[Closed] Scottish Government: don’t go mountain biking ..

Erm, but mountain biking is my exercise.

Where in the rules does it say 60 minutes? ****

Leitch is a very measured character so this certainly looks like a further clamp down.

Where in the rules does it say 60 minutes? ****

probably coming to a website near you soon.

I'm inclined to agree with him.

I think he's picturing mountain biking as being a drive to a trail centre/actual mountain.
What you're doing swavis is going for a bike ride.

I shall continue with my bimbling gravel rides

I think the 30-60 minutes was mentioned in passing by michael Gove originally

I'm guilty of keeping up mountain biking. From my home. For my son's it does still involve a couple of the easier jumps.
Perhaps time to calm down on that side for my two midi_Enduro'ists.

I'm struggling, having had stick for 'middle of nowhere' ride pic, which I took down. The important detail is that I was within a couple of miles of my house, and reason for forest roads and farm track was how chuffing busy everywhere that is a road or marked path is. One person's 'mountain biking' was our gravel & road bike potter around an empty forest to avoid contact with anyone. Hmmm.

Is countryside cycling on my countryside bicycle ok?

I think he’s picturing mountain biking as being a drive to a trail centre/actual mountain.

Yes I think that's what a lot of people are thinking when they imagine 'mountain biking'.

I think the perception of mountainbiking isn't going out and about on fire roads, it's the gnar, the rough stuff and the risk factor.

I think he’s picturing mountain biking as being a drive to a trail centre/actual mountain.
What you’re doing swavis is going for a bike ride.

I agree, I think he has the image of DH or Enduro. I can assure him that my form of mtb is very different from that 😆

Possibly a reaction to the fear of loads of people turning up at tweed valley this weekend?

I know some of you are itching for a further clamp down, but a blanket ban on MTBing would be crackers.

The problem here is perception.

My forest bimble on a bike *is* someone else's "mountain biking". And someone will use that to try and limit us.

Cue two very upset riders in my house.

I'm still more fearful for the new joggers and riders I see - many a heart attack waiting, and so many bikes with poor brakes or lack of control....

phew, he's not talking about me "I'm a glorified gravel rider!"

MTBing or riding a mountain bike?

I do one but not the other

I know some of you are itching for a further clamp down, but a blanket ban on MTBing would be crackers.

yeah pointing out that taking the piss would have consequences is "itching for a further clamp down"

It could be they have data back from the people counters at the trail centres showing more use than they expected.

On a day job thing I'm going to be interested to see what the ones I have running of footpaths show over the course of the outbreak.

Well I'll be carrying on as normal until they stop runners and walkers too.

Again? Another one? Another nother mother one?
We've done this, pages and pages and pages

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Well I’ll be carrying on as normal until they stop runners and walkers too

They’ve already told mountain walkers and runners to stop

I think the 30-60 minutes was mentioned in passing by michael Gove originally

Yes, he said "I would have thought that for most people, a walk of up to an hour, or a run of 30 minutes or a cycle ride of between that, depending on their level of fitness is appropriate."

So "for most people". Obviously those of us on STW will need far more than and hour a day to maintain our current huge fitness levels.

Also note, these were "Gove" guidelines not "Gov" guidelines. I'm here all week.

It sounds like he meant to say “don’t go biking up mountains”. I shall continue riding my mountain bike to work on the days I can’t work from home (it’s very hard to take your CNC machine home with you), and sometimes go via the woodland singletrack.

And yet he defended Catherine Calderwood’s actions.... logic clearly isn’t his strongpoint.

The public perception of mountain biking is going somewhere remote, potentially getting lost, injured and all the rest.

Obviously heading out in the car to go to a busy riding spot and throw yourself off huge jumps isn't on. But riding around stuff well within your capability is what a lot of us need, physically and mentally, to be healthy.

To put it another way, I've not gone over 90 minutes, I would not go over 2h, but I'm being very careful to pick quiet times, ride within limits, and not go places that might require mountain rescue if it all went wrong.

The "MTB" trails are far less busy than the "paths" I might "cycle" but not "Mountain bike" on. Whilst 90 mins max is a huge cut in my normal volume of activity, a lot of people must be doing a lot more outdoors at the moment than they used to (even if only going out for half an hour a day), and from that point of view I feel most people here are adjusting more to the requirements of this - even if we do still go out for longer than the arbitrary limit that's not even written in the official guidance.

