Author: Cheryl Reid

We are really proud of the progress the club has made since it was founded in 2011. Six years ago we set an ambitious target of reaching 50:50 men/women membership and have taken big strides towards this through initiatives like the women’s spring and summer sessions. We currently have 108 women in a club of 303 members, which is 36% and has remained stable for a number of years. This is among the highest in the country for a mixed cycling club and is extremely important to us as evidenced by the excellent Outspoken event run and supported by the club this year. We plan to keep the momentum going in this area.
We are also keen to reach out to other groups who might be interested in joining a cycling club (or aren’t even aware it’s a thing!) and to help lower barriers to entry.

Our aims have therefore been updated as follows:

• To be a fun, friendly and inclusive cycling club
• To empower members through training & skills development across multiple cycling disciplines, and promote personal cycling safety
• To offer people the chance to try new things and stretch themselves, enabling members to reach their goals – both on and off the bike
• To promote equality, diversity and inclusion; aiming for the club membership base to reflect our local community. We will continue to be a constant champion for women’s cycling and aim to welcome people from all backgrounds.
• To be an active, visible, participant in the Oxford community, and an advocate of cycling initiatives across the city recognised as valuable to our members

We plan to put a lot of energy into diversity and inclusion over the coming months, so keep an eye out for ways to get involved (both big and small)!

Reach out to us at:
[email protected]
[email protected]

England moves to Stage 4 of the government roadmap for easing Covid restrictions on Monday 19 July. This means that almost all legal restrictions on social contact, distancing and gathering will be lifted. 

As result, the club can now move to the next stage of its phased return. This is in line with British Cycling guidance.

The following updates are given with the caveat that cases in Oxford remain very high, particularly in the 18-29 age group. Please think carefully about your fellow club members and the wider community when making decisions about where and when you ride. 

We would also encourage members to take advantage of the free lateral flow tests on offer. While the link between cases and hospitalisation has been hugely improved by vaccinations, it is not broken and there is a good chance we will see a return to lockdown style restrictions in the coming months.

Condors guidance that has been updated:

• Rides may now start at the same time, in the same location. This means that groups can meet at Beeline if they so wish.
• Rides may now meet or finish at the same location. This means that groups can meet at cafes during a ride, or at the pub after a ride.
• Groups may follow the same route, for example, a Strengthener group may like to follow a Screamer group to pick up dropped riders. 

Important: There is no obligation for ride leaders to meet at Beeline. We would simply like to offer that option for those who have missed seeing fellow club members. If you would prefer to continue starting rides from the outskirts of town (e.g Buildbase) then please do so. If you would like to join a ride that starts from Beeline, but are not comfortable joining at that location, please indicate to the ride leader where on the route you will join when booking on via the Facebook pink post. This approach is absolutely fine. 

Condor guidance that remains the same:

• Ride Leaders have the freedom to set their own maximum limits, with the following guidance:
  • 6 – Where smaller rides are preferred / newer riders / Meet the Condors or other introductory skills rides
  • 8 – Generally considered a ‘good size’ where there is a mix of experience
  • 10 – Where the majority of riders are experienced
• New or returning riders are welcome
• 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
• Lights are required for evening rides

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 provide support to new ride leaders; sharing routes, hosting online training, answering questions and helping build confidence.
• 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. 

Photo credit: the wonderful Maciek Tomiczek
Insta @tommy.check
https://tommycheck.com

It has been four weeks since the reintroduction of Condor group rides, and we have been very pleased to see thoughtful planning and safe delivery of rides. Thank you to everyone who has led, supported, or attended a ride, and for embedding the new group ride classification so well. 

While British Cycling guidance allows up to 15 riders, we have operated a 6 rider limit. The Board has carefully discussed our group size policy and would like to adapt to support the safety and enjoyment of riders within the freedoms allowed by Covid restrictions. We are aware that some people may wish to ride in larger groups, especially those preparing to take part in competitive events, and believe that it would be safe to do so where experience allows.

