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!