As fellow GFW members, we are all dealing with COVID-19 and hope that you, your friends and family are safe and well.

In view of the current developments regarding the virus we want you to know our current thoughts about how to manage our activities.  Our members’ safety is very important and the situation is evolving constantly. 

Detailed recommendations are set out below, but we believe that we can still enjoy Great Fitness and Great Friends.  Great Food is sadly suspended for now.  Rides will not include social gatherings, pot lucks or lunches before, during or after our rides. 

Unless the current situation changes, we believe that we can do what we all love to do: ride our bikes, even in groups, so long as we follow the advice of public health officials.  It goes without saying that you should definitely not attend a GFW function if you are supposed to be self-isolating at home. Of course, the decision whether or not to participate in group rides, however socially distanced, is up to each and every one of you and we respect whatever decision you make in that regard.

Therefore, according to time honoured tradition, Ganaraska Freewheelers rides will commence on GOOD FRIDAY APRIL 10th.  Wayne has already volunteered to prepare maps and be the ride leader on April 10th, the exact details of which will be posted as usual to our web page.

All rides until further notice will be treated as what we have always called ‘town hall’ rides but they can start from various locations where members can park and prepare for rides in spaces that allow for the two metre social distancing for pre- and after-ride preparations.  Members will continue to be asked to host rides by selecting a route and start location.  The usual request to print and bring your own maps continues.

We are taking the liberty of sharing the recommendations of the Oshawa Cycling Club created by their member Toni Moran, Senior Public Health Inspector, Durham Regional Health Department and we wish to thank the Club and Toni Moran for their consent to post the following:

Further details of the April 10th Season Opener ride and reminders about our Tuesday and Friday Coordinators will be posted to our website very soon.   

Barbara Spencer, President + your Execs

• Peter Reitknecht, Vice President
• Brenda Smith, Secretary
• Jennifer Brady, Treasurer
• Ruth Louden, Webmaster

Recommendations of the Oshawa Cycling Club

1) Stay at home and do not ride or attend club events if you feel unwell even if symptoms seem mild. Symptoms related to COVID-19 can be:

• headache / runny nose
• fever
• cough
• difficulty breathing
• pneumonia in both lungs
• chest pain or pressure

2) Avoid all physical contact before during and after rides and maintain a 2- metre distance from other riders – no handshakes or hugs.

3) Practice good respiratory etiquette and cough or sneeze into your elbow well away from other riders.

4) Refrain from spitting and/or blowing your nose while riding if possible. If you must clear your nose or throat, fall well back behind all other riders to do so. Wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer as soon as possible after. 

5) Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. 

6) Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 15 seconds after riding, before eating, and after using the bathroom. If there is no hand-wash basin available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing 70% alcohol and use enough to allow hands to remain wet for 15 seconds. Consider carrying a small container of hand sanitizer in your jersey pocket or bike bag on all rides. 

7) Launder riding gloves between each ride along with jerseys, shorts, riding sleeves, skull caps, etc. 

8) Wash, rinse and sanitize water bottles after each ride – sanitize using a mild bleach solution containing 1/2 teaspoon regular household bleach in 1 litre of water.