Siskiyou Velo

Siskiyou Velo Maintains Suspension of Group Ride

The Siskiyou Velo Board met on June 22 via Zoom and discussed the status of club-sponsored group rides. The decision was made to maintain the suspension of club-sponsored group rides for now.  Key factors leading to this decision are:  

• Recent trends indicate the number of COVID-19 cases are increasing in our state and across the country
• Some ride leaders are reluctant to lead rides at this time
• Though some guidelines for staying safe during the pandemic can be followed, maintaining separation can be tricky on a bike and some people are unable/unwilling to wear masks during riding. Also, distance needed for adequate separation while riding is uncertain, but some studies indicate distances significantly greater than 6 feet would be required
• Though some club members are currently riding in non-club-sponsored group rides, those groups are generally comprised of small numbers of people who know each other well.  Club-sponsored group rides often draw large crowds; it would be difficult for the club to limit attendance in a fair manner

Members are encouraged to keep riding, either on their own or with family members.  Members can certainly choose to ride with one or more friends and of course should follow CDC and state guidelines as much as possible.  The club has a number of suggested rides in our area on its website for your use.  Recently, additional moderate rides have been added and more will be available soon.  Keep in mind, though, that as long as club rides are suspended, members are not allowed to post their own rides on club resources. Other non-club resources, such as Strava, are available to post and find rides with others.

The club’s board will discuss this topic at its next regular meeting—board meetings are normally held on the fourth Monday of the month.  

Keep riding and stay safe!

Posted by Harlan Bittner 3 days ago | 0 comments | View/Post New Comment

Article on masks and social distancing while biking

Posted by Jeff Roberts 6 days ago | 0 comments | View/Post New Comment

Medford Porch to Park Bike Challenge

Here’s a program put on by the City of Medford to get people out on bikes and visit local parks.  Note that these routes are not Sisikyou Velo Rides.

These routes may be useful for new members, while Siskiyou Velo has temporarily suspended group rides.  Note that there are a variety of lengths and difficulties, and riders should maintain social distancing guidelines.

PORCH TO PARK BIKE CHALLENGE

June 1 – June 30, 2020

Visit www.playmedford.com for route packet and map  – or just click here.

Participants may drive to the starting park, or just hop on a bike from your front porch and ride to the nearest park on a challenge route.  For ease of riding it is recommended to follow the route directions in order, even if you start in the middle. Follow all traffic laws and maintain social distancing guidelines.

When you have completed a route, submit the Seamless form found at www.playmedford.com. Participants are encouraged to send us photos or post them to #medfordporchtoparks to enter the photo contest.

For each route a participant completes, they will receive a medal and be entered into a drawing for the Grand Prize.  The photo contest winner will be featured in the next Recreation Program Guide.

Completed route form: https://seam.ly/TBhrLzOQ

This is a FREE event to participate in!

Thanks to Sandy Sherman, Recreation Supervisor, and Chris Olivier, BPAC.

Posted by Jeff Roberts 1 month ago | 0 comments | View/Post New Comment

SiskiyouVelo to Continue Suspension of Club Rides for Now

Governor Brown approved Southern Oregon counties to begin Phase I lifting of coronavirus restrictions on May 15.   Many club members are undoubtedly wondering when Siskiyou Velo will remove its temporary suspension of group rides.  The Siskiyou Velo board held its monthly meeting on May 20, focusing primarily on this topic.  The short answer is that by unanimous decision the board will keep the suspension in place for now.

Several key factors went into this decision. First, the risk of contracting or transmitting coronavirus during group bicycle riding is uncertain.  Second, several of our ride leaders perceive the risk to be sufficiently high that they are reluctant to lead group rides at this time.  And finally, though bicycling is an excellent activity to provide both exercise and relaxation, it can be accomplished outside of group rides.  In other words, as one ride leader stated, the recreational benefit of group rides is not worth the perceived risk.

A quick survey of regional road bike clubs indicates that their group ride suspensions remain in place—including Eugene Velo, Eugene Gears, Umpqua Velo and Central Oregon Wheels.

We encourage you to continue riding on your own.  The club’s website has posted a number of recommended rides for your use.  Because most of the posted rides are suitable for more advanced riders, the club will augment these with posts of more moderate rides.

The board will review this decision at each of its monthly meetings (held virtually for now).  Group riding is the heart of the club’s activities and we are all anxious to get back to a more normal life.  In the meantime, stay healthy and safe!

Posted by Harlan Bittner 1 month ago | 0 comments | View/Post New Comment

Siskiyou Velo Board Continues to Meet Monthly

Despite Oregon’s stay-at-home policy, your club’s board is continuing to meet monthly—by means of a virtual meeting conducted via Zoom.  In fact, our next board meeting is Monday, April 27, at 5:30 pm.  One of the topics we will discuss is our current suspension of club-sponsored group rides and what metrics we will look for in order to resume group rides.  Any club member is welcome to attend from home by computer, tablet, smartphone, or regular phone.  If you are interested in attending, please email president@siskiyouvelo.org.  Instructions on how to attend will be emailed to you.

Speaking of the Board, I thought you might be interested in the current board members and their positions. Voting for board positions was conducted prior to the annual meeting, held during the holiday party last December, and results were announced at the meeting.  Officer positions and committee chairs were decided by the board at the January meeting this year.  The one exception is Robin Dressler, who was appointed to the board last month and who has taken on the position of social activities chair.

Until we can resume group rides, I hope you are getting out for at least an occasional ride with family or a friend or two.  Stay healthy!

Officers:

Harlan Bittner, President

Alan Hubbard (Hubs), Secretary

Frank Hoeper, Treasurer

Members:

Dennis Cramer, Rides chair

Robin Dressler, Social Activities chair

John Fries, Board member

Jen McCracken, Board member

Jeff Roberts, Communication chair and Webmaster

Ann Smith, Advocacy chair

Mike Vergeer, Education chair

Matt Walker, Membership chair

Posted by Harlan Bittner 2 months ago | 0 comments | View/Post New Comment