[Closed] Unsocial covid rides

Nope, plenty are doing the same...maybe feels odd as you are on your own and there are plenty of posts on all social media showing multiple folk out riding. Your approach still sounds sensible to me, so if it is working for you then keep doing it.

Only solo rides since lockdown - but then I'm an unsociable git most of the time.

Only ridden with the kids.

A few club mates are obviously doing socially distanced rides in pairs. I know that one or two will have struggled with isolation and mental health, it's their choice.

My best mate/ride buddy have agreed we don't feel ready to ride together yet, just not convinced we can do it safely, no matter how well screened we think we are

Just do what you feel is right foe you. I don't think there is a right or wrong way.

Like with the kids returning to school. We have kept the grand kids home because we feel that it is still too soon We don't think going back next school year will make any difference. My daughter has a heart condition. we felt that it was the right thing for us.

Up until 2 weeks ago I was riding on my own or with misses all local rides (no car used). Have started to drive to next local riding spot and have started to ride with others (2 other riders at a time max even if you could technically be 6 of you under the new rules). Plenty of evening rides to avoid the crowds. Got no plans for going big group rides, too far from home or anything gnarlier than what I’m already riding. Would say do whatever you feel safe and start small (ride with only one other person or same people).

All rides have been solo since the beginning of lockdown and will be until it's expressly allowed without a distancing rule. Normally do the vast majority of my riding solo anyway but I do usually ride with mates once a month and I'm really missing that right now.

Seeing lots of groups out riding while I'm on my daily solo ride annoys, depresses and saddens me all at the same time. The local DH spots are heaving most of the time despite the inherent dangers of a crash and the automatic congregating at the top and bottom of the runs. Every time I see it I know it could be pushing back the time when I can go ride with friends, going to have to go out earlier in the morning to not let it get to me.

still only solo rides at the moment for me. Much as I'd love to have some company on a spin, I don't see how the 2m guidance can be observed really. Quite apart from the lack of cafe / pub options. Just uneasy about the hook up implications at the moment. I do seem to be in a minority among riding locals though!

Solo; no plan to change that for the foreseeable.

100% solo rides for me as well. Not that it's changed from my usual riding though!

First non-solo ride was earlier this week. It's not difficult to maintain some sort of separation during a ride and a stop.

I've not ridden with anyone else for 3 years. Maybe I'll search out some riding buddies when this is over...

Solo thus far, apart from one gentle bimble along the canal into town with my other half.

Meeting up with a mate for a socially distanced ride on Sunday, first time in 3 months.

2m though - I reckon a lot of the draw of a social ride - with 1 other household - is the chat and that's quite hard one the move, side by side is a broad track and following behind/in front - hard to hear / converse, and I'd say it should be more like 3m for the exhalation risk.

I think this thread is suggesting that despite all the doom mongering, the majority of people are at least sticking to guidelines, if not being even more cautious, which is a good thing.

Was meant to be meeting my riding buddy for a socially distanced beer and chat in the park tonight, but rain has stopped play.

This is quite a good explainer piece covering exercise outdoors.
https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2020/4/24/21233226/coronavirus-runners-cyclists-airborne-infectious-dose
For you in England it’s pretty much a choice now in terms of groups or not. Here in wales it’s still solo or pair. Do I think cycling as a pair is a high risk? No.

Rode with a mate for the first time Wednesday night on the mtb’s. I’m too much slower to get within 10 metres let alone 2 metres on the trail. That despite me being fitter for cycling than I have been in a year I reckon. Was nice to chat even if a bit further apart than normal.

I think road riding would be harder as you normally draft a bit and 2 metres is nowhere near far enough apart for that - more like 20 metres which kind of takes the point out of going riding with someone else.

I’ve not ridden with anyone else for 3 years. Maybe I’ll search out some riding buddies when this is over…

I did club rides when I was down in London but since coming back to Edinburgh it's all been solo. I'm trying to get a bit of my fitness back during lockdown so might see if I can find folks to ride with after that.

Ride.

Stop.

Chat.

Repeat.

Most people I have seen are on there own or with family members roadies seem more solo around Gloucestershire yet MTbikers I have seen quite a few together for weeks which seems crazy to me but human nature I tend to ride on my own anyway just nice now the locals hills are less packed which Is nice.

Riding side by side, I'd be amazed if the 'exhalation risk' is even a thing, probably more of a risk riding right behind someone, but still minimal, really.

First ride with a mate last night since lockdown, 2nd was today.

I've only ridden with someone else once since lockdown - that was with my OH on Sunday because it was my birthday so we spent the day together. We live together so could have gone out together at any point but didn't.