If MTB was actually banned tomorrow, I'd be much more likely to overdo it running and pick up an injury - based on previous riding limiting injuries. For that reason, I'm going to stick with it, not take the piss, not do any of the mega loops I'd really like to do, even though they're from my front door, but I am going to head out to places once or twice a week that get me away from it all, give me some head space, and yeah, put a smile on my face.

Maybe I'm being the same as folk a couple of weeks ago trying to justify riding away for a day, maybe I'm being selfish, but I genuinely think I'll lose it mentally if I do anything else.

They’ve already told mountain walkers and runners to stop

My avoidance of mega loops includes, but is not limited to, anything that would take me up a munro.

They’ve already told mountain walkers and runners to stop

I'll just carry on biking then.

He said that you should be taking exercise, not recreation, not doing your hobby. He then gave mountain biking as an example. I assume that walkers and runners are similarly not to do their hobbies. Maybe we should all take up trampolining?

I have just checked the guidance on the scottish government website

YOu are allowed out for daily exercise, walk, run or cycle. You shuld minimise the time spent doing this.

IE - usual rules apply. don't take the urine

I am sure in the context of the above statement mountainbiking is being seen in the light of trail centre type riding and its aimed at people driving to the tweed valley. No mention of an hour limit.

I think the real aspect in all this is doing some low-risk sensible exercise that you do directly from your house.

For some of us, that possibly means turbo trainer on the patio or garage. based on location maybe you can walk to the park or along the canal or seafront. and for the very fortunate it still means access to trails nearby possible as almost normal.

But for now, just take it easy if you can still get out to cool places, ride like your not wearing your helmet whilst still wearing one...

I think in general for all of us, being able to still approximate our biking passions makes this a tiny fraction easier. its just that now, we have to be super careful.

He said that you should be taking exercise, not recreation, not doing your hobby. He then gave mountain biking as an example. I assume that walkers and runners are similarly not to do their hobbies. Maybe we should all take up trampolining?

Surely the distinction is fairly clear cut?

Exercise: If you follow it with a protein shake and a nutritionally ballanced meal you are doing exercise.

Hobby: If you follow it with a pint of beer and some pork scratchings you are doing a hobby.

If you have to ask or feel the need to justify it on here, its a hobby. If its exercise its just dull. Id even argue that if you describe it as a bimble then its probably not exercise.

yeah pointing out that taking the piss would have consequences is “itching for a further clamp down”

I think certain people should wind it in a bit and are compensating for their feeling of losing controll and freedom by trying to impose their control on others freedoms.

I think certain people should wind it in a bit and are compensating for their feeling of losing controll and freedom by trying to impose their control on others freedoms.

ah bless, you think I care. 🙂

also for those suggest he's talking about enduro style trail center riding and not 4hr epic gravel bimbles in the hills, he specifically phrased the mountain biking with the time limit. But hey what do i know, go to it.

Can I just emphasise that exercise is exercise, not recreation and not your hobby

Poor choice of language, as cycling (on any sort of bike) could be all three simultaneously.

There seems to have been alot of talk on the radio today about this apparent 60 min limit on exercise and it was confirmed there that nowhere on any formal literature this has been mandated or recommended, but is often talked about.

I think there is alot of spite and jealousy going on. If you live in central London or any other large densely populated town or city then I can see the merit of having a restriction on the time allowed for exercise away from the home because if everyone took 3hrs a day then it would get pretty busy and hard for social distancing to occur. But out in the sticks where alot of us live we can easily go out for a long walk or bike ride without seeing anyone else and it is easy to observe more than adequate social distancing...and ultimately its all about social distnancing with regards to the spread of the virus. So I can see why those living in the city feeling like they're living under greater restrictions might look upon those in less densely populated parts of the country going on their bike rides pretty much as normal and start kick up a fuss demanding the hammer falls on us all equally. Unfortunately I think they're going to get their way and greater restrictions on us all are probably iminent.

There is a secondary consideration in that you should take more measures regarding than normal to not end up in A&E due to an accident and this is bound to affect riskier sports like MTB'ing more. So maybe sending that 20ft gap jump might not be the best idea at this point in time, but your usual XC trails shouldn't be a problem so long as it doesn't get too busy that it threatens social distancing.

