Solihull Cycling Club

[Cliff Dobson]

Last week the club committee discussed the implications of the Government’s COVID 19 control measures on cycling and our Club activities. We agreed to issue this bulletin to supplement the monthly Newsletter, and we will continue to update members if/when there are significant changes.

Following the Prime Minister’s address on Sunday 10 May, these are the implications for Solihull CC members:

What’s changed.
The restriction on the frequency and duration for individuals to exercise will be lifted on 13 May. This is a welcome relaxation, but it DOES NOT remove the requirement for exercise to be undertaken in a responsible manner that observes the social distancing rules. Driving to a start point for exercising is also permitted – with a plea for this to be as short as necessary.

What’s not changed.
Group exercising is only permitted where everyone in the group is from the same household. Those who might be thinking of resuming group rides with best friends, or worse still have already started (you know who you are!) should know this is not permitted. It seems likely that mixed group riding WILL NOT be permitted for some time yet.

Committee position and advice
The club committee expects all members to comply with the Government position regarding individual and particularly group cycling. Members of the public will reach their own conclusions whether a group of riders look like they are from the same household, so there’s a clear reputation risk for cycling and in particular club cyclists here.

The removal of the restriction on the duration of exercise means longer rides are perfectly acceptable. However, we do recommend careful route selection, so you are never too far from home in case you need to be recovered for any reason. This is more important for solo riders, which means most of us. We are lucky to have a dense network of quiet roads in most directions out of Solihull and South Birmingham. Why not string together our familiar outbound and home runs to create a route that means you are never more than 15 miles from your start point? Obviously if you plan longer rides remember to carry plenty of food and drink with you, because pit stops are more or less non-existent. If you haven’t done so already, this is a good time to practice dealing with a puncture or carrying out simple mechanical fixes yourself.

Please continue to get out on your bikes, but in a responsible,
considerate and especially a SAFE way.
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Riding a bike instead of using the car is good for you and the environment )