We promised to keep checking for the latest guidance on the cycling we can do with the on-going pandemic. As part of their continuing efforts to interpret government regulations and information, British Cycling yesterday updated their guidance. Stephen Crispin, our Race Secretary, has once more gone through this to update the club view.
In March 2020, British Cycling took the decision to suspend all sanctioned cycling activity until, at the earliest, 30 June 2020.
British Cycling has now produced a plan for lifting the suspension in stages over the course of the next few months. At first only smaller club activities will be allowed, with regional and national level events being brought in as more time goes by.
The current roadmap
Club and group activity
This category is most relevant to us as it includes organised group rides, coaching, leading, Breeze rides etc. and therefore covers almost all of Penge CC’s activities. The current suspension is going to be extended to 4 July 2020.
Regional racing and sportives
Club racers might get a few races in before the end of the season. The current extension is to be extended to 1 August 2020.
International and national level races
I don’t think any of our members are competing at this level just yet… but for those of us who like to watch the racing, it continues to be suspended until 1 September 2020.
British Cycling have emphasised that this plan is subject to fortnightly reviews that will consider whether the suspensions can be curtailed, or whether they need to be extended further. We will get at least two week’s notice of any change to the 4 July 2020 date for club activities being allowed.
Our club view
Not great news, but probably much as we expected. Let’s show that we can ignore the dubious example set by certain public figures and do our bit to get the country back to health as quickly as we can.
We’re OK to ride in ones and twos but no organised groups, please. Let’s keep the club kit clean and keep fingers crossed we can once more wear it with pride from 4 July 2020.
All the best,
James Hanscomb, Chair of Penge Cycle Club.