I guess we're all Gravel Bikers now

There seems to have been alot of talk on the radio today about this apparent 60 min limit on exercise and it was confirmed there that nowhere on any formal literature this has been mandated or recommended, but is often talked about.

the things is, it's now out there from someone who I guess the people that make the rules ask advice. What is his response to "Well then Jason do you think we should tighten the rules ?"

Id even argue that if you describe it as a bimble then its probably not exercise.

My other half has actually been prescribed exercise by her GP and according to a chat with the GP walking on the local paths does not meet what is required as she cannot get the aerobic requirements due to the crowded nature of the paths. The bimble I mentioned still is aerobic exercise - its just very much wheels on the ground gravel type riding
In order to get the aerobic exercise we either need to travel away from home or ride the bike for a couple of hours plus. or walk thru the city up to arthurs seat or corstorphine hill
Exercise is not just about physical health - its about mental health as well

Maybe we should all take up trampolining?

https://www.shawcowart.com/7-terrifying-statistics-trampoline-safety/

For God's sake, man, think of the children!

I guess we’re all Gravel Bikers now

I'm more a Byway pedaller thank you, two of our bikes are hybrid and one CX...

What is his response to “Well then Jason do you think we should tighten the rules ?”

As anyone in H&S and risk management knows, the lazy and easy way of proving you're great at your job is to generate more rules, more paperwork and be ahead of the trend...

regardless, we're on notice.

I twisted my ankle walking slowly on the flat with Mrs Zip.God knows how but I'm going back to cycling once I'm better.

It's safer.

Get out, stretch you legs, get your heart and lungs working, briefly clear your mind of all the crap going on… but keep it to a minimum. Short rides close to home. It isn’t hard.

There seems to have been some backtracking / clarification behind the scenes as this is how the BBC is reporting what was said.

"National Clinical Director Prof Jason Leitch said people should only travel for vital reasons such as buying groceries, healthcare, caring responsibilities or necessary work.
He also emphasised the importance of remaining active by working out indoors, walking, running or cycling close to home for up to an hour."

the reporting may have changed but what he said was....

https://twitter.com/BBCScotlandNews/status/1248582781833265152

That has vanished now and apparently been replaced with a rather silly video of Jason Leitch saying that people are allowed to buy easter eggs, and the reporting is this

Get out, stretch you legs, get your heart and lungs working, briefly clear your mind of all the crap going on… but keep it to a minimum. Short rides close to home. It isn’t hard.

But I do this on a mountain bike. 🤔

I understand perfectly what he's trying to get across but I think he should have left specific ways of exercising out of it and just hammered the stay at home message.

Meh, I'll carry on heading out on the local empty fire roads. It's not like I meet anyone anyway 😂

The problem we have is that individuals in positions of authority seem to be making it up as they go along and are giving their own interpretations of what the regs mean. (added to this being aimed at the Easter crowds.)

specific ways of exercising out of it and just hammered the stay at home message

Unless the stay at home message isn’t working with certain groups.

I’ve just been out for 45 mins. Loved it. A drive to meet friends and ride all day on new trails or revisit somewhere I’ve not ridden for a while is what I’d really like to do, but hey. Stay at home. Ride local. Keep it short.

[edit: and an after ride pint in a beer garden, raving about the riding … god I miss that … we’ll meet again]

Scot Gov website does not quote him singling out MTB
https://www.gov.scot/news/public-urged-to-stay-at-home/

people should find ways to stay mentally and physically active by walking, running or cycling outdoors once a day for up to an hour close to home or by exercising indoors.

Please exercise at home and, if you are going out for a daily walk, run or cycle, stay at least two metres away from people you don’t live with.

“Do not be tempted to go for a drive for leisure. This is about going for a short walk locally, a run or a short bike ride, not spending time on your favourite sport or hobby.

“If you travel further afield, there is a risk you might come into contact with other people, whether you plan to or not, so please keep this to an absolute minimum. Only use your car to get somewhere if it is unavoidable and please remember that even in these circumstances journeys must be kept short.”

I wil not go near a Mountain.

Still doesn't make any sense.

Cycling is OK if your favourite hobby is running,knitting or playing X Box.

Running is OK if your favourite hobby is cycling but not if it's running.

Use your bike to get out and get some exercise. Don’t spend the day sending it in the woods, or traversing the countryside ticking off tourist landmarks. Both are ace. Both are more than nipping out local for some short exercise.

I makes perfect sense to 90% of people.

I hope he doesn't pop round our house, my son spent today backflipping a football into the wheelie bin.