As a result, we would like to give Ride Leaders the freedom to set their own maximum limits, with the following guidance:

• 6 – Where smaller rides are preferred / newer riders / Meet the Condors
• 8 – Generally considered a ‘good size’ where there is a mix of experience
• 10 – Where the majority of riders are experienced

We believe that rides larger than 10 should be very carefully considered and have a clear rationale.

Rides will continue to be ‘booked’ on Facebook to facilitate contact tracing. We must also continue to adhere to the ‘Rule of 6’ at cafes or pubs, so please be prepared to sit separately when stopping. 

Any increase in group size increases the risk of exposure to Covid-19 and the possible requirement to self-isolate. We trust members to bear this in mind and make sensible decisions.

The expansion of ride sizes has safety and pleasure in mind: to support those who would enjoy and benefit from larger group rides.

It is difficult to predict what our ‘new normal’ will look like in the coming months, but we’ll do our absolute best to tackle the challenges head on.  

If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at [email protected] or [email protected]

On the 14 June 2021, Cowley Road Condors will be 10 years old!

This may sound young compared to other cycling clubs (especially our venerable friends at Oxonian and Banbury Star!) but we have achieved so much in that time and we’re really keen to celebrate with you all.

We have some VERY exciting things in store for you over the coming weeks.

Stay tuned for details 😉

Following the government publication of the four-step roadmap for exiting lockdown, we can now announce that club rides will return from 29 March. This is made possible due to the reintroduction of the outdoor ‘Rule of 6’.

We will return to our previous phased return format that worked very successfully last year:

• Maximum group size of 6 riders
• New or returning riders are welcome
• 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.
• Cafe or pub stops must be held outside
• 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

We hope to take full advantage of restrictions easing later in the year, and will communicate changes as roadmap stage progression is confirmed.

Ride Leader training is currently being prepared and will cover both theory and practical sessions! Dates for those will be posted soon.

Women’s Introductory rides will also make a welcome return! Our Women’s Officer Helen will be keeping a contact list if you’d like to be notified closer to the time: [email protected]

Last but definitely not least, we are delighted to announce the Condors 2021 Time Trial Series will be as follows, so start getting those legs ready!

More details available here

We are really, really looking forward to seeing you out on the road soon 🙂

Cheryl
Club President

Oxfordshire will enter Tier 4 restrictions on Saturday 26 December. As a result, club rides will be cancelled from this day until further notice.

British Cycling guidance confirms that you can continue to cycle, however this must be alone, or with members of your household/bubble, or with one person from outside your household/bubble. You should also stay within your Tier 4 area, which will be Oxfordshire for the majority of our members. Please feel free to use our facebook group to reach out and find a ride buddy if you would like company.

For those of you with indoor options, please join Condors Indoors to see the latest rides being organised. This includes Zwift, TrainerRoad, or just chatting to others on Discord while spinning on your turbo/rollers.

We will continue with our weekly selfies and other socially distanced club activities where possible. Do let us know if you have any ideas or would like to get involved in any organising.

Please get in touch if we can do anything to support you during what continues to be a very difficult time.

With love

Cheryl
Club President

A number of neighbouring counties will enter Tier 3 ( Very High Alert) on Saturday 19 December.
Oxford and Oxfordshire remain in Tier 2 (High Alert).

British Cycling guidance explains that Groups from Tier 1 or Tier 2 areas are permitted to pass through a Tier 3 area as part of their route, however they should not stop for a break while in that area. Groups should not pass into or out of Tier 4 areas.

Below are the updated guidelines for Condor rides:

• Maximum group size of 6 riders
• New or returning riders are welcome
• 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.
• Cafe or pub stops must be held outside, in Tier 1 or Tier 2 areas only
• Groups may pass through Tier 3 areas but must not pass into or out of Tier 4 areas
• 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

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 provide support to new ride leaders; sharing routes, hosting online training, answering questions and helping build confidence
• 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.