Group riding

[SeptCollines]

Another thing to remember is 6 riders in a line 2m apart is about the length of an HGV...imagine all 6 getting close passed!!!

It's asking for trouble which it will no doubt incur in the current situation.

[xerxes]

Why would you want to, regardless of coronavirus? One of the many advantages of cycling as a recreation is that it doesn't need to be done mob-handed.

[PH]

Why would you want to, regardless of coronavirus? One of the many advantages of cycling as a recreation is that it doesn't need to be done mob-handed.

You have a very good point.
But only if you consider every social group a mob. In which case please don't join.

[Reddington]

Why would you want to, regardless of coronavirus? One of the many advantages of cycling as a recreation is that it doesn't need to be done mob-handed.

You have a very good point.
But only if you consider every social group a mob. In which case please don't join.

Exactly.Many riders prefer group riding as it makes them feel safer plus they like the social side of it,chatting,cafe stops etc.I tend to ride more alone or as a pair but do ride in a group now and again.

[Mike Sales]

Why would you want to, regardless of coronavirus? One of the many advantages of cycling as a recreation is that it doesn't need to be done mob-handed.

I have done much solo riding, and enjoyed the freedom, the need to consult only myself.
Another of the great things about cycling is that it can be done as a group.
I have enjoyed many rides with a group, who become friends. You can work together as a tight and effective bunch, more efficient than a lone rider, chatting and socialising, sharing the work at the front and helping each other.
New riders learn the ways of the wheel, and develop their capacities.
The Sunday run becomes a social event to look forward to, and often got me out when the weather or laziness might have kept me in bed.
Sometimes I wonder if a skein of geese might feel something similar.

[Grandad]

Over the last 10 years my rides have been 50% group and 50% solo.

Last 3 months all solo and I have realised that the only thing that I miss is the coffee break social interaction. On the bike I prefer my own company.

[TrevA]

Yes, over the last 3 months, I’ve been cycling with just my wife. I’ve enjoyed the freedom to be able to ride where I like, and not be tied to routes around planned cafe stops (because for 2 months) there were no cafes open. I do miss the cafe banter with club mates though.

[TrevA]

I dialled in to a Zoom call with British Cycling HQ staff last night. They are being very cautious and it’s clear that unless the rules on social distancing change, they will not sanction group riding on the road anytime soon. Their current guidance says it will be at least 4th July before group rides can resume, but from what they were saying last night, it’s likely to be much longer than that. It will be even longer before bunched racing can resume.

I did ask the question as to why their guidance was much more cautious than that of CyclingUK, and they sort of implied that they (BC) were the experts and knew more about it.

[mjr]

I did ask the question as to why their guidance was much more cautious than that of CyclingUK, and they sort of implied that they (BC) were the experts and knew more about it.

So, no distancing from their egos, eh?

I saw a group out today. I'm 90% sure it was local BC (I think I recognised some from previous meetings but I was 20m or so up a side road) but they weren't in club colours and nothing has appeared in public view online. Didn't look like 2m gaps front/back. Definitely not 10m. Even if the club isn't officially group riding, its members are.

[TrevA]

Yes, I think informal groups will start to ride together. BC are just being ultra-cautious, so that they can’t later be accused of recklessness.

[mjr]

Could cause embarrassment over their club insurance if any June ride ends in court. Seems more reckless to withhold insurance cover from members. CUK are doing better on this.

[Grandad]

In addition to the mandatory cancellation of club rides my club have asked members not to wear their club kit. This has had a mixed response.

During a 4 hour ride this morning i saw lots of groups of 5 or more as well as the familiar twos and threes. One group of 7 were all in matching kit.

Membership of BC and CUK includes Third Party insurance for the individual member and I don't see how this can be invalidated just because someone is taking part in an informal ride with some clubmates.

[arnsider]

My own take on group riding is that it should never be more than two abreast (https://www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/changes ... r-cyclists) and all these huge gangs you see out on the Fylde on Sundays are blatantly out of order.

I think that the clap trap about virus transmission in groups is academic nonsense and as other sensible contributors have said, during these times it's best to avoid groups altogether.

[CyberKnight]

My CC committee decided not to resart club rides at present , although this may change in weeks to come dependant on how the infection rate and guidance may change .
Around here its only in the last week have you been able to have a cake stop of any sort albeit takeaway and portaloo at a few locations as well as the current guidance on group riding they made the right call i think.
I have been riding solo since mid march and as my FIL has been self isolating i was doing a lot of shopping and getting him meals so my distances have suffered .Whereas a club ride was at least a metric century for me , i have limited myself to 40-50 miles due to time and distance constraints.

[TrevA]

I’m a member of 2 clubs. One has made a tentative, unofficial start to restarting club rides, sort of testing the water. The first one should have been yesterday but was cancelled due to the weather.

I’m one of the ride captains of the other club. I’ve suggested restarting but there’s no appetite amongst the riders or the other ride captains, some of whom seem frightened to death of any contact at all with any club mates.