Dubbo Cycle Club | Easing restrictions don't mean a return to normality

The NSW government has announced that from Friday there will be an easing of restrictions to allow outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people.

And while some riders might see it as a chance to resume regular group rides, Cycling NSW has stated physical distancing is still important and notes cyclists should remain at least 1.5m away from each other.

While drafting and group riding are important aspects of the sport, Cycling NSW recommends they should only be conducted in a way that adheres with the physical distancing guidelines.

Cycling NSW race sanctioning will remain suspended until government restrictions allow otherwise. This means there will be no Dubbo Cycle Club racing any time soon while the Dubbo Mountain Bike Club's popular Winter Series is also on hold.

Dubbo Regional Council's Recreation and Open Space Team has been meeting weekly to review advice regarding the phasing in of each level and what this looks like for Dubbo facilities. As yet the Dubbo Regional Cycling Facility has not been able to be reopened but planning is under way to do so as soon as possible. The council have been busy assisting Dubbo Mountain Bike club with signage for the Dundullimal trail which is sure to assist the many riders that have discovered mountain biking over the past few months.

Those looking to try different things on the bike can still safely ride the Tracker Riley path around the river and out to the zoo. The Dundullimal Mountain Bike area is accessible over the Shibble Bridge off the lower end of Macquarie St.

While many things remain up in the air, well known local endurance rider Kate Spicer is one who has not let COVID-19 contain her. She has joined 40 other endurance cyclists across the world to circumnavigate the globe almost three times, all from her lounge room. The 40 riders rode over 100,000kms in a month, starting on April 8 from Italy, the virtual ride was to raise money for Doctors Without Borders.

Spicer won the green sprinter's jersey as fastest indoor rider while finishing in fourth position overall. In a stat that brings tears to most cyclists Spicer found herself climbing the equivalent of six times the height of Mt Everest in the month.

Spicer's dedication was such that she spent her birthday riding for almost 10 hours to cover 270kms.

Spicer was invited to race because of her endurance expertise and she was joined by 39 other Ultra Distance specialists, include the World 24 Hour Time Trial Champion.

Spicer averaged 200km a day over the month with a personal best of more than 300kms in a day.

Spicer will look to take the riding outdoors toward the end of the year when she again takes on Australia's most demanding one day race, the Grafton to Inverell.