Cycling in the time of Corona

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"Cyclists ‘a real worry’ says North Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner – before conceding they aren't actually doing anything wrong"

Blue signs mean no for bikes:
https://goo.gl/maps/HVtbFqre3vP9pMKv7

I doubt very much that wildwest was asking about the M4. :)

It's this sort of sign that you want for A-roads with cycling bans:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.5153108,-0.2262761,3a,15y,61.3h,88.57t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sy4t0C1DMQU_rb8N0VTI2NQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

These are old; I'm pretty sure they were there 25 years ago when I briefly worked next door.

In more recent years, the list of excluded forms of travel has expanded a bit, e.g. here at the M11 Link Road (euphemistically now called the A12) in East London:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.5510782,-0.0209562,3a,38y,289.31h,97.3t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sDsXeWrEI_sH1gJa_MAcagw!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo0.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DDsXeWrEI_sH1gJa_MAcagw%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D209.21313%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192

It's always a joy to use a new Linnean descriptor.

My regular 18 mile loop was relatively quiet today. All other cyclists were friendly, none of the suspicious/anxious stares that I was getting a week ago from people who seemed unsure about cycling but thought they might give it a try.

I think time on the turbo is paying off, as I was faster up the hills than ever before.

The A40 at the Hillingdon Station underpass has much reduced traffic,
but is a long way from deserted.

At the moment the lock down and lack of traffic is giving me a chance to ride very differently. Last year I built up a Merckx pista track/fixed ( see current projects thread). Obviously as most people on this forum will be aware riding fixed is very different to a road bike. However, the near deserted streets of Douglas Quay where I live make it my go to bike for a quick workout/nosy around the neighbourhood.
In my mind I'm now some cool Frisco MASH dude fixed skidding to a lo-fi track around the 'hood whereas in reality i'm a 55 year old bloke still shitting myself on the approach to any junction. Oh well!

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£20 donation to the forum says that recreational cycling is restricted entirely within two weeks.

1 day to go until you make that £20 donation.

Can I ride through Hampton Court park at the moment?

I don't remember any restrictions in place for that particular park. Can't ride in Victoria or Richmond Park, that's all.

Last I physically went out to ride was the last day of Richmond Park two weeks ago. I've been Zwifting and other sim-riding (trying out Rouvy/Fulgaz/RGT) since. I regret stopping going out (such great weather after months of misery) as I drool to insta-updates from the local cyclists that I follow, but at the same time this allowed me to justify the purchase of a upper-mid range turbo which I wouldn't (as I'm vocal about how much I hate those things)... Now actually considering going out way early tomorrow to the centre to snap some empty touristy pics, which I can't get any other way. But I shouldn't. But I might.

Beautiful down in the Kent lanes yesterday, pretty quiet and smiles all round from other cyclists and village residents.

Epping Forest was great today - I’ve never seen the roads so quiet. Forest guys have closed all the carparks with concrete blocks and there are road blocks at all the entrances into the forest. Cars and motorbikes stopped, cyclists waved through with a big smile. There are certainly silver linings to all of this.

I was up in the Slindon estate today. Really nice and the first time properly on my Kinesis with gravel setup. All good it was a lot like mountain biking 25 years ago imho. Bluebells are out in force unlike elsewhere locally where they are past their best.

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Great pics.

I never got catched.

wow mine only just came out this week (manchester)

Was thinking about this earlier. Its a fair cop.

I know that cyclists being away from home is still perceived as an issue by the police but I'm less sure that they will be supported enough for the government to take action on it.

Did you guys see the police plea for cyclists to avoid Box Hill yesterday? A good example of a police force with a perception that cyclists are a problem.

I never got catched.

Or...they mistook you for a truck

I don't remember any restrictions in place for that particular park.

Path along the Thames there was fine. Looked like lots of "no cycling" signs going up in Wimbledon common though.

You wanna know why it had to be closed for repairs a while back...

#hippyisfat

it was a lot like mountain biking 25 years ago imho

Rigid bike with skinny tyres. Sounds about right!

Is lovely out at the moment though.

My favourite thing is the amount of time I'm getting to ride. I only ride early or late, but not having a 12 mile commute each morning/evening means I have the time and energy to get out and explore. Found many cool little bits I've had in my mind to go check out and now have the time to explore. The weather has been the icing on the cake.

Its gonna be 12 degrees tomorrow and I want to cry into my beer.

We discussed this a page or two back.

I think they have a point with places like box hill. Soooo many seem to aim for it like a moth to a flame. There is plenty of space on the lanes if we all spread out, but everyone aiming for one climb, when the car parks are all shut for a decent reason, is a problem. Its impossible to stay a safe distance from others if there are more than a handful ok no the same ascent, but also, it just looks rubbish.

Part of closing it helps enforce the notion that we should be avoiding busy spots and trying to ride where and when others are not.

I was out at 7 this morning, it was deserted. By my return at 9 it was noticeably busier on the roads - but not cars, just cyclists. Wouldn't want to ride much later on these nice days.

If we all leave at 7 I'll be pissed though - that's my time!

I went out for an MTB ride yesterday; brief highlights & spoken narrative here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfySMqdSVEA

Nice pics. What castle is that?

Cheers. It is called Nore Folley. It overlooks Slindon and what I think is the old estate house.

awesome, live the dream