[Closed] Lock down, can i ride my bike in the countryside?

Depends on the terms of the 'lock down'

There were a few geezers in Spain yesterday jogging, because the fuzz can't arrest them.

If they can under the terms...

Mind, I suppose you just cough at them and you will be on your way.

There were reports in the press yesterday that police were stopping and fining cyclists in Spain.

As discussed on another thread, it's not just a question of the likelyhood of meeting anyone and passing on or getting the virus, it's putting more stress on the health system if you have an accident. Here in Spain the decision has been made for us, no cycling of any sort with a fine up to €600,000 or 3 months jail for infraction. Sobering times, might have to dust down the turbo.

As I understand it, the Spanish rules restrict all travel, even cycling, to essential journeys, ie work and getting food and medicines.

So extending that journey for a ride in the countryside would be illegal I guess.

I'll be riding and riding after dark - 100m to the canal towpath and a further mile to miles of open countryside. Can't see the Rozzers chasing MTB riders off-road in the dark being a priority.

I think the point is that while being out for recreational purposes isn't going to spread infection if you don't meet anyone, they don't know you're not riding or walking to go somewhere other than a food shop or to work. But I'd have thought you should be able to cycle commute or food shop.

The dozen or so Police on duty every day in my area are fully occupied eating burgers and drinking coffee, guarding prisoners in hospital and a couple of them are cruising up and down the M6 stopping idiots who get a ping on the ANPR so the likelihood of them bothering a cyclist is zero.

Yep, round here they can't catch actual criminals under normal circumstances. The idea that the police, in the time of corona, are going to have time to apprehend me if I go out on a mountain bike seems far fetched. It's going to boil down to don't crash, don't be caught and don't be a dick - if it gets to that place anyway.

and of course remember no ones coming looking for you if you do fall off and incapacitate your self.

There is no way I'm not exercising for however long we're on lockdown, no way in the world.
I'd do more damage to myself and other if I was stuck in 4 walls.
Zwift is fine but a run outside is the only thing that keeps me sane.

Hopefully I will make the 100 meter dash from my house to the woods without being stopped.

More Cash- I should have said leisure cycling is banned here in Spain, no such restrictions in the UK, yet. My point is that the likelyhood of transmission on a solo ride in the middle of nowhere is negligible but turning up at A&E with a broken limb sustained by an activity that could be avoided will consume vital resources. The policy of don't be a dick is applicable here.

Piston broke - absolutely agree on the don't be a dick. It's not the consequences for ourselves, it's the unforseen knock on consequences 3-4 people down the chain.

Hey, so long as I'm alright though 🙄

How at risk of needing a rescue team or hospital treatment are most of us? The risk doesn't increase because of CV19, only the consequences. But does that really constitute much of a risk?

Yes, if it happens it's crappy luck but the chances really are slim. I'm not sure it's possible to behave in a manner that would reduct the normal duty burden on the NHS other than not going in for stuff that doesn't need treating (which might be one of the naturally occurring benefits of all this).

Work has recently congratulated everyone on so many days without a reportable incident. I'm pretty sure no one actually did anything different on a conscious day to day level, we just got lucky/are experiencing a period of statistical upswing (depending on your point if view).

Friends in Italy have to have a pre-completed form with reason for being out and about. They need to have that ready to present if they're stopped.

4 reasons food (nearest shop) family ( essentisl visits, bringing food, medicine) hospital or work.

This thread is unbelievable.

Selfish folk more worried about not being able to ride a bike for a month or so than trying to pull together and reduce the strain on our emergency services. We are facing the biggest crisis since the war and you selfish pricks are going to deliberately engage in a dangerous pastime for your own selfish reasons.
I bet all those doctors and nurses risking their own health to look after the sick will be really glad that you continue to ride your bike against the advise of your own government. If you fall off and injure yourself, hopefully they will put you at the back of the queue in A&E!

I must admit,I hadn't thought of the potential implications of riding during all this.

Now I have,I won't be riding.

This thread is unbelievable.

I know, who knew anyone on here actually cycled.

I'm outraged

Time to put the bikes away. Not important right now.

Dangerous past time? I've been riding for 30 years and been hospitalized twice - one of those when a car hit me. Just don't ask about my DIY accidents...

I expect you'd be more likley to get injured cycling to your place of work though. Or even driving to work

I’m glad I don’t own a dog. What’s your house going to smell like after 3 weeks of not being allowed out?

What’s your house going to smell like after 3 weeks of not being allowed out?

