2025 Safety Plan
SAFETY PLAN 2025
The safety of our participants is our number one priority. Please carefully read this entire safety plan so you are prepared in the event of an emergency. Preparation for unexpected events including medical emergencies should be part of your event planning. Please develop a plan and let us know if you need any assistance with your personal plan.
When in doubt, please err on the side of safety.
GENERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
Helmets are required during the cycling event. Must be worn at all times while riding.
Participants are required to follow all traffic laws and rules of the road.
It is recommended that all participants wear high-visibility apparel.
For cycling participants, front lights for illumination and rear tail lights are required.
Utilize hand signals when appropriate.
EMERGENCIES
In case of a medical emergency, dial 911.
There are 911 emergency services along the entire route. Some locations will be services by rural volunteer emergency services. Most 911 Public Service Answering Points (PSAPS) have text-to-911 capability. If you have spotty cell service, the bandwidth needed for a telephone call is greater than an SMS or text message. If you are unable to make a call during an emergency, try texting 911.
Response times may be longer for emergency services to reach remote locations.
Please be prepared to effectively communicate the following information in case of a personal emergency or if another rider has an emergency:
Callers full name and phone number
Location
Nature of the emergency
Full name
Age or estimated age
Date of birth
Medical conditions (if known)
Medications (if known)
If you come upon an injured rider needing medical assistance, please dial 911 and report the following to the dispatch operator: location, condition of injured rider, vitals signs if possible (pulse and breathing rate), rider name if known, number plate, and medical condition(s) or medication(s) if known.
HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES (GRAVEL WORLDS)
The events take place in August so please come prepared for high temperatures and potentially high humidity. The threat of heat related illness is real. Those that have experienced a heat related illness are more susceptible to repeat deleterious effects of the heat and humidity. Please come prepared.
Symptoms of heat related illness include:
Clammy skin
Dizziness
Headache
Muscle cramps
Extreme thirst
Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)
Dehydration
Fainting
Nausea
Vomiting
Weakness
Decreased urine output
If you experience these symptoms, remove yourself from the heat and get to a cool place such as an air-conditioned convenience store.
General Tips for dealing with heat
Drink plenty of fluids and take breaks as needed.
Bring plenty of extra water bottles and refill whenever an opportunity arises.
Consider drinking liquids containing electrolytes. Drinking 1 bottle of electrolytes per two bottles of water to stay properly hydrated.
Be aware of heat exposure, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Know the signs and symptoms and take appropriate action to mitigate the risks.
Dress appropriately for hot and humid weather.
Apply and reapply sunscreen! Most sunscreens need to be reapplied every three to four hours. Consider sun sleeves for your arms if unable to reapply sunscreen on a regular basis.
Pack some basic first aid supplies such as bandages, tweezers and Tylenol. NSAIDS are not recommended since those can be hard on renal function; especially when dehydrated.
Wet Bulb Globe Temperature Matrix for Gravel Worlds 2025
Safety of the Gravel Worlds participants is our first priority. Dangerous heat and humidity is a potential risk during August in Nebraska. Therefore we will be utilizing the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WGBT) to determine if the event needs to be modified or canceled. WBGT uses several atmospheric variables for its calculations: temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle, and cloud cover. Temperatures are measured in the sunlight. The Matrix is based on NSAA Region 2.
ATTENTION!!!!!
THESE ARE WET BULB HEAT MATRIX NUMBERS!!!
THIS IS NOT AIR TEMPERATURE!!
For example: In 2023, we used these same Wet Bulb Heat Matrix numbers and even when it was 100+F all activities ran as normal except for 1 group ride.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NEW WET BULB HEAT MATRIX
TLDR: The wet bulb temperature is always lower than the dry bulb temperature but will be identical with 100% relative humidity (the air is at the saturation line).
COLD-RELATED ILLNESSES (WINTER ENDURANCE)
The events take place in February so please come prepared for low temperatures, snow and ice, and potentially high winds. The threat of cold related illness is real. Those that have experienced a cold related illness are more susceptible to repeat deleterious effects of the cold. Please come prepared.
Symptoms of cold related illness include:
Hypothermia
Symptoms include:
Shivering
Exhaustion
Confusion
Drowsiness
Slurred speech
Fumbling hands
Memory loss
Frostbite
Symptoms include:
Redness, pain or numbness
White or grayish-yellow skin
Unusually firm or waxy-feeling skin
Numbness
If you experience these symptoms, do the following:
Move the athlete to a warm room or shelter.
Remove any wet clothing.
Warm the athlete up under layers of dry blankets or clothing.
Seek medical attention.
General Tips for dealing with activities in the cold
Dress in Layers
Stay Dry
Keep Your Extremities Warm
Consider Ride Speed and Wind Chill
Bring food and use water containers that won’t freeze
Remember to hydrate
IN CASE OF CANCELATION DUE TO WEATHER
In case of cancelation due to weather, whether that is heat, lightning, storms, or other, Gravel Worlds will be unable to offer refunds. All participants will be granted guaranteed entry into the following year.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
Nebraska weather can produce large and sometimes violent weather including thunderstorms, hail, and even tornadoes. In case of severe weather, please find shelter immediately. DO NOT ride during severe weather. Please always maintain situational awareness at all times.
LOCAL HOSPITALS
If you have the need for medical services, there are numerous hospitals along the routes. Please be sure to locate the nearest medical facility. Click on Hospital name for google links.
LINCOLN HOSPITALS
General and Trauma hospital
2300 S 16th St
Lincoln, NE 68502
402-481-1111
General and Cardiac services
1600 S. 48th St.
Lincoln, NE 68506-1299
402-481-1111
General and Burn services
555 South 70th Street
Lincoln, NE 68510
402-219-8000
Syracuse Hospital
2731 Healthcare Drive
Syracuse, NE 68446
402-269-2011
Memorial Health Care Systems
300 North Columbia Avenue
Seward, NE 68434
1-888-644-2971
Beatrice Hospital
4800 Hospital Pkwy
Beatrice, NE 68310
402-228-3344
TECUMSEH HOSPITAL (JOHNSON COUNTY)
Johnson County Hospital
202 High St
Tecumseh, NE 68450
(402) 335-3361
WAHOO, NEBRASKA HOSPITAL (Saunders County Community Hospital)
1760 County Road J
Wahoo, NE 68066
(402) 443-4191
BELLEVUE, NEBRASKA HOSPITAL (University of NE Medical Center)
2510 Bellevue Medical Center Dr
Bellevue, NE 68123
(402) 595-1760
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA HOSPITALS
Methodist Jennie Edmundson Emergency Hospital
933 E Pierce St
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
(712) 396-6111
CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs
800 Mercy Dr
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
(712) 328-5000