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Spalding Cycling Club begins to get the wheels in motion for competitions and rides to begin again after COVID-19




Members of a cycling club are looking forward to getting back on their bikes and returning to some normality as activities begin again.

Spalding Cycling Club has not been able to begin its Saturday social rides again just yet, but its time trials were due to begin again on Tuesday (July 21).

The club also hopes to be able to start up its coaching sessions for young riders soon. Part of British Cycling’s Go Ride scheme, the taster sessions will be free of charge and offered to small groups in line with COVID-19 rules.

Members of Spalding Cycling Club pictured at their annual awards night in February this year.
Members of Spalding Cycling Club pictured at their annual awards night in February this year.

Club chairman Simon Hare explained that social distancing rules will be in place for the time trials, with staggered start times, and ‘push offs’ will not be allowed. This is where cyclists would have their feet already strapped in the pedals and be ‘pushed off’ to start. Now they will have to ‘push off’ themselves, with at least one foot on the floor.

“We have cancelled our grass track event on September 5 at the Snowden Field in Crowland. We had a National Ladies 5k Championship but we decided we would not run it. It is also about keeping the helpers, officials and spectators safe,” he said.

“We decided not to go ahead for safety reasons and we do not want to do something in the middle of a town and get the club or sport a bad name. If you can only have 30 people at a wedding but then you have 50-60 people at a cycling event, it would not look very good.

Simon Hare, chairman of Spalding Cycling Club. (39095559)
Simon Hare, chairman of Spalding Cycling Club. (39095559)

“With the time trials it is easier to run because they are at intervals.”

The club is following the rules of both its governing bodies, British Cycling and CTT (Cycling Time Trials), and has risk assessments and COVID-19 guidelines to follow.

During lockdown, the club’s members have kept themselves fit by doing their own rides from home, whilst following social distancing guidelines.

Simon said he has also noticed a new surge in the popularity of cycling over the past few months.

Spalding Cycling Club is for riders of all ages, from children up to adults. (39095532)
Spalding Cycling Club is for riders of all ages, from children up to adults. (39095532)

“If people would like to find out more about the club or the Go Ride sessions they can get in touch,” he added.

Go Ride is for children aged from 5 to 16 to teach them basic bike handling techniques.

You can call Simon on 07860 153113 or email him at: simonhare1@hotmail.co.uk

Visit the club website here.



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