Ballarat's cycling bodies will recommence group training, but further restrictions will need to be lifted before clubs can resume racing.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Under new COVID-19 laws released Monday, outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people are now permitted
The lifted restrictions permit a range of outdoor activities, including cycling.
However because most major races feature more than 10 competitors, events like the John Collier Memorial, and the King of Ballarat series will remain postponed.
Ballarat-Sebastopol Cycling Club president Tim Canny said holding races with such few competitors wouldn't be worth the time to organise.
"It's welcome news that we can ride in groups up to 10, but we won't be able to race until the restrictions are almost fully lifted," he said.
"Most of our races will have 30 or more people on the start line."
The club was set to host the 85-kilometre John Collier Memorial later this month before pushing it back to November.
Canny said the club had planned a series of off-road races throughout the winter which it hoped to carry out.
"We won't need permits because they are gravel roads," he said.
"And they don't have to be races, they can just be groups organised by the club, so we can make them rides rather than races if we can't ride in groups more than 10."
Despite the lack of certainty around racing, Canny said members were excited to get back on the road in groups.
He said riding was as much a physical benefit as it was a mental one.
"There are a lot of people very excited that they can now train with more than just one other person," he said.
"A lot of us haven't seen each other in more than two months, so it's a welcome change."
Meanwhile, VOGA Cycling Club president Chris Chatham said the club was forced to cancel its major cyclocross showcase The Brackenbury.
The Creswick event attracted almost 200 riders in 2019 and had been set to double the number prior to COVID-19.
The Victorian cyclocross Series has also been cancelled.
Chatham said the club would reopen so members could enjoy social rides with each other.
"At the moment we've just been riding solo or in pairs, so it's nice to be able to increase that," he said.
Club Mud's King of Ballarat series was set to commence last week but has been postponed until further notice.
If you are seeing this message you are a loyal digital subscriber to The Courier, as we made this story available only to subscribers. Thankyou very much for your support and allowing us to continue telling Ballarat's story. We appreciate your support of journalism in our great city
