[Closed] Not far no gnar...but maybe car?

No to both.
On the bike from front door.
Bike on train to get to a trail or other cycling destination is nothing more than a piss take - likely to get attention from train staff/transport police.

Ultimately, you make your own decisions.
I wouldn’t, and indeed haven’t as I don’t feel it’s the right move at this moment in time. I feel we should be exercising from home.
But maybe that’s easy for me to say as I’m now a runner who does the odd road ride.
Your view may differ.
And as the guidance is vague then it’s not for me to tell you if you’re right or wrong.

there was an article on the BBC website a week or so ago suggesting its ok to drive to a place to exercise as long as the drive is shorter than the time you spend there, dont drive for an hour for a 10 min walk sort of thing.
ive been riding from the house but there seems to be a number of families who are driving to local beauty spots etc for a walk.
i know of other riders who are driving miles and miles to go riding, looking at their strava you would never guess anything was going on.
i guess it depends on your definition of taking the piss

there was an article on the BBC website a week or so ago suggesting its ok to drive to a place to exercise as long as the drive is shorter than the time you spend there, dont drive for an hour for a 10 min walk sort of thing.

Indeed. The message is now very blurred. Personally I would not but I do have very very pleasant exercise from the front door so I have absolutely no need. But.....when B&Q are opening and folk are taking an extra trip out to queue for a pot of dulux I’m now finding it hard to criticise what your ‘friend’ proposes.

I’m itching to go for a surf (40min drive) but resisting at the moment.

Had to go into the office today and every car park across Dartmoor had at least 2-3 cars in and some more.

If gov relax the regs 'under controlled conditions' there is likely to be a second wave; if that happens I predict a stringent lockdown.
Our testing regime is inadequate; contact tracing non-existent; police appear to be generally ok with the public's lax compliance; social distancing gets little more than lip service in most places. This invites a second wave.
Maybe the wrong thread but....there you go

My 'friend' won't come into contact with any more people. Elevation of risk could be me er I mean my friend either taking something with them, bringing it back (but no gates etc, so...) Or just looking a dick with a bike in the car

Contemplating our first drive to ride or big remote walk in the coming days.

The NPCC guidance issued a few days ago makes that point from @sailor74's post. More exercise than travel should make it reasonable.

I've not driven since 17th March and my wife has only done so for shopping. We are very much in the highly compliant category but for my boys could really use a proper, away from it all day/afternoon where they're not constantly being told to stop, wait, slow down, don't go there and can actually get some proper cardiovascular exercise.

We are in a pretty heavily populated suburban area and while we are making the best of local paths etc it's too densely populated to get decent intensive or length of exercise without going on roads that are seriously dangerous to children for extended distances. There's no safe way to cycle, walk or run and maintain 2m even at snail pace. A 25 minute drive would give us hours of riding off road with ample passing spaces for when we did encounter others.

I'm genuinely torn because there's a lot of bad feeling around this issue but ultimately I'm not convinced that a sedate drive to a remote spot and a ride that is scoped to avoid passing residential areas is any worse risk than having to try and negotiate a narrow suburban road with people on both pavements and close passes.

(normalising not really very essential travel)

PS I think my friends proposed actions are way less risky than visiting a supermarket

Brackets were in response to my own post by the way

PS I think my friends proposed actions are way less risky than visiting a supermarket

Your friend may be right, but then he may need to visit a supermarket to get food.

PS I think my friends proposed actions are way less risky than visiting a supermarket

ah, but that’s where I start to disagree unless you are planning on not eating for the week and doing it instead rather than in addition.

So a minor increase in risk for a whole bunch of not quite needed fun seems a good deal I suppose

@frankconway

Interesting your view on the police. Down here they seem to be making a lot of noise about compliance and I think it's generally not too bad. Although from the number of early morning motorbikers I can hear caning it and any absence of visible enforcement I can only assume that they are exempt. Many forces have been accused of being heavy handed with the law and exceeding the legislation - Cambridgeshire police I think were trying to check shopping trollies at one point to check you hadn't bought an Easter egg!

My feeling is that we should expect a squeeze/release pattern that could last well over a year. Done to balance infection rates, NHS burden and economic factors. If we totally tank the economy then we won't be able to pay for the care that we need to provide and other social and health issues will be the result.

So a minor increase in risk for a whole bunch of not quite needed fun seems a good deal I suppose

Risk to who?

garage-dweller, I'm in Lincoln and police have been conspicuous by their absence.
I agree there needs be a balancing act between relaxing regs and economic damage but....support by German gov is 60% of GDP, UK at c14%.
This will force a partial re-shaping of the UK economy; it is not sustainable to believe wealth and a strong economy results from coffee shops, retail generally, cheap clothes and off-shored supply chains.
That's before the Brexit chaos begins to impact on the economy.
Again, probably the wrong thread.