Mind you, all my rides in the month or so before lockdown were solo too so maybe i'm just antisocial rather than being concerned about my health...

Solo so far, as the weather has turned I suspect I'll be solo again this weekend. Will probably stay solo for a bit longer yet.

I took my son out and we met up with his mate for a ride today, all kept apart. It was great for my boy who is 9 to have a natter with his friend. He's an only child so its not been easy for him. Me I'm a miserable bastard and quite happy riding on my own!

It's quite a relief to see that there are others that have a similar point of view.

For you in England it’s pretty much a choice now in terms of groups or not. Here in wales it’s still solo or pair. Do I think cycling as a pair is a high risk? No.

I don't think you grasp what I'm saying, you do what you like.

I did club rides when I was down in London but since coming back to Edinburgh it’s all been solo. I’m trying to get a bit of my fitness back during lockdown so might see if I can find folks to ride with after that.

Swap London for Kent and Edinburgh for Perth and that's the same for me!

Solo throughout for me too, someone might be joining me on Sunday but I reckon he'll bail as the weathers gone abit rubbish.

I don’t think you grasp what I’m saying, you do what you like.

The feeling is mutual I suspect.

FWIW I’ve done two rides with friends (one at a time). It was a massive boost to my mental state. Far less risk than going to the supermarket.

I've decided that riding with a friend is fine now, I have been out today with a buddy, will be going out with a local couple on Sunday and probably with my brother next week.

Its easy to keep the correct distance when you're out so I see no problem with it.  And today was thoroughly enjoyable to get out and have somebody to ride with.

I've been riding solo the last 3 months pretty much and earlier this week went with 2 friends across the local countryside. Staying socially distanced and being sensible to current advice, and I have to agree that the mental boost it gave me was incredible. As for bigger group outings at the trails and jumps.. il be swerving those for a while yet. I think it's more a case of doing what your comfortable with and being sensible about it. It's a strange time all round at the moment.

Its easy to keep the correct distance when you’re out

And therein lies the rub. I'm not convinced I know what the "correct distance" is when riding.

Wife's a key worker in a regional hotspot and had a lot of contact with colleagues and service users, not always socially distanced. I do the supermarket run. Neither of us can be sure we haven't got it. I don't want to be breathing hard within several metres of friends I care about.

I'm talking 10 meters or so on the trails, its easy because thats what the distance I'd normally be at to be honest.  Hooning around the trails at a 2m distance is asking for a pile up at some point.

This is quite a good explainer piece covering exercise outdoors.

It's really not relevant to group rides though.
Obviously it's not written by a group cyclist as it doesn't even go into riding behind someone for 30 mins.

But if we focus solely on the aerodynamics of particle dispersion, we obscure more crucial unanswered questions: How hardy is the virus when it’s in aerosol form? How long can it linger in the air before its protective coat of moisture dries up and it falls apart, ceasing to be infectious?

I think the answer is very likely longer than 10 seconds.
Or to take the quote

“The risks of virus transmissibility in the air outdoors is likely quite low in those contexts, although this risk hasn’t been definitively measured,” Rasmussen said. “Outside, things like sunlight, wind, rain, ambient temperature, and humidity can affect virus infectivity and transmissibility, so while we can’t say there’s zero risk, it’s likely low unless you are engaging in activities as part of a large crowd (such as a protest). Solitary outdoor exercise is likely low-risk.”

You can see why, if you’re standing outdoors several feet away from an infected person, the virus might have a hard time making its way over to you at a high enough dose to actually infect you.

Don't recall riding with anyone since October 2018, I must have got the heads up on COVID-19 quite early. 😉

Did my first ride with another person on Thurday and it was really nice. I dont really have any riding friends down were I live so pretty used to solo rides to be honest. Was just thinking I should start looking for people when this all kicked off!

Still either riding alone or with the wife. I have noticed that over the last couple of weeks there are more small groups out on the road and the odd large one (6 riders) making no effort to socially distance. Prior to that only seen individuals, couples or families out on the roads, all sticking to the rules.

Personally the only thing I've missed, during lockdown, is group road rides, but even if they were allowed I think it's too soon, so probably wouldn't join one.

Solo and with Mrs stu only for me.
So nothing new there then.
What has been hard for me is just riding from home and nothing pushing my limit tech wise.
I really,really miss not being able to venture into Wales and up to Scotland.
The week in Spain we missed and also the week in the Alps we'll be missing are a real pisser though.

I've dragged the old Inbred out of the garage and have been commuting to the home office since the lockdown. Out and back and sat at my desk by 8.30.

Now since the restrictions have eased a bit, I've been to Cannock once and been out on the local Saturday morning loop.