Still doesn’t make any sense.

Cycling is OK if your favourite hobby is running,knitting or playing X Box.

Running is OK if your favourite hobby is cycling but not if it’s running.

Well it won't if you keep making "facts" up.

That's not even close to what was said.

Fwiw the main message I took from the guidance was don't go into farmland. Let the farmers , let those that are providing our food do their job without increased risk.

But that won't keep the land access heroes happy.

While we are very lucky to have the access we have. In situations such as the moment there has to be give and take.

He can go take a flying **** to himself.

Tbh most folks definition of MTB . They will be ok to carry on as normal

Use your bike to get out and get some exercise. Don’t spend the day sending it in the woods, or traversing the countryside ticking off tourist landmarks. Both are ace. Both are more than nipping out local for some short exercise.

This - although I would remove the "short"

Fwiw the main message I took from the guidance was don’t go into farmland. Let the farmers , let those that are providing our food do their job without increased risk.

But that won’t keep the land access heroes happy.

While we are very lucky to have the access we have. In situations such as the moment there has to be give and take.

Again I would agree. Give and take and being reasonable being the key. Landowners cannot attempt to remove all access, those exercising their access rights must accept some limitations voluntarily.

If it crosses farm land it's fair game for stopping people

One thing about the general public is they don't know he word reasonable

Living on the Sarf coast, we don't have mountains, Downs but not mountains.  So I'll keep going out till they ban it (and then the fun begins with nocturnal sneakiness)

Living on the Sarf coast, we don’t have mountains, Downs but not mountains. So I’ll keep going out till they ban it (and then the fun begins with nocturnal sneakiness)

If a proper complete lockdown has to happen, because some people just have to go out for big rides on the downs (which border some of the most effected areas in the UK) and then some of those same people use the cover of night to risk spreading the virus when asked not to, I don’t think we’ll be cheering them on as rebellious heroes, far from it.

Can I use the word “dick”?

Trailrat - depends rather on the type of farmland 😉 opening gates into fields with gravid ewes - probably irresponsible. Other types of land less so. The scottish government guidance attempts to strike a balance

Can I use the word “dick”?

Feel free to. Can I add ****, ****wit and arsehole to that as well?

Purity spiral vs dick expansion

If it involves putting your hand on anything it places the farmers at greater risk than if you just didn't go there.

I live between 3 farms. The number of people who I've never seen up here before who are clambering over locked gates (there's no right of way) is astonishing.

Mostly all trying to get out of the city much like your self . No sense of awareness for the risk they are putting (certainly in my case -the high risk group ) farmer at.

Even ive avoided going near the farm workings and just letting them get on with their work.

We have also had these self same people coming up and feeding the farm animals unsuitable food as if they were exhibits at the zoo. - we had a pony choking on a potato the other night. They were warned to not stop it( the field backs onto my house) they threw it into the field it seems.

That's why I am behind the keep folk off farm land at this time. A m
Vast majority had no interest before and show no interest in learning the countryside code , they just feel it's their right to ramble where ever they like. I imagine these to be the same people who think passing places are valid places to stop for the night in their camper van or to do 25mph on their e bike via throttle.

Its certainly a more valid point than moaning about car windows being open for sure - even if the point doesn't fit our own agenda.

ha ha ha ha ha barrel, fish, shooting

So just trolling? Fine.

So just trolling? Fine.

Of course, maybe..........😁😁😁😁😁😁

Please stop feeding me.

someone writing 'stay at home' in blockcaps ( bold optional ) in 3,2,1...
FFS do we have to have this thread again!?

FFS do we have to have this thread again!?

Apparently so, with the same few evangelists dribbling on 🙂

Jesus.

I'm working on nights on ITU, I'm so happy to read these kinds of arguments and the way that people manage to justify why the sensible rules don't apply to them.

Please, just behave. It's not forever.

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Meanwhile my strava feed is choc full of people I know well kicking out 150km days and getting 30 - 40 kudos with no negative comments.

Ah well I did the Pretzel today with the garage door open but maybe I'm the idiot. Are these guys really the problem or is it the hundreds of underground parties that are undoubtedly happening .....

Meanwhile, on UndergroundPartyTrackWorld........

Totally doing 60 minute rides here.

Any additional travel on deserted country roads will kill!

I think everyone on this website needs their account blocked until they sign a form saying they’ve read the works of Epictetus.