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Lock down, can i ri...
 

[Closed] Lock down, can i ride my bike in the countryside?

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Klunk - been a lot of that here lately.


 
Posted : 05/04/2020 7:11 pm
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A question.
Mrs Lunge, an NHS worker, drives past our local country park (6 miles or so away) on her way to work.
I’m not visiting there at the moment, party as it’s just on the limit for a run, party as it’s been known to get busy during the day. This is a shame, as it has some awesome trails to run on and it’s just a nice place to be.
The question is, if she drops me off on her way to work (zero additional miles or any kind if diversion out of her way) and I run home from there, is that OK?
It’d be good to see some new scenery and at the time she’ll be dropping me off it’ll be very quiet indeed.
On the other hand, it’s a bit further than I’d normally go from home.

Thoughts?


 
Posted : 05/04/2020 7:43 pm
 loum
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or i could rephrase it, and just some up the general tone of this thread with… why are **** poor people spoiling it for every one else.

No-one is "spoiling it" for any one else. The guidelines are deliberately vague. The message is deliberately mixed.

Lockdown is inevitable.

Lockdown was always inevitable.

Every other step taken by this government has, in their own words, been critically timed for maximum effect. No reason that the biggest step would be any different.

What we are being subject to at the moment is government be nudge theory, creating an atmosphere of blame between the people, so that we will be responsible for our own consequential lockdown.

The next nudge will be that removing the lockdown might as well include removing the work travel restrictions, and we'll all be "rewarded" by Mr Cummings with an early return to the workplace.


 
Posted : 05/04/2020 7:54 pm
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The question is, if she drops me off on her way to work (zero additional miles or any kind if diversion out of her way) and I run home from there, is that OK?

Fine in my view


 
Posted : 05/04/2020 7:56 pm
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Are there really people not watching the news or listening to government guidance?

Think some are taking the 2m thing too far when out and about.

The WHO guidelines state that contact is deemed as someone who has been within 1m of someone for 15min when tracing people. Therefore they believe the chances of catching it from someone who you pass for all of 5 seconds is negligible to no chance, unless they touch you in a way to pass it or cough/sneeze on you (and then theres evidence to show that 2m isnt far enough to stop that event).

The virus doesnt suddenly jump from person to person at it's own free will.

So just get passed people as quickly as you can and be on your way, that goes for supermarket trips as well.


 
Posted : 05/04/2020 7:58 pm
 loum
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Lunge, your running home plan makes perfect sense to me.
However, there will be people who are outraged, and people who blame you for the coming lockdown.
It won't be your fault.
And it won't be their fault, they're being manipulated by a clever but sneaky government.


 
Posted : 05/04/2020 8:01 pm
 poah
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nd then theres evidence to show that 2m isnt far enough to stop that event

are you sure about that. The papers I've read have said viral RNA in a patients room not actual viable virus. Big difference between that and outside


 
Posted : 05/04/2020 8:06 pm
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I went for a walk today.
I stopped in the park to sit on a bench because I was tired.
Some local curtain twitcher called the cops on me.
Very embarrassed PC came over to say I couldn't sit on the bench as it could carry viruses.
I burned the quisling **** and his family in their own home.

Has the recorded virus death toll gone up 4 or are those deaths incidental?

Asking for a friend.


 
Posted : 05/04/2020 9:25 pm
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"Clark’s van was spotted by a citizen, reports the Guardian, as the lone vehicle the parking lot of the Signal Hill trails outside Dunedin. With his name and face printed on the side, it was not difficult to spot."

Lol, that was never going to end well.


 
Posted : 05/04/2020 11:14 pm
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Very embarrassed PC came over to say I couldn’t sit on the bench as it could carry viruses.

I hope you were more embarrassed. You’re a grown up. You know what’s going on.


 
Posted : 05/04/2020 11:19 pm
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Likely to be reasonable:

going for a run
or cycle or practicing yoga.
Walking in the countryside
or in cities. Attending an
allotment.

Driving to countryside and
walking (where far more
time is spent walking than
driving).

Exercising more than once
per day


 
Posted : 16/04/2020 3:45 pm
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Reawakening this thread as it seems relevant...

English lockdown 3 looks to be stricter for outdoor exercise than previously. Gov.uk site says only once per day (that was only a guide previously) and within your village, town or part of city. So no rides out in the countryside, unless you live in the sticks?

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home


 
Posted : 04/01/2021 11:08 pm
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TBH I've been mainly riding from home and keeping it local, say 16-20 off road miles in a loop. I've done 3 rides where I've driven 10 miles to ride with a mate when permitted.

I think buggering off for a 100 mile road ride is out.


 
Posted : 04/01/2021 11:16 pm
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What constitutes my local area?


 
Posted : 04/01/2021 11:17 pm
 Haze
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Says local area, I’m not suggesting 60 mile roads rides but I’d consider a 30 mile loop as within my local area?

Could just do 2 laps...


 
Posted : 04/01/2021 11:17 pm
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Time to be "that guy" who asks the question.

So Sunday I'm planning to drive 40miles to go for a ride with a mate. It's my kid free weekend and that's what we've been doing on Sunday mornings. Would you still go?

Details, he's a work mate, lives that way and we're both still in work. I can drive further than that and back for work if I'm at our local site near there, in a day. I'll be back in work tomorrow, need to fill with fuel near my abode so wont need to stop on the day there or back. It's also not a trail centre.

No gnar either.

Thoughts?


 
Posted : 04/01/2021 11:25 pm
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The difference now is that 'local area' has been given a more precise definition, whereas before we could interpret it ourselves.
It reads like if you live in a town you can't leave the town boundary.


 
Posted : 04/01/2021 11:26 pm
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Vague language as usual. I'd consider the 'local area' like a tier area, a county, or something of that size. Of course it's subjective and not everybody will see it as the same. To some it will be a town or village, and others it will be a region or country...


 
Posted : 04/01/2021 11:28 pm
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guidance isn't legislation - This won't be published yet probably Weds but there was significant confusion around these issues during the last major lockdown not just over exercise but other aspects of lockdown as to what was guidance and what was actual legislation enacting a fine or actual criminal prosecution. I'd wait and check the law society website who publish the legislation like previous times.


 
Posted : 04/01/2021 11:34 pm
 Haze
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My thoughts also, I guess if you can honestly justify it to yourself as reasonable then it’s possibly okay?

Obviously a 60+ ride into neighbouring counties is taking the piss...


 
Posted : 04/01/2021 11:34 pm
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Thoughts?

I wouldn't do it.

from the guidance (my emphasis):

  • exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person, this should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.
  • If you do leave home for a permitted reason, you should always stay local in the village, town, or part of the city where you live. You may leave your local area for a legally permitted reason, such as for work.

For a change the government is being very clear - don't travel around around unless you absolutely have to.

I certainly wouldn't be driving anywhere to go for a ride at this point.


 
Posted : 04/01/2021 11:46 pm
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Gov.uk site says only once per day (that was only a guide previously) and within your village, town or part of city

Says local area

It says both - in different paragraphs. Mixed messages again.


 
Posted : 04/01/2021 11:47 pm
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Obviously a 60+ ride into neighbouring counties is taking the piss…

Sure, but my neighbouring county is 2 miles away and is where all the local MTB trails are. Strictly speaking I shouldn't go there but would Bristolians really think of Ashton Court as not local?


 
Posted : 04/01/2021 11:51 pm
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For a change the government is being very clear – don’t travel around around unless you absolutely have to.

I certainly wouldn’t be driving anywhere to go for a ride at this point.

Actually they aren't

. You may leave your local area for a legally permitted reason

Exercise is a legally permitted reason


 
Posted : 04/01/2021 11:51 pm
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I can't find the bit that defines the local area in the guidance, I just see several references to 'local area'.


 
Posted : 04/01/2021 11:55 pm
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https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home#summary-what-you-can-and-cannot-do-during-the-national-lockdown

If you do leave home for a permitted reason, you should always stay local in the village, town, or part of the city where you live. You may leave your local area for a legally permitted reason, such as for work.


 
Posted : 04/01/2021 11:57 pm
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Exercise is a legally permitted reason

To leave your home, not your local area.

Leaving home
You must not leave, or be outside of your home except where necessary. You may leave the home to:

shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person
go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home
exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person, this should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.
meet your support bubble or childcare bubble where necessary, but only if you are legally permitted to form one
seek medical assistance or avoid injury, illness or risk of harm (including domestic abuse)
attend education or childcare - for those eligible

I think we can argue what exactly 'local area' means, but I think the intent of the instruction is made clear by other phrasing.


 
Posted : 04/01/2021 11:57 pm
 Haze
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It’s towards the top of the page Butcher, I missed it first time too...but then next sentence says you can leave for a permitted reason (what Kimbers posted).


 
Posted : 04/01/2021 11:58 pm
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Laps around the block it is...


 
Posted : 04/01/2021 11:58 pm
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edit: gotta be quicker than that.


 
Posted : 05/01/2021 12:00 am
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then there's this bit from GovUk website:

"You can only leave your home to exercise, and not for the purpose of recreation or leisure"

I interpret it as stay as close to home as possible to do the minimum amount needed to maintain your health. It's not a time to be taking risks. It's easy to get complacent when you're accustomed to doing risky things in risky places, and always a surprise how quickly things go wrong when they do...especially in winter conditions.


 
Posted : 05/01/2021 12:01 am
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No car, no gnar, and no sandwiches by the sounds of it.


 
Posted : 05/01/2021 12:02 am
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I can’t find the bit that defines the local area in the guidance, I just see several references to ‘local area’.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home#detailed-guidance-on-the-national-lockdown

In various sections

If you do leave home for a permitted reason, you should always stay local in the village, town, or part of the city where you live. You may leave your local area for a legally permitted reason, such as for work

exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person, this should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.

You may leave your local area for a legally permitted reason, such as for work.

Exercise - You can continue to exercise alone, with one other person or with your household or support bubble. This should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.

outdoor exercise. This should be done locally wherever possible, but you can travel a short distance within your area to do so if necessary (for example, to access an open space)


 
Posted : 05/01/2021 12:05 am
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Guidance is just that. This is all entirely pointless until the actual legislation is published but I doubt it will go further than previous English restrictions, in fact it'll be basically tier 4 with schools shut. Therefore there will no no travel limits in the legislation and we'll be able to travel as far as we see fit for exercise or just to go to a shop.


 
Posted : 05/01/2021 12:27 am
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I can ride to my local trails easily, probably less than 2 miles. However I do sometimes drive those 2 miles if I bring the dogs on my ride, or if I’m carrying tools etc. Don’t plan on changing my routine.


 
Posted : 05/01/2021 2:28 am
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This is a back to the point of lockdown Mk1

The exercise bit is not just about the spread of COVID, but also the impact of people injuring themselves and needing A&E or a hospital bed.

Be sensible what exercise you do, lower your risks and chances of ending up in hospital

It’s not about what you are being told to do, but what is sensible to do, and putting increased pressure on the NHS at the minute is not sensible

When I left work last night ambulances were queuing probably 10 deep, waiting to get into the ambulance drop off area. This is people who have been blue lighted there, who are now sat in a que.

If that doesn’t make you think about your level of risk whilst exercising, and more interested in whether you are braking a rule or not...and indeed belligerently wanting to brake the rules, then maybe it’s a gene pool thing


 
Posted : 05/01/2021 8:28 am
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Be sensible what exercise you do, lower your risks and chances of ending up in hospital

Assuming the traffic levels go down to the levels I saw in April then my chances of ending up in hospital will be much lower as I don't fall off my bike doing the riding I do and only end up in hospital when drivers hit me!


 
Posted : 05/01/2021 8:38 am
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I don’t fall off my bike doing the riding I do

Said everyone, ever, just before they fell off their bike doing the riding they do.


 
Posted : 05/01/2021 9:37 am
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It's "No car, no gnar, not far". Not "looks for loophole, argue about it, do what you like". It doesn't even rhyme.


 
Posted : 05/01/2021 9:48 am
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100% what @FunkyDunc said.

Everybody has their own interpretation but I’m of the view point to only ride my local woods and not take the p*ss for a few weeks. Not that hard.


 
Posted : 05/01/2021 10:00 am
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The frustration I have is that I live in the Peak District. Most locals then assume I’ve traveled from a town or city to get here and come charging at me with their pitchforks.

I’ll apply the common sense approach as per last time.


 
Posted : 05/01/2021 10:14 am
 IHN
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Hooray! This again!


 
Posted : 05/01/2021 10:14 am
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