Probably the same as usual.

@trailwagger - cycling is one of the few things that helps me keep my asthma and mental health issues under control. If I didn't get out on the bike every few days I'd be more of a strain on the health service. I will go out but I'll be avoiding any high risk trails and sticking to just riding regular loops without taking any risks, not going for a PB or KOM and being sensible. It's not selfish at all for people to get out in the fresh air as long as they are sensible. I'm usually in more danger cycling to work and I won't stop that either for the same reasons mentioned above. I'll be sensible and avoid busy spots, ride solo etc. Perfect excuse to go to the places with a tiny car park in the middle of nowhere and do a ride where I will most likely see no-one all day. Much, much less risky than going to the gym or the leisure centre. If there is a ban on outdoor activities I will respect it but until that time I will make sure I'm taking relevant precautions and take heed of any official advice.

Don't forget health is not just about the physical, we need to keep everyone mentally healthy too.

If the government says not to ride, I'll not ride (except to the shops).
Until then, I'd suggest that forcing people to walk or ride rather than drive to shops would be more effective than stopping people taking part in any sport. Also, if we're on lockdown, I'd suggest the risk of accidents ending up in A&E from heaps of DIY being completed would be far higher than going for a spin.
In the meantime, I'm doing what I can that doesn't have significant detrimental impact on my life to minimise the risk of being a vector, up to and a little beyond what we are being told we should do by the government (nobody in my household is at particular risk from it - thankfully even my son's condition shouldn't be a big risk, but there are many for whom it is a risk and I'd like to minimise this risk as a responsible citizen!). But right now the hospitals are coping etc, I'm getting my fix.
It sounds like the Spanish approach is simply locking down, not to reduce the A&E burden, if it includes running as well (or maybe cycling isn't in fact a huge risk).

Strip, clean and lube your bike like it's never been stripped, cleaned and lubed before!

Then do bootcamp sessions to get fit as ****.

When you can go out again it'll be amazing.

Don’t forget health is not just about the physical, we need to keep everyone mentally healthy too.

This. R4 yesterday someone was recommending 5 bits of fun a day to supplement your 5 bits of fresh fruit/veg, as mental health and stress affects your susceptibility and response to infection.

I'm in Spain and there was a couple of stories on the news last night of the police stopping cyclists and runners.

Defo not socially acceptable here either to be out on the bike for leisure - people are posting pics on Twitter of runners / cyclists etc.

In Spain the situation is really clear. For 15 days we can´t do anything other than what is needed to survive! The police are stopping and charging joggers and cyclists. You are allowed out to walk dogs. There is massive social pressure to not ignore this and a hashtag #yomequedoencasa or i´m staying in the house. I live on the edge of the mountains, the singletrack starts at my door and there is nobody there ever. I suggested I was going to ride up to clear some fallen trees and was almost crucified by my friends. So now I´m staying in my house! They have also cancelled our mountain insurance, meaning if you need rescued you will be charged for it. On top of the police fine I think.

The UK isn´t doing that yet it seems but I can´t believe it´s not coming.

I think 'don't be a dick' is fully applicable here. It would be ridiculous to go out and attempt a first go at the local 'mega-gap' in the woods. But a run or sensible ride that kept health up would be viable, especially if there is a long-term lockdown, to avoid health issues associated with lack of movement.

What if riding/racing bikes is your profession?

I'm sure a lot of non-essential professions will be ceasing operations during a lockdown.

Here that is OK, if you work for Deliveroo etc

@redgrandslam I thought I could claim that clearing trees and maintaining trails is my job but then... Rule #1 and some social conscience. If everyone else is locked down it´s only fair. Professional riders are being told to train inside on rollers in their own house. Just to be clear, that is Spain I´m talking about.

TBH if I'm still expected to turn up for work I'm still going to ride my bike.

If we're all put under house arrest then the number of sex injuries and DIY accidents is going to dwarf the odd "fell off a bike".

This. R4 yesterday someone was recommending 5 bits of fun a day

I'll mention this to the OH, not holding out much hope though, I didn't even get steak.

Everyone has a different way of viewing risks.

I shall continue to ride, but in order to placate others and not be a burden on A&E I shall take to wearing a helmet.

@doug_basqueMTB.com totally agree if everyone else is staying indoors it's only fair to do the same in the cities

Here's an article from El Pais - fines or even prison:

https://english.elpais.com/spanish_news/2020-03-15/members-of-the-spanish-public-face-fines-or-even-prison-if-they-disobey-lockdown-rules.html

When you can go out again it’ll be amazing.

