This past year was a bit of a stinker. Everyone we know changed plans due to Covid-19, yet some folks still had a good riding season despite the chaos of 2020. I went and checked with several of our past blog interviewees to see how they managed to be bicycling in the pandemic. I was curious to see if they made lemonade from lemons.

T om & Toni don’t wear masks on the bike, so I asked, what science or facts can you support your mask decision? “We’re relying on studies that indicate Covid-19 is less contagious outside due to more circulating air, and the fact that you’re moving and not staying in one place of contagion. We do not ride in groups or pelotons where risk may be higher according to some studies.”

Even though Tom & Toni were able to modify their cycling plans, that doesn’t mean that they weren’t disappointed. What was the emotional letdown like when you cancelled your 2020 plans? “It was hard to believe this was happening” said Toni. “We spent weeks planning our trips up to a year in advance, including all accommodations, driving routes, and other travel related to the areas for biking. It took days to cancel and some tours would only allow us to transfer funds to a future tour. At our age, it’s not like we have unlimited time to accomplish all the goals we have for cycling adventures. We feel cheated by the pandemic, but it does give one a sense of urgency to not put off dreams and goals you have for your life. Life is short…live now! We’ve shifted gears though and have done more hiking, gardening, home remodeling, and been a tourist in our own town.”

Tom & Toni have already got bookings for October 2021.

I wanted to know about the trails he uses– how busy they were, if people were socially distranced, if people wore masks, etc. I asked about his impressions of other trail users. “There seems to be as many walkers as normal, perhaps a few more riding bikes” said Paul, ” Very few wear masks outside; those that do  are mostly people walking together closely. I suspect they are not related, but just meeting up for a walk.”

I continued with mask questions: Do you wear one while riding? “Generally not. I was in one bike race this year in Saranac, MI, a Dirty Thirty Gravel race. You were require to wear a mask at the starting line an for the first mile, so I used a gaiter.”

What science or facts support your mask decisions? “Outdoors, if you’re not near others, there is little risk. This is in accordance with state guidelines at mi.gov/coronavirus: “A face mask is not required when exercising outdoors and (you are ) able to maintain a 6 foot distance’ and ‘Per recent Executive Order, Michiganders are require to wear a face covering whenever they are in an indoor public space. It also require the use of face coverings in crowded outdoor spaces.”

What changed? “We moved to an alternate location” said Bill, “which allowed the team to spread out. Facebook helped with our scheduling, we sanitized every bike with a thorough wash, didn’t share tools, created separate areas (drop-off, wash, wheels, brakes, drive train, pickup), limited contact with customers to only drop off and pick up stations. We used an App to communicate with each other what we observed, fixed, and couldn’t fix. It was VERY different from prior years, but we were convinced it was the right thing to do when people were scared and hurting.”

Bike Medic wrapped up operations in June, once bike shops were reopened. That left Bill with some time to train for the Make-A-Wish event. His plans for 2021? “Bike Medic will be back, hopefully at the Farmer’s Market, and I want to ride a century. I’ve come close, but never hit that mark.”

I like to maintain contact with local groups, including Cycling for Active Adults from Farmington, Michigan. The club couldn’t host regular group rides, so several of the members created a Facebook page, We’re Still Riding. I joined the page and to my surprise have come to learn that the group has recorded over 48,000 miles of riding in 2020.

Their M.O. remains simple: take many regular rides of a manageable distance on safe streets or trails. They lost the ability to ride in big groups, and the breakfast rides and stops at DQ were out. Still, they found resilience by bicycling in the pandemic.

Along the way I noticed Facebook posts from Greg Tarver. His posts are always informative, and they usually include photos of curiosities spotted along his rides. He’ll soon hit 5000 miles for the year, a high-water mark for sure!

I asked about his pandemic riding strategy. “Once I realized the big rides were cancelled, I set a goal of a metric century in a day” said Greg. ” I started with 20-mile rides, then bumped it to 30 miles using side streets from Metro Beach back to Grosse Point, 7 and Moross.” Those familiar with Detroit will recognize that he’s an east-sider. “I’m riding as much as I can” he continued. “I’m one of those who finds out which way the wind is blowing, and then head out into it so I’ll have a tailwind on the way home. Some of my friends have called up to join me for part of a ride, all of us would wear a mask, trying to stay safe. I usually sweep if there’s a group.”

No big group rides, no festivals. “A lot of my biking friends have been absent” Greg laments. “We’re not gathering up in groups anymore. I miss the camaraderie associated with biking.”

Greg did post a series of photos of Halloween decorations. One which caught my eye included a ghost hanging by a noose, in one of the east suburbs. “The picture of the noose” Greg continues, “my first thought was maybe they haven’t put up the rest of the decorations. But they never added to it. This person was trying to send a message, with a middle school just down the street from there…”

We had a frank talk about race and the difference between cycling in Detroit vs. the suburban area. Greg is clear to plan his routes based on road design and traffic conditions. One component of metro driving is knowing that not all motorists are on the lookout for danger, and many ignore traffic signals. He sticks to roads with bike lanes or 25 MPH speed limits for safety.

I’m continuously impressed by the resiliency and ingenuity of the biking community here in Michigan. So many people were able to find respite from the pandemic on their bikes by adapting their cycling practices to keep themselves and others safe.

There are a few common traits among our friends above that should be noted. Everyone was adaptable and resilient, and everyone was aware of pandemic protocol. While there was disappointment at having to make changes, they all thrived by finding new ways to be active. Several reached new goals for 2020, and all are thinking ahead to 2021.

Do you have a positive lesson from cycling in the pandemic? Please share it here by dropping a quick note to  Tour Chief Jim. Thank you!

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