Cycling Distances in a Pandemic

A cyclist practicing at the Shangfa Acrobatic School with 5 very adept passengers - not exactly social distancing, but still in a group less than ten!

A Note on Cycling Distances in this Pandemic: one well-publicized, recent study has recommended avoiding pacelines or close riding directly behind anyone, but rather cycling side by side or staggered in more of an echelon formation. Riding at a moderate pace, it suggests that you should maintain a 30-foot distance between you and the rider in front of you (think of a large UPS delivery truck or school bus in between) and a 60-foot distance when riding at a fast clip (more the length of a tractor-trailer). The study focused mainly on runners and the risk of exposure (not the risk of infection), and it relied extensively on modelling and there are many real world conditions that may have effects the study did not account for. But the recommendations are still worth considering. The full paper can be found here: http://www.urbanphysics.net/Social%20Distancing%20v20_White_Paper.pdf and one critical response to the article can be found here: https://www.wired.com/story/are-running-or-cycling-actually-risks-for-spreading-covid-19/

Both articles emphasize the importance and benefits of exercise. Stay Safe and Be Well!

A Meter Squared is a Meter Spurned

We had a rather unseasonably cold day on last Sunday's ride from Readfield (snow flurries on Mother's Day? Seriously?) but it was a very nice ride.  We were able to observe and follow distancing protocols - even with a stop (curbside) at the Apple Shed in Kents Hill.  Many thanks to Lydia for leading and for picking the less snowy day on the weekend. This Sunday pre-registered riders will meet in groups of 10 (or fewer) in Norridgewock for a 30-mile ride around East and North Ponds in Smithfield. You must contact the ride leaders to reserve a spot. You should bring a mask for moments in close quarters, and all the water and snacks you might need.  Please maintain proper distances, and forego attending if you feel ill or have recently been in contact with someone who has been sick. Hope to see some of you, distantly, fairly soon!

Sunday, May 17 - NORRIDGEWOCK

"Norridgewock by 1 meter squared" - a mid-May tour through Norridgewock, Smithfield, and Mercer.

START: 10:00 am at the Mill Stream Elementary School, 26 Mercer Road, Rt.2, in Norridgewock, approx. 1/4 mile west from the monument square at the junction of Rt.2 and Rt.8 and Rt.201a. Please park well apart at the ride start.

DISTANCE: about 31 miles.

TERRAIN: rolling with a few hills.

HIGHLIGHTS: scenic roads around North and East Ponds in Smithfield, and hopefully some springlike weather.

LEADERS: Denise Crowell, denisemcrowell@gmail.com, and Brian Bowker, bbowk321@yahoo.com. YOU MUST CONTACT THE RIDE LEADERS BY SATURDAY TO PRE-REGISTER FOR THE RIDE. GROUPS ARE LIMITED TO 10 RIDERS.

LINK TO ROUTE MAP: https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7477029

Aloof in Maranacook

We had a successful ride from Vassalboro last Sunday, observing pandemic protocols and riding in a small group of less than ten riders. Many thanks to Jeanine and everyone who helped us work out the logistics of the ride.  This week we will again follow the social distancing rules on Sunday's ride from either Readfield or Wayne, limited to groups of no more than ten preregistered riders.  You can find a sign-up sheet here: Maranacook Meander Sign Up.  Please remember to stay at least six feet apart from others, bring a mask (which you don't have to wear while riding, only in close quarters) and all the water and snacks you need.  Please do not come if you are feeling unwell, or if you have recently been in contact with anyone who has.  If you cannot make the ride, by all means go for a ride on your own, and hopefully we will see you on the road soon!

Sunday, May 10th - READFIELD - WAYNE

"The Maranacook Meander, Adroitly Aloof" - a lakeside tour through Readfield, Winthrop, Wayne and Kents Hill
START: 10:00 am, preregistration required, park well apart and bring masks 

Ride Start One: Maranacook Middle School parking lot, 45 Millard Harrison Drive, off of Rt. 17 about one quarter mile north of Readfield Depot.

Ride Start Two: Wayne Elementary School, 40 Pond Road, Wayne.
DISTANCE: about 27 miles.
TERRAIN: moderate to hilly.
HIGHLIGHTS: many lakeside and hill top views; optional stop at the Apple Shed in Kents Hill (curbside pickup only).
LEADER: Lydia Leimbach, mrsl330@yahoo.com. YOU MUST SIGN UP IN ADVANCE BY SATURDAY EVENING VIA THIS LINK:  Maranacook Meander Sign Up.  Each group is limited to 10 riders.

