Post by patrick hawkins on Mar 18, 2020 21:03:44 GMT
Dear fellow club member
I’d like to share the committee’s thoughts on club activity now that we’re all having to deal with the spread of COVID19. It’s an awful situation which is causing a great deal of worry and increasing hardship. Cycling is only cycling, but it is important to us all in many ways. It provides fitness, fresh air, competition, travel, adventure, friendship, mental well-being, and just plain fun.
So this is a tricky and unenjoyable message, which boils down to three categories of activity.
1. Competition & Racing
The various governing bodies; British Cycling, CTT and BMCR, have suspended all events until the provisional date of 30 April. The Wally Gimber Trophy has been postponed, the start of the Crystal Place criterium season is delayed and many other events are under threat.
2. Club Rides
All designated club rides are suspended until further notice. None of you need me to explain why this must be the case and I know you will, reluctantly, accept this decision.
3. Cycling as individuals
We all want to stay fit and active by getting out on our bikes. It’s really important, for the reasons I’ve already mentioned. Dulwich Paragon is simply the cycling club you’re a member of. Its role, beyond racing and club events, is merely to offer advice and support.
Our advice is that, providing you follow recommendations on social distancing and good hygiene, we see no reason why you shouldn’t still ride. It goes without saying that we would encourage you to keep in mind our social responsibilities (including the extra burden any accident we might have on the medical and emergency services) and to respect Government advice as it unravels but, as I write, there are no other official restrictions on cycling. Having said that, everyone’s circumstances are different and this article we feel is particularly helpful (click here for link to cycling UK).
Support is where being a club member comes in to its own. The forum and the multitude of WhatsApp groups are already full of advice, information, opinion and humour. Most of you know how proud I am of how much we collectively give to the cycling community, and to each other. I’m sure we will continue to look out for each other in every way we can.
Best wishes
Patrick
Chair, Dulwich Paragon CC
I’d like to share the committee’s thoughts on club activity now that we’re all having to deal with the spread of COVID19. It’s an awful situation which is causing a great deal of worry and increasing hardship. Cycling is only cycling, but it is important to us all in many ways. It provides fitness, fresh air, competition, travel, adventure, friendship, mental well-being, and just plain fun.
So this is a tricky and unenjoyable message, which boils down to three categories of activity.
1. Competition & Racing
The various governing bodies; British Cycling, CTT and BMCR, have suspended all events until the provisional date of 30 April. The Wally Gimber Trophy has been postponed, the start of the Crystal Place criterium season is delayed and many other events are under threat.
2. Club Rides
All designated club rides are suspended until further notice. None of you need me to explain why this must be the case and I know you will, reluctantly, accept this decision.
3. Cycling as individuals
We all want to stay fit and active by getting out on our bikes. It’s really important, for the reasons I’ve already mentioned. Dulwich Paragon is simply the cycling club you’re a member of. Its role, beyond racing and club events, is merely to offer advice and support.
Our advice is that, providing you follow recommendations on social distancing and good hygiene, we see no reason why you shouldn’t still ride. It goes without saying that we would encourage you to keep in mind our social responsibilities (including the extra burden any accident we might have on the medical and emergency services) and to respect Government advice as it unravels but, as I write, there are no other official restrictions on cycling. Having said that, everyone’s circumstances are different and this article we feel is particularly helpful (click here for link to cycling UK).
Support is where being a club member comes in to its own. The forum and the multitude of WhatsApp groups are already full of advice, information, opinion and humour. Most of you know how proud I am of how much we collectively give to the cycling community, and to each other. I’m sure we will continue to look out for each other in every way we can.
Best wishes
Patrick
Chair, Dulwich Paragon CC