This Volunteers Week, we will be celebrating the cycling community who are continuing to do incredible things. Today, we are focusing on what clubs have been up to during Covid-19.

Montvelo CC have kept up their engagement with members during Covid-19 by moving their club runs into the virutal world.

When the reality of Covid-19 hit in March, many of their club members had just started to get back out on the road excited about long Summer days travelling the countryside with friends. The restrictions meant plans for the year ahead were suddenly thrown out; social rides, competitions and cycling holidays. Motivation was hit hard amongst the club, and with additional pressures mounting in their personal lives, mental health was certainly problematic.

A shift to weekly online group rides on Zwift was quickly made, however the club were aware that the conversations were just as important as the actual activity - so they club decided to activate Zoom (a video conferencing platform), so that they could see each other and talk at the same time as cycling. This has been a game-changer for keeping the club spirits high and restoring motivations. The club has had several messages from members - saying that it has helped them  'turn-up'  in the first place and also stay on their bike for longer than they would have.

As we've just moved into phase 1 of lockdown lifting and while we can now go out with one other person on the road, the club will be continuing the weekly Zwift rides as an important feature of the clubs offering. They are also going to use Zoom for their committee meeting next week; where they we will be discussing more plans for the year ahead and how to align with the government phases. There are a lot of passionate cyclists in the club, but it's not just the cycling that is important - they want to keep the camaraderie alive!