo Gravel Grinder combines the best of both worlds - a challenging, scenic gravel route that starts and ends in a town full of hospitality, Excelsior Springs. The race starts and ends during Waterfest, which is an annual festival celebrating Excelsior Springs' mineral water heritage.

Opal Wapoo organizers announced that the registration for the upcoming gravel race is currently on hold.  In an attempt to keep riders informed, they released the following statement regarding updates:

1. Registration is still paused. We hope to have registration open no later than July 1

2. We still do not have a clear enough picture of state and local restrictions to make any definitive calls

3. We are extending the deadline to defer or un-defer to June 15th

4. We will make a definitive decision if Opal Wapoo will happen in 2020 no later than July 1

5. If we cancel, we will defer all entries or make partial refunds. Refunds are an exception to our no refund policy.

6. We will most likely require a second waiver pertaining to Covid-19 if we are able to hold the race.

Thank you for bearing with us. We want nothing more than to give you the Opal Wapoo Gravel Experience in 2020. On a personal note, I believe that participating in a gravel event this year will be a combination of personal choice, acceptance of risk balanced with mitigating the most obvious risks. We love our gravel community from our gravelhood to yours.

For more updates, visit the Opal Wapoo Facebook page at facebook.com/opalwapoo or their website at opalwapoo.com.

While they certainly hope things will be back to normal by August, organizers also acknowledge that at this time they cannot predict if there will be any limitations or precautions for events that will be required at that time.

KPGZ News - Jim Dickerson contributed to this report