Good evening, just wanted to advise you that with trails opening tomorrow, there are a couple of measures that we are putting in place to ensure that we are safe and practicing the safe distancing that we are required to, in light of the COVID-19 virus. I am attaching a map of trails that will indicate direction of flow for the core mountain bike trails. In support of this you will be noticing some new signage indicating direction of flow and other guidelines indicating how to behave on trails. I would also ask that everyone adhere to the directive of “no gathering of any kind”. I trust that if we do our part and follow the directions given that we will get through this sooner than later.
Any questions or comments are welcome to myself or to Vaughn. Trailforks will be updated soon to support these changes. Please feel free to pass this information on to whomever might need or benefit from it.
Thank you for all your support by staying off of the trails while we worked this through.
As it currently stands, all Saskatchewan Cycling group sanctioned activities remain in a suspended state. If your club is organizing individual rides these can have sanctioning. Sask Cycling urges everyone to take precautions on these rides and stay safe! Your health and well-being is important to us.
Last week, the Government of Saskatchewan detailed their plan to “Re-Open Saskatchewan” in a slow, cautious manner. They detailed their 5 Phase Plan of how this will roll out. Please see photo below detailing the Phases.
How will this affect Saskatchewan Events?
Re-opening Indoor and Outdoor Recreation is detailed in Phase 4 of this Plan. What that means is that we will not be given the go-ahead to resume normal cycling activities until Phase 1 to 3 have been completed successfully. Phase 5 will be when we will be allowed to pursue activities without any additional limits on sizes of events. As soon as we are given the go ahead that it is safe to our members to resume group-based activities by the Sask Health Authorities and all Government agencies, we will let you all know immediately. However, until then, we thank you for your cooperation and patience in the Provincial attempt to flatten the curve
Sask Parks Re-Opening Mountain Bike Trails?
We can confirm that previously closed Mountain Bike Trails will re-open in Phase 1. Whether it be on a trail or off, your Health and Safety and that of others in now YOUR responsibility. Please do your part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 to ‘0’ transmissions by social distancing, following public health guidelines and restricting the size of group gatherings. Public Health updates and further information can be found at:
· Social Distancing guidelines must be followed and groups larger than 10 people are not permitted;
· Respect trail closures and new rules;
· Taking a break or letting someone pass move at least 2 meters off the trail;
· When encountering another trail user everyone should yield and figure out what to do next;
· If the trailhead or parking lot is full, seek out lesser used trails;
· No events such as races, trail workdays, parties are allowed;
· Posting on Social Media should not include groups of people but reflect social distancing. Lead by setting an example;
· No ‘Post Ride’ group refreshments or BBQs. There will be time for that in the future;
· Always carry with you a “decon kit” that includes: mini hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, a Ziploc to carry dirty items.
Sask Parks will be designating trails as one-way trails and will be closing some narrow up-and-back trails. Make sure to follow the new appropriate signage.
How will this affect National Events?
Cycling Canada recently announced that the 2020 Canadian Road Championships, which were scheduled to take place in Quebec from June 26 to 29 and July 2 to July 5, is postponed. Last week, the International Cycling Union (UCI) announced that the new dates for nations to organize Elite Road Championships are August 22-23, and Cycling Canada has been working with the organizers, the Quebec Cycling Federation and health authorities to determine whether these dates are feasible. As per the Canadian Masters Road Championships, discussions between Cycling Canada and the Appalachian Classic organizing committee are ongoing and a specific announcement will be made in the coming days regarding the status of this event moving forward.
They also announced that the Canadian XCO Mountain Bike Championships has been postponed until further notice. More information regarding anticipated rescheduling of this event will be made public as it becomes available, in line with public health recommendations. For an up-to-date list of Cycling Canada cancelled or postponed events on the national calendar, please consult the event list on the Cycling Canada website.
Over the past few weeks, we have seen our entire nation and the entire world react and address the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. On behalf of Saskatchewan Cycling Association (SCA) and our Board of Directors, we would like to advise the membership that effective immediately we are suspending all Saskatchewan Cycling Association sanctioned activities, which includes all club activities, until May 1, 2020. As part of cancelling the sanctioned club activities means any clubs choosing to organize an activity outside of this sanction will not have organizer or athlete insurance for their events. This decision was not made lightly; however, the health and safety of everyone involved in our sport is paramount in our decision-making process.
At this point our 2020 Sask Cup race season will not be impacted, but race organizers for May events should hold off opening registration until mid-April as there is potential that May races will be postponed should the current public health situation continue. Going forward we will be continuously monitoring the public health information and will be providing updates.
After consultation with Cycling Canada, SCA will officially be suspending all activity in the areas of athlete, coach, and commissaire development programs. We will continue to evaluate how this situation progresses and how future programs may be affected given the world’s landscape today and make adjustments where possible. This includes potential for online training.
The health and safety of everyone involved in our sport was paramount in our decision-making process we appreciate your patience as we work through this unique situation.
