Condors: Phased return to club riding – August Update

Government Update

The UK government has set out further changes to lockdown measures in England to enable people to see more of their friends and family, help businesses get back on their feet and get people back in their jobs.

They have also set out that where it is not possible to stay two metres apart, guidance will allow people to keep a social distance of ‘one metre plus’. This means staying one metre apart, plus mitigations which reduce the risk of transmission.

While the infection rate continues to fall, the government has been clear that the public must continue to follow social distancing guidelines to keep coronavirus under control

Condor Response

While a reduction in the 2 metre value may suggest a return to regular club riding, it is clear that the guidance is to remain cautious and keep your distance where possible.

We began a phased reintroduction to club riding on the 4 July which has been successful so far. As of today, 20 August, we can confirm the following updates:

• Maximum group size of 6 riders
• New or returning riders are welcome, especially on social rides and Meet the Condors
• All club members are encouraged to lead rides or be a ‘second pair of eyes’
• Ride details should be advertised on the pink posts. 
• Riders will need to book in on the post, making sure they confirm with words (e.g. ‘in’), rather than hitting ‘like’. This will help manage the numbers and provide an audit trail in the event that tracing is required. 
• Riders should not turn up for a ride unless they have pre-booked on the pink post
• Rides should not start at Beeline. Please meet at the outskirts of town at a suitable location for your route (e.g. Buildbase if heading South-East)
• Riders must also maintain social distancing in line with government guidelines after the ride. So please avoid finishing at the same pub or cafe as other groups.
• We encourage flexibility around ride start times so that groups are not all leaving Oxford at the same time
• Please choose routes that go out in different directions, or do not overlap heavily.  Consider running more popular routes in reverse
• Cafe stops will help support the local economy, however you must plan ahead carefully for these and follow social distancing measures. Again, please do not visit venues at the same time as other groups.

What we expect from you

• We will trust members to act responsibly and assess the risk to themselves and the people they have contact with. This includes their households, bubbles, wider friendship groups and fellow club members.
• Members must not turn up for a ride if they are self-isolating or experiencing any Coronavirus symptoms. In the event that Coronavirus is contracted, the infected party will need to inform others they have ridden with.
• Members must be self-sufficient. This means bringing enough food and water to sustain you, plus basic tools for roadside repairs such as punctures. This will reduce the risk of having to share items during the ride. 
• Members must take extra care with personal hygiene. Please carry hand sanitiser and tissues. Refrain from spitting or attempting ‘snot rockets’. 

What members can expect from us

• The club will post up Tuesday, Thursday and Weekend posts to help you organise your rides
• The club will closely monitor this to make sure activities are in line with our phased approach. We will take action where they are not. 
• The club will also keep abreast of Government and British Cycling updates. We are prepared to make adjustments to our plan, or call them to a halt if necessary. 

Final Thoughts

We have really enjoyed the chance to reconnect with other riders since group rides have been reintroduced. But we must be responsible and continue to take sensible precautions wherever possible. Keep up the good work.