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“A 35 mile road ride isn’t exercise unless you’re a professional cyclist”
What a load of twaddle. Can’t believe the crap some people come out with. The holier than thou’s complain about a solo bike rides why? There’s no impact unless you interact with someone or shed formites on to a surface someone else is going to touch.
Actually it’s a good thing much better than sitting on the couch smoking a fag which will have an impact on the NHS.
So let’s wise up folks fine to complain about real impacts but not on people staying healthy while social distancing.
A 35 mile road ride isn’t exercise unless you’re a professional cyclist
What? My commute is further than that.
I'm itching to add some pics to my sons school facebook of his rides as they've asked for pics of what kids have been up to. Up to 45km in my 9 year olds case. The following shit storm would be epic, however mrs anagallis says no and boy has decided he doesnt want to be on facebook 🙁
What? My commute is further than that.
I [b]think[/b] it's a reference to the general public idea that riding a bicycle is a phenomenal feat of human endurance and distances of more than about 15 miles are simply incomprehensible.
At least, I believe that's what the comment meant - something about cyclists during lockdown going on epic rides and the general public being upset by this.
A 35 mile road ride isn’t exercise unless you’re a professional cyclist
Troll or clueless?
Ok before lockdown, how many people on this forum rode 35 miles + more than 4/5 days a week for "exercise".
If you're struggling for the definition of exercise it's not jumping on a mountain bike and bombing round your local woods for 35 miles
I did. At least 4x a week, sometimes as often as 6x. Last years Strava said 9000km and that doesn’t log every ride.
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mehr
SubscriberOk before lockdown, how many people on this forum rode 35 miles + more than 4/5 days a week for “exercise”.
You’re joking right? I did that most weeks, still am not much has changed other that all solo rides now!
Define exercise? I cycle cos I enjoy it and it keeps me fit.
When I have the chance (not often with 2 young kids) I'll cycle every day and do 30-40+ miles. Depends on whether road or MTB.
I once did a streak in my late 20s (when single!) of 150 days and an average of about 40 miles a day. This was before Strava, I kept a ride diary 😄
Miles? Pros ride in kilometres,
A 35 mile road ride isn’t exercise unless you’re a professional cyclist
No response necessary, I just want to repeat that little gem...
This lockdown period has set back the general publics view of cyclists years
"Facebook Numpties" are just behaving exactly the same way they did before lockdown. Covid 19 is just another illogical peg for them to hang their prejudices on. I think lockdown has been good for cycling. Authorities are actually talking about things like pop up cycle lanes and promoting cycling as a partial solution to socially distanced travel if lockdown restrictions begin to ease.
Ok before lockdown, how many people on this forum rode 35 miles + more than 4/5 days a week for “exercise”.
30 miles, 5 days a week.
Working from home has actually made it more difficult to maintain my level of activity - only managed to get out twice last week, so did 80 today, solo.
Probably bending some rules, but I think that's genuinely safer and less risk than doing 40 not solo.
30 to 40 miles most days, anywhere between 60 and 80 on a Sunday before lockdown. That’s me taking it easier as I’ve got older. Most weekends was a century with a number of other long rides in the week. Lots of roadies get the miles in.
I’ve been dying to get a long ride in, but feel bad doing so. I don’t mind others doing it and certainly don’t think bad of them, just a line I don’t want to cross. 2 hours is my imaginery line that in my head I’m not going to go over.
I’ve been dying to get a long ride in, but feel bad doing so. I don’t mind others doing it and certainly don’t think bad of them, just a line I don’t want to cross. 2 hours is my imaginery line that in my head I’m not going to go over.
My exact thoughts - 2 hours, 30 miles is as far as I'm comfortable with. Had over 6 months off with injuries and was just getting back into it when lockdown struck, frustrated doesn't describe how I feel, but as my sciatica is playing up again this weekend, hence the 0330 posting, I'm grateful for what I've had
Weather looks nice this week, how would the general feeling be on a late evening ride followed by a small wild camp and home in the morning ?