I've missed the banter and weekends away with the group I ride with, a bit weary of riding as a group just yet.

Am I the last person to have not ridden with anyone since the start corona stuff?

Nope all of my riding has been solo (mostly on the road), and I've been taking the kids out for local spins...

Honestly I’d just fill your boots as lockdown appears to have failed completely. Just passed 20 cyclists in a pack going the opposite direction outside Cirencester about 10 minutes ago. Not a great advert.

Still solo here too. I'm missing riding with my mates but I haven't seen enough or any information that has convinced me that a sociable group ride is safe yet. It's highly likely that I have/ am being exposed to it at work and I'm not taking the chance however slim of spreading it to my mates. Really looking forward to the day when we all get out for that ride though!

^ That will infuriate loads of people who will take to social media to point out how outrageous it is.... while driving to their mates house for a BBQ.

Maybe a flippant comment above but to be honest, probably closer to the truth than not. Lockdown was killed by Dom. Probably no point arranging a group ride for more than a week or two out though, I doubt this new found freedom will last that long.

Riding solo apart from family rides. With a 3yr old and 1yr old I just don't have time for 1hr+ driving and 3hr+ riding + faff time to go somewhere nice to mtb unfortunately. Despite being furloughed opening up more opportunity time wise.

But also feeling a bit cautious for social riding. Would rather play it safe.

Ridden with 3 different people in last few weeks. All very sensible guys, so wasn't worried.

All my rides, except for road rides with my wife, have been solo and I haven't seen enough evidence to convince me that it's safe yet to ride with others. I feel that we've been given these opportunities to keep the proletariat on side for things like the Dominic Cummings saga and not because it's the right thing to do.

I don't tend to ride in a group too much anyway but sticking to solo rides. Only ever seen others riding in 1's and 2's, apart from a group of 5 roadies a couple of weeks ago, until today.

On a narrow bridleway had 2 guys riding together come towards me, slowed into a wider section to let them pass, then a hundred yards later the remainder of the group, approx 12-14 riders all wheel to wheel. Some with, some without masks but definitely not 2m apart.

Only one ride with one other person so far. A friend who I work with. We have no issues keeping physically distanced at work, and had no problem maintaining it on the ride to the trails. Once on them he's much faster than me, so no worries there fortunately!

You're definitely not soft for thinking it's too risky though. I'm not going to do any rides with more than one other person, it feels like it'll just make it a bit harder to manage the distancing.

On a narrow bridleway had 2 guys riding together come towards me, slowed into a wider section to let them pass, then a hundred yards later the remainder of the group, approx 12-14 riders all wheel to wheel. Some with, some without masks but definitely not 2m apart.

2m is a bit pointless on a bike ... if you are riding behind anyone then better to be as close as possible, once you are out of their direct slipstream you are just breathing in what they just breathed out for a lot further than 2m

The last time I rode with anyone was September. Living rurally, going solo is my preferred option 99.9% of the time. This means I can stay out as long as I want and head wherever I fancy. The only modification to my normal riding and lockdown riding has been to not head anywhere too remote...

Well I think I'm going head out later on solo on the 'duro fun times bike, probably hasn't helped that I've not ridden it since getting a warrantee frame just as it was all starting... Probably going to go either really well with it feeling right or a constant faff trying to dial it in to feel good.

This means I can stay out as long as I want and head wherever I fancy.

Aye, when exploring, or heading out for a long pedal, I generally go on my own, for the same reason as you. When going to the local woods that has 5 or 6 really good runs, I prefer company, makes me do more runs, and quicker, and the sociable side is a positive.

Managed my first ride out with a mate yesterday. Great to chew the fat for a few hours while climbing around the Lowther Hills - the route made it easy to observe 2m distancing yet keep side by side most of the time. Highlight was seeing a Hen Harrier for only the second time ever in the wild.

I bloody hate people. So I am riding merrily on my own.

Since the guidance changed to 'you can travel as far as you like for your 1 exercise a day and be out as long as you like*' it feels fairly normal outside now - which is worrying. I think that was predominantly aimed at golfers and those stuck in Belgravia who are missing the hunts but it helps for biking. (* This is UK government guidance and therefore only applies to England which makes massive sense)

I drove to Surrey Hills at the weekend though and I counted 8 in one mtb group.

They could all have been from the same household though...

I went for a ride with my mate first time last week. I reckon I am safer doing it now than in 3 weeks time when I imagine cases will begin to rise.

Noticed a few bike parks have opened up again, seems riding with others is ok! 🤔

Been riding solo throughout, and also since lockdown eased, but am riding very early most the time to avoid the crowds so probably wouldn't have a queue of people wanting to join me anyway. 🙂