Protect the NHS, part 2. Reduce avoidable hospital admissions.

[Andy in Germany]

Yep, the british electoral system ensures that you can be far from universely loved and still be triumphant, even with way more seats than the other bunch. Parties have lost elections even though they had more share of the popular vote. I well remember during Thatcher's pomp coming across a woman who seemed to think that she was universely loved/supported. I was taken aback by an image of the bubble she must have lived in.

The currently ruling party has a vote share of 42%, so this is far from a universal phenomenon.

 

[kynikos]

Think I was going around 12mph - when a car drove into me.

If only you'd been going at 20 mph - it would have missed you...

 

[Dogtrousers]

@I like Skol

In a doubtless vain attempt to drag back on topic, what specifically did you have in mind by the following - what do you believe cyclists should be changing?

OK I'll join you in struggling to keep the thread on topic. Otherwise the mods may as well just move it back to the politics drivel forum where they placed it briefly.

Personally I think cyclists should specifically comply with regulations as set out by the authorities, and generally aim to reduce contact with others outside their household to a minimum. How they go about that latter task is their business. Me, I think I'll be knocking long (100km+) rides on the head for the time being and doing more on the turbo. I'm lucky in that respect in that I both have a turbo and enjoy using it. Others can do what they see fit.

 

[I like Skol]

@I like Skol

In a doubtless vain attempt to drag back on topic, what specifically did you have in mind by the following - what do you believe cyclists should be changing?

As cyclists is it again time we proactively reduce our exposure to injury risk in order to reduce avoidable hospitalisations?

This thread already contains clear guidance on the sort of thing I am suggesting.
I am not going to give further clarification because this will only lead to half the posters in this thread refusing to stop riding (even though I never said they should) because it is their right, the situation is a farce, nobody is telling them what to do and they will bloody well carry on as before, regardless! 50% will claim that they are completely safe and it is everyone else that is a danger so why isn't anything being done about that? The rest will do anything they can to disagree with whatever is said just because that is what they come here to do and they enjoy it. A small minority already get 'it' and will make any necessary changes then get on with their lives

 

[Juan Kog]

Can I get through post without saying 'Evil Middle Class Witch" ? - it would seem not.

I think that shows admirable restraint.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

This thread already contains clear guidance on the sort of thing I am suggesting.
I am not going to give further clarification because this will only lead to half the posters in this thread refusing to stop riding (even though I never said they should) because it is their right, the situation is a farce, nobody is telling them what to do and they will bloody well carry on as before, regardless! 50% will claim that they are completely safe and it is everyone else that is a danger so why isn't anything being done about that? The rest will do anything they can to disagree with whatever is said just because that is what they come here to do and they enjoy it. A small minority already get 'it' and will make any necessary changes then get on with their lives

In all honesty, I read your original post as a suggestion to stop cycling. I've genuinely no idea now what you mean at all. But that's fine.

@Dogtrousers my view, I think, is that on road, as long as I'm self sufficient for food, drink and mechanicals I'll just carry on and do what I fancy. At this time of year, it's very unlikely I'll be out for more than half a day/100 kms. I can't see that riding on road is a high risk activity regardless, unless you intend going full on no lights ninja red light jumper. Most serious accidents involve motorists and are at junctions, so out in the countryside is inherently lower risk, which is where I ride. In several decades of riding I've only been stranded for a mechanical once, and that was 'cos I left my saddlebag at home by accident and punctured. So no effect on me. As to turbos - the work of Beelzebub, I prefer sleet.

Short version: solo on road riding is low covid risk and low accident risk. Carry on.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I'm surprised about golf tbh. If I am told not ride my bike I won't. But no such instruction has been forthcoming.

Ever tried golf on a bike?

 

[Blue Hills]

As to turbos - the work of Beelzebub, I prefer sleet.

 

[kingrollo]

The spread is perfectly manageable. The numbers are sticking in the mid 20,000's a day and they are not shooting up through the roof, and the testing rates are much higher than they were six months ago so a higher proportion of the virus is being detected. The "experts" would like everyone locked down for the next year if they had it their way, they are obsessed by trying to suppress the numbers instead of just making the best of the situation. Johnson has shown he ain't no Mrs T when it comes to having a backbone. He just craps himself and panics as soon as he has to deal with anything unpalatable. It's the easy way out for politicians to hide behind "experts" and they are accountable to no-one for the damage they are causing. They don't care how many people lose their jobs as a result of the lockdowns, the taxpayer is still paying their wages every month.

Yeah experts what do they know.....

 

[Dogtrousers]

@Dogtrousers my view, I think is[...]

Precisely what I said. Think about it and come to your own conclusion, which is what you've done. Entirely up to you. The fact that you've come to a different conclusion to me is not a problem. I'm not one of these "do cycling exactly the way I do it, or else you are just wrong" types.

... and I quite like my turbo. I went up Alpe d'Huez in the sunshine last weekend, as the rain lashed the windows.

 

[fossyant]

I'm lucky in that respect in that I both I am a crazy lunatic and have a turbo and enjoy using it.

 

[boydj]

NHS has been an unworkable bureaucracy for many years, and now accounts for ever growing proportions of public spending. Yet 7 months later and with unlimited additional cash they still can't do basic things like test and trace or GP appointments. For most of the year we haven't had a functioning health service, just a National Covid Service to manage a disease which is low risk for most people. Turning their backs on all other health conditions is a national disaster created entirely by the NHS. Within a couple of years Covid will look irrelevant compared to the excess deaths from other causes, and NHS managers are already lining up their excuses for how these aren't their fault.

I don't know where you get your info, but the above is pure rubbish. Since a visit to the doctor on the 12th October, I've had four hospital appointments covering an initial assessment, MRI scan, covid test, biopsy and bone scan. I couldn't have been looked after better. The NHS, staffed by caring, competent professionals, is definitely there for those who need it.

 

[biggs682]

Just set up my Rourke on the turbo trainer so that will be my lock down ride

 

[alicat]

In all honesty, I read your original post as a suggestion to stop cycling. I've genuinely no idea now what you mean at all. But that's fine.

So did I. So I'd love to know what you think we should do differently @I like Skol.

 

[fossyant]

Just set up my Rourke on the turbo trainer so that will be my lock down ride

View attachment 556287

View attachment 556288

I'm all Zwifted up with my Ribble 653, and did the ride on the first lockdown day in March. I got out on the bike after that as much as possible - the flexibility of being at home and not commuting. I'll still be going out.

One of my early lockdown rides, I was riding up a road on my MTB, and some young mum just stuck her arm out with finger pointing that I should pass on the ther side of the moon, I was a long distance from her. I thought (having had kids), you are the one with the germ machine in the trolly. I didn't say a word, but I guess she's whizzing round her covid nursery buds now (like my SIL is....)