I mean let's be honest; you can do everything you might need to do in a 35... No. I can't do it. A 55km ride. You just have to work harder. If you're doing 4min vo2 max repeats 35miles is a very long way...
Weather looks nice this week, how would the general feeling be on a late evening ride followed by a small wild camp and home in the morning ?
I'd love to. And, realistically, I could do so with no risk. Seems wrong though.
How about if your doing aerobic threshold rides? Even 35 miles is too short.
Not everyone wants to just do high intensity, in fact I use my Wattbike for those sessions, the road is my time to enjoy being on a bike.
NZCol theres no risk as you say, I'd feel a bit funny about it tho, it's more of a technical breach without consequences.
Weather looks nice this week, how would the general feeling be on a late evening ride followed by a small wild camp and home in the morning ?
I don't have that much of a social conscience and like Scotroutes could do this very safely but I would feel pretty uncomfortable about it so haven't.
There are a small minority of people who have continued with activities they've been asked not to. I know of people who've continued driving 1hr plus to climb, run and ski tour in the high mountains of Scotland including some activities the general public would certainly class as 'extreme'. I even got an invite to join a FB group for like-minded individuals doing this.
Everybody makes their own decisions on this and I really try not to judge but it just looks like immature selfishness to me.
How about if your doing aerobic threshold rides? Even 35 miles is too short.
Not everyone wants to just do high intensity, in fact I use my Wattbike for those sessions, the road is my time to enjoy being on a bike.
Because now isn't the time !!!! 🙁
Jeez, how many people need to die before people see it's not all about quality of exercise and training, but just a little bit of ticking over at the moment.
What are you training for ? there's no events ? If you lose your edge/peak, so what ?
Sighs.
How about if your doing aerobic threshold rides? Even 35 miles is too short.
We need to keep things in perspective a bit.
First and foremost, we have been requested to stay at home and avoid going out unless it is absolutely essential.
We have been granted the freedom to exercise in order to maintain our mental and physical wellbeing, with the instruction that we stay local to home and return in as little time as possible.
Neither Aerobic thresholds or VO2 max repeats are essential.
Most of us are outside riding bikes because we enjoy it, and in many cases extending that leisure time as far as we can. We are very lucky to continue what we would ordinarily be doing (and for many, actually doing it more). And I have partaken myself. But we do need to be mindful that anything more than a quick spin around the doors is somewhat self-indulgent under the circumstances.
I can go out all day and not see anyone. It's what I do normally, and it's easy to justify on that basis. But we're seeing a lot of people justifying why they can and should bend or stretch the rules. And that's fine to some degree, so long as we carry some self-awareness and understand that this is what we're doing.
On a related (?) note, I saw a link posted on a club (junior MTB riders) FB page the other day. It was a link to a YT vid of an amazing young rider, I think he was 10, chucking a bike about forest trails. It was a set of enormous jump lines, I don't think he had 2 wheels on the ground at any point.
Excellent stuff, normally I'd be all over that. However, the video was being made by a commercial outfit in the middle of lockdown. Maybe I'm being overly sensitive, but if there had been a crash and the kid had been hurt, the splashback on cyclists would have added to the general ire we all face all the time. As others have said above, its a lockdown for some, but BAU for others.
This lockdown period has set back the general publics view of cyclists years
I disagree. There are way more bums on saddles at the moment, I guess tempted by a combination of empty roads and having nothing else to do. Given the age of the bikes I'm seeing right now, I assume that a lot of old bikes are being dragged out of sheds. I hope that people will discover or re-discover a love for cycling and it will continue after the lockdown.
Gutted that I sold my roadie last year. Down here in the flat home counties 35 miles is 2 hours at a moderate effort. Thats a gentle tickover/recovery for any "serious roadie".
Because now isn’t the time !!!! 🙁
Jeez, how many people need to die before people see it’s not all about quality of exercise and training, but just a little bit of ticking over at the moment.
What are you training for ? there’s no events ? If you lose your edge/peak, so what ?
Sighs.
I pretty much agree with this, even though it makes me incredibly sad to do so.
