HOW TO RIDE OUT COVID THIS AUTUMN

Almost three years since the outbreak of Covid-19, SARS-CoV-2 is still circulating and disrupting our riding. With a surge in cases expected this autumn, Charlie Allenby ponders the ongoing risks and necessary precautions for cyclists

-  Charlie Allenby

Most of us are by now familiar with the experience of having our training or racing disrupted by a bout of Covid-19. The UK has endured three major Covid waves in 2022 alone, and more are forecast. Prof Karl Friston, a virus modeller at University College London (UCL), predicts that in late November there will be a spike bigger than any we’ve seen to date, with up to 8% of the UK population infected, then a further wave next March. What do we need to know, as cyclists, to minimise the impact on our riding this autumn and winter?

The World Health Organisation also foresees a challenging autumn and winter ahead for Europe. A high number of cases increases the chances of new variants, which are likely to be more transmissible; whether they would cause more or less severe disease than the currently dominant Omicron variant remains unclear.

In the UK, only those aged 50-plus and the clinically vulnerable are being offered a vaccine booster, which is hoped will keep infections and hospitalisations lower in at-risk groups. Younger age groups, who were last vaccinated in late 2021 or early 2022, will find that their protection against infection has waned, though they should still be well protected against serious disease.

Whether or not you receive another booster, it is possible to take preventative steps to reduce your risk of catching Covid-19. On group rides, keep the spitting and snot rockets to a minimum, and be sure to wash or disinfect your hands when you can, while cafe stops are best taken outside. If you’re feeling under the weather, skip this week’s group ride and take a lateral flow test, even if it’s just to rule out the worst-case scenario.