Cycling in the time of Corona

The local park is closed...

isn't it more about keeping the bad germs in a small area rather than driving them around the country so they can hop up some poor farmer's nose?

Not mine

Don't think the argument is that these places will get crowded, its the risk of having a breakdown or rta on the way there or back and the face2face contact and nhs usage that could entail.

Nah, it's about reinforcing the message of minimising being outside and staying at home. Driving to then walk/cycle/run somewhere is excessive behaviour at the moment.

Driving to then walk/cycle/run somewhere is excessive behaviour at the moment.

Whereas ~ two weeks ago there was little risk from attending a premier league football match according to the UK's Chief Scientific Advisor. What does the medical science say?

If you want to do it. Do it.

Just don’t be surprised when locals and lots of other people call you a cock.

I went for a 60km circuit of London coming close to absolutely noone. On my way back through Clissold Park I sat on the grass to have a few moments in the sun and stretch my legs.

After 10 minutes a cop moved me on although there was nobody within 7-8 meters of me.

If they wanted to make a real impact they should take the Police out of the parks and station them up and down Green Lanes and other high streets to enforce distancing. Currently shopkeepers are making a great show of controlling access but everybody just mills around on heaving pavements.

Exactly that.

I sympathise. It’s all shades of grey and debatable but right now, at this point in the epidemic it’s just best to stay at home.

Not medical science, but:

With respect to driving:
I'd suspect, but I don't know for sure- it is less about social distancing, and more about keeping the roads as clear from traffic as is possible to allow emergency vehicle access- which was evidently not the case on my ride yesterday. Still enough traffic to hold up an ambulance, including a ZipCar driver driving in front of one in full 'get the fuck out the way' siren mode.

With respect to cycling- I truly can't see the damage if you go out within your limits, don't stop to chat to mates, don't use it as an excuse to see your mates, and leave from your door and come back to it.
In terms of urban exercising- it is one of the most effective ways of maintaining social distance and exercising outdoors- Running inevitably leads to closer passing, and if you're lucky enough to be able to MTB from your door, magic.
The same does not apply for groups in Regents/Richmond/ wherever. But the large groups (and some smaller) have always been ass-hats IMHO, viral spread not-withstanding.

The group rides around here have stopped almost entirely but there are still a lot of riders out, just mostly solo or what I guess is household groups. Government advice is that this is all fine as is going for a walk but the driving somewhere to walk/ride is a grey area they're avoiding mentioning but in honesty, given how empty the roads are and how much green space we have, you're probably more at risk catching and spreading the virus in your supermarket visits, 2m spacing or not.

Singletrack had a good mantra on their insta:
No car, No gnar, Not far.

Obviously aimed at MTBers, but perfectly translatable to all cyclists.

I saw that and thought it was succinct.

On my way back through Clissold Park I sat on the grass to have a few moments in the sun and stretch my legs.

After 10 minutes a cop moved me on although there was nobody within 7-8 meters of me.

TBH I suspect that's due to a feeling that people shouldn't be stopping in parks in general. Go out, get a few miles in to stretch your legs and go home. Others won't necessarily recognise that you're on your own in the park, they'll just think that it's business as usual and pack out the parks in groups.

Maybe off topic but lost my bike helmet a few weeks ago - does anyone have a spare small one in east?

Everything seems to be closed and delivery times from amazon are the back end of next week.

Hub Velo by Clapton Pond are open. They're operating with a reduced staff and prioritising NHS/key workers but I expect they'll be able to help. Might be worth giving them a call to check though and thinking about how you'll maintain social distance, as trying on helmets is a bit different to buying a tube or whatever.

Yeah, realised trying on helmets might be a bit controversial.

I think it's quite unlikely that your head has coronavirus on it tbh ;)

Hands obviously more of an issue but they have a toilet with soap you can use. Seriously I would give them a ring or pop in, they're great and will help if they can.

Rang them, they said go for it. Heading there in a bit. 👍

If I am by myself, I am on my own.

Ten minutes sitting in a park, in the sunshine is a vital part of my sanity top-up.

I am not going to be blamed and shamed for the thick-headed, heavy-handed misallocation of Police resource.

Bosh. Helmet acquired.

I went up Box hill with my Dad today. Had a nice man shout 'i hope you two live together' at us (we do). Am I a cunt?

No. He probably is though.

in zwift or irl?