Events

The (Socially) Distance(d) goes large!

By 3 min read
Rider ticks off The (Socially) Distance(d) 2021 hexagonal task card with a pen on a wooden bench beside mugs and a bottle.

Over 300 riders from 20 countries across the world, from two years to 60+, MTB, gravel and town bikes, three tandems and a Brompton; our second edition of The (Socially) Distance(d) won’t be one we’ll forget in a hurry!

Two komoot maps of rides submitted to The (Socially) Distance(d) 2021, one of the world and one zoomed in on Britain.
Over 300 rides were submitted from 20 countries worldwide

Our annual collaboration with Focal Events, the hosts of The Distance, annual roaming bikepacking weekender in the UK (along with the Dirty Reiver and Frontier 300), The (Socially) Distance(d) was born in 2020 out of some pretty unforeseen circumstances.

Last year, with over 100 riders from 14 different countries taking part across the world, it was clear that virtual events could help us connect now more than ever, so we brought back the concept for an early season kick-off!

Presented by Bombtrack Bicycle Co., with support from Teravail, Ortlieb, Julbo, Arundel, Ritchey, Squirt, Outdoor Provisions, Wahoo, Stolen Goat and komoot, the second edition took part on the 27th and 28th February.

The (Socially) Distance(d) 2021 Blockbusters task card of hexagon tiles including Big view, Hot flask, Bird spot and Summit.
The 2021 task card: Blockbusters style

The format was simple: plan a ride of your own from home, sticking to local Covid-19 rules, taking in five or more tiles from our Blockbusters card. We wanted the ride to be as inclusive as possible, so any rider of any age or ability, urban or rural, any kind of bike could take part. An all-dayer or trip around the local park, with a bit of creativity, The (Socially) Distance(d) could be enjoyed by anyone.

Adult and child in helmets beside a bike on a woodland track, on a pirate-themed treasure-hunt ride around Croydon, London.
@rchrd.wndsr roped in Pascoe for a day of pirate-themed treasure hunting around Croydon, London

Rides all over the world have been shared in our Collection on komoot, totalling 300 Tours, with a combined distance of over 18,000 kilometres and total duration of 49 days of riding!

Aerial view of a rider and a toddler lying on the grass beside a loaded bike, the youngest entrant in the 2021 event.
@maggiemoreire’s son Bruce was our youngest participant at only two years old!

Riders also shared their rides on Instagram, tagging #thesociallydistanced and many stories from their rides. Although many of us cannot ride together at the moment, the shared joy from tackling these tasks on a single weekend was immeasurable, with some brilliant feedback.

Rider in an orange jacket on a gravel track by the sea with a long bridge behind, on a wintery Swedish ride for the event.
@farawayistan and friends enjoyed a wintery ride in scenic Sweden for the event

‘It was great to see everyone’s rides and see the community connect and be so positive. The checklist was great too.’ – North Riding.cc

Smiling rider on a mountain bike through a narrow rock cutting in the Wye Valley on a The (Socially) Distance(d) ride.
@marcusleachglobal took on the ride with his mum, Jayne, around their local Wye Valley, UK

‘Just needed to say a huge thanks for what you’ve done with this unique and engaging event. I went out with my Mum (who’s 59 and got into gravel riding with me last year) and we had the most amazing adventure and time together yesterday – thankfully she still loves me after sending her up a gravel climb with 30% gradients! Whilst I long for the return of normal events, long may this one continue as it’s been brilliant seeing other people’s stories and adventures.’ – Marcus Leach

Rider sits on rocks beside a stream with a mug, two bikes parked in green fields behind, near Bogor, Indonesia.
@noeysugiono rode out of his home town in Bogor, Indonesia

Check out more from the riders at Cold Dark North, UK Gravel Co and Ben Gerrish, and enjoy some more awesome shots here.

Tandem mountain bike leaning on a trig pillar on a hilltop above forest and a wind farm, one of three tandem entries.
Triple tandemonium on The (Socially Distanced), with @kildonan_jim pictured here as one of the three pairs
Tea poured from a flask into a white enamel mug at sunrise in Cornwall, ticking off the hot flask tile.
In Cornwall, @craighyde_ captured this sublime sunrise as he ticked off the first tile, ‘hot flask’
Frosty moorland path under a clear blue sky above misty fields near Sheffield on an early-morning ride.
@cole_slawson’s frosty shot from Sheffield really puts meaning to the saying ‘the early bird gets the worm’
From the archive: 1 reader comment

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  1. Alex Ball

    I really love this idea. Even though I heard about it too late, I’m probably going to aim to do it on my next few rides.