2024 Takelma Gravel Grinder, OR, June 22nd - Register Now!

Corona Virus: Keep Calm and Carry On Cycling

Gran Fondo Guide has reached out to thousands of event organizers worldwide and here's our take on the current situation

Corona Virus: Keep Calm and Carry On Cycling

At the present time, event organizers who are affected, are postponing their events until later on this year. The main regions affected are the United States and Europe, as more public health restrictions are put in place.

Several countries including the United States and the United Kingdom are now working on the principle to "flatten the curve" of the outbreak and more importantly, protect and isolate the elderly who are the most vunerable.

The current public health restrictions could last a few months. As you may have seen, the Giro d'Italia and most of the Spring Classics have been postponed until later on in the year.

At this time, only a handful of events have completely cancelled their 2020 editions, notably the GFNY World Championship and the Tour of Gila road race in the United States, the Absa Cape Epic in South Africa. 

Given the complexity of the cycling calendar and permits required for some events, it’s unlikely that all events will be rescheduled for later on in 2020, but so far, only a handful have cancelled their 2020 plans and have rolled entries over to 2021.

I've already entered some events, what should I do?

Organizers who are affected are in the process of re-scheduling their events later on this year, after "peak outbreak" has past. Not all sporting events provide refunds for "Acts of God", which are part of their entry terms and conditions.

The best advice we can recommend at the moment is don't panic. Event organizers will contact you if their event is postponed. If absolute needs must, contact the event organizer directly if you are concerned if the event is taking place or whether you should attend.

If you have entered events and they are postponed, you'll be able to take part when the new dates are confirmed.

2020 Cycling Events Postponed due to Corona Virus (COVID19)

Below are events that have been postponed (with no confirmed new date as yet)

Date Event Location Routes Diff  Type My Rides
Apr 05 Clare Classic Clare Valley, Australia 50, 110, 160 km D GRANFONDO
Jun 21 Adirondack 540 Gran Fondo Wilmington, New York, USA 136 miles D GRANFONDO
Aug 14 - Aug 16 Montreal Double Double Schuylerville, New York, USA 400 miles F ULTRA
Apr 21 Encierro Velo Elbert Colorado USA 50, 100km C GRAVEL
Apr 21 Top Of The Rock Thirsk North Yorkshire UK 27, 36, 60 km C GRAVEL
Apr 29 - May 04 Candy B Graveller Hessen Germany 640km D BIKEPACKING
May 04 Cedar City Fire Road 100 Cedar City Utah USA 60, 100 km D GRAVEL
May 13 - Jun 09 Mendocino Monster Century Ukiah California USA 26, 62, 106 miles E CENTURY
May 24 - May 26 Göteborgsgirot Gothenburg Sweden 20, 50, 70, 140, 210km D GRANFONDO
May 25 Flèche de Wallonie Spa Belgium 84, 115, 151 km C TOUR
Jun 06 - Jun 09 North Race Westphalia North RhineWestphalia Germany 1000 km E BIKEPACKING
Jun 21 HellIsh Of The North West Lancashire United Kingdom 525 miles D BIKEPACKING
Jun 21 Tour de Oahe Ft Pierre SD 22, 37, 65.5 miles D TOUR
Jun 23 GA400 Century City Tour Roswell Georgia USA 27, 35, 63, 100 miles D CENTURY
Jul 06 Dartmoor Legend ULTRA Sportive Dartmoor National Park Devon UK 74, 92, 200 F ULTRA
Jul 13 Grassland Gravel Pierre SD 22, 35, 53 miles C GRAVEL
Aug 18 Noosa Classic Noosa Queensland Australia 65, 120, 160km D GRANFONDO
Aug 19 - Sep 01 Eddy Merckx Classic Fuschl am See Austria 63, 106, 169 km C GRANFONDO
Aug 31 - Sep 01 Gravel Tour du Mont Blanc Megève France 70, 100, 200 km C GRAVEL
Sep 07 DV100 Drayton Valley Alberta Canada 40, 100, 160 km,100 km team C GRANFONDO
Sep 13 - Sep 16 Ochoco Overlander Prineville OR 175 miles D BIKEPACKING
Sep 14 The Cambrian Coast Sportive Aberdovey Wales UK 31, 62, 90, 101 miles D SPORTIVE
Sep 21 - Sep 22 Dulux London Revolution North London UK 73, 82, 155 miles E SPORTIVE
 

Should I carry on training outside?