Personally I'm training for weight loss (about 5 kilos so far this lockdown). Without being too pessimistic, this virus is likely to cost me a year of my life - in terms of absolutely anything I find fun. The only thing that's keeping me sane is to be healthier and stronger (and some financial planning) for when we are allowed out to play again, so i can make up for lost time.
I've walked, run and gone for rides on the mtb round the local pathways and bridleways; as that's what's available to me from my door. All 60 million of us can do this.
60 million people cant all drive to their favourite beauty spot or trail centre or beach, which is why its prohibited, and incredibly selfish for someone to think they can do it.
Also to add - I think the behavioral scientists have played a blinder here, increased public health from people taking daily exercise might make up for the extra NHS cost of the virus. Will be interesting to see the comparisons for brits versus the french and spanish long term.
But we do need to be mindful that anything more than a quick spin around the doors is somewhat self-indulgent under the circumstances.
Why, specifically, is anything more than a quick spin self indulgent?
Jeez, how many people need to die before people see it’s not all about quality of exercise and training, but just a little bit of ticking over at the moment.
Why, specifically, do you think people will die if someone rides more than 35 miles, or does exercise that is more than "ticking over"?
Responsible exercise is go from your home, avoid contact with people outside your household. That's what will help keep people alive. Not how long you cycle for, or how far you go.
Woodster; you can't get a workout out of 55km of threshold over/unders? Who are you, annemiek van vleuten?
Unless you're on 1000+TSS a week, 55km gets you enough time to train. I'd say you could comfortably maintain cat1 / natb fitness on 55km a day. British races aren't 7hr spring classics.
See; I'm not opposing longer rides. I went out for 90k a few days ago, but I just think your 'but how can I train sufficiently' argument is horseshit and you need a better one.
Why, specifically, do you think people will die if someone rides more than 35 miles, or does exercise that is more than “ticking over”?
Responsible exercise is go from your home, avoid contact with people outside your household. That’s what will help keep people alive. Not how long you cycle for, or how far you go.
This is why we have had to have a blanket lockdown with no nuance. People are just simply too stupid to work it out for themselves. They then start to believe the hype about saving lives by staying indoors without being able to work out that some activities outdoors have zero risk.
This is why we have had to have a blanket lockdown with no nuance.
I take it you don't live in the UK? There is plenty of nuance in the UK lockdown, if there wasn't people would all be doing the same thing and there would be no arguments about it.
I think the key words, at least in my interpretation are "maintain you physical and psychological well-being" whilst maintaining social distancing and respecting the spirit of the rules.
Prior to the lockdown I did between 7-10 hours of exercise a week. This was a mix of commuting, running, MTBing/Gravel and occasionally, road riding. 99.9% of this was solo or with the kids. Since the lockdown, I've maintained that level of exercise but have switched the percentages of riding:running around and now do more running. I tend to use the rides as more of a psychological break as much as fitness and for that to work, they need to be longer, further, a proper break from the wife\kids\home\work\school. As such, 55-75km rides 1-2 times per week are more effective for this than the 8*30km rides that I used to do when commuting. I've only down 1 ride over 100km since the lockdown as I'm trying to respect the spirit and intent of the diktat.
I live at the bottom of a long country lane in the Cotswolds which is frequented by cyclists and must say, at the weekend, there were substantially more 3, 4 and 5 person groups than there has been in the previous 4 weeks.
Why, specifically, is anything more than a quick spin self indulgent?
How about, because persons A B C see you out ther, see you on Strava, see your riding and think "well, if he can do that, so can i..... " indirectly you've lowered other peoples threshold for lockdown, you've made someone complacent and there are direct and indirect consequences to this.
The less people we see out, the less people we see taking the pi55, then the more likely that people are to stay safe/lockdown/vigilant, etc...
It's not "if you go out you'll automatically infect 10 people"
Riding again yesterday (solo obvs), I only saw youngsters openly flouting the guidelines.
And they weren't even "proper" riders this time, IYKWIM.
I live at the bottom of a long country lane in the Cotswolds which is frequented by cyclists and must say, at the weekend, there were substantially more 3, 4 and 5 person groups than there has been in the previous 4 weeks.
