Full Rides Restart at Hornbeam postponed to 19 July
Following the recent downbeat assessments from the PM and his ministers, the delay to implementing the last phase of the lockdown reopening has come as no great surprise and since that outcome became likely, we have been considering how we should respond to such a delay with regard to restarting the full ride calendar from Hornbeam and the post-lockdown event at the Rugby Club.
On balance the view is that we simply continue with the current arrangements for the rides at Hornbeam and extend the “Lockdown Calendar” on the Website for another four weeks. Nothing has changed materially so far as the Club is concerned in the way of either increasing or relaxing the restrictions and so having made the decision previously on those same restrictions the thought is stick to them and simply postpone the date for the full reopening at Hornbeam. There will be one small change so that a more relaxed view will be taken of the numbers leaving Hornbeam in each group in line with the current Cycling UK guidance, but members are urged to continue to ride in small groups with gaps between, particularly on busy roads.
The intention now is to work up a plan to restart all rides fully from Hornbeam with effect from the 19th, taking account of what we think is most likely to happen to the level of restrictions on that date. This can be tweaked the week before when we hear from the Government what will actually happen on the 19th and it is hoped by doing so, it gives members some certainty and something to work towards in the meantime. We can also reassess in early July when we hear if the Government review, that was promised, proposes any changes, although that is probably unlikely.
There is concern the informal “WhatsApp” groups and the “Groups of 6” which have developed over the lockdown periods will continue to organise and ride in those groups and not return to Hornbeam when we do reopen fully and that as a result other members both existing and new will give up as there isn’t a ride or group to join, with the consequent “damage” to the Club and its raison d’être.
However the hope is that by setting out a strategy for a full return to Hornbeam on or around 19 July members and groups can prepare themselves for that return. Accordingly although this email is going to all individual members, those who are currently in their own”bubbles” or groups are now encouraged to chat amongst themselves and others they may meet about the arrangements to try and ensure a return to the pre-pandemic levels of support and turnout at Hornbeam.
Post Pandemic event at the Rugby Club
At the moment, as the post-pandemic event at the Rugby Club is booked for 25 July just after the hoped for opening up on the 19th, the decision is to continue with that for the time being as it will achieve one of the main reasons for holding the event of getting members together at an early stage after the final closure of lockdown.We are keeping in touch with the Rugby Club and will review and take a final decision when the Government review on the lockdown extension takes place in early July. In the meantime please put the date in your diary and register your interest on the Website at:
