Author: Mel Saari

I’m sure most of you are aware of the bike / automobile accident that happened on July 10th at the corner of Richter and Clement in Kelowna.  If you wish to see a video of the accident please click here.  The lead member of a cycling group was struck when a car turned right into her path as she was proceeding straight through the intersection.  The driver of the car was fined for failing to yield at a green light.  The cyclist was taken to hospital for treatment of her injuries.

You can draw your own conclusions from the video.  Certainly the driver of the car should have seen the cyclists and yielded to them.  However cyclists should be be ultra cautious when proceeding through intersections, especially when there are cars beside them.  We can’t assume that drivers will always see us and do the right thing.

With the extra heavy traffic conditions currently in effect, please be extra careful out there.

 

Claudio, who rode with the Killer Beez several times last year, is doing the Ride for MS once again this year (July 25 & 26).  Congratulations to Claudio for his efforts on behalf of this very worthy cause.  Please consider supporting Claudio’s ride by clicking on this link.

There’s a lot of buzz about gravel bikes lately.  Killer Bee members such as Lawrence Berg have been seen riding one on the trails in Sutherland Hills Park.  But what are they really, and how do they compare with cycle cross bikes?  Click on this link to display an excellent article which should answer all your questions.

 

In case some of you are finding road biking to be a little tame, or possibly even boring, and are considering mountain biking, check out the attached video.  Started 1000th, finished 39th! This is the most amazing catch up of history done by Maxime Ciriego at the Mountain of Hell 2019 final!  It’s best watched on a larger screen than a phone.  Also it’s over 40 minutes long but you probably won’t notice that.  Not for the faint of heart.  Fasten your seat belt ! ! 

Thanks to some research by Mike and Graham, we have decided to relocate the start of the Sunday Ride back to the Landmark Square area on Dickson Avenue.  The Bean Scene is open again and selling coffee in paper cups.  We will gather in front of Landmark 6 (next to the Bean Scene), where there is lots of space for sitting and distancing, plus room for bikes.

Please also note that the ride will now be starting at 9 AM, weather permitting.  Social distancing rules as outlined in a previous post will apply.

Some of you in the Killer Beez community may be unaware that Biggi started her conquest of the Pacific Crest Trail on Friday, May 22nd.  4,265 kilometers long, the PCT travels from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon, and Washington and spans the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Mountain Ranges.  It’s quite a formidable challenge especially since she had to postpone the start by a month due to the pandemic.  Because of the delay, Biggi started her hike in Dunsmuir (on Interstate 5 in Northern California near Mount Shasta) and is travelling North.  Once she reaches the northern end of the trail she will travel back to Dunsmuir and complete the southern part.

You can click here to track Biggi’s progress and offer encouragement.

A number of Beez have expressed an interest in restarting our group rides, particularly now that BC has officially started Phase 2 of reopening the Province during the Covid 19 pandemic. According to Phase 2, BC is now allowing groups of up to 6 people (friends or relatives who do not live with you) to get together with appropriate social distancing.  For the complete, up-to-date information on British Columbia’s response to COVID-19 please click here.

For those interested in the positions of the Federal and Provincial Cycling Associations regarding Covid 19 please click on the following links (as an informal group, the Killer Beez is not bound by the rules and regulations of these bodies):

Cycling BC

Cycling Canada

As of Monday, May 18^th the Interior Health Region had 181 confirmed cases of Covid 19 with only 1 person hospitalized and no one in ICU. For an up-to-date report on Covid 19 cases click here for the BC Covid 19 Dashboard.

Due to the start of Phase 2 by the government of BC and the low incidence of Covid 19 cases in our region we have decided to restart the Wednesday, Friday and Sunday Killer Beez group rides this week with the following conditions:

• Appropriate social distancing must be practised before, during and after the rides.
• Pace lines are prohibited. Click here for more information in this regard.
• Riders will go out in groups of 6 maximum with a staggered start based on desired distance, route and pace.
• Spitting and snot rockets are prohibited.

The Wednesday Group ride will start on May 20^th at 5 PM from Kelowna Cycle.

The Friday Group Ride will start on May 22nd at 9 AM from Starbucks (101-2231 Louie Drive) in West Kelowna.

The Sunday Group ride will start May 24^th at 10 AM from the SE side of Capital News Centre. Exit east off Gordon onto Lequime.  Click here for a map. There’s lots of parking, a porta-potti plus a large grassy area for socializing after the ride (bring your own blankets, chairs, food & drinks).

NB. Your choice to participate in these group rides is your own personal decision. Each cyclist should consider his/her risks – greater public exposure, expanding your social circle. Are you living with someone who is sick or with elderly family members?   Do you or a family member have compromised immune systems?  If you are not feeling well, have COVID 19 symptoms, are living with or have been in contact with someone with COVID 19, or are self isolating, please do not participate in these rides.

On each group ride, be aware of who you are cycling with in case tracing is required.

We are all in this together and everyone must do their part to keep each of us and others safe.

Thanks Biggi for the following article which sheds some light on the controversy regarding safe, social distancing while engaging in outdoor activities such as running and biking:

Inside the Controversial 6-Foot Social-Distancing Study

“A good rule of thumb? Give as much space when passing others as is safely possible, whatever that is. If things are so congested that you can’t pass safely, it’s time to consider other routes and workout times, or work out indoors.”

Be safe out there.

Layton Carefoot’s road bike was stolen from his garage last week.  Following is a picture of Layton’s bike:

Please call Layton at 250-575-0202 if you see this bike.

Here’s some more food for thought as regards safe and responsible riding in today’s pandemic conditions  (Riding in the time of Covid-19) as submitted by Larry Wright.  Thanks Larry.

Your comments are welcome.