Will any sportives go ahead in 2020?

Mercian Pro wrote: »

Quite a few sportives listed in the updated CI calendar including the Reservoir Dog on 20th September. A bit surprising this as it was cancelled for 2020 on 12th June. Hopefully the rest of the information is more accurate.
http://www.cyclingireland.ie/page/events/events-calendar/leisure-sportive-events

It's not the only one that definitely won't be running, I can see two where I know the organisers and they aren't happening. To be fair to CI, it is being pulled together quite quickly, and you probably had a few organisers say yes before they realised the changes that have to be made. Mondello look like they have a good bit figured out but questions will be raised about are they limiting capacity (that would be a deciding factor for me), will CI allow an extra charge on entry for clubs who do this (requires an EGM AFAIK)? Will there be an actual punishment for riders who take the piss with social distancing before the race (i.e. will the Comms flat out ban them for the season, pre-entry for all events will simplify this). Will they have specifically trained paramedics for on site. I could be wrong but I don't recall ambulances at Mondello when I was there, they really should have one but I could be wrong on that. This said the numbers at Mondello were never massive but that could change very easily. Alot of riders will be looking at the weather a few days before, as my memory of Mondello was riders sitting outside waiting to decide if they would sign on or not based on if it was going to rain etc.

JimmiesRustled wrote: »

I'm not surprised honestly. I can only speak for races as I haven't really done any sportives but trying to comply with the regulations for events over an hour in duration is going to difficult.

I can only think of four safe venues in Leinster, and all of these rely on separate races, pre sign on, pre marked distancing in the car parks etc. And lets not kid each other. It is different in a club league where I can ream someone out of it for breaking the guidelines, at a regular open race, if some rider takes the view that the rules are overbearing and not really applicable, it is going to be trouble.

Even from a venue standpoint, generally sports halls, there are maybe 1-2 toilets and a handful of urinals. Adequate facilities and just unfeasible as you'll likely have an enforced limited number on riders taking part.

Realistically, unless numbers are heavily restricted and either no facilities are provided or the organisers actually go in early, stock up on paper, provide 70% ethanol spray down bottles, it is going to be a pain in the arse. Do the organisers send out a pre video of the facilities explaining the one way system, how to wipe handles and much more beside. In this regard, club leagues are more of a runner than open races.

Clubs often lose money putting races on and that was before any pandemic. I can see it being a legal nightmare should someone fall ill at one of these events and decide to take it up and that's taking into consideration CI disclaimer that basically everyone is responsible for themselves.

The major issue is Sports Ireland guidelines which we would be expected to adhere too. If you provide facilities the standard is going to have to be far higher than before, if you don't and some locals see riders pissing all over the place, you get the same problem.

From speaking with a number of colleagues within our legal department, for our own club league, organisers need to cover themselves and not just fall under the CI umbrella and say "well CI said it was fine". They need to take a serious look at exactly what the likes of the WHO and other bodies state has to be in place for mass gatherings. That way they've some legal recourse should someone decide to take it to court.

A huge issue, I done the Sports Ireland Covid course last night, it was fine but i know all of that before this, it taught me nothing new but some organisers won't know this. If they haven't taken the course, is their club open to attack on the basis their Covid 19 officer or lack there of did not review it, if they did review it and it was below standard, there is a failing somewhere.

I'm not saying any of this would happen, but from those that have raced, and this is in no way meant as a slight against the organisers, do you really think the organisers would have a leg to stand on should the facilities stay the same? As in 1-2 cubicles for riders in 4 categories easily surpassing 100 people.

I can't see a way of having more than 20 to 30 riders per race. No food or drink provided, toilet facilities have to be pre-cleaned, and repeatedly cleaned over the course of the event or simply not opened, attempt to enforce social distancing. People will say the last is personal responsibility but there is a duty of care if someone is clearly failing at even attempting it for the organisers to tell them to F Off. I don't know if everyone knows what some riders are like but considering I have heard and seen fisticuffs break out over far less, should the organiser be required to take that risk and point it out. The list of questions goes on and on.

It's overly pessimistic but the way things have gone lately with people suing for tripping in a forest, I can't see this being much different to be honest. Hopefully I'm wrong I'm just concerned for the organisers.

I would be hopeful that it wouldn't happen, but as you say, it could. Will CI insurance cover an organiser who missed a step, by accident.

I think we are still limited to the amount we can charge. If you ahve an event hall, you would have to do a max capacity assessment which isn't as easy as it sounds, and is alot less people than you'd think.

If I was running a race, it would be close to the Mondello suggestions. Pre entry only. I would limit numbers, no more than 20 to 30 per race. Riders only to get out of their vehicles to prep their bike but they should wait at or in their car until 5 minutes before race start. Socially distant on the line with grid layout. When the race ends they go straight back to their vehicle and go home. Who are essential personnel for a race. Lead car, Comms, EMTs and marshals, should anyone else be allowed? What about people who want to photograph, what about spectators, what is acceptable. So far it would appear that none of these groups should attend unless parents of children involved.