Massanutten’s Mountain Biking program is now operating – and it’s been modified to reflect the realities of Covid-19.
It starts with ticket purchases and bike rentals. Instead of going into the shop, guests are encouraged to purchase lift tickets and gear rentals online on Massanutten’s website. It’s still possible to purchase them in the shop, but masks must be worn and the number of people allowed into the shop at any given time is limited. Bikes are brought to guests outside.
Liability waivers are collected outside, too (we suggest providing your own pen, but we’ve got both pens and plenty of hand sanitizer available should you need).
As before, guests load their own bikes onto the chair at the bottom. Attendants (wearing masks, of course) at the top unload them for you – by grabbing the bikes in places guests aren’t likely to touch (and yes, we assist younger riders at the bottom, too).
One of the bigger changes is in the Ride School. Coaches can no longer ride the lift with students, so instead of discussing techniques during the lift ride, more instruction is done at the bottom and on the hill.
It’s a fact: mountain bikers often experience “rock burn” resulting from falls from the bike. In order to minimize the risk of transmission between guests and first aid personnel, first aid staffers conduct a quick health screen and temperature check before treating guests, and anyone with a temperature (you shouldn’t be out there anyway if you have one) will promptly be given a mask. With minor scuffs, first aid personnel will give guests bandaging supplies if necessary (more serious injuries, of course, will be fully-hands-on from the get-go).
But it’s better not to get rock burn in the first place, so the rental shop has stocked significantly more elbow and knee pads (we recommend them!). They, and rental helmets, are sanitized prior to being returned to the rental inventory.
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