Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, Ride Solo

While we spend plenty of time talking about safety, the world finds itself with an unprecedented challenge. The coronavirus pandemic has changed how we work, live, and socialize. For athletes, it’s left us asking a lot of questions about what’s safe, what’s responsible, and what’s off the table for the next few weeks and months. 

First of all, we all need to appreciate that exercise is a vital, essential activity. It was important enough to be explicitly listed as a good reason to leave home in Governor Whitmer’s recent executive order. Well before that, the cancellation and postponement of bike races, running races, and all events was signal enough that these were serious concerns. 

So what is okay? With no clear direction from lawmakers, organizations like the League of Michigan Bicyclists and USA Cycling have postponed all events through early April. They’ve also been urging cyclists and runners to stop all group or social outings. The only caveat to the “Ride Solo” position is if you’re riding or running with someone from your own household. Hopefully, your kids or significant other are up for a few miles! 

Outdoor recreation with few coronavirus cases and no added strain on their medical professionals at this time can probably head out to ride or run safely without too much worry. However, if you live in an area experiencing a high number of cases, you may want to think twice. Athletes may not have the type of emergency response available to them due to treating COVID-19. Plus, you’d be taking away medical care from where it’s needed most. By putting emergency responders at risk for exposure, you may even be forcing them into quarantine due to a risk of being contaminated. 

In states like New York, Washington, and certain parts of Michigan, it may be time to consider training indoors to keep others safe. As careful as we already are, we need to take extra precautions to stay upright and avoid taking any risks on the bike. Choose low-traffic roads, avoid riding during peak traffic times, and try to stay close to home whenever possible. If you ride in the woods, stay close to the trailhead and go easy. 

Athletes are healthy, but we aren’t immune. What’s more, our efficient bodies may reduce the appearance of symptoms, possibly making us dangerous carriers without ever knowing. We all need to assume and act like we are carriers, and to treat others as though they have the virus, too. Together, we can flatten the curve, stay safe, stay healthy, and protect the people we care about. 

If you have more questions, contact Chuck today.