Page 4 - Whitehorse Wheels October 2020 issue_Classical

WCI Ride Incident Report October 2020

There were 14 incidents reported in the 12 months since the 2019 AGM, during which due to Covid19
restrictions, the club rides were suspended for approximately 6 months. Injuries graded from minor
scrapes, finger stitches required on one occasion, to 3 incidents where bones were broken and hospital
treatment was required.

Some of the trends to emerge were:
1. High speed was rarely a factor in the reports. The Club has high levels of skill, riding at speed, across all
riding groups
2. 9 of the incidents occurred while moving at slow speeds or while mounting the bike to ride
3. Riders ahead not alerting following riders to trail hazards occurred in 4 incidents
4. Tram tracks or trail edges grabbing the front wheel were a major factor in 3 incidents
5. Other factors were not unclipping in time (2), distraction (2), and riding too close together (2)
6. No ride group was over-represented, nor the time of day or length of ride were factors
7. Riding slowly in too high a gear may be a factor is a few incidents
8. No incidents reported from the Easy group. This could be due to a more cautious attitude to riding,
riding at a slower speed and walking their bikes around obstacles

It would appear that to make riding safer for club members, an improvement in slow speed bike handling
skills would be of great benefit. An improvement in rider communication (calling), would also benefit
riders.

Terry Ryan, Safety Officer
________________________________________________________________
Coronavirus Restrictions – club riding & social events

RIDE CALENDAR WILL BE RESUMED

Steve the calendographer says: From today (18 October) two households can ride together and you can't
go more than 25 km from your house.
But from 11.59 Nov 1st a much less restricted form of club riding should be possible, so a Ride Calendar for
the month of November will be issued. Rides will probably be separated into groups of 10 or less, and of
course are subject to "wait and see".

The committee is constantly reviewing the directives and will keep you informed of changes and a return
to social activities as soon as we are able.

UPCOMING MULTI-DAY RIDES

North-East Victoria Art Trail (NEAT) October 29 – November 5 – pending Covid19 restrictions
Organisers: Mike McNamara & Anna Vandenberg carinda@iinet.net.au
The annual 4Peaks4Days (4P4D) Hub 'n' Spoke Sunday, November 29 – December 4
Organiser: Gordon & Anne Longridge
Albury, NE Victoria MAD / Hard ride, Mon 15 - Fri 19 Mar 2021, UN-supported or Supported –
a 5-day ride organised by Charlie Sorel csorel@melbpc.org.au Phone 0412 515 488
For further information https://whitehorsecyclists.org.au/2021-albury/
Bairnsdale based Hub and Spoke Sunday 21st - Friday 26th March 2021
Further details https://whitehorsecyclists.org.au/2020-bairnsdale-based-hub-and-spoke/
Register rexfuhrmann@netspace.net.au or call Rex Fuhrmann 0438 467 779