As per the original point of this thread, what I'm seeing on my rides is a gradual erosion of "lockdown". 4 weeks ago I could ride through the Goyt Valley (north western edge of the Peak District) and not see a soul. Last weekend, there were cars parked all over the verges, small groups of both cyclists and walkers... Some are at least trying to maintain the impression of social distancing while clearly actually being "a gathering". It's not completely broken down yet but I give the current restrictions about 2 weeks at most before the percentage breaking them becomes overwhelming (which is usually about 15-20% non-adherence to trigger either a massive crackdown or more likely, everyone else to just go "**** it, they're doing it, I will too").
That said, I don't believe a solo ride of 100km on Strava is a problem in the slightest, it's much less tangible than seeing a group of kids messing around at the jumpspot.
Why, specifically, is anything more than a quick spin self indulgent?
Because we have been asked to stay at home and limit our time outside. Spending all day outside for your own personal fun and enjoyment is far from essential and the very definition of self-indulgent under the circumstances.
Responsible exercise is go from your home, avoid contact with people outside your household. That’s what will help keep people alive. Not how long you cycle for, or how far you go.
The guidelines specifically stipulate that "...you should spend as short a time away from your home as possible. Stay local if you can and act responsibly at all times."
You cannot reasonably interpret any of this as "spend as long as you want outside, go and enjoy yourself, have a good time..."
By all means use some common sense and go enjoy yourself. The purpose isn't to make life difficult. But even if you believe there is no direct impact, it has a collective influence within society and there are almost 70 million people in the UK who would love to spend all day outside. It becomes problematic when everyone develops their own interpretation in order to justify their behaviour, which is why it's important to know when we're doing this.
simondbarnes
Subscriber
A 35 mile road ride isn’t exercise unless you’re a professional cyclistWhat? My commute is further than that.
just pegging a reminder to never accept an offer to go for a ride with Simon who would clearly destroy you..
All you folks who are doing consistnet 30-40miles rides - are these all off-road and a good mix of up and down?? For me to hit that level, i need to ride relatively hard in the surrey hills for a solid 4.5 hours and not really do much of the fun stuff - are you rides more to cover the distance, or to play on the noce singletrack??
yours,
Confused from Surrey
also, to add - i've seen a mix of people in groups, MTB and road, but def more road. Early AM Holmbury yesteray was eerily quiet (decided on a bit of a mission yesterday), much more so than around Polsedon, Micky, Ranmore..
All you folks who are doing consistnet 30-40miles rides – are these all off-road and a good mix of up and down?? For me to hit that level, i need to ride relatively hard in the surrey hills for a solid 4.5 hours and not really do much of the fun stuff – are you rides more to cover the distance, or to play on the noce singletrack??
think they are talking road (and on road bikes) where 17-18mph average speed is not difficult for someone of normal cycling fitness as long as you dont live in the mountains.
35 miles of trails in the surrey hills is a good half day out at least
just pegging a reminder to never accept an offer to go for a ride with Simon who would clearly destroy you..
It's okay, I don't like people so almost always ride alone 🙂
I give the current restrictions about 2 weeks at most before the percentage breaking them becomes overwhelming
I agree with this.
30 miles, 5 days a week.
Working from home has actually made it more difficult to maintain my level of activity
same here, most weeks Id be commuting >100miles and with the weather like it has been Id be adding another 40-50 evening/weekend. With wfh & kids I'm riding a lot less than usual (frequency & distance), tho no doubt more than some would like.
Ride from home, ride solo, no gnar, keep away from honeypot areas, doesnt matter how long/far aslong as you keep within your own limits.
How about, because persons A B C see you out ther, see you on Strava, see your riding and think “well, if he can do that, so can i….. ” indirectly you’ve lowered other peoples threshold for lockdown, you’ve made someone complacent and there are direct and indirect consequences to this.
Strava has privacy settings, pretty much all my riding is currently private, unless they follow you, all they know if you're out exercising, which is fine and even promoted. Flaunting epic rides on SM probably isnt a great idea.
Whereas, as per OP, being out in groups is a definitely a no no and definitely against gov advice
Just been out - don't worry 14km and max of 4km from home, did go over the hour though (64mins) - uploaded the ride to Strava and noticed someone I follow had done a 142km ride yesterday. In Wales.
That's just taking the piss. One of his comments is a semi legal treatise about how the current legislation isn't legal (he's an industrial chemist not a lawyer).
How about, because persons A B C see you out ther, see you on Strava, see your riding and think “well, if he can do that, so can i….. ” indirectly you’ve lowered other peoples threshold for lockdown, you’ve made someone complacent and there are direct and indirect consequences to this.
The less people we see out, the less people we see taking the pi55, then the more likely that people are to stay safe/lockdown/vigilant, etc…
It’s not “if you go out you’ll automatically infect 10 people”
How does seeing a solo rider lower someone's threshold for lockdown and make someone complacent? I'd suggest exactly the opposite. Seeing people exercising responsibly, alone, should reinforce the message about how we should all be behaving.
“well, if he can do that, so can i….. ”
Yes, they can.
Because we have been asked to stay at home and limit our time outside. Spending all day outside for your own personal fun and enjoyment is far from essential and the very definition of self-indulgent under the circumstances.
Was anyone seriously discussing "spending all day outside for your own personal fun and enjoyment"?
Time is relative. I think we can all agree that we're talking about extended periods outside for our own personal fun and enjoyment, whether you think it is appropriate or not.
Exactly, and I think some people are trying to set an arbitrary limit on how far or how long someone can cycle, without being able to explain why that is risky or "self indulgent".
Ride from home, ride solo (or with your household). Avoid contact with other people. There's nothing wrong with enjoying your exercise during lockdown, as long as you do it responsibly.
Well, I'm working ten hours a day Monday to Friday, so at the weekend, I'll ride my bike (on my own) for as long as I bloody like.
It's not arbitrary though. We have been asked to spend as little time outside as possible.
We have been asked to spend as little time outside as possible.
as possible to not stave to death, or as possible while still going to work (if WFH not possible);shopping and daily excersise.
I know many people for whom 2 or 3 hours on a bike is regular daily or bi-daily exercise.
From that, I would say doing 30 miles on the bike is fine from the front door. driving to the peak district to then ride 30 miles is not (as the drive could be eliminated) and riding 15 miles, having a full picnic, then riding 15 miles home is also not (you can eat at home).
Of course, you could take this to the extreme of everyone should just be doing laps of their street, and anyone who owns a turbo shouldn't be out at all...
The guidance is to spend as little time away from home as possible.
The legislation says you can go out to exercise, but sets no limit other than it must be "reasonable".
We can argue on here all we like, but only the Police, CPS and ultimately the courts will determine what is reasonable. I'd prefer not to be the guy who is in the court case that may spoil the riding for a lot of other people, so I'm trying not to be a dick.
It's all about the maths/epidemiological models - The longer an individual spends out and about in time and distance, the larger the "chance" that you will end up within a contagious distance of another person or multiple persons. That's why we have these very broad generic rules to apply to the whole country.
A 30 min jog around busy London streets is a massive risk multiplier of those risks compared to a 2+ hr 40m solo ride around country roads or bridal paths all within 10 miles of the house. The difference between a 10 mile and 40 mile country ride is pretty insignificant in terms of risk and contagion multiplication. The difference between 3 laps walk around busy suburbia and being out for 3 hours in that location could be massive.
But that level of nuance can't be explained nationally or legislated for so everyone has to to some degree and interpret sensibly.
Just been out – don’t worry 14km and max of 4km from home, did go over the hour though (64mins) – uploaded the ride to Strava and noticed someone I follow had done a 142km ride yesterday. In Wales.
That’s just taking the piss. One of his comments is a semi legal treatise about how the current legislation isn’t legal (he’s an industrial chemist not a lawyer).
I agree 142km far from home is taking the piss though, even in remote areas.
