Cycling and the Coronavirus
- Thread starter Wester
- Start date
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Our club said the same about club rides and riding in club kit. Also said while they can't stop is from planning rides, we can't publicise them on our club facebook page, but to keep the committee informed if we are going out.
Ming the Merciless
There is no mercy
- Location
- Inside my skull
That is what the immune system does to infected cells. It has to kill the infected cells to kill the virus replicating inside.
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
Keeping active got me through bowel cancer and chemo (fortunately that finished nearly 5 moths ago) and I am not planning to do anything different now. With everything cancelled and no commute its motivationally hard but I'll have to find a way.
nickyboy
Norven Mankey
- Location
- You want hills? We got hills
I think there's not much wrong with a group ride but having a cafe stop is very poor form, bearing in mind government exhortations to not visit them
hoopdriver
Guru
- Location
- East Sussex
Gee, why would anyone be stressed about a little thing like that?
straas
Matt
- Location
- Manchester
Some chat on twitter about solo rides being irresponsible?
Am I missing something? I thought I'd be fine for solo rides.
If I don't get out I'll pile on the weight and my mental health will take a battering, but I don't want to feel like I'm being irresponsible either?
Am I missing something? I thought I'd be fine for solo rides.
If I don't get out I'll pile on the weight and my mental health will take a battering, but I don't want to feel like I'm being irresponsible either?
hoopdriver
Guru
- Location
- East Sussex
I would give short shrift to chatter on Twitter. I read yesterday that one of the cabinet ministers was saying that solo exercise was entirely acceptable and indeed to be encouraged - just don't start socialising out there. I also read that Arnold Schwarzenneger (in the US) said he was going out on solo rides on his bicycle - presumably in accordance with the California lockdown rules - but not stopping to chat or do selfies. Spain is the only place where I have heard the police were fining solo bicycle riders - and even that seemed to have been idiosyncratic, depending on which policemen you were unlucky enough to bump into. I can't see how anyone spinning briskly along a country lane, by themselves, in the fresh air is at any risk of catching or transmitting a virus - or anything else for that matter.
- Location
- London
Agree, with an an addition.
Surely a chat is ok if you have no symptoms, keep your distance in any case, and don"t stick around too long? Was out on the bike this morning in london and chatted to three non cyclists separately.
hoopdriver
Guru
- Location
- East Sussex
No I don't think that's wise. My understanding is that one is to keep to oneself - minimising all risk, not stopping to chat, unless maybe you're shouting hello across the street or something.
PaulSB
Legendary Member
- Location
- Chorley, Lancashire
My club has cancelled all official club rides. I support this 100%.
People are riding solo or meeting up for a group ride. Some are happy with a cafe stop, others are taking a sandwich.
I can control my weight and I don't have mental health difficulties. However last year I was extremely ill with a brain haemorrhage. Twice I looked in to the pit of despair and felt my life was over. With help from friends I overcame this. On Tuesday I felt a little of those thoughts returning, Wednesday morning it was worse.
I got on my bike and did 54 miles with a couple of friends. We visited a favourite cafe. We each acted appropriately. My fears disappeared.
If cycling helps you physically and mentally ignore Twitter. This is a time to take care of yourself while ensuring all your actions are socially responsible. This might mean changing your routine but it doesn't mean stopping cycling.
Gravity Aided
Legendary Member
- Location
- Land of Lincoln
I think most of the advice I'm getting is that solo cycling is just fine, social cycling is not. Our local cafes, restaurants, pubs, and bars are all closed for at least a couple weeks. You can get take-out, just no dining room service.
- Location
- London
Do you have a source?
Two of these chats, very briefly, were with folks in queues outside two separate aldis on yet another failed bike shopping trip. Both aldis (not criticising them) were limiting store entry. Folks were also queuing before opening. Many would have been cheek by jowl with other folks for over an hour. I was further away for a very brief period. I also spoke to a woman with two small kids in my local almost empty park. She seemed a level headed sort (we swapped views on panic buying) and showed no fear. Pretty brief chat. We kept our distance. We were outside.
hoopdriver
Guru
- Location
- East Sussex
I've been following the coverage quite closely on live blogs on New York Times, The Guardian, CNN and the BBC and this subject has come up several times. I expect it will come up more. Reducing all non-essential contact is seen as vital to suppressing the spread of the virus. Casual chats and passing the time of day in a park is not seen as essential. Exercise and fresh air, however is.
