A Letter from SDBC President Mike McLaughlin

March 18, 2020

Dear friends & fellow cyclists,

Given the coronavirus pandemic and the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, federal, state, & local authorities, and USA Cycling, the Board of Directors of the San Diego Bicycle Club has voted to take the following actions:

1) Suspend until further notice:

  • The Saturday Club Rides.
  • The 2020 Barrio Logan Grand Prix - to be rescheduled in late summer, if possible.
  • The April 12, 2020 Fiesta Island Time Trial - we will attempt to reschedule.

2) Make a decision by May 1st as to whether to cancel/reschedule the May 10, 2020 Fiesta Island Time Trial.

3) Conduct the April 6, and May 4, 2020 Board meetings electronically via computer and telephone, with instruction to Club members as to how they can join in.

4) Authorize the Executive Committee to:

  • Monitor the Centers for Disease Control, federal, state, & local agencies, and USA Cycling for additional orders and guidance.
  • Take additional steps as necessary to comply with said orders and guidance.
  • Resume Club events at the soonest appropriate time.

The actions are unprecedented and taken with sadness. But we're cyclists, and we know group rides and team racing require personal discipline and a commitment to do what's best for the group. Yes, there are lots of questions, variables, and unknowns — in cycling, in life, and with the coronavirus. Bottom line is no one really knows what will happen in the next few weeks. Given that, it's prudent to plan for the worst. To that end, the Club's directors decided that for the greater good, they would take the actions listed above.

Moving the BLGP and it’s State Championship Junior Crit races was a particularly tough nut, but CDC is recommending cancelation of events of 50 or more people through May 15th, and USAC’s unofficial advice was to find a new date in the summer. So there you have it. Executive Race Director Graham Johnson and his team are already working on a July/August race date.

As I said there are lots of questions about cycling and the coronavirus. Linda Webb sent us the following link to an article from Jordan Smith titled, "How to Ride Safely Amid Coronavirus Concerns: ANSWERS TO YOUR MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AS THE VIRUS CONTINUES TO SPREAD.”

In the meantime, be of good cheer. Be strong — things will get better. The road awaits and we’ll be ready.

Mike McLaughlin, President
San Diego Bicycle Club