LINK to ROUTE MAP: http://gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6864286

Distant China

This Sunday’s KVBC ride around China Lake will go forward with some experimental planning to keep in compliance with the current social distancing requirements.  We will have three groups, each with a maximum of 9-10 riders, starting from three locations around China Lake equidistant from each other. YOU MUST REGISTER WITH THE RIDE LEADER IN ADVANCE BY 5PM ON SATURDAY to get a spot, and you will be assigned to a starting location. Jeanine and her two junior assistant ride leaders (Jim and Tom) will each lead a group from their respective starting locations. This ride is for KVBC ride veterans only – we may accept newcomers at future rides.  Please do not arrive for the ride unannounced, or if you are ill, or if you or someone in your household has had flu-like or respiratory symptoms in the past two weeks.  Masks are recommended (you don’t have to wear them while riding, only in close areas).

Sunday, May 3rd – SOUTH CHINA, NORTH VASSALBORO, CHINA VILLAGE

“China at a Distance” – a tripartite tour around China Lake

START: 10:00 AM, in Three Groups, limited to Pre-registrants in multiples of 10, as Assigned, park well apart and wear masks:

1^st Starting Point:  North Vassalboro Town Hall Rt 32 Main Street in North Vassalboro

2^nd Starting Point:  Ice Cream Place on LakeView Drive next to Circle K in China Village

3^rd Starting Point:  South China Public Library on Village Street in South China

DISTANCE: about 20 miles

TERRAIN: rolling with some hills

HIGHLIGHTS: cycling and distancing around China Lake.

PRIMARY LEADER: Jeanine Libby, PLEASE CONTACT JEANINE BEFORE 5 PM SATURDAY TO GET ON THE LIST FOR SUNDAY’S RIDE: jjlibby13@roadrunner.com, jlibby@clubaycc.org, or by cell or text 858-5500.

LINK TO RIDE ROUTE (starting locations vary): https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6815798

May is Bike Month - No, Really!

May is fast upon us, and May is Bike Month, and is seems like every bicycle clothing manufacturer is busy cranking out...masks.  Here in Maine we are still under the same restrictions as last month - no more than 10 people at any gathering or event - and that's with masks.  With luck, that may be raised to 50 in June, but for the time being we will abide by those constraints.  Will we have any group rides?  That is still "to be determined" although some of us are looking into trying out some possible "social distancing" rides for small groups, with an eye for testing out parameters for when we can ride in larger groups.  Stay tuned for details, and in the meantime we will try for some more creative "virtual spins" coinciding with our previously scheduled rides.  Get out and ride in any case!

Remotely Retro

For a number of years now we have talked about organizing a Retro Ride, where members could show up with some vintage wheels that aren't often seen in group rides (well, with some exceptions).  We finally scheduled such a ride for April 26, in Waterville, but given the current situation and lockdown, we have to postpone riding in a group, lest we all become retro.  But that doesn't mean you can't venture out with your vintage machines on your own!  Feel free to dust off your old steeds and take a spin, and take a picture, too.  A "vintage" bike is one that is vintage to you.  Those of you who buy a new bike every year, last year's bike might do.  It should at least be roadworthy.  We'll try to compile a gallery of Retro Rides after the fact.  And if we do get to reschedule the ride in the future, the photos will serve as a preview.  Take care, and stay well!

KVBC Ride Postponements

Hello everyone!  I hope you are all well, staying safe and responsible, and getting out and riding.  In case you didn't know, the governor's current "Stay Healthy at Home" executive order does consider outdoor exercise an essential activity, including bicycling:  "Engaging in outdoor exercise activities, such as walking, hiking, running, or biking [ Yay!], BUT, only in compliance with the social gathering restriction in Executive Order 14 and all applicable social distancing guidance published by the U.S. and Maine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention." [Darn.]  That means you can go out and ride, but not in groups larger than ten, which effectively means no group rides while the executive order is in effect - currently through the end of April, and quite possibly beyond.  Some cycling groups have already cancelled all of their scheduled rides for May.  We haven't gone quite that far, but we have postponed indefinitely the "Wake Up the Earth Ride" scheduled for April 19 in Augusta, and most likely the "Retro" bike ride in Waterville on April 26.  We will reappraise the situation for KVBC rides in May as we get more information.

I did try to devise some strategy to allow for social distancing on our social rides (if that isn't a contradiction in terms) such as: signing up in advance, restricting congregating at ride starts and no waiting in groups at turns, staggered starts, avoiding stores and restrooms, staying far enough apart to avoid other riders "respiration zones" (which no one seems to know what that means), and it all comes back to: "What's the point of having a group ride when you can't ride in a group?"  Also, I don't feel it is right to ask our volunteer ride leaders to risk exposure to themselves and their families, so we will abide by the group riding restrictions as long as they are in effect.

I do encourage everyone to go out and ride.  I did go so far as to work up an alternate "Wake Up the Earth" ride that starts at the Belgrade Town Office and doesn't pass any stores, and if you are looking for a spring ride, here it is: https://gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7422505.  I hope to scope out some other potential rides during our hiatus, and I'm thinking of doing a 50-mile ride on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day (solo, of course).  Meanwhile, take care everyone, and stay well!