Dear Tripleshot members,
With recent changes to Cycling BC’s Return to Sport Guidelines, Tripleshot Cycling is poised to resume group riding! However, things may be a little different than we’re used to. We’ll need your help to make sure we get things right, both to keep each of us and our community safe, and to ensure that we can keep group rides going for the balance of the year.
A Three Metre (3m) Gap
The biggest change from riding in the fall, is a new requirement to maintain a 3m distance between you and other riders at all times. That means a decent bike length between your wheel and the wheels in front of or behind you. Drafting will be diminished! Groups will need to communicate to make sure that people maintain the appropriate distance and that people don't get dropped. Help each other maintain this new distancing requirement at all times.
Cycling BC has told us that 3m distancing side-to-side as members pass each other is not required, due to the safety concern of pushing people into traffic. We are seeking some greater clarity on that point, but that same "safety clause" allowed us to ride closer than 2m side-to-side last year. Until we hear more from Cycling BC, please ride single-file.
While riding 3m apart is normal for trail rides, our gravel gang will need to be careful not to clump when putting a foot down after trail segments and when starting and finishing rides.
Back to Spond!
Everyone’s favourite ride-planning app is tooled up and ready for you. If you just joined us this winter and you’re a member but not yet registered on Spond, please go here. Ride invitations go out at 8 p.m., two days before a ride. Road rides are limited to 10 riders, trail rides to 6. For the time being, rides are restricted to those who have renewed their 2021 membership (the usual test-riders, non-Tripleshot Wheelers members etc. are not permitted.) Please review the information at this link regarding Covid and etiquette relating to signing up for rides on Spond. Remember, if you’re not signed up on Spond, you can’t do the ride.
Covid Hygiene Still Essential
All our previous requirements to keep each other safe remain, including not riding sick, wearing masks when not riding, and being self-sufficient at all times. Please be sure to review the Club’s Covid Safety Plan before resuming riding. The revised Return to Sport Guidelines are now incorporated into our Safety Plan.
Still No Coffee, Inside or Out
Indoor social gatherings remain forbidden with anyone outside your household. The current Public Health Order permits outside gatherings of up to 10 socially distanced people, but they must be the same 10 people. Since you have no control over who attends your ride, we cannot condone gathering outside for coffee, even if well-spaced. For the time being, Tripleshot rides do not finish with coffee, indoor or out. Please respect this.
Other General Club Info and Reminders
Our Club website tripleshotcycling.ca has plenty of information on group riding, including skills/expectations, explanations of our various ride levels, and winter riding tips.
The Club's executive asks that you please review the Club's Code of Conduct.
Conclusion
We’re as excited as you are to resume group riding! This is the longest hiatus our Club’s ever taken since we were founded in 2006. For many of us, it will be our first group rides in nearly four months. Please remember that we’re all a bit rusty due to lack of practice riding in groups. Take it easy on your first few rides; perhaps start a group slower than your normal choice. Focus on honing your skills, riding smoothly, and maintaining that 3m gap.
We know there seem like a lot of rules and structure here, some of them new, but they’re there to ensure we can all keep riding together, safely and responsibly. Please be ready to help your fellow members learn and remember: the most important person on a ride is everyone else!
With gratitude for each of your support and hope for the future,
Your Tripleshot Exec
Reopening!
Moderator: mfarnham