SELF-GUIDED 250 MILE LAF RIDE 2026 TERMS AND CONDITIONS OVERVIEW

The Gold Star Ride Foundation is committed to providing you with an enjoyable and memorable experience and our top priority is your safety and welfare. 

Although The Gold Star Ride Foundation has taken all reasonable steps to provide our guests with a great ride, no activity is without risk. Certain risks are inherent in each activity and cannot be eliminated without destroying their unique character. These inherent risks can be the cause of loss of or damage to equipment, accidental injury, and illness, or in extreme cases, permanent trauma or death. The Gold Star Ride Foundation believes it is important for its clients to know in advance what to expect and to be informed of inherent risks of riding a motorcycle.

The Gold Star Ride Foundation and you (hereinafter "Tour Participant", “You” or “CUSTOMER.”) accept these Terms and Conditions as a binding contract between The Gold Star Ride Foundation Corporation and yourself, as the Self-Guided Tour Participant.

Please read them carefully.

I - Conditions



 1.1. CUSTOMER declares that he knows the danger that can result in riding motorcycles because they can conclude with death, injury, serious damage to health or loss or damage of personal property and that You expressly assume all such risk. You furthermore expressly agree to use the equipment necessary for their own care and safety. The participant must wear a helmet, (where required by law) personal protective equipment (as necessary).

 1.2. You are solely responsible for operating the Vehicle according to your level of experience at all times. You expressly agree to never exceed the abilities of Your level of riding or driving experience for any reason.

 1.3. You declare that you know the tour requires a good physical condition and appropriate medical condition and the ability to ride for long distances and long riding days and that you are capable of doing so.

1.4. The contracted service does not include any substantial medical insurance coverage of any kind. THE GOLD STAR RIDE FOUNDATION strongly recommends that you possess health insurance and/or travel insurance.

1.5. You authorize THE GOLD STAR RIDE FOUNDATION to use the photographs, recordings, and videos in which You appears for use with the website, promotional, marketing, and advertisement purposes of THE GOLD STAR RIDE FOUNDATION or its marketing affiliates.

II - Limitations of Liability

 2.1. The activities undertaken on this tour may contain other unknown or unanticipated inherent risks that may result in injury or death. These risks include, but are not limited to, travel over/through hilly or mountainous terrain, areas that have fallen timber, branches, stones, roots, or other obstacles, hazards on any roads traveled, steep slopes or unstable ground that may cause a fall also, travel through snow, glaciers, canyons, crevasses, streams, rivers, lakes, or confrontations with the weather, wild or dangerous animals, various health problems caused by extreme sun or heat, insect bites, fatigue, stress, dehydration, exertion, or high altitude due to lack of fitness.   So, plan your ride thoroughly before you begin. Each participant of the tour is also aware and acknowledges that participants may become lost, especially where communication is lost in areas that are remote or mountainous. These types of terrains or climates may cause further risk or danger due to extreme changes in weather without notice, making rescue very difficult if necessary should an accident or disaster occur. THE GOLD STAR RIDE FOUNDATION disclaims responsibility for the activities its clients choose to participate in, and these clients accept full responsibility for risks identified herein and any inherent risks not specifically identified. Any participation in any activity is purely voluntary and is at the sole election of the participant in spite of and with full knowledge of the inherent risks.

2.2. THE GOLD STAR RIDE FOUNDATION and its respective employees, agents, representatives, and assigns accept no liability whatsoever for any injury, damages, or expenses of any kind due to sickness, weather, strikes, hostilities, wars, civil unrest, terrorist acts, acts of nature, local laws or other such causes.

2.3. THE GOLD STAR RIDE FOUNDATION retains the right to exclude from the tour and immediately terminate the contract in the following cases:

       a) If You conduct yourself in such a way that endangers the life or the safety of others or, in general, when the CLIENT fails to comply with any provision of this contract.

      b) If You consume excessive alcohol or any controlled substance that can degrade your ability to safely operate your vehicle.

    In these cases, You shall be excluded from the tour will not be entitled to any refund and shall cover the costs of food, lodging, transportation, and pay the cost to send the motorcycle to wherever it needs to go.

2.4 When booking a tour we assume that you (and pillion if applicable) have carefully read the tour itinerary and are fully aware of the route, destinations, and the approximate mileages for each day and have made the judgment that it is an appropriate tour for you to undertake. 

2.5 You acknowledge and expressly agree that, in any event, the extent of the liability of THE GOLD STAR RIDE FOUNDATION shall be exempt completely.

IV - EVENTS OF FORCE MAJEURE

You declare that you are fully responsible for getting to your destination each day and that THE GOLD STAR RIDE FOUNDATION will not reimburse you for itinerary changes or additional expenses of any kind. 

