CyCLING During COvid
TO GrOup Or NOT TO GrOup? WORDS BY TRENT JOHNSON
Without gyms and fitness studios available for much of the summer, it’s no wonder people have turned to outdoor activities in and around the District to get the jolt they need. And even though spots are beginning to pick back up with proper social distancing and safety precautions in place, it’s likely some locals will opt to take it slow when returning to indoor options. One way to maintain an active lifestyle while getting outside is to hop on a bike. “We have people who have reached out [asking], 'Where do I ride?'” says Anne C. M. Hyman, president of Potomac Pedalers Touring Club, Inc. (PPTC). PPTC is one of many groups in D.C. that, before the pandemic, Photo courtesy of PPTC.
organized and planned large group rides for cyclists. From cityscapes to trail rides further into Virginia and Maryland, Hyman says it wasn’t uncommon to have 50 to 80 people in some of their larger gatherings. While the group has halted official get-togethers for the foreseeable future, Hyman says some members have grouped up in an unofficial capacity. “I pretty much laid the ground rule: If you’re going to ride with friends, I don’t want to hear about it,” she says. “We can’t be liable as a club offering group rides. [But] this is one of the wonderful things about our community. We have these relationships with people who are close to each other and want to ride with each other.” DISTRICT FRAY | 67
