How do you ensure that everyone on a large ride has been vaccinated? There are a lot of people who refuse to do so. A poll last week had 1 in 2 Republican men saying they will not take the vaccine. Also, the Five Boro and the Tour of Montreal don't just attract Americans or Canadians. Besides, vaccination isn't 100% effective. A Long Island woman got both doses of the Moderna vaccine and thought she was safe. A month later, she attended a wake with a small number of family members and behaved like it was 2019. No mask and she hugged people. Within days, she developed symptoms. I'm not saying I would avoid such rides, but the incredibly grave conditions in NYC last spring might make city officials a bit leery of risking another large outbreak until the pandemic is more under control.

There's definitely a lot of uncertainty around the Tour of Montreal. Their website hasn't been updated in almost a year and registration is not open despite the event being only two months from now. The Canadian government is being extremely cautious. Only Canadians and essential travelers are allowed into the country for at least another few weeks, even if you're vaccinated. Canadians reentering the country must undergo a mandatory two-week quarantine, even if you're vaccinated or recovered. Those restrictions will likely be extended and an official says that even if the border is reopened, the quarantine requirement will probably continue for some time.