V - INDEMNIFICATION:

5.1 You agree to defend and indemnify THE GOLD STAR RIDE FOUNDATION, its affiliates, and/or their respective associates and any of their officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, causes of action, demands, recoveries, losses, damages, fines, penalties or other costs or expenses of any kind or nature including but not limited to reasonable legal and accounting fees, brought by:

(a) you or on your behalf in excess of the liability described above; or

(b) by third parties as a result of:

(i) your breach of this agreement or the documents referenced herein;

(ii) your violation of any law or the rights of a third party; or

(iii) your use of this Website.

 5.2. You will not challenge the charges made to your credit card payments described in this contract or ask the company to issue the credit card repayment of such charges. All disputes will be handled directly with the contractor or by mediation in accordance with the following clause.

VI - GOVERNING LAW

Parties agree to submit any dispute or difference arising out of or in connection with this contract, directly to THE GOLD STAR RIDE FOUNDATION and understand that this is an attempt to raise money for a 501(c)3 charity as recognized by the IRS in the United States of America. Failure to reach an agreement, You agree to follow the laws of the state of Minnesota.

VII - SUMMATION

Guidelines

The Gold Star Ride Foundation is recognizing the 250th anniversary of our beautiful nation by hosting the 7^th Annual LAF (Long Ass Fundraiser) Ride 2026. We are hoping to gain support and raise awareness in every state in our union. We would love to be able to feature your photos and names from all over the country, celebrating this milestone of our independence and furthering the real mission of supporting Gold Star Families. The requirements are basic: 250 miles in 3 days (72 hours) or less. We hope to be able to map a spider web of rides across this great country of ours.

Safety is key.

The first step to completing the 250 mile ride is to plan your route. Routes should be planned using Google Maps or Microsoft Streets and Trips to accurately reflect mileage traveled. Maps do not have to be pre-approved. The ride is measured in distance, not speed or time. Speeding is both unsafe and illegal; it is not condoned by THE GOLD STAR RIDE FOUNDATION. Having a fun and safe ride is the top priority.

You do not have to go it alone; riding with a group is a great way to do something of service for Gold Star Families. We encourage you to consider who you are riding with so that similar riding styles and safety are accounted for. We do not want the group rides to become competitive in an unsafe way. Consider riding with people who have a similar level of experience and endurance so that nobody might feel pressured to ride when fatigued or in any way impaired. If you are tired, facing physical limitations, or just not feeling mentally ready to ride this distance, please prioritize your safety over making the ride. Any reckless or illegal behavior on your ride will be considered forfeiture of your ride completion certificate.

Your registration is required through the GOLD STAR RIDE FOUNDATION website, on the donate page. Simply submit a $50 (or greater) donation through our website, complete the ride, then submit via email or snail mail all the proof of your ride. We need pictures of:

1.     Gas receipts

2.     Odometer readings at gas fill ups

3.     Maps of where you went

 We are mainly looking for fuel and lodging receipts. Notably, any waypoints for a round trip ride should be located at major turns or corners of your route map. These should be submitted alongside a dated snapshot of your odometer at the finishing location and a copy of your mapped route with a log. The log doesn’t have to be a journal, just note the date/time, location, and mileage to match your receipts. Please do not send incomplete documentation of a ride.

Submissions are accepted at  2026Ride@goldstarride.org

Via US mail at:

Gold Star Ride Foundation

2355 Fairview Ave N. Suite 177

Roseville, MN 55113

We would also love to receive any other photos of your ride, some of which will be featured on our website. We also welcome any Gold Star Families who would like to reach out, we are here for you. Once we review your submission, your certificate and THE GOLD STAR RIDE FOUNDATION patch will be sent out to you at the address you provide.

Particularly large, beautiful (the scenery!), or unique images and groups may receive an extra bit of recognition.

 If you are a rider, here is a summary of the steps:

●      Submit your donation of $50 or more at GoldStarRide.org

●      Plan a 250 mile or longer route on Google Maps or Microsoft Streets and Trips that you can complete in 3 days or less.

○      Plan stops for fuel or lodging ahead of time so you can focus on the ride and have a plan for documentation.

●      Keep copies of your receipts for fuel, lodging, or whatever other reason you are stopping. Also be sure to snap your gas receipt next to your odometer!

●      Keep a log of your trip with the following information:

○      Date/Time

○      Location

○      Mileage

○      Receipt number (1, 2, 3, etc)

●      Submit a map of your trip, your log, donation receipt, trip receipts, and any media you would like to share to 2026Ride@goldstarride.org

We look forward to this coordinated, nationwide effort to honor Gold Star Families and celebrate the birth of our country. Tell everyone you know about our mission, and tell people what a Gold Star Family is, a lot of people don’t even know. We are here to support Gold Star Families, and we do that on a motorcycle. We hope you will, too.