Monday, May 18, 2020

Coming Out of Lockdown


First the good news. We are officially allowed to ride in pairs (max two riders). See CUK advice here. You must maintain at least 2 metres distance. There have been reports in the press that 2m is insufficient distance when riding behind someone, but with no clear information on what is safe. I have asked CUK for their guidance, but for now I suggest a minimum of 10m.

CUK guidance on how far from home we should go is unchanged here. Basically, they are saying that you should consider your plan B if you have a mishap far from home. How would you cope without calling on others to come out and help, with possible risk to themselves?

Secondly, group riding is presently contrary to Government regulations, as well as CUK advice, and we won’t be doing anything until the rules change. However, the committee are keen to recommence our Rides Programme should conditions allow and have been brainstorming a way forward.

Maintaining social distance of 2m when stationary and at least 10m on the road will be fundamental to our plans. Groups will be limited to 4-7 max, and you will be asked to pre-book your place on the ride. Should more than 7 want to ride, the leader will be asked to nominate a second leader who will be provided with the route to be ridden with a 20-minute gap. 

Initially we should stick to familiar routes, away from busy places like Box Hill, and leaders will be asked to publish the route on the blog, so that anyone who does not want to ride in a group can follow the ride in their own time. Leaders will also be asked to look out for suitable toilet facilities on their routes.

Initially at least pubs and cafes will probably be closed, and even if open may not welcome customers in groups. So we plan to take our own packed lunches, and hope for a dry summer!

These are the plans for the future. We can't do this yet but as soon as we are allowed, we will inform you. Please tell anyone you are in contact with who doesn't read the blog about this advice.

Ged will shortly be asking for leaders to volunteer for leads from 1 July, though it is not certain that rides will be permitted on that date. We recognise that these arrangements place additional responsibilities on the Ride Leaders, so probably the first rides will be led by a committee member.

More detailed plans are available here. Please read and if you have any comments or concerns let me or a committee member know.

Dave Vine

1 comment:

Mark G said...

Good to know that the Committee is working on it.

Let's hope we can find a way through