Your executive has sadly made the decision to cancel the much anticipated Good Friday Ride on April 10th, 2020. Our cycling season will also be postponed until further notice.
Attempts to ride in a group, however carefully we try to socially distance ourselves, is just not a good practice or example to set right now. The safety and well being of our club friends and our extended community are the primary concerns for all of us.
Some countries have completely banned cycling outside but that has not yet happened here. As Cyclist online magazine states: “By all means, as things stand, if you really want to ride outside, go and ride but keep it short, keep it sweet and do it either alone or, if lucky enough, with somebody that you live with.”
Until we all get through this and we will, ride your rollers or wind trainers, hike or ride safely outside. Until we ride together again, please don’t forget to share with other Freewheelers how you are and what you are doing through comments on this post or on our private Facebook page. We are exploring creative means of keeping in touch so any suggestions are very welcome.
Barb Spencer, President
Peter Reitknecht, Vice President
Jennifer Brady, Treasurer
Brenda Smith, Secretary
Ruth Louden, Web Administrator
Look at the bright side. Riding on your own you can be two places at once!
The front and the back of the pace line.
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Good thought Mich! Being at the first would be a first for me. Please keep well, both of you.
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There is no question that postponing the commencement of our group riding season is the right thing to do. In these days of social distancing we are truly privileged to be able to continue with our chosen sport, something that most folks are unable to do. The general public will not appreciate seeing group rides (even if the participants are “socially distanced”) and the privilege that many of us are presently enjoying may end up being revoked.
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I had a nice 45k ride yesterday afternoon, my longest so far. And, as I said to Brian, I even did Starkville Hill. Down that is.🙂 It was really uplifting to see so many people out walking – something you normally don’t see too much of out in the country. And all the vehicles, even the pickups, gave lots of room. Haha, they are taking social distancing to the max.
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Andy & I Day 4 of self isolation as we were in California. OCCO I need your olive bread recipe……HELP! Just joking we are well ….just under strict rules so staying put for now. So stay well everyone. This too shall pass……
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Wayne has an idea regarding the Good Friday ride. Weather permitting we could ride individually or with our partners from our homes and post a picture of us doing this or post a picture of the “good food” that we are having and then we are still celebrating together!
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I like this idea a lot Brenda and Wayne. I was trying to think of something we could do ‘together’. We’re in.
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Hey – it would be nice if people could post their images on our site as not everyone is in FB – right now comments do not allow image attachments, but I believe there is an app for that – I’ll investigate and be back with more details!
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Community spirit….amazing. In the U.K I have 5 sisters and many ….nieces / nephews as some of you know. One of whom is expecting her first baby in 3 weeks. At 4 pm today everyone went out of their houses and clapped, banged pots & pans etc. in appreciation of the NHS workers (national health service i.e. Nurses, dr’s, healthcare workers). My niece who is a nurse said it brought a large lump to her throat…….WOW.
Then we have a lunatic to the south……sorree but he is such an eejit!
Becos” of aforementioned self quarantine I clearly have too much time on my hands….back to painting the bathroom. We are still such a privileged nation.
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This is sad news but the right decision to suspend group rides. Even if we were complying with physical distancing it would be bad optics for cycling groups everywhere. People are often stressed and not the best versions of themselves during these unprecedented times which puts a cycling group in danger for vehicular harm or social backlash. This protects what we love….family, friends and cycling!
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Absolutely the right decision.
Although, it would have beeen kind of funny to see the sprint start to be able to ride at the front and be in the safest position.
I look forward to seeing everyone’s pictures.
Together we support, while staying apart.
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First ride for me today. About 33k. Clouston (down) Boomerang and Pipeline sandy at the ends and #2 shoulder hasn’t been swept but the roads were otherwise in pretty good shape for early spring. It was glorious.
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Good for you, Barb. 33 km is not too shabby for your first ride of the season 🙂 I went to Bewdley and back via the dreaded Jamieson!
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I agree we can’t do group rides, so good decicion from our executive! Individual or twosomes. No clusters. I have been out – how great for the spirit. It’s a mental health issue – keep riding!
Barry did a poke-about ride in town. No expresso to be had anywhere!
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So sad that we can’t ride together (in the cold, wind and snow) today and have our amazing first pot luck at Brenda and Wayne’s. John and I are cooking a second best meal for tonight and will post photos on the FB page later. Happy Easter everyone. Stay safe and well.
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