Absolutely a resounding YES for many good reasons:

  Any postponed events are likely to be re-scheduled to a later date in the year which you can take part in. You need to keep fit!
 
  You are less likely to contract Coronavirus by being outside on your bike training on your own or with a small group of heathly friends, as it doesn't like sunlight (UV sunlight) and cannot survive as long outside.
 
  You may need to change any coached training program(s) due to the delay in your event(s) taking place. You also don't want to overdo any heavy weight loss or fasted riding if you cannot self isolate easily, as this affects your immune system (to keep the virus at bay).
 
  Panicking that your main event has been cancelled or may be postponed is actually detrimental to your mental health (stress) and thus, your physical health (immune system).
 
  You might be afraid to ride outside in the colder weather for fear of illness, but that’s not true; there is no data to prove that you will get sick from any respiratory pathogen when riding in cold weather.
 
  With social distancing now preferred, if you opt to ride instead of using public transport, you will open up space on buses and trains for others who don’t have that option.
 
  You probably already noticed that traffic is lighter than usual as people start working from home or stay at home. What a great time to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors!
 
  Don't ride in a large groups and please refrain from blowing snot-rockets everywhere until "peak outbreak" subsides. Wear gloves and refrain from touching any objects, especially with your bare hands.
 
  Social distancing is the right strategy. Experts are still trying to figure out how long the virus lives on objects, and the problem is that it appears to be highly contagious, spread easily by coughing and sneezing, and can be spread by people who don’t think they’re sick. That’s why hand-washing and not touching your face are so important.
 
  Jump on your home trainer, sign up for Zwift and train in the comfort of your own home, if you are worried about getting sick, you might be sick or worse quarentined.

2020 Cycling Events Cancelled due to Corona Virus (COVID19)

Below are events that have been cancelled, with no new date confirmed in 2020.

