We ran the first BMCR event since lockdown yesterday – a road bike Time Trial on a sporting 16 mile course in Worcestershire – and tested out the BMCR Covid precautions.

As the organiser, it’s not really up to me to say how successful or enjoyable the event was, but the extensive comments on the BMCR FaceBook page should give some idea.

We had a field of 49, which was good as it meant that we didn’t strain the parking capacity or the space at the HQ. We had a one-way system through the village hall and separate entrance and exit doors. Signing-on was in the hall but with riders queuing sensibly, disposable numbers and minimum contact. Refreshments were served outside at the back of the hall, where there’s a patio area with well-spaced benches. There was no result board, but our resident IT expert sent out results by email in 3 batches to all riders during the course of the event, which was very well received (‘I can never read them on the results board anyway’).

Riders said they felt much more Covid-secure than in the supermarket or pub, and the good weather (fine but not too hot) encouraged riders to linger and chat afterwards (sensibly distanced) and catch up with friends not seen since last season.

The format of a time trial with solo rides but team awards seemed to go down well, and I think encouraged riders to persuade their club/team-mates to enter.

We have 2 more road bike TTs, that I know of, in the planning stage, one near Solihull and the other in Derbyshire.  If this feedback reassures you about the safety and logistics of putting on a race in current circumstances, please speak to me or your Regional Events Co-ordinator and we’ll be happy to support you.

Mike Amery

National Events Co-ordinator  mikeamery58@gmail.com