For the last couple of years I've had a 4+ hour commute most days, on top of normal family chaos, which means I've barely ridden a bike (other than the mile to the station) in that time. So any enforced work-from-home/isolation would be the time I can go out again 🙂

Full lockdown here in Madrid and I can confirm that the police are indeed stopping joggers and cyclists and sending them home.

No idea what the situation will be back home if / when it gets there. Didn't Johnson / Rasputin (Cummings) say they wanted everyone to catch it anyhow? Can't see that being a good result for the Tories at the next election if a significant amount of their voter base (over 60s) are wiped out by this virus.

dot - guess something like that may be inevitable here too.

My wife who works for the NHS has asked me to rein in my training a bit - being fatigued from riding is a good way to increase your risk of any infection getting more serious. I'll also be riding in a slightly more measured way but I won't be stopping until the fines come in.

Most of the local trails I consider worthwhile are technically illegal so business as usual I suppose. I've got used to being a criminal 🙂

What if riding/racing bikes is your profession?

They all have asthma so they'll be in hiding

This:

I think ‘don’t be a dick’ is fully applicable here

I've just come off a run of 7 nights, 4 of them 12hrs shifts, I'm climbing the walls because I haven't really exercised.

If I got stuck at home I think I'd eat and drink myself to death in about 4 weeks.  That or Mrs M would smother me in my sleep after I turned into a sex pest.😂

Luckily I'm semi rural and after 5 minutes of tarmac I'm onto bridleways so come lock down I'll be sneaking out for night rides and dog walks (with 3 very active dogs the carnage caused by bottling them up doesn't bear thinking about).

Maybe keeping the rides private on Strava.😁

I also have a 2.5hr commute off road that I'll be stepping up.

The police are stopping and charging joggers and cyclists. You are allowed out to walk dogs.

Seems a bit odd. Unless dog owners can transmit the virus.

I ride to work and back every day, I ride 3-4 times a week straight after work for an hour or so or before work when its a nice fresh morning. I dont go daft its normally a 10-14 mile spin canal local fire roads. Any why , simply my mental health, I have and always will be an outdoors person, if I have to stay inside for long periods of time I become depressed and very tetchy to say the least. And there is no way in hell im staying grounded,call me selfish or as one poster said "prick" but my mental health is also my concern and if thats me going out at 3am for an hour so be it.

The police are stopping and charging joggers and cyclists. You are allowed out to walk dogs.

Seems a bit odd. Unless dog owners can transmit the virus.

It does, doesn't it, particularly as I tend to have closer contact with a wider range of people when walking the dog than when out on a bike or running. Assuming you mean cannot.

Seems a bit odd. Unless dog owners can transmit the virus.

The World Health Organisation said it was fine. Apparently WHO let the dogs out. Is that my coat... I'll take the dog with me.

After what I saw at my local supermarket over the weekend do you really think Joe Public is going to give a flying F@~k about the welfare of anybody other than themselves. The local Scrotes are going to have a great time screaming round the empty streets on their scooters. I like to think most on here are reasonably well balanced responsible folks but we are in the minority.

Also in Spain / Madrid...

Seems a bit odd. Unless dog owners can transmit the virus.

The instructions are to maintain at least 2m distance from other dog walkers, and to limit the time of the walk. (i.e. don't take the piss / go for a run with a dog)

I did take the rubbish out this morning, but that's allowed and is just crossing the road.

The local Scrotes are going to have a great time screaming round the empty streets on their scooters.

Until they get pulled over by the police and hit with a great big fine. If there's noone else around it's pretty bloody obvious when they try to ignore the restrictions...

why not just wait until if/when it happens before speculating?

I don't believe we are heading to that level of restriction.

Grant Shapps when talking about the proposed over 70 "lock down" said that people would still be able to/ encouraged to walk the dog etc. The restrictions are about contact, not a blanket ban on leaving the house. So places like pubs, cafes, shops etc to be avoided, waking the dog etc fine

My plan is to keep contact with 70+ parents to the garden and one toilet by the back door, easy to disinfect on the way out. Stops them going stir crazy and not seeing the grandkids. Keeps the house as a safe zone.

This thread is unbelievable.

Selfish folk more worried about not being able to ride a bike for a month or so than trying to pull together and reduce the strain on our emergency services. We are facing the biggest crisis since the war and you selfish pricks are going to .........

