Cycling UK Advice Coronavirus

[Crankarm]

I'm not knocking the likes of you carrying so much it's arguably necessary for that terrain. More the "drive to the corner shop for one newspaper" brigade. Its car park was full again today. I struggle to think how you could buy enough of its limited ranges not to be able to carry it walking even - maybe one of the cars has a disabled badge but no way did all twelve!

Who still buys newspapers! Only old fossils probably? They are supposed to be isolating themselves by definitely staying at home, strictly no contact with anyone.

 

[hoopdriver]

Who still buys newspapers! Only old fossils probably? They are supposed to be isolating themselves by definitely staying at home, strictly no contact with anyone.

Breathtaking assumptions, arrogance and, also, incorrect

 

[PaulSB]

Who still buys newspapers! Only old fossils probably? They are supposed to be isolating themselves by definitely staying at home, strictly no contact with anyone.

Why? I'm 65 and far from being an old fossil. I have a newspaper delivered Saturday and Sunday, during the week I read online. I've many friends who have a paper seven days a week. Reading and holding a paper is an enjoyable experience for some. As I and most of my friends are fortunate to be retired we have the time to enjoy life's simple pleasures.

Your post is inaccurate, rude and ignorant.

 

[PaulSB]

I fell across this BBC article which half way through states:

"Bicycle shops are on the list of retailers that are allowed to stay open during the shutdown."

This would seem to add weight to the argument for continuing to cycle.

I am very much in two minds as to whether to continue to ride, let's face it 70-80 miles is not what many consider a bike ride, or to stay at home. Confused and unsure would best describe my thoughts.

Is the question more about do we cycle for sport and pleasure and exercise is a by product? Or do we cycle for exercise? Personally I'm in the sport and leisure camp with exercise being an excellent benefit. If it's about sport and leisure we should probably stop. My wife's tennis courts have been, closed our roads have been left open. Our sport is probably unique in that it takes place on the public highway.

BBC News - Coronavirus: Sports Direct vows to keep shops open despite new curbs
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52011915

 

[hoopdriver]

I fell across this BBC article which half way through states:

"Bicycle shops are on the list of retailers that are allowed to stay open during the shutdown."

This would seem to add weight to the argument for continuing to cycle.

I am very much in two minds as to whether to continue to ride, let's face it 70-80 miles is not what many consider a bike ride, or to stay at home. Confused and unsure would best describe my thoughts.

Is the question more about do we cycle for sport and pleasure and exercise is a by product? Or do we cycle for exercise? Personally I'm in the sport and leisure camp with exercise being an excellent benefit. If it's about sport and leisure we should probably stop. My wife's tennis courts have been, closed our roads have been left open. Our sport is probably unique in that it takes place on the public highway.

BBC News - Coronavirus: Sports Direct vows to keep shops open despite new curbs
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52011915

Same here. I didn't ride this morning, although the weather was lovely and it pained me to remain indoors. I wanted to think this through. I go out very early - typically 4:30am and ride for two hours on empty country lanes - zero risk to anybody. What complicates this, philosophically, is that I bring along my camera and shoot images of cycling in the landscape - this is an integral part of my rides. Again, I do this, typically, on deserted country lanes with absolutely no one about. There would be zero risk to me or anybody else by my continuing to do this as I do my permitted once-a-day "exercise". But pursuing photography - my profession, even if unpaid in this case - is not exactly within the spirit of the ban on activities and I really don't want to be a prat about this. It's too important. And so sadly I think that if/when I do go out it'll be short rides around the town with no camera...

 

[C R]

@PaulSB and @hoopdriver I think the point is stopping all unnecessary contact between people, which your rides comply with, so no need to feel that you need to stop riding.

 

[PaulSB]

@PaulSB and @hoopdriver I think the point is stopping all unnecessary contact between people, which your rides comply with, so no need to feel that you need to stop riding.

Thank you. I'm still struggling but I'm adding to the "carry on" list of reasons.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Who still buys newspapers! Only old fossils probably? They are supposed to be isolating themselves by definitely staying at home, strictly no contact with anyone.

We buy newspapers, I also have a news feed on both my phone and tablet.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Thank you. I'm still struggling but I'm adding to the "carry on" list of reasons.

A lot of cyclists are unsure about this one, myself included.

 

[Velochris]

I agree that cycling will often mean minimal risk of infection. I know I could do a three hour ride and stay further away from fewer people than if I did a 30 minute run along the pavements.

However, my ride would be in fairly isolated rural areas. Emergency services are stretched and this will only get worse. From experience I know the amount of resources required if a cyclist crashes in remote areas.

I therfore think we need to also consider that, albeit it is only a small chance of such an event occurring.

 

[PaulSB]

A lot of cyclists are unsure about this one, myself included.

Yep. Lots of my cycle buddies are struggling with the whole thing. There's a big debate in the club Facebook group.

I agree that cycling will often mean minimal risk of infection. I know I could do a three hour ride and stay further away from fewer people than if I did a 30 minute run along the pavements.

However, my ride would be in fairly isolated rural areas. Emergency services are stretched and this will only get worse. From experience I know the amount of resources required if a cyclist crashes in remote areas.

I therfore think we need to also consider that, albeit it is only a small chance of such an event occurring.

I agree. It was an argument put forward by friends days ago when I continued to ride. At that time my countering point was when people stop driving the potential burden on the NHS will reduce.

People have effectively been told to stop driving other than absolutely essential journeys - food, medicine, key workers.

 

[Velochris]

Yep. Lots of my cycle buddies are struggling with the whole thing. There's a big debate in the club Facebook group.



I agree. It was an argument put forward by friends days ago when I continued to ride. At that time my countering point was when people stop driving the potential burden on the NHS will reduce.

People have effectively been told to stop driving other than absolutely essential journeys - food, medicine, key workers.

I agree. All unncessary journeys, car, bicycle etc... would help reduce the burden. As much as we all love cycling, I cannot put my hand on heart and say I can justify long remote rides at the moment.

 

[Mo1959]

I agree. All unncessary journeys, car, bicycle etc... would help reduce the burden. As much as we all love cycling, I cannot put my hand on heart and say I can justify it at the moment.

I feel I can for my physical and mental wellbeing but will be sensible. For instance I walked at 5.30am this morning. If I cycle I will be alone on country roads....no stopping and no contact.

 

[C R]

However, my ride would be in fairly isolated rural areas. Emergency services are stretched and this will only get worse. From experience I know the amount of resources required if a cyclist crashes in remote areas.

This is the bit I keep going back to. If I have an accident an end up in A&E, I will not only use scarce resources, I will also have more risky contacts than I would otherwise.

I know that people counter with what about a car accident or a DIY accident. Well, the point is to first, reduce social contact to cut the probability of transmission, but also, reduce unnecessary activities that might indirectly lead to increased contact. It is a difficult calculation, as I mentioned elsewhere, and, absent stricter guidelines, each of us will have to decide what works for us.

 

[Mo1959]

This is the bit I keep going back to. If I have an accident an end up in A&E, I will not only use scarce resources, I will also have more risky contacts than I would otherwise.

I know that people counter with what about a car accident or a DIY accident. Well, the point is to first, reduce social contact to cut the probability of transmission, but also, reduce unnecessary activities that might indirectly lead to increased contact. It is a difficult calculation, as I mentioned elsewhere, and, absent stricter guidelines, each of us will have to decide what works for us.

I've slipped in the bath more times than I've come off the bike. I just feel if we can't keep ourselves mentally and physically fit, this is going to be unbearable and potentially lead to more health problems.