February 16, 2021 3:35 a.m.

The board of the Umpqua Velo Club and the Vineyard Tour Committee have decided that the Vineyard Tour Bike Ride will take place on Sunday September 5th.

A release said the decision is based on current projections of COVID-19 vaccine availability, vaccination schedules, and the current advice of health authorities. The release said if the information changes significantly, the Umpqua Velo Club will reassess that decision and proceed accordingly.

The group says their highest priority is the health and wellness of their volunteers, partners, sponsors, riders and the people of the Umpqua Valley. The release said the goal is to provide the quality ride and enjoyable event that participants have come to expect together with precautions and protocols consistent with the safety of participants and volunteers.

Registration and check-in procedures are being changed, as are ride guidelines, rest stop procedures, and food and drink offerings both during the ride and at the finish, to assure maximum rider and volunteer safety. Several routes are also being redesigned.

The club hopes to have on-line registration beginning on the Vineyard Tour website by the middle of May. Remaining vouchers from the cancelled 2020 ride will still be honored.

The release said that organizers may choose to require a COVID-19 vaccination certificate for all riders. That decision will be based on the availability of vaccines and other factors that can’t be anticipated at this time.

More information and future updates will be posted to: http://thevineyardtour.com/