VCC Update – July 10, 2020

face mask with smile

Quebec Holds the First “Nearly Normal” Race Event

Commissaires and volunteers in face masks and face shields. Signs telling riders to minimize their time on-site before and after.

The race was a 10.5km individual time trial (ITT), starting with one foot on the ground – not the usual hand-held start.

It was safe. Everyone was happy with a chance to compete.

If racing starts again anytime this year in Alberta, expect it to look much the same. Cyclocross time trials? That would be something new!

I’ve no updates yet to report from the ABA when racing returns to our provincial roads and trails. I’ll let you know when I hear anything.

If you want to discover more about how Quebec managed, read this Canadian Cycling Magazine report.

An Edmonton Summer Riding Camp?

As I’ve been riding in Penticton this week, I got to thinking about the club’s Spring Riding Camp that had to be cancelled this year.

Would anyone be interested in a club Summer Riding Camp organized in the Edmonton area?

With our long summer days, weekday rides could begin about 3:30pm, with plenty of daylight to ride 3 to 4 hours. Weekend rides would still start in the mornings. We could choose a variety of classic routes surrounding the Edmonton region. If the week concludes with either the August or September long weekend, we could ride long – think “Queen Stage” long – on the Sunday (perhaps the classic Velocity Airport Fondo??). That gives you the long weekend Monday for putting up your feet and recovering.

I feel it would be reasonable to cohort during the camp. so we’d be able to relax physical distancing on our rides.

You wouldn’t need to ride every day of the camp, but I’d encourage you to try. A full week of big volume riding can give you a great boost in fitness for a few months afterwards.

Beginning each ride at about 3:30pm might allow you to join after your core work hours, making it unnecessary to take any (or at least not much) time off work to participate.

Here’s a link to a poll where you can express your interest: Summer Riding Camp Poll

Saturday Club Ride

Clear skies, let there be clear skies on Saturday!

The news is good about low infection rates outdoors. Use that as an excuse to ride more often.

Because I’m still riding in Penticton this week, please consider volunteering as a Ride Leader this Saturday. Ed served last week, and all went well – except for a “tubeless flat” that I think sealed itself? We need one Leader for each group of 15 riders. Which probably means we only need one Leader, as we’ve had less than 10 riders out each Saturday so far. The ride sign up form has a place to “raise your hand.”

As a Ride Leader, you:

  • Must have your own supplied face mask and nitrile gloves in your jersey pocket (as well as the hand sanitizer that everyone must be carrying), in case of a ride mishap that needs immediate roadside assistance
  • Ensure only preregistered riders are in the group
  • Re-visit the COVID-19 Screening Checklist immediately prior to ride departure to ensure each rider is still clear to participate
  • Ensure the 2m physical distancing is maintained before, during and after the ride

Everyone can sign up for this Saturday’s ride here >>>Ride Registration Form

Riding Rules for this season are:

  • Hold an active 2020 Club Membership. If not, you must have it in order to ride. Go >> HERE NOW
  • If you joined the club before June 6 you’ll need to send us your signed ABA COVID Waiver in order to participate for the season. Download it  HERE >>> ABA – Adult Waiver COVID 2020 and email your completed form to Coach Kevin Coaching@VelocityCyclingClub.ca
  • All new memberships from June 6 onward will automatically require your agreement to the waiver.
  • Meet Saturday, July 11, at 10am at the Ardrossan Rec Centre. Staging allowed in groups of up to 15. The ride is about 60kms. See all the Event details HERE >>July 11 Ride
  • You must PREREGISTER before 8:30AM on Saturday, July 11, for this ride using this >> GOOGLE FORM If you do not preregister, sorry you cannot ride that day. Absolutely no drop-ins will be accepted.

You have two options: give up, or fight like hell.