COVID-19 UPDATE
Hey, friends!
This is a bit of a long one, so grab a coffee and a seat and read on.
As we all settle into what is our new (hopefully, very temporary) normal, we have been assessing the gravity of this situation. No organization is immune to the impacts of this pandemic and TORCA is no exception. There are a few challenges that we are trying to plan around, and we believe, being the strong community that we are, we will get through this together.
#1 ⛏🔨- Dirt Club
Normally, this time of year, we would be starting up Dirt Club. Given the current restrictions, Dirt Club is postponed indefinitely. Instead, we are asking anyone who is interested in helping to rake and clean up debris, to send us a message (either facebook DM or email at torcanorth@gmail.com) to help. We're asking you to please get in touch with us before you do any work for a few reasons:
#2 🚵♀️🚵♂️- Events
Outside of grants, our events generate the most dollars to keep our trail network alive and growing. Our events are also where we receive the most membership sign ups. There is a very real possibility that we may have to cancel all of our events this season. Without this revenue, we will be unable to apply for further grants to develop future trail projects. We know these are hard times with a lot of people being laid off or unable to generate income. If you're not in that situation and you are able (and we completely understand if you can't) we're asking that you please consider buying a $20 membership or donating (click on the SHOP TORCA tab) (choose either membership or trail karma)
#3 🏥 Safety
We all have a role to play in keeping each other safe. We also have a responsibility to unburden our already stressed healthcare system. So here are some tips if you have to get out for a ride:
We hope everyone is holding up okay and we look forward to the day we can all get together and ride bikes!
Stay safe. Stay kind.
This is a bit of a long one, so grab a coffee and a seat and read on.
As we all settle into what is our new (hopefully, very temporary) normal, we have been assessing the gravity of this situation. No organization is immune to the impacts of this pandemic and TORCA is no exception. There are a few challenges that we are trying to plan around, and we believe, being the strong community that we are, we will get through this together.
#1 ⛏🔨- Dirt Club
Normally, this time of year, we would be starting up Dirt Club. Given the current restrictions, Dirt Club is postponed indefinitely. Instead, we are asking anyone who is interested in helping to rake and clean up debris, to send us a message (either facebook DM or email at torcanorth@gmail.com) to help. We're asking you to please get in touch with us before you do any work for a few reasons:
- we need to keep a record of volunteer hours that we can submit to Rec Sites & Trails.
- if we know what trails have been cleared, we can dispatch volunteers to other areas that still need attention.
#2 🚵♀️🚵♂️- Events
Outside of grants, our events generate the most dollars to keep our trail network alive and growing. Our events are also where we receive the most membership sign ups. There is a very real possibility that we may have to cancel all of our events this season. Without this revenue, we will be unable to apply for further grants to develop future trail projects. We know these are hard times with a lot of people being laid off or unable to generate income. If you're not in that situation and you are able (and we completely understand if you can't) we're asking that you please consider buying a $20 membership or donating (click on the SHOP TORCA tab) (choose either membership or trail karma)
#3 🏥 Safety
We all have a role to play in keeping each other safe. We also have a responsibility to unburden our already stressed healthcare system. So here are some tips if you have to get out for a ride:
- Preferably, ride only with people you live with (or your dog!). At the very least, ensure you maintain physical distancing of at least 2m at all times, and keep your germs to yourself.
- If you come up to people on the trail, give each other space and leave 2m (or a bike length!) between you. Step off and away from the trail if needed to allow others to pass safely.
- Keep moving, and don't congregate in the parking lot or at trailheads.
- Dial it back. Ride chill and well within your means. This is not the time to try that drop that you've been eyeing up since last year
We hope everyone is holding up okay and we look forward to the day we can all get together and ride bikes!
Stay safe. Stay kind.