A bit of hysteria always helps. 🙄

The guidance here in Italy is that individual sports outside are ok. The rules are to limit social mixing, and a solo bike ride would be ok. I went out on Saturday and saw three others, and a handful of walkers.
What happens in the UK is anyone's guess. It would be so much better if the UK had a plan and communicated it out so that everyone knew what to expect and could then properly prepare for it.

A bit of hysteria always helps.

That's not hysteria, that's reality. Do you watch the news? have you seen what's going on in other countries?
Name one other time in recent history when so many countries were closing borders, telling citizens to remain in their homes people queueing hours for food, make shift hospitals with patients on camp beds etc.

That’s not hysteria, that’s reality. Do you watch the news? have you seen what’s going on in other countries?
Name one other time in recent history when so many countries were closing borders, telling citizens to remain in their homes people queueing hours for food, make shift hospitals with patients on camp beds etc.

A lot of people are very worried, it's normal in extraordinary circumstances.

The UK government and the relevant agencies appear to be taking a pragmatic view and staging restrictions. Don't go on social media as there is a lot of rubbish coming from unqualified people and / or those who have no access to the data. In reality those in the loop are in the agencies making the decisions.

UK is doing things differently but it's not necessarily wrong or right, it's a strategy led by experts. The restrictions on the continent are based on the circumstances in each country, led by their experts who have access to their data.

Do I expect a national full stay in your house shut down? No.

Do I expect to be working out how to stop my parents from carrying on regardless. Yes

Am I worried. Yes, but I don't believe a world Wide shutdown is going to happen therefore it's about managing circumstances.

That’s not hysteria, that’s reality. Do you watch the news? have you seen what’s going on in other countries?
Name one other time in recent history when so many countries were closing borders, telling citizens to remain in their homes people queueing hours for food, make shift hospitals with patients on camp beds etc.

The above are consequences of the hysteria, not the virus.

Where does it end and do we accept that the consequences of such measures may outweigh any benefit they bring to the overall population?

The above are consequences of the hysteria, not the virus.

Where does it end and do we accept that the consequences of such measures may outweigh any benefit they bring to the overall population?

This.

The virus is a bad thing, a lot of people have and will have died from it. But for the rest of us, life goes on, and we can't simply hide away.

I'll probably try to take my rollers out of storage back home just in case there's a lockdown, and for some summer garden drinking fun with mates (hopefully, depending on the CV progress).

I'll do what I can to minimise my chance of passing the virus around. I won't avoid taking precautions just because of stubbornness or selfishness, or to make some sort of point. But I won't be panicking, stockpiling or over-reacting.

Pretty much stick to safe and known routes. Please.

BBC News - Scottish mountain rescue teams in coronavirus plea
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-51908466

The virus is a bad thing, a lot of people have and will have died from it. But for the rest of us, life goes on, and we can’t simply hide away.

Except that the load on the health service will be such that others - RTA and heart attack victims are obvious examples - will also die. The problem goes beyond just treating direct victims of the virus, the NHS is going to be massively stretched particularly when it comes to emergency treatment.

Hypothetically choosing to ride your bike doesn't though, as trailwagger so charmingly puts it, make you a 'prick'. It makes you someone who's asking questions about the viability of doing something that's important to you and, in many cases, important to mental health.

Discussions like this help people understand the bigger picture and maybe make decisions if and when a lockdown happens. Calling them 'pricks' just gets people's backs up and makes them less likely to think things through.

Don’t forget health is not just about the physical, we need to keep everyone mentally healthy too.

Oh god this constant talk of 'mental health' - not riding a bike for 2-4 weeks is not going to kill you. You might be grumpy but you aren't going to top yourself.

Whilst I would love to be off work and riding my bike, if we DO have to go into a lockdown which also includes riding/running, then so be it.

We are in extraordinary times, and we have a social duty to do as we are instructed to do for the greater good IMO, and out of respect for the doctors and nurses and other front line staff who will be working in awful conditions and putting their own health at risk, for the greater good.

I have done an amazon order for some cheap home gym equipment so I should be able to do some decent work outs at home. Thought about buying a turbo but didn't want to spend the cash on a smart one right now.

As always, nicer for the rich - families with nice big gardens will be in a better situation than 6 people crammed into a 2 bed 8th floor flat in London...

Amazon order ! Did you not think of the poor Amazon driver who is risking a trip to A&E trying to deliver your gym equipment 🙂

Expecting full lock down in France tonight.

I should get a pass to get to work. Looks like my new commute will include Enduro trails......

