Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve only had one group ride outdoors this season. Hopefully, you and your family have been healthy and the pandemic hasn’t stopped you from getting on a bike to exercise. As things start to open up again, our risk of infecting COVID-19 may also be declining, as new cases in Minnesota very recently have been lower than they have been since April 22. Hopefully the downward trend continues and the recent George Floyd / BLM protests do not cause a new spike in infections. We won’t be able to return to the old “normal,” but we can manage our risk and do what we feel comfortable doing.

If you are concerned for your health and safety due to COVID-19, the safest solution is to ride alone and with the people in your household.

From what I’ve seen on Strava, most of you have been very active and a few of you are getting in some long solo and/or small-group rides. Thanks to indoor rides on Zwift and outdoor rides on my road and fat-tire bikes, I’ve had more time to accumulate a few more miles that usual.

This is what I propose:

• Starting Saturday, June 6, and for the foreseeable future, we will begin doing small-group rides with limited public interaction.

• To limit our exposure to the virus, we will ride in groups of about six riders, and no more than eight, and we will be self-sufficient on the road.

• The subgroups will ride the same route at roughly the same pace, separated by at least 50 feet.

• I’ll divide the group, as needed, and the first group will head out. The second group will wait a minute and follow, repeating that until everyone is on the road. The subgroups will stay separate until after the ride, and then you can do what you want.

• If there’s a flat tire, or a stoppage for another reason, trailing groups should remain separated. They may continue riding, and soft pedal, or they may stop before or after the other groups.

• When I’ve been out, I’ve found that public and private restrooms have been closed, so we will look for other opportunities for a nature break.

• The Starbuck’s in Rosemount is only open via the drive-thru window. Dine-in is not yet available, so don’t expect to be able to use their restrooms or inside services until they re-open.

• We won’t stop at bakeries (they probably aren’t open anyhow), so don’t expect to be able to purchase food or use their restroom, since those resources tend to be closed.

• We will stop for a short break to eat and chat somewhere along the route.

• You are encouraged to bring and wear a neck gaiter, mask, or other face covering.

• We’ll see how this works and adjust as needed to keep everyone as safe as possible.

I’m interested in your feedback and perspective. Please email me, text me, or call me, if you have questions, concerns, and/or suggestions.