Cycling Community, 

This time calls for placing the collective welfare as our highest concern. Public health is interdependent, and right now we do not know the magnitude of this crisis.  We have to create an atmosphere that prioritizes the well-being of the most sensitive and vulnerable populations and in this we can be leaders. 

I read in the Albuq. Journal this morning that a Heart Physician and staff tested positive for Covid-19 at Lovelace Heart Institute, and more than a hundred patients were notified of potential contact and the need to quarantine.  For those providing direct care, and for those needing direct care and essential services--especially in the health professions--we need to be respectful of the stress people feel.  This means focusing the discussion regarding our interests in cycling around how to do it safely so that everyone is protected, the overall goal.  My mom told me that if I cycle outside I can at least carry a mask with me so if I have contact with people I can put it on to protect them and me.  We know that cycling is a solution, so we don't need to defend it.  Just teach how to do it safely and with joy.  Share what works.

We are Culture of Health and Care leaders in this community already, and we are fortunate to have cycling culture and skills to take care of ourselves and share with our family and friends.  As we deal with this public health crisis, recover, and rebuild as a community and global population cycling is serving as an amazing tool.  Let's share the best of it with others.  This is a stressful time for everyone, and cycling is there to help us stay physically, mentally and spiritually healthy.  Let's let people know we care and are thinking about the whole community. We can use the connections, friendships and coalitions we build through this time to apply cycling to meet the next challenges, and help our nation and the world be more prepared.  

Be well and stay healthy!
Mark

Mark Aasmundstad
Southwest Bike Initiative
Sustainable transportation planning, design and education
Explore Albuquerque's Active Streets Initiative


On Fri, Jul 10, 2020 at 11:52 PM John Vance via Bike-racers <bike-racers@mailman.swcp.com> wrote:
In other countries, one reason for banning all exercising outdoor along with all unnecessary travel was to reduce the accident rate and therefore the load on emergency and critical care services.  Every ICU bed and more was needed and some dumbass falling off their bike and breaking their leg (ahem) was just piling on.

I sent a letter, but let's be honest with ourselves.  We as a State and nation are failing at protecting our countrymen.  Stronger measures to stem the tide are necessary.  Us fringe hobby cyclists are barely a drop in the ocean and we just don't matter.  Me, I'm going to continue to ride away from everyone else, and if I have to I'll wear a mask.  I ordered some sun neck gaitors from Voler that might work better for riding.

One final thought - we need to stop thinking about the very small risk of dying.  We need to think about the much higher risk of passing it on to someone who would be permanently damaged.  On a completely selfish note, what would bike racing look like with a loss of 10% lung capacity, or being tethered to dialysis, or after losing a leg to clotting.  This virus is like playing Russian Roulette with all of your internal organs.

On Fri, Jul 10, 2020 at 5:48 PM Patrick R via Bike-racers <bike-racers@mailman.swcp.com> wrote:
Cycling community,

Other counties completely banned outdoor activities and now those countries are reopening while the United States has thus far failed embarrassingly at controlling the spread of the virus. How about you stop trying to carve out exceptions to your hobbies and start setting an example that we can make personal sacrifices to control the spread of this disease? Or alternatively, keep pretending that your right to do intervals on the road is the political fight of our generation and write the governor saying as much. 

Thanks,

-Patrick

-------------------------------------
"Typef on a tiny keybpard."

> On Jul 10, 2020, at 5:16 PM, Nathan Masek via Bike-racers <bike-racers@mailman.swcp.com> wrote:
>
> The other point we need to keep in mind is that policy is that a general policy is applied to the entirety of teh population, which includes the weekend riders as well as athletes training, and ultimately organized events/races. 
>
> Following this discussion, it seems clear that there should be specific policy applied to cycling, ie, general versus organized events.  This way, the distinctions can be made if presented clearly and succinctly.
>
> Either way, it is going to be complicated and there will be folks who will abuse the policy/guidance/law.  It is in the interest of all cyclists that we be the responsible example to the rest of the community.
>
> Nathan
>
>> On Jul 10, 2020, at 5:06 PM, Nathan Masek <masekclan@me.com> wrote:
>>
>> Agreed, a great letter.  And, since our s[port and activity is quite varied, what John S followed up with is good advice as well. 
>>
>> As a community, we should tread forward in policy suggestions lightly but responsibly to show we care about public safety. 
>>
>> Nathan 
>>
>>>> On Jul 10, 2020, at 2:07 PM, Jeffrey Fleming via Bike-racers <bike-racers@mailman.swcp.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> Great letter Geoff.
>>>
>>> JF
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>
>>>> On Jul 10, 2020, at 1:22 PM, Geoff Mather via Bike-racers <bike-racers@mailman.swcp.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Here’s my letter to Governor Grisham about outdoor exercise. Pls feel free to copy any or all of it.
>>>>
>>>>> Dear Govenor Grisham:
>>>>>
>>>>> I applaud your efforts to make decisions based in science, not politics, to help our community fight the spread of  COVID-19. Therefore I fully support the requirement to wear face masks in public, including while exercising indoors. However, I don't believe the science we currently understand supports your new requirement to wear a mask while exercising OUTDOORS.
>>>>>
>>>>> How did your administration come to the conclusion that it is safe to eat in an outdoor restaurant without a mask, next to other people, but not to run or ride your bike without a mask on our streets or bike trails? High-intensity cardio exercises like running or riding a bike with a mask are as difficult as eating with a mask on. A mask simply blocks too much air while exercising.
>>>>>
>>>>> I’d like to suggest an alternative that is more evidence-based policy: require social distancing from any other person while exercising outdoors without a mask.  Your administration has appropriately deemed some business “essential.“ As a former public health official, you understand that jogging, running and riding a bike are essential to one’s physical and mental health. I ask that you review your policy and reconsider outdoor exercise “essential” to enabling community health and allow it to be done without a mask but with more restrictive social distancing.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Respectfully,
>>>>>
>>>>> Geoff Mather
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> On Jul 10, 2020, at 11:27 AM, hawke morgan via Bike-racers <bike-racers@mailman.swcp.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> I do not think we can do the Crit ITT with masks. 
>>>>>
>>>>> If you disagree with the new maskless exercising ban I would encourage you to write Mrs Grisham.
>>>>>
>>>>> Here is the link.  https://www.governor.state.nm.us/contact-the-governor/
>>>>>
>>>>> This is my letter:
>>>>>
>>>>> Dear Govenor Grisham:
>>>>>
>>>>> I am opposed to the ban on maskless exercising.  This is just not rational.  It is legal to eat out maskless on a patio and not legal to run or ride your bike maskless 200ft from any other human being. There is no way math or science makes that rational.  A more rational mandate might be to keep 20ft from any other person while exercising maskless.  Most of th
>>>
>>>
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>>
>
>
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