Page 8 - FULL MAGAZINE MAY 2020

MAY IS NATIONAL BIKE MONTH

Biking Safely the disease. These announcements mean to Can you ride outside
athletes, and to everyone, that the situation during a shelter-in-place
Local bike shops are seeing an uptick we are in is very serious. Each of us need to mandate?
in sales and repairs during coronavirus consider the consequences of our individual Effective March 19,
outbreak actions on the community around us. residents of the state of
Citizens throughout the country are Understanding Face Coverings California were ordered
hopping on bikes as a way to ward off Face coverings do two possible to shelter in place until
cabin fever, business at local bike shops things—they contain spread from the ill and further notice, meaning
is booming, and that boom doesn’t seem prevent inhalation in the healthy. As the everyone is to stay
to be letting up. Some bike shops have girl from the Czech Republic training video inside their homes and
even sold out of certain models and in says, “I protect you, you protect me.” It is away from others as
general their total inventory is down just that simple. much as possible.
60%. Bike repairs, modifications, and a) Some state guidelines read that masks However, as outlined in
improvements are also up. “should not be worn damp or when wet the directive first put in
At this time, at-home workouts are still from spit or mucus,” place in San Francisco,
your best bet for keeping up your fitness b) Face coverings should be removed a for example, most in your area and if there are any
routine and helping to ensure your own certain way. Taking a mask on and off shelter-in-place mandates allow for restrictions or mandatory self-quarantines.
health and the health of those around you. incorrectly can be risky and increase your people to go outside and engage in solo And, if you’re sick or at-risk of spreading
Many closed gyms are offering free online hand-to-mouth exposure. You should take outdoor activity, such as riding, walking, the virus, you shouldn’t go out.
streaming of their workouts. off the mask with the elastic from your ears and hiking, as long as people practice “If you do have flu or coronavirus, or a
Stationary bikes are an option. There and then fold it with the outside cloth safe social distancing (stay at least six feet fever, beware. Sick people think wrongly
are many manufacturers. Three of the together. Even though you are breathing apart), do not gather in groups, and do they can ‘exercise the virus out of the
top brands are Pelaton, NordicTrack, into the mask the interior is considered the not go out if they are feeling sick. system’ or ‘sweat it out,’ that’s a myth. It’s
Escalon. They also offer fitness clean side. The external side is considered Other states, including New York, actually the opposite, and you can wear
membership through on line contaminated. New Jersey, and Illinois have statewide your immune system down.”
communities. c) Wash cloth face coverings nightly. At mandates, and other cities and counties,
Yet, no matter where you sweat, the end of each day, using soap and hot including San Miguel County in To disinfect clothing, wash it in hot
you should remember to wash your water hand wash the cloth, scrubbing the Colorado, Blaine County in Idaho, and water and use the dryer’s high setting.
hands regularly, especially after your sides together and rinsing well with hot Athens-Clarke County in Georgia have Should I avoid touching things outside?
workout and wipe down all equipment water. Hang to air dry. By morning you implemented similar measures. Though it may be possible that a person
when you are done using it, even at can use it again. If you are an essential worker or can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or
home. Additional Precautions need to get outside for exercise, cycling is object that has the virus on it and then
However, wearing a cloth face covering is encouraged, according to a statement touching their own mouth, nose, or
A Brief Question and Answer Session not a substitute for hand washing, physical from the European Regional Office for possibly their eyes, this is not thought to
An Outside Biker asks, ‘Should I wear distancing, or remaining at home when ill. the World Health Organization, (WHO). be the main way the virus spreads,
a mask out on solo rides?’ Gyms in California are currently according to the CDC. However, there
They may not be necessary when out 1. Maintaining at least a six-foot distance closed. Overall, be sure to check your could be a problem if someone coughs
for solo exercise, however, you may be from others will help the most in cutting local public health recommendations and into his or her hand immediately before
in a place you encounter someone else, down exposure to droplets being spread to the current health mandates in your area, touching a traffic button, and then you
so be prepared to cover up. There is no others due to heavy breathing. found on your state and local touch the traffic button after them.
advantage to wearing a face covering if 2. Avoid crowded areas, even if you get government website before heading In general, the CDC recommends
you are not going to be near people at to your regular route and there are other anywhere for a workout. avoiding high-touch surfaces, like
all. It is recommended that you take a people there, you should find a different elevators and doors, so if possible avoid
face covering with you when exercising place to go for the safety of everyone. Should you avoid riding in groups? touching traffic buttons as well. If you
outside. 3. Avoid touching your face, mouth, nose, Yes. Even mountain bike rides, where must touch the traffic button, do not touch
CDC (www.cdc.gov) guidelines have or eyes. you’re typically farther apart and single your face after. Even better? Use a glove
recently been updated to recommend 4. Avoid touching buttons in high traffic file, should be done solo as to cut down (then avoid touching your face), sleeve, or
“wearing cloth face coverings in public areas, such as elevators and traffic lights - on the risk of an asymptomatic rider elbow.
settings where other social distancing use your elblow, sleeved arm, or gloves. spreading the virus to others. Can coronavirus be spread through
measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., 5. Stay home, especially if you are ill. sneezes or coughs, droplets get onto sweat?
grocery stores and pharmacies) to help Should you believe symptoms may be objects that people touch, and then According to the CDC, transmission of
reduce the spread of the virus between coronavirus, get to a local test site as soon people touch their face. The best plan for the coronavirus happens between people
people interacting in close proximity as possible. riding right now is to go out and ride who are in close contact with one another
(Guidelines are rapidly evolving). 6. Washing hands for 20 seconds with solo and enjoy the outdoors, in non- and through respiratory droplets,
Before those updates, some state soap and hot water whenever exposed. crowded areas. And, try timing your produced through a cough or sneeze—not
governments, like those in California This virus is highly contagious and rides for when you know your route will sweat.
www.cdph.ca.gov and Pennsylvania transmissible, and it appears we cannot be be less crowded. Cyclists should be cautious and avoid
www.pa.gov, began suggesting that too careful. Getting in 30 to 60 minutes of long, intense rides or workouts right now
everyone wear cloth face coverings Check your local government moderate to brisk activity can help your until we get through all this. Don’t overdo
when they go out in public for essential recommendations for guidance. (You can immune system it. Be worried more about health than
activities in order to help prevent those find a directory of state health departments (www.runnersworld.com) keep viruses at fitness.
that are asymptomatic from spreading on the internet. www.usa.gov/state-health. bay. Be sure you know what’s going on Compiled by Amanda Blake Secola

8 May 2020