anyone still doing group rides in light of current events?

[Black Dog]

If you are still expected to social distance from people you do not live with why would a group ride be OK? A group walk or a gathering outdoors where people are maintaining some distance is reasonably safe, but to ride behind people breathing hard for multiple hours is a real invitation to inhale viral particles. Remember that people who show no symptoms are shedding a lot of viral particles. If you are comfortable with your chances if you get the virus and will never be in contact with someone who is vulnerable then I guess it is a calculated risk. Never mind the fact that you may be pulling resources if you need to be hospitalized.

I think that we have reached an inflection point in terms of our collective desire to do what needs to be done to stop this virus. Less than 3 months and most folks have reached full "Meh". The numbers of cases in many places are not going down but the rapid opening up with little or no procedures to prevent transmission will certainly come back to bite us all in the arse. We love living in a world where the burden of the many is carried by the few. It is truly fascinating to see how different countries and cultures have done well or poorly against this plague.

[Latestart]

We have a group of 5, don't ride close. Everyone is sheltering in place fairly carefully when not riding.

[Elefantino]

One of the biggest groups in the area was out in force Saturday morning, perhaps 40-50 strong.

[djg21]

I’ve been avoiding them. I don’t want to risk bringing the virus home or transmitting it to someone else if I’m an asymptomatic carrier. The chance of contracting COVID-19 increases dramatically when you come into contact with more people. I’m happy riding alone for now.

[maxim809]

Still riding solo, but it was a zoo out there today.

[gasman]

Originally Posted by Black Dog

If you are still expected to social distance from people you do not live with why would a group ride be OK? A group walk or a gathering outdoors where people are maintaining some distance is reasonably safe, but to ride behind people breathing hard for multiple hours is a real invitation to inhale viral particles. Remember that people who show no symptoms are shedding a lot of viral particles. If you are comfortable with your chances if you get the virus and will never be in contact with someone who is vulnerable then I guess it is a calculated risk. Never mind the fact that you may be pulling resources if you need to be hospitalized.

I think that we have reached an inflection point in terms of our collective desire to do what needs to be done to stop this virus. Less than 3 months and most folks have reached full "Meh". The numbers of cases in many places are not going down but the rapid opening up with little or no procedures to prevent transmission will certainly come back to bite us all in the arse. We love living in a world where the burden of the many is carried by the few. It is truly fascinating to see how different countries and cultures have done well or poorly against this plague.

This sums up my thoughts really well.
I agree. I have been riding solo but meeting up outside after my ride with friends.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by Black Dog

If you are still expected to social distance from people you do not live with why would a group ride be OK? A group walk or a gathering outdoors where people are maintaining some distance is reasonably safe, but to ride behind people breathing hard for multiple hours is a real invitation to inhale viral particles. Remember that people who show no symptoms are shedding a lot of viral particles. If you are comfortable with your chances if you get the virus and will never be in contact with someone who is vulnerable then I guess it is a calculated risk. Never mind the fact that you may be pulling resources if you need to be hospitalized.

I think that we have reached an inflection point in terms of our collective desire to do what needs to be done to stop this virus. Less than 3 months and most folks have reached full "Meh". The numbers of cases in many places are not going down but the rapid opening up with little or no procedures to prevent transmission will certainly come back to bite us all in the arse. We love living in a world where the burden of the many is carried by the few. It is truly fascinating to see how different countries and cultures have done well or poorly against this plague.

Yup, and alone for me until an effective vaccine...I give it about 2 weeks for some spikes...there are some spikes showing now..15 days after mothers day...

[Clean39T]

Originally Posted by djg21

I’ve been avoiding them. I don’t want to risk bringing the virus home or transmitting it to someone else if I’m an asymptomatic carrier. The chance of contracting COVID-19 increases dramatically when you come into contact with more people. I’m happy riding alone for now.

Same.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[merlinmurph]

The only person I'm riding with right now is my wife. I do very few group rides anyway, but I've turned down offers from others to do a ride because, well....

[fa63]

Tried doing a group ride today which was advertised as being "socially distanced". I was curious what that meant, then quickly realized there is no such thing as a socially distanced group ride when there are 10+ riders... Ended up following the group from a good 20 yards back, essentially a solo ride.

[marciero]

I am pretty content between my typical solo riding and once or twice a week tandem rides with my girlfriend. I do miss brevets though. I've seen groups of three or four out on the road lately, and it seems really weird.

[MO Will]

I rode Saturday with a group of 8. I agree that there is no such thing as a socially distanced group ride when there are strong riders and people are drafting so as not to be off the back. Definitely a bummer as I really struggle to ride alone several hours at a time and I can never push myself like in a group. I am in Missouri so a small group ride pales in comparison to what is happening at Lake of the Ozarks. All of us are essential workers as well and I was the only one expressing doubts.

[FlashUNC]

Anything beyond solo or with people in your household avoiding all others makes no sense right now.

[Blue Jays]

My cycling crew has now resumed normal group rides with just a few of us as the "last holdouts" unwilling to join everyone else.
While I see the crucial need to restart the nation, it simultaneously seems to me a group bicycle ride is a simple activity to do without.

[jischr]

Went to a multi use trail at 8:30 this morning, busy as heck, a lot of people to slow down behind waiting for a clear path to pass. Towards the end there was a group riding two abreast, 5 or 6 deep. Bad idea any time on a MUT in my opinion, but especially a holiday, especially with covid.