Signing up for 2021 organized bike tour. Yes or No.
12-24-20, 06:06 AM
#26
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The issue isnt so much the bike riding, its all the time off the saddle.
If its a massive event like ragbrai, you have 10,000 to 20,000 people riding each day and passing thru towns. That is a huge amount of human interaction and there is no way to implement social distancing at town stops where there are food vendors, music, beer, kybos, etc. And its even more impossible at overnight towns where the communities open their doors to individuals and teams sleeping in houses and yards, plus the showering, party time, food, etc.
And even on a small tour of 40 crossing a state or region, its a lot of interaction with people outside the tour group.
I'm all for events happening next year if the numbers make sense. Riding a bike is probably the part of an organized tour with the lowest risk though.
If its a massive event like ragbrai, you have 10,000 to 20,000 people riding each day and passing thru towns. That is a huge amount of human interaction and there is no way to implement social distancing at town stops where there are food vendors, music, beer, kybos, etc. And its even more impossible at overnight towns where the communities open their doors to individuals and teams sleeping in houses and yards, plus the showering, party time, food, etc.
And even on a small tour of 40 crossing a state or region, its a lot of interaction with people outside the tour group.
I'm all for events happening next year if the numbers make sense. Riding a bike is probably the part of an organized tour with the lowest risk though.
My frame of reference is Cycle Oregon (four times), with over 2,000 people. Just thinking about all those people using the portable toilets one after another and crowded into the shower trucks would make me uneasy.
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12-24-20, 10:40 AM
#27
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I am all in for Eroica but it really doesn’t look good. In a small coastal California town that has no medical facilities to speak of and a majority of senior citizens it just doesn’t make sense. Even down here where we have really good facilities and a younger general population I wouldn’t do anything in a large gathering environment. I see group rides now when I am out and about with cyclists drafting close and no masks and it ain’t for me. I adhere to the ten meter rule when cycling and if I see too many people in a group I make every effort to get away. I still ride but I have changed my routine dramatically. As far as booking a tour I would wait , I think it is too early to predict.
12-26-20, 09:15 AM
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Your sleazy post was noted. You have to know that the way I look at things like that is-----------if I am to be insulted, I have to respect the opinion of the person that produced the insult. So in this case I am not insulted.
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12-26-20, 09:19 AM
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The U.S. government orders for Pfizer and Moderna vaccines call for delivery of 120 million doses (60 million patients) by the end of March, and another 250 million doses (125 million patients) by the end of June. So, it's definitely not going to be "safe" by the end of March.
Younger people possible may not get theirs that soon.
12-26-20, 11:57 AM
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12-26-20, 12:29 PM
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I'll get mine as soon as possible, just human nature. Though you have to wonder about a society that prioritizes we 70 and 80 year old retirees over young folks who have no choice but to go to work and support their families.
12-26-20, 01:11 PM
#32
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People can overcome economic hardships. People rarely recover from death.
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12-26-20, 01:19 PM
#33
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^^Good point! Good thing there are folks smarter than me in charge!
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12-28-20, 07:23 PM
#34
Clark W. Griswold
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That sounds like a really fun projection. I want to know who is projecting it and if they could also project me getting a couple million dollars. I know it won't happen but hey if they can dream so can I. Heck if we are dreaming I want a vaccine that stops the 'rona and also increases my metabolism to back when I was a kid and also makes my muscles 10x stronger and it should be a drink that tastes like Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey rather than a shot.
12-28-20, 07:41 PM
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Yeah, I remember a certain someone making that prediction about Covid testing back when it was extremely hard to get a test. I think it will take a lot longer than about 3 months before anyone who wants it can get it.
12-28-20, 07:50 PM
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I'm going to be very cautious about participating in any group activity until we get a handle on the pandemic. The only organized ride I participate in I declined to do this year, since it usually attracts some 4,000 riders every year. This year they limited it to several hundred, but even that number was way too high for my comfort. If the pandemic is largely over by next Labor Day (I'm skeptical) I will ride in it in 2021, but we'll have to see where we're at by then. I do ride on occasion with a small group in another town, but we wear masks and practice social distancing.
