EBC Members:
Thank you for your patience with the reopening of scheduling rides during Covid-19. We hope you are all staying safe, healthy and perhaps getting out for a ride or two. With the guidance of our EBC Board, a group of EBC Ride Leaders, and the opening of Phase 4 recovery in Illinois, including within our cycling footprint, we are ready to allow for posting of rides beginning this Saturday, June 27. The following guidelines explain EBC rides in our “ new normal.” Please take the time to read the following carefully. Should you have any questions please contact Alvin at president@evanstonbikeclub.org. (Ride Leaders: please note that you will receive a separate email regarding further guidelines for posting and leading rides).
Peddle on!
Alvin and Will
EBC Group Ride Procedures and Restrictions during 2020 Covid-19
Rides that were posted on the EBC Rides Calendar for 2020, including Show and Go’s, are canceled as previously announced. New EBC group rides may take place beginning Saturday, June 27 as follows:
· Rides may consist of no more than 15 participants including the ride leader with the State’s approval of Phase Four reopening. The Ride Leader may specify fewer if they wish. All riders must be current members of the EBC: No guests allowed until we are fully back to normal. Ride Leaders are in charge of their rides and will enforce all guidelines that they established when posting their ride.
· EBC Ride Leaders will post rides through the Rides Forum. All rides will be posted to the Rides Forum by noon of the day prior to the ride. The Posting will include:
a) Ride Pace
b) Ride Date
c) Ride Leader’s name and email address
d) Starting Point and Distance
e) Maximum number of riders, including the leader. The Leader may specify a smaller group size
f) Restrictions for the ride-e.g. Leader may specify masks are required while riding; masks only while stopped for rests etc.
g) A reminder that riders must bring a mask and should consider bringing a pen and hand sanitizer.
h) A reminder that only members of the EBC may sign up for the ride.
i) In the posting, the Ride Leader will instruct anyone interested in riding to immediately reply by email to the Ride Leader to reserve a space. As the Ride Leader receives email requests to join a ride, the Ride Leader will send an email to riders confirming acceptance. When the ride is filled to the maximum specified by the Ride Leader, the Ride Leader will post again to the Forum that the ride is closed. Riders on the day of the ride who show up without an email confirmation are on their own – it is not the Ride Leader’s responsibility to find another leader for them. If the Ride Leader cancels the ride, it will be posted to the Rides Forum as usual.
· Each Ride Leader will be responsible for bringing a waiver sign-in sheet and riders are encouraged to bring their own pen for signing in. Riders should be wearing masks at the start of the ride and when signing in. All riders must sign in.
· Riders must adhere to the recommended CDC and government guidelines for social distancing and mask use. As in other aspects of our lives, this will be up to each individual member of the ride to adhere to the practices we have all learned over the past few months. Members who are more comfortable wearing masks on the rides should do so. However, unless specified by the ride leader, a mask isn’t required while riding but social distancing must be maintained. From a practical standpoint, this means avoiding bunching as riders traverse intersections with stoplights or stop-signs. Ride Leaders may at the time of posting of the ride, state that masks are required while riding. All riders must have a mask with them to wear while the group has stopped for bathroom or meal breaks and/or required to enter an area or address a mechanical issue.
· The ride leader as always has the authority to ask any rider to leave if the rider is deemed to pose a safety risk to others. This includes, but is not limited to, failing to adhere to any of the restrictions for the ride outlined in the ride posting. Covid-19 is no different in this aspect than other aspects of riding.
· While riding with the group please be especially considerate and cover your nose and mouth if you cough or sneeze. Please refrain from spitting or nose-blowing until you are safely stopped and away from other riders. Remember to keep social distancing while riding, keep proper distance while stopped, do not pull next to a rider for a conversation unless there is ample six feet distance. Each rider, as always, is responsible for their ultimate safety.
· Please do not ride if you are feeling ill. If you are diagnosed with Covid19 within 14 days from the day of the ride please contact the Ride Leader who will notify the other riders who were on the ride. Your identity will remain anonymous.
These procedures, guidelines, and restrictions will be reviewed as conditions and experiences warrant. We will notify membership of any changes.