In intending to do my bit to support local companies and goto bike park wales next week unless the government imposes travel restrictions

After what I saw at my local supermarket over the weekend do you really think Joe Public is going to give a flying F@~k about the welfare of anybody other than themselves. The local Scrotes are going to have a great time screaming round the empty streets on their scooters. I like to think most on here are reasonably well balanced responsible folks but we are in the minority.

This massively; people are going bloody nuts. Stuff like pasta, baked beans, tinned tomatoes, passata, etc was none existent in my local Sainsbury’s.

I intend to be as sensible as possible but will ride as much as I can without getting in a shit load of trouble. I’ll take things a bit more easy. If that makes me a prick, then so be it. I do t think mincing about the woods on my own for a few hours is the worst thing I can be doing.

Carefull, you could get stuck there endlessly going round and round unable to come home. Who knows what you will pick up stuck in those sweaty uplift vans. But on the plus side, you will end up as a DH champ with two months of practice.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-51908466/a >

In a statement, Scottish Mountain Rescue said: "Being in the outdoors has many benefits and we are usually very happy to encourage individuals to get outdoors and enjoy the beauty of Scotland.

"However, during this ongoing situation we ask you not to take any unnecessary risk when enjoying the outdoors.

"Perhaps go on adventures you are familiar and safe with and while doing so, keep social distancing in mind."

^^^^ Entirely sensible.

If I go out on the bike it will be trail centre reds rather than trying to smash myself up on black grade off-piste stuff I found on Trailforks.

Getting outdoors is a good and healthy thing, so long as an actual lockdown isn't in place I'll be doing it, but keeping myself safe too.

Amazon order ! Did you not think of the poor Amazon driver who is risking a trip to A&E trying to deliver your gym equipment

We aren't in lock down yet, nor are we even being asked to undertake social distancing really.

@kittyr ... I'm going to call you out on this ..

Oh god this constant talk of ‘mental health’ – not riding a bike for 2-4 weeks is not going to kill you. You might be grumpy but you aren’t going to top yourself.

Unless you have experienced someone who struggles with mental health, or known someone closely who does, I'd suggest maybe toning down your disdain a little bit.

Ever heard of people taking their own lives? Do you think that's because they're a bit grumpy, or a bit down? Or might it actually be connected to a clinical condition in which the complex chemical and neurological functioning of the brain alters the way some people experience life and the challenges that they face?

For some, physical exercise is an absolute lifeline by which they manage those challenges.

It's tough enough living with a mental illness, without other people perpetuating ignorance, judgemental approaches and a "pull your socks up" kind of approach.

I'm sure plenty of people citing mental health on here will be little more than grouchy if they're off the bike, but you have to wonder at what point measures become so economically impactful that UK deaths from Covid-19 are outstripped by suicides directly related to job loss, bankruptcy and so on. I'm lucky enough to be an employee in a sector that won't be hard-hit and I'll be able to work from home, and a good number of people posting on here in the daytime are probably in a similar boat, but there are hard times just over the horizon for a lot of people.

Oh god this constant talk of ‘mental health’ – not riding a bike for 2-4 weeks is not going to kill you. You might be grumpy but you aren’t going to top yourself.

Big red flag here. Sadly it's not quite that straightforward, and in fact I'd already been thinking that lockdown conditions will be a hugely challenging time for people grappling with their metanl health. If you're talking about people whose lifeline is seeing others, catching up in the pub or chatting at work; or people who manage week to week by getting out for a really head-clearing bike ride or hike, these are going to be incredibly difficult times.

It's very tough to know where the line should be; and it's fair to say we should all be pulling in the same direction, but as noted above, there will be a few additional suicides this year as a direct result of social distancing and not being allowed out for their preferred sport

Do some folk here end up in A&E on most rides or something? Or spend their ride transmitting disease?

Laughable

Johnson specifically said it was ok to get out and exercise if you don't come into contact with others, suggested it was important in fact. I reckon solo biking comes under that category.

Does anyone know how I can change the time stamp on my Strava uploads so I can continue to work from home 🙂

Does anyone know how I can change the time stamp on my Strava uploads so I can continue to work from home

https://gotoes.org/strava/Add_Timestamps_To_GPX.php

Or

https://www.fitfiletools.com/#/top

"2-4 weeks"

I'd remove that hyphen for a more realistic timescale.

Just don’t fall off and need a hospital trip. I don’t think you would get much sympathy when explaining how you were trying a big jump and it all went wrong!