With new announcements today from the govt., it looks pretty good for us to start running rides and skills sessions again as of 1st November. It’s been a long haul and I sure hope nobody stuffs this up between now and then and that cases remain low.

Of course, needless to say any rides will have regulations we need to follow…no more than 10 riders plus the leader, masks mandatory, hand sanitiser mandatory, physical distance at all times, not go out of your 25km limit (check the ride details). But we have all managed to nail this bloody situation so well, that doing what we need to do on a ride should be a breeze!

Pretty soon we will be posting some rides up and I’ll make sure we have some skills sessions too. But please be patient, there is a lot to organise, think about and prepare as we get back to doing what we love. I also know that some of you may feel reluctant to return, having found your own ‘new normal’ in how you ride…and that’s okay! We have all had to deal with this as best we can, and we will continue to have to deal with it…so riding in a group for some of you I know may be too much to ask.

But what I do really hope, is that as many of you as possible will help us pick up where we left off…nothing would make me happier! I hope we will see new riders join us, and that existing riders will help us mentor new riders who have chosen bikes as their ‘fun’ during COVID. I hope those conversations over coffee will continue and more and more friendships made. I hope you will welcome as many new riders as we can, because we sure have had a lot contact us during lockdown!

But what I really hope for is to see you all support each other as we come back. If someone is slower than before, don’t pass judgement…accept it, if someone is less upbeat than before don’t ask why…smile to show you care. If someone doesn’t come back…don’t keep asking – it’s not your business, same for if somebody has added some extra COVID kilos. If someone reaches out for help, don’t roll your eyes, see it is your chance to show you have empathy. And likewise, if someone isn’t focused on a ride…be gentle, there are ways to help others focus kindly. We have all lived this experience, but we have all been challenged in different ways and that means we can react in ways not expected.

Our first rides back will be gentle…so if it is a Pink, it will be a bit slower and shorter, and the same for every level. Until we get a handle on where everyone is at. We will also monitor who is on each ride so everyone gets a fair go. We may ask you to opt out if you have signed up for multiple rides but somebody else who has missed out is on a wait list.

For now, polish the shoes, add some sparkle to your bike, dust off the WW kit and get ready to roll…the first ride up will be posted soon.

Finally, I want to say this. It was 8 years ago almost to the day when i posted on social media about some ‘preliminary rides’ before WW really started, just to see if people were interested. Over 8 years WW has grown into something far beyond what i had ever imagined it would be. Over the course of this year there have been many times when I wanted to just say ‘enough is enough’ and close the door and walk away. The frustration, the anxiety of paying the bills that still keep coming, the loss of hope many times did take their toll in some ways. But I cannot walk away from all those who have supported so steadfastly…nor can I ignore the fact that so many go into making what WW is, and will be. Nor will I walk away from my passion, my every day, my every breath.

Thank you to all those who have stood by WW…I cannot show you the many tears that have been spilled over all this over the last months in those moments of doubt and uncertainty. But rest assured knowing there was a bunch of women out there just wanting a damn ride and a good laugh, kept me going. You are all awesome!!

Tina
Director of…a new beginning, 8 yrs on!

Location

Melbourne VIC, Australia