If you’re like us, and the other cyclists, mountain bikers, gravel riders and e-bike riders we know, then you haven’t given up riding, or other outdoor activities, since our battle with Covid-19 began. Mark continues to ride, although he now carries some additional equipment he didn’t carry before. Note: he DOES NOT wear the mask while riding.
Other members of our merry band of troublemakers also continue to ride and as far as we know none of them are doing it Lone Ranger style – who was that masked man? Of course, that would be the WRONG type of mask to wear anyway, but hey we’re going with a bit of poetic license, k?
A New Dynamic
There’s a new and interesting dynamic on the road, paved or gravel, and the trail too. We’ve seen masks (only once) and no masks, big groups and little groups, social distancing and not so social, or more correctly stated not so distant, distancing.
What used to be a “approach the rider in front to say hi and yak a bit” is now a full-gas approach from behind, giving appropriate space in case of droplets, breath, or god forbid, actual phlegm, and then allowing at least six-feet of elbow-room, with a wave as we go by.
That feels somewhat rude to us. Does the rider we just passed think we were waving hi or do they think we were being a-holes and emphasizing just how slow we thought they were? Hopefully the former. Perhaps a “howdy” or “beauty day” we just realized, would alleviate that confusion (or our consternation) — need to start doing that.
Just How Much Is Enough?
Speaking of appropriate space…Our friends over at PedalWORKS published a post (last month we think) that really hit home with us – 6 feet ain’t enough, riders! We tried to find that post and the appropriate link thereto but no dice.
So instead here’s a link to the post from which the above image is taken — Hey PedalWORKS, was this one of your sources? It looks familiar!
The Belgians and Dutch (’twas their study) have the cycling creds to be able to speak to this with some (ok, a lot of) authority. Here’s their highlight:
On the basis of these results the scientist advises that for walking the distance of people moving in the same direction in 1 line should be at least 4–5 meter[s], for running and slow biking it should be 10 meters and for hard biking at least 20 meters.
20 meters? That’s 65.62 feet in case you were wondering!
Alta Alpina Cycling Club’s Social Distancing Series
We wrote about this last month but it’s worth mentioning again; the club continues to nail it!
Side note: As a member of this club, Mark’s been participating in this series and has just finished week #6. He loves the number nine apparently: four 9th places, one 10th place, and one snake-eyes. His goal is to finish the series in the top 10 and our math shows him at an average of 9.5 so far. Still a ways to go…
Advocates for Safety
We here at California Alps Cycling feel very strongly that as cyclists and riders we need to go the extra mile. No pun intended. We’ve seen so many photos on Strava, and elsewhere, that seem to indicate many, many individuals are taking a nonchalant approach by riding way to closely together or taking group shots where there is barely any distance between riders at all.
While we understand it may not be a perfect science, and that we could be a bit paranoid, we’re concerned that it sets the wrong example.
See our post from a couple weeks back where we speculate why some drivers hate cyclists. This “hey we’re too healthy, or pretty, or whatever, to get this thing” approach is adding fuel to that fire in our opinion.
What’s Your Approach?
Perhaps you can help…what is your club doing? What are you doing? Are you riding inside? Not riding at all? Wearing a mask? Holding your breath while passing another rider or posing for that group shot? Wearing an oxygen mask? What?
We’d love to hear how you’re dealing with the Covid-19 adversity. Or are you?
Usually ride solo or one other and we maintain a good 8 / 10 feet apart as normally would anyway. Large group riding right now probably be a bit challenging. Yes , I carry a mask and use it when stopping and people around. Personal opinion, but would not wear it while riding.
Thanks for the reply Kwood rider! That’s pretty much what we’ve seen and done. I’ll (Mark here) use my tube for a mask sometimes, too. Haven’t participated in any large group rides yet and am a bit anxious about the first one. Will likely give it more than 8-10 feet then but it depends on “the when.” Ride safe!
I wear a buff while riding and if no one is around I can pull it down. Most of the time I ride alone. Once or twice a week I ride with one or two other people, usually the same people. I also carry an alcohol soaked rag that I keep in a plastic bag for touching surfaces or sanitizing hands.
Thanks for the comment, Bonnie! We like those buffs, or neck tubes, or balaclavas, or whatever we want to call them, too! 😉 Up here in Markleeville they come in handy for those chilly descents (or just chilly days) as well. Good idea on the rag in the bag; we hope carrying things like that, hand-sanitizer, etc. are going to end up being best practices into the future too.