If the legal comment is about the 60min rule then that's correct it's not in the legislation. It was an off the cuff response from Gove to a press question.
did go over the hour though (64mins)
anyone got a reliable (there a sun story but they aint reliable) source that gov guidance has ever been 1 hour max?
[i]anyone got a reliable (there a sun story but they aint reliable) source that gov guidance has ever been 1 hour max?[/i]
Nobody has, because it hasn't been.
My personal background is of someone who has trained all their life. 55kms is the maximum I’m doing now, but as I’ve said previously, that’s sub 2 hours in zone 2. For about 30 years I’ve trained 6 days a week, in the army, as a Rugby League player and when injury forced me to stop playing RL, as a road cyclist (I don’t class my mtbing as training as I’m a bimbler). I can’t just switch to the same level of exercise as some people.
I’m not training to race again this year, my reduced training reflects that. However for me, I can’t just ride for 1 hour. That’s too much of a swing. I’m not in a good position mentally when I can’t get out, I need the time to clear my head. I don’t think 35 miles is too much to ask...being brutally honest that’s about 1 hour 35 when not doing a zone 2 and about 1 hour 50 for zone 2, with a maximum 14 miles away from my house.
Even family holidays cause us problems as Mrs doesn’t want me training, but I can’t not train or watch my calorie intake, hotel has to have a gym and decent swimming pools.
A 142km ride I wouldn’t do, but I understand why people want to, even why they may feel they need to.
My wife thinks I’m addicted to exercise. Probably correct. But there’s a structure and a purpose I get from training, it’s a personal thing, I don’t expect everyone to understand. (I was brought up as an army kid, mum and dad in the army, I ran most days with a club from age 11 following a training plan, I joined the army at 16, did at least one training session per day, but following structured plans until I was 42, then carried on road racing following structured training plans). I’ve massively changed what training I do to fit in with the restrictions we have. I’m no longer doing my long endurance rides, 35 miles is my max, 3 times per week at the max. As an example this weekend I didn’t train outside at all, I took the kids out riding for an hour each day. But I’m now crazing to go out and will do so at 4pm.
My brother has the same background as me (career army bloke but no RL) and he is also struggling not being able to train. His sport is as a martial arts instructor as well as a mountain biker. He’s probably feeling it more than me. He’s been out the army 3 years and has been furloughed from his current job.
It took me to two years ago to stop doing epic or high risk activities I used to do. I came close to losing my wife and family over it. Hope this explains why it is difficult for me to just do 1 hour of exercise, but I don’t expect folks to understand as its far too easy to preach than to understand we all have different ways to try and keep our sanity.
My fitness levels are dropping
i'm losing my peak
Buy a skipping rope then 😉 Professional boxers skip all the time.
Jump rope is not just one of the most affordable pieces of equipment; it’s also one of the most efficient training tools for boxers, and all other athletes, who want to improve footwork, endurance, quickness, explosiveness, coordination and more.
'Endurance, quickness, explosiveness', aren't these attributes a keen amateur cyclist holds high 😕
You can skip at home, in the garden, and even concoct little foot dances.
And when not skipping, why not take up knitting. Knit yourselves an STW musette bag 😀
You can skip at home, in the garden, and even concoct little foot dances.
so probably takes care of exercise if you can cope with it*, not sure about the psychological/mental wellbeing bits. Lockdown is negatively affecting a lot of people's mental/emotional wellbeing, you need some headspcae, peoples needs differ, you can't just run prescribed mandatory physical and mental wellness exercises
*I'm not a fan of running but I can go do 40-60mins run, but 10mins on a treadmill is purgatory, likewise don't even bother suggesting I buy a turbo.
The legislation says you can go out to exercise, but sets no limit other than it must be “reasonable”.
We can argue on here all we like, but only the Police, CPS and ultimately the courts will determine what is reasonable. I’d prefer not to be the guy who is in the court case that may spoil the riding for a lot of other people, so I’m trying not to be a dick.
Quite obviously, no one is going to be prosecuted for a few hours of responsible, solo, socially distanced exercise.
noticed someone I follow had done a 142km ride yesterday. In Wales.