Date Event Location Routes Diff  Type My Rides
Jun 27 - Jun 29 Race Across the Alps Nauders, Austria 533 km F TOUR
Aug 10 - Aug 17 l'Etoile Occitane Herault, France 2 - 6 stages C GRAVEL
Jan 19 Harp Hilly Hundred Reliability Ride Hertfordshire, South East, UK 55, 100 km C RELIABILITY
Jun 14 Cascade Fondo Concrete, Washington, USA 70 miles C GRANFONDO
Aug 22 Ochoco Gravel Roubaix Prineville, Oregon, USA 45, 80 miles F GRAVEL
Sep 13 Granfondo Alta Langa Bossolasco, Italy 120 km D GRANFONDO
Sep 19 Gran Fondo Ottawa Kanata, Ontario, Canada 65, 100, 150, 180, 235km C GRANFONDO
Apr 19 - Apr 21 Grit Gravel Roll Bronson FL TBC C GRAVEL
Apr 20 Half Moon Bay CF Cycle for Life Half Moon Bay California USA 65,25 miles C GRANFONDO
Apr 20 Forrest GrapeRide Marlborough New Zealand 42, 101, 202, 505km C GRANFONDO
Apr 21 St Joseph Gran Fondo Bryan Texas USA 20, 40, 70, 100 miles D GRANFONDO
Apr 27 Sea2Key Double Century Ormond Beach FL 200 miles F DOUBLE
Apr 27 Milano Cookie Crusher Milano TX 40, 60 miles B GRAVEL
Apr 28 Philippe Gilbert Classic Aywaille Belgium 85, 111, 144km C TOUR
May 04 Rosarito Ensenada Bike Ride Rosarito Beach Mexico 50 miles B CENTURY
May 05 Gran Fondo Felice GimondiBianchi Bergamo Italy 90, 129, 162km F GRANFONDO
May 11 Little Rock Gran Fondo Little Rock Arkansas USA 35, 70 miles C GRANFONDO
May 11 - May 12 In Zir par la Rumagna Rimini Italy 500 km F GRAVEL
May 11 Ride for Mo Lyndon VT 26, 52 miles C GRAVEL
May 18 Battle Gravel 100 Winchester South East UK 32, 40, 61km C CXSPORTIVE
May 18 Baitin’ the Shark Frazeysburg OH 21, 38, 53 miles C GRAVEL
May 18 San Diego Century Encinitas California USA 25, 37, 66, 103 miles C GRANFONDO
May 18 Whiskey Rebellion Gravel Race pb CNX Claysville PA 26, 37, 69, 80 miles C GRAVEL
May 19 Suffolk 100 Suffolk East Of England UK 45, 63, 100 miles C SPORTIVE
May 19 Cotswold Cogfest Gloucestershire South West UK 30, 60 miles C SPORTIVE
May 19 Blossoms Charity Bike Ride College Park MD 5K, 10M, 5M B TOUR
May 19 Pedaling for Kids Gran Fondo Midland GA 25, 50 and 80 miles C GRANFONDO
May 19 Forest of Bowland Epic Slaidburn Lancashire 100, 164 km C SPORTIVE
May 24 - May 26 Ride Riccione Riccione Italy 50, 105, 140km C GRANFONDO
May 26 Amadé Radmarathon Radstadt Austria 95, 146 km C GRANFONDO
May 27 Big Ivy Gran Fondo Primland Virginia USA 14, 33, 52, 75 miles C GRANFONDO
May 28 Boll Weevil 100 Enterprise Alabama USA 25,62,100 miles C CENTURY
May 30 - Jun 29 Less Cancer Bike Ride America Anywhere Virtual C TOUR
Jun 01 Rodeo Road Rally Mesquite Texas USA 12, 24, 62 miles B CENTURY
Jun 01 Whitby Regatta Sportive Yorkshire UK 32, 58, 76 miles C SPORTIVE
Jun 01 Pomorska 500 Czarnocin Poland 530km D BIKEPACKING
Jun 01 Inaugaral Annual Jean Bertolet Memorial Invitational Century Gap PA 110 + miles D CENTURY
Jun 02 Fayetteville Good Old Summertime Bike Ride Fayetteville TX 8, 30-40,40+, 20-60 miles C FESTIVAL
Jun 02 Paolo Bettini Green Fondo Pomarance Italy 85, 134 km C GRANFONDO
Jun 02 The Sequoia Century Los Altos Hills California USA 36, 59, 77, 100 miles E CENTURY
Jun 02 - Jun 07 The Sebastian – Vail Road Cycling Camp Vail Colorado 5 days C TOUR
Jun 02 TilffBastogneTilff Angleur Belgium 83, 121, 170, 249 km E TOUR
Jun 02 Ride Yourself Ragged Portsmouth Rhode Island USA 50, 100 miles D CENTURY
Jun 04 - Jun 08 Central Oregon 500 Bend Oregon USA 5 days, 60-100 miles per day D TOUR
Jun 08 Royal British Legion Northern Ride Teeside North East UK 70, 100 miles C SPORTIVE
Jun 09 Gran Fondo Terun Scalea Scalea Italy 120 km C GRANFONDO
