Siskiyou Velo

Cycling Tips During Covid

Be aware that Siskiyou Velo has temporarily suspended all group rides.  If you choose to go out riding with one or two friends or family members, read this Instagram post. Click the buttons on each slide to view the whole thing.

One comment in the post is notable (I’m paraphrasing): “The six 6 ft social distancing rule is designed to allow respiratory droplets to fall to the ground rather than on another person. When riding on a bike at 15 MPH or so, those distances must be much greater to allow for gravity to take effect, 15 feet or so.  Basically, don’t draft.”

Thanks to Gary Shaff for passing this on.

Posted by Jeff Roberts 22 hours ago | 0 comments | View/Post New Comment

SiskiyouVelo Temporarily Suspends Group Rides

The board of SiskiyouVelo has temporarily suspended club-sponsored group rides.  This difficult decision was made to support ongoing efforts across the country to minimize the spread of coronavirus.  In particular, gathering in groups of any size is discouraged.  Our decision is consistent with guidance provided by several cycling organizations including Bike Portland and USA Cycling.

However, bicycling remains an excellent method of exercise and a healthy escape from confinement in our homes.  We encourage you to bike by yourself, with your family members or with one or two friends.  In fact, Executive Order 20-12, “Stay Home, Save Lives…” issued by the Oregon governor on March 23, allows for individuals to go outside for recreational activities. Please continue to practice social separation (6 feet minimum), good handwashing practices before, during and after your rides, and other practices as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

We will resume sponsorship of group rides as soon as it is deemed appropriate to do so.  Meanwhile, please support our efforts to minimize the spread of the virus to protect ourselves, our community and our front-line medical workers.  Ride safely and stay healthy!

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

Board Meeting Monday, March 23

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the SiskiyouVelo board has decided to meet virtually rather than in-person.  Topics to be discussed at this meeting will include SiskiyouVelo guidelines for group rides and the status of upcoming events in which SiskiyouVelo plays a role.

Club members are welcome to attend the meeting. If you are interested in attending virtually, please email webmaster@siskiyouvelo.org.  You will receive instructions on how to join the meeting.

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

Group Riding During the Coronavirus Pandemic

A number of Siskiyou Velo members and the Siskiyou Velo Board are concerned about group rides during the coronavirus pandemic.  The purpose of this message is to provide guidelines to ride leaders and members about club rides during this time.  These guidelines are derived in part from the following reference: “How to Ride Safely Amid Coronavirus Concerns,” Jordan Smith, Bicycling.Com, March 13. 2020 (https://www.bicycling.com/news/a31469228/cycling-during-coronavirus/).  Other general guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control about coronavirus can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

• Siskiyou Velo will of course follow federal, state and local directives regarding the coronavirus outbreak
• The club will continue to offer group rides for the time being, subject to the ride leader’s availability
• Protect others–If you are ill, stay home. Do not join the ride
• Protect yourself –if you (or others you live with) fall within a high-risk group, including people over 65 and people with an underlying medical condition including diabetes, heart disease, lung disease or an impaired immune system, take that into consideration in deciding whether to join the ride.
• Bicyclists should maintain separation from each other, ideally 6 feet or more
• Most of our group rides include a stop at a coffee shop or restaurant. Whereas riding in the open air Is thought to carry minimal risk for contracting coronavirus, gathering in groups is more problematic.  Small groups are probably safer than large, closely-seated groups.  Gathering outside in the open air is probably safer than sitting inside (many of our coffee stop locations have outside seating available).  It will be the decision of the ride leader whether or not to include the coffee stop on the ride.  Of course any participant can decide to leave the ride at anytime—just let the ride leader know
• Follow the CDC guidelines, including washing your hands regularly, not touching your face, not shaking hands, not hugging, etc.
• Consider carrying a small amount of hand sanitizer (CDC recommends one with at least 60% alcohol) and some disinfecting wipes (EPA recommendations:  https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2) for disinfecting hard surfaces such as handlebars, drink bottles, etc.
• Do not share drinks or food
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue

Bicycling is a healthy way to get exercise and to provide relief from daily stresses, including relief from coronavirus anxiety.  As always, ride with care and stay safe!

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

Velo Melos Enjoying Early Spring Riding

End of pavement on East Antelope Road

With Velo Melo ride coordinator, Lisa Brill, lining up a ride leader nearly every Saturday, this group has great attendance at rides and a lot of camaraderie among members. A few recent rides have experimented with including a shorter and a longer distance to accommodate the needs of individuals in the group. There has been about a 7-8 mi. difference in the length of the rides and it seems to work well. Ride distances are usually 25-30 miles with 1,000 ft. or less of climbing. Come out and enjoy this fun group on a nice spring day. Thanks to all of the ride leaders for their efforts.

Upper Table Rock Trailhead- start of Sam’s Valley Loop

Posted by Victoria Brown 3 weeks ago | 2 comments | View/Post New Comment