A friend of mine in North Wales is doing that more or less every other day. All solo road riding. No issue for me.
I'm doing 400km myself some weeks (not in Wales) but that's not much different to what I'd be doing in commuting anyway so 🤷🏻♂️
Quite obviously, no one is going to be prosecuted for a few hours of responsible, solo, socially distanced exercise.
The authorities seem to understand that solo cyclists doing more than maybe was intended is not the high risk behaviour they need to focus on for enforcement. But if I was stopped 50 miles from home halfway through a 6 hour ride, I'm not sure I could stand up in court and argue that I was being reasonable either.
Nobody has, because it hasn’t been.
yeah thought so, yet lots of people basing their workouts/leisure time on this (and seemingly quite a few curtain twitchers basing their vitriol on it too)
But if I was stopped 50 miles from home halfway through a 6 hour ride, I’m not sure I could stand up in court and argue that I was being reasonable either.
That would be bad planning, don't do out and backs, most of us can do quite long rides and still stay close, say 10 miles, to home, not getting caught 50miles/3hours from home either by the authorities or mechanicals is sound advice any time.
I've started skipping, for days when I'm doing a dog walk instead of bike ride for my out-of-the-house exercise.
Jesus Christ, it's intense.
noticed someone I follow had done a 142km ride yesterday. In Wales.
What is the problem? Do they live in London or something?
A 30 min jog around busy London streets is a massive risk multiplier of those risks compared to a 2+ hr 40m solo ride around country roads or bridal paths all within 10 miles of the house. The difference between a 10 mile and 40 mile country ride is pretty insignificant in terms of risk and contagion multiplication. The difference between 3 laps walk around busy suburbia and being out for 3 hours in that location could be massive.
Quite. Saw way way way fewer people on my 100km ride yesterday than I did on my 7km jog round the local park on Saturday...
Ok before lockdown, how many people on this forum rode 35 miles + more than 4/5 days a week for “exercise”.
Me, and clearly many others?
See, the more I read replies on this thread, and the more I see what other folk are doing, the more I'm thinking that a bivvy out over the next few days seems entirely reasonable. I mean, it's only two consecutive days of exercise, punctuated with a kip in a (isolated) ditch!
Are you calling that ditch (2nd) ‘home’ for the night?
If I lay my hat there....
But if I was stopped 50 miles from home halfway through a 6 hour ride, I’m not sure I could stand up in court and argue that I was being reasonable either.
Why do you think you would be stopped in the first place?
Even if you were stopped (for some unfathomable reason) do you think anyone would actually take you to court on a charge of "cycling unreasonably"?
See, the more I read replies on this thread, and the more I see what other folk are doing, the more I’m thinking that a bivvy out over the next few days seems entirely reasonable. I mean, it’s only two consecutive days of exercise, punctuated with a kip in a (isolated) ditch!
Careful now, someone will spot you in that ditch and soon everyone will be at it.
Careful now, someone will spot you in that ditch and soon everyone will be at it.
Although that's an extreme example there is something in it. If more people are doing stuff that bends or breaks the rules then that will normalise it and others will follow suit. If people want to do that kind of stuff then that's their choice but they should at least do it totally under the radar and not crow about it on social media.
I could easily ride 100 miles and never be more than a few miles from home, just do my local 10 mile loop a few times.
As I mentioned earlier on in the thread. It's beginning to crumble.
You could look at that two ways - either demand more restrictions and a total lockdown or just say that you know what, a 150km ride alone in the lanes is far from the worst things that's happening if families are sneaking up to second homes, going wild camping on the shores of Coniston or in the case of one re-opened retail park in the NE, causing absolute traffic chaos by queuing up for a drive-thru Costa (various newspaper articles and links if you search for it).
That'll explain why the 7 day average of coronavirus cases is increasing rather than decreasing, because everyones out on their bikes doing more than 35 miles.
My wife asked why I'd been out for more than the hour I'd said I'd be. I said if I'd only gone out for an hour I'd still be five miles from home.
You can use this if anyone else in authority asks you, I'll let you.