Cycling to work when ill (or to anywhere)

[snapper_37]

I absolutely HATE driving to work.

I've been feeling really run down the last couple of weeks - like a fart on the bike, tired, niggly etc etc. Then on Saturday I found out I'd got shingles (shudder). I dropped into the docs and got some virus tabs.

I still rode to work Mon, Tue and Wed BUT ... then I woke up today with a throat like glass and eyes full of cold. I wanted to ride into work but my partner (a nurse) was adamant there was no way - due to the rain.

It has really annoyed me, because I think - well I have to go to work (no sick pay in our private industry) and I bloody hate being stuck in traffic. But then the sensible head says she is right and I was right taking the car.

Anyone else ever put their commuting over their health?

BTW - I feel like sh*t tonight but have still got my gear ready for tomorrow!

 

[andyfromotley]

Not quite the same but when i started jogging i stuck to routine come hell or high water, even though my body was telling me to ease up a little, end result chest infection and strained knee ligament, no running for a month. I do try now to listen but still overdo it sometimes.

Always listen to the nurse!

andy

 

[snapper_37]

I do when in uniform

 

[fossyant]

Don't go cycling when you have flu - i.e. the aches, temp changes etc...it's really not good for you... most things you can get away with.

If you are really too ill to cycle, then you should be off sick, but I appreciate that you don't get sick pay, so take the car for a couple of days....you'll be back on the bike quicker...

 

[Nortones2]

If you have real flu, you can barely stand up, never mind go to work, or cycle! temp of 108F = very ill!

 

[gbb]

I'd say listen to nursie

I've had shingles twice...and it's bloody murder when it really comes out.
First time on the side of my stomach...every breath of air moving over the effected area felt like a flamethrower.

Scond time was on my inner elbow...a series of blisters like little volcanoes that would burst into excruciating agony every once in a while. Its debilitating...and its scarred me permanently.

Give your body a chance to fight it. The more your active, the less chance your body has of fighting it. C'mon....you'll only suffer for longer if you dont rest.

 

[HJ]

Probably not a good idea to cycle when ill, but then it is not a good idea to go to work when ill either, so just take it easy...

 

[Dayvo]

I have no alternative other than cycling (25 mins - or walking 90 mins) to work, but so far I haven't been ill/feeeling run-down!
If I'm too ill to cycle, then I'm too ill to work.

 

[Plax]

Should you really be going to work if you have shingles? It is contagious to people who have never had chicken pox (like me for example).

 

[monnet]

I think it was Sean Kelly that used to say a day on the bike with a cold means 10 days off the bike ill later in the year. Point being if you're feeling ropey you might well be ble to get into work on the bike but it could lead to more health problems further down the line due weakened immune system etc. If I'm feeling a bit ropey I'll take the bus one or two days and treat the time as 'recovery'.

 

[snapper_37]

Should you really be going to work if you have shingles? It is contagious to people who have never had chicken pox (like me for example).

So I understand but I would have to get up close and very personal The quack said I was fine to work and I've been on Zovirax tablets all week and the blisters have scabbed.

1000 apologies - but if I don't work, I don't earn and I don't eat ... or pay the mortgage. I would also get very behind with my job as no one can cover which would lead to more stress ... more illness.

I have turned up in the car today as I could sleep on a chicken's lip. Hopefully a couple of day's rest will get me back in the saddle.

 

[biking_fox]

Sick pay is a statuatry right I believe. http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTa...editsAndOtherSupport/Illorinjured/DG_10018786

Only if your self employed do you not get it.

I'm witht he others. Too ill to ride = too ill to work. Ditto if it's a contagious disease.

 

[snapper_37]

Sick pay is a statuatry right I believe. http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTa...editsAndOtherSupport/Illorinjured/DG_10018786

Only if your self employed do you not get it.

I'm witht he others. Too ill to ride = too ill to work. Ditto if it's a contagious disease.

This was a chat about riding to work when ill - not about the rights or wrongs about working when ill. How many people in the private industry who DON'T get sick pay (and I mean their wages every week/month) go to work when ill? I think you will find it is a large percentage.

I don't need to justify myself. It's a shame that full wages sick pay aren't stopped for other industries because then you would find a lot more productivity and less skiving.

Sorry that I need my wages and all that. Unless I could pay my bills from £75.40 a week. Which I very much doubt.

 

[dondare]

I absolutely HATE driving to work.

I've been feeling really run down the last couple of weeks - like a fart on the bike, tired, niggly etc etc. Then on Saturday I found out I'd got shingles (shudder). I dropped into the docs and got some virus tabs.

I still rode to work Mon, Tue and Wed BUT ... then I woke up today with a throat like glass and eyes full of cold. I wanted to ride into work but my partner (a nurse) was adamant there was no way - due to the rain.

It has really annoyed me, because I think - well I have to go to work (no sick pay in our private industry) and I bloody hate being stuck in traffic. But then the sensible head says she is right and I was right taking the car.

Anyone else ever put their commuting over their health?

BTW - I feel like sh*t tonight but have still got my gear ready for tomorrow!

I'd say that if you're too ill to cycle then you shouldn't be working or driving either, but then I do get sick pay. Can you really be as alert as you need to be to drive safely if you're sick?

But to answer your question; no, don't cycle when you're ill, it'll delay recovery.

 

[Perry]

Use the car.

Your body slows down to give it a chance to recover. Burning up energy will slow down your recovery.

In an ideal world you should have total rest. So as you have bills to pay I'd say use the car.

Wish you well.