Planning to Resume Group Rides

The Committee is planning to resume group rides in a safe way and within the law and Cycling UK guidelines without relying on traditional elevenses, lunch and tea stops. Progress in this will continue to depend upon progress in the fight against the Coronavirus and on the resulting developments in Government regulations and Cycling UK policy.

We are now permitted to ride in groups of up to six so long as we remain outdoors and at all times maintain social distancing of two metres between members of different households (current Government rules) and because of the views of Cycling UK we advise a greater distance, at least ten metres when riding one behind the other.  The Committee will be testing these “new normal” requirements in practice on 3 June with a view, if the trial is successful, to organizing the first group ride on 10 June (probably out of Dorking) or 17 June (Redhill).  Because of the lack of planning time, these and the one out of Walton on 24 June, may be led by Committee members; the Leaders schedule will resume at Cobham on 1 July.  We will keep members informed as the situation develops.

This planning has primarily been aimed at Wayfarers A and B rides, but while Beginners, Cheam and Morden Section and Easy Riders will want to manage their rides within their own customs and practices, they will also need to follow the law and, for insurance purposes, Cycling UK guidelines.

For a while, probably at least several months, group riding will not be what it was before the crisis in the following ways;

1.      DO NOT COME OUT TO RIDE IF YOU FEEL AT ALL UNWELL.

2.      Bring hand sanitizers for the ride and, if you wish, face masks.

3.      Group Size.  We are planning for groups restricted in size to a maximum of 6, in accordance with the law, which may change over time.

4.      Leaders.  With more, smaller groups, extra Leaders will be needed, together with a second or sub-Leader. The Leader will nominate Sub-Leader (s) as appropriate. All Leaders and sub-Leaders must be CUK registered, for insurance reasons.

5.      It is essential that we maintain social distancing as required by the law (2 metres at all times) and also that we reflect the increased risk of riding behind each other by leaving sufficient space to allow a car to come between us and the cyclist in front (and if there is no traffic, a minimum distance of ten metres). 

6.      Those wishing to ride in a group must pre-book with the Leader to ensure we stick to groups of six.  The Leader should plan their route as usual and post it on the blog in good time for individuals to choose - preferably by comment on the blog or by email. (Groups will be selected in advance by the Leader broadly on a first come, first served basis, and the Leader will nominate a sub-Leader for a second group if more than 5 other riders express interest).  We would like the Group make-up to be transparent and equitable.

7.      Initially, tried and tested familiar routes will be encouraged and rides may be shorter.  Any updates to a ride, and detailed arrangements, should be posted on the blog and transmitted to the relevant WhatsApp Group, or by phone contact. It is the sub-Leaders responsibility to allow a 20 minute gap before departing and to ensure that the groups to not catch up.  This may sometimes require the selection of a different venue for sandwich lunch.  Riders should be mindful of public perception of large groups. It is desirable to avoid popular narrow paths and pinch points and to avoid congregating in small villages or “honeypots”.

8.      Most public toilet facilities have been closed during the pandemic and the availability of toilets will remain an issue until pubs and cafes, as well as public toilets, are re-opened.  Jennie, the Committee member with specific responsibility to represent women, has done extensive research on the improving situation and information on this will be available to Leaders, who should warn members of any likely lack of proper toilets so that they can decide in advance whether to come on the ride.  All riders should carry appropriate hygiene measures (if public toilets are available they may not be as clean as they ought) and leave no litter.

9.      Meeting venues - elevenses. It is planned wherever possible to maintain the locations in the Rides Programme. However, some such as out-of-town venues like Effingham Vineries and Fairoaks, may not be suitable, and to avoid overloading, Leaders will need to consult other Leaders and the Rides Secretary in arranging alternative venues, which will need to be well researched and planned.  Preferred locations and venues will be included on the blog as they prove successful. Leaders should aim for different and wider spaced venues, or where the same venue for all rides on a day is unavoidable, stagger elevenses meeting times at twenty minute intervals to avoid too large a gathering. Until social distancing guidelines are further eased, the meetings will have to be in the open air, but they can be near take-away cafes.

10.  Meeting venues - lunch. The preference is for lunch in open space, and for riders to bring a packed lunch. Leaders should aim for different venues and Leaders and sub-Leaders should ensure that the Groups do not overlap.

11.  Meeting venues - tea. The same criteria as elevenses and lunch is suggested.

12.  The Rides Secretary will publish the Rides List for July and August once he is satisfied, after the trial, that the new arrangements can be made to work.  The rides programme will be modified as the lockdown review progresses; changes will be announced on the blog.

With particular thanks to Ged Lawrenson and Paul James who have worked tirelessly on these guidelines.