Jun 09 Gran Fondo Ellensburg Ellensburg Washington USA 95 miles E GRANFONDO
Jun 09 Tour dem Parks Hon Baltimore Maryland USA 7, 12, 25, 36 miles A LEISURE
Jun 09 French Creek Iron Tour Phoenixville PA 11, 20, 32, 50, 62, 75, 100 miles D GRAVEL
Jun 15 Over the Hill Gran Fondo Gravel Ride Horseshoe Bend ID 45, 81 miles D GRAVEL
Jun 15 Skull Gravel Grinder Burns Oregon USA 30, 60, 120 miles F GRAVEL
Jun 15 Sea Otter Canada Gravel Ride Blue Mountains Ontario 45, 65, 90 km C GRAVEL
Jun 15 Cyclo La BernardHinault SaintBrieuc France 120, 200km C GRANFONDO
Jun 15 Cascade 66 Cascade Montana USA 33, 66, 100 miles C GRANFONDO
Jun 15 Cross Cut Dirty Metric Century Tunkhannock Pennsylvania 32, 50, 100 miles B GRAVEL
Jun 15 BonkWerx Coaching Cookie Fondo Brewerton NY 80, 100 miles C GRANFONDO
Jun 22 Superior Vistas Bike Tour Washburn Wisconsin USA 13, 19, 34, 52, 70, 100 miles C CENTURY
Jun 29 Stockton Sportive Stockton Yorkshire UK 37, 50, 72 miles C SPORTIVE
Jul 05 - Jul 07 Grinduro Wales Machynlleth Wales 82 km C GRAVEL
Jul 13 Tour Lakeland Lahti Finland 90,140 km C GRANFONDO
Jul 13 The Mighty Corinthian Lake District North West UK 301 km F SPORTIVE
Jul 13 8 Lakes Leg Aches Spokane Washington USA 15, 30, 45, 75 miles B CENTURY
Jul 14 Allegheny Forest Gravel Grinder Bradford PA 43, 73 miles C GRAVEL
Jul 28 - Aug 03 Ride Around Washington RAW La Conner Washington USA 65-70 miles per day, 7 days C TOUR
Aug 10 Alberta Rockies Canmore Alberta 434.9 miles E BIKEPACKING
Aug 11 High Pass Challenge Packwood Washington USA 114 miles, 7500+ feet of climbing E CENTURY
Aug 17 Eifel 205 Bitburg Germany 102, 106, 205 km F GRANFONDO
Sep 08 VeloRun presented by Raiffeisenbank Baden Baden Austria 85, 100 km C GRANFONDO
Sep 08 Blue Wheel Bicycles Wtf Ride Roseland VA 25, 50, 75 miles D GRAVEL
Sep 08 MNC Gravel Grinder Westford VT 20, 40 miles B GRAVEL
Sep 14 Keystone Gravel Jersey Shore PA 80 miles D GRAVEL
Sep 14 Bell Mountain Challenge Apple Valley CA 45, 60 - 70 miles C GRAVEL
Sep 14 - Sep 15 The Ozark Randonneur Fayetteville AR 122, 201 miles E BIKEPACKING
Sep 14 - Sep 18 HotChillee Alpine Challenge Morzine France 334 km E GRANFONDO
Sep 14 - Sep 15 Gran Fondo Myoko Niigata Japan 160 km E GRANFONDO
Sep 14 Mormon Canyon Epic Casper Wyoming 38 miles C GRAVEL
Sep 14 Gran Fondo Winthrop Winthrop Washington USA 90 miles F GRAVEL
Sep 14 Chelan Century Challenge Chelan Washington USA 109 miles, 10,000 feet D CENTURY
Sep 21 Whitehorse Sportive Middlesbrough North East UK 31, 61, 77 miles D SPORTIVE
Sep 21 Gran Fondo Alpujarra Magna Lanjarón Spain 136 km C GRANFONDO
Sep 21 Bike the Gravel TdeCE Upperville VA 23, 37, 70 miles D GRAVEL
Sep 28 Florida Cracker Bikepacking Overnight Spring Hill Florida 104 miles C BIKEPACKING
Sep 28 Gravel Locos Pueblo Pueblo CO 30, 65, 105, 170 miles F GRAVEL
Sep 28 2 Rivers on 2 Wheels Logansport IN 20, 32, 53, 62, 100 miles D TOUR
Sep 28 - Sep 29 California Classic Century Ride Fresno California USA 35, 60, 100 miles C GRANFONDO
Sep 29 Honourable Baldwin Challenge Hamden CT 1-3, up to 6 hours C GRAVEL
Sep 29 Viking 76 Yerville France 100, 150 km B GRANFONDO
Dec 07 Gran Fondo Volcán Osorno Los Lagos Chile 60, 100 km C GRANFONDO
 

Keep Calm and Carry On Cycling

Stay fit and healthy, and enjoy those events that aren't affected unless public health restrictions apply.

Just think how well you're going to go will all that training when your postponed events are back on?

For the most up-to-date information, check resources like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) regularly.