Risk to who?

Well by degrees of separation, the entire population of the world and probably baby robins too.

In reality, the probably of the risk turning into an issue, will be very slightly raised for my friend himself and to those who may unwisely have also felt the need to risk their health and venture out into the same patch of Moorland at around the same time

Would you pass other places appropriate for your 'exercise' on the way to wherever you are going to 'exercise'?

I suspect that's the 'don't be a dick' test you need to apply here...

Frankconway totally agree with all that (including the need for an economic reshape). There's going to be a ruddy great hangover at the end of this for everyone and it's going to take even more sorting out than whether the op (or me) uses his car or not to go for a ride! (Poor attempt to get back on topic 😁 )

Seeing as the government can't seem to grow a pair and actually give proper guidance it's people can do what ever they ****ing want as long as you can justify it yourself!

Me, I'm sticking to 'from my door' stuff but I can't moan at anyone else as the guidance says the op's friend is allowed to drive....

You are allowed to drive to exercise so no issues there. Its just the distance. Personally I'd say an hour is too far. I actually wouldn't drive at all but that is as much down to personal circumstances. The local riding is ok for an exercise loop. I've got some very nice riding about 45 mins away, which is still a bit far, if it was 25 mins I'd probably be over there every so often.

As it seems to get mentioned when we do this thread, the "don't be a dick" rule applies to being judgemental as well. By all means get angry at the people driving dangerously, or having house parties, or blatantly breaking the rules. Give a little slack to those who are trying to social distance but interpret the rules slightly differently to you

I thought the wording of it was you could drive to walk but not to cycle

Driving an hour (40 or 50miles?) is clearly too far. I don't think the risks are that great and as the lockdown will start to be relaxed in a month this trip would be far less risky than what would be allowed in a months time but it is still a 40/50 miles drive to go for a ride so a non starter.

I am lucky though in that I always ride straight from door as I am off road within 100 metres and my bike has only been in a car once in the last 20 years and that was when my chain snapped 10 miles from home and I got picked up.

I get home from work each day where my key work adds a certain level of risk of exposure and I use my one exercise period to walk the dog.

The normal dog walks from the door we're fine in the past, but now when the sun is shining, people think that the allotted exercise is mandatory. It's getting more busy with people who don't normally use the area. Signs are going up telling people not to feed the horses, those were never needed before.

I'm sure we all miss riding our bikes, or riding them where we want to, but how critical to your existence is that? We could all make our ride for the vague, contradictory "rules" that have been published?

Are you intelligent enough to understand the principle of lockdown? Are you aware that while people are being allowed some hope, to think that we're getting on top of this, pop up morgues are still being planned and set up in major cities?

Is your ride a need or a want?

First rule, don't be a dick.
As a wise man once said to me "zip up your man suit princess".

I'm sticking to door riding, but I'm lucky that I can be off road after about 30 mins of mostly quiet roads. It is a LOT busier than it was before, but not much can be done about that.

If I was going to drive it'd be an hour to the Moors, and while the riding would be better (and it'd probably be quieter) I can't really justify that to myself.

Everyone's situation is different though.

The rules in Wales have now been "clarified"...you can't drive any significant distance to exercise, and cycling must be "within a reasonable walking distance from your home". Depending on your definition of reasonable, that means v short rides!

that means v short rides!

Or laps, or wiggly rides. You can still get some decent miles in without being miles from your door.

Seeing as the government can’t seem to grow a pair and actually give proper guidance it’s people can do what ever they **** want as long as you can justify it yourself!

This. The message has become so woolly and confused that no-one really knows what is allowed / acceptable.

The ridiculous 1hr thing (not actually a thing at all), locals making up their own NIMBY little minds as to what they think it should be, landowners using it as an excuse to close public rights of way, some people dobbing in their neighbours for perceived infractions and others doing whatever the hell they want!

The police can't enforce it anymore partly because public confidence in them is at an all time low after the stupid OTT stuff about checking shopping baskets for "non-essentials" and using drones to film & shame walkers, partly because they don't have the resources and partly because there are now so many loopholes in the guidance that basically anyone can justify almost anything.

It's noticeable around here (northern Peak District) how busy it's becoming. A lot of car parks are closed and for the first couple of weeks everything was deserted. There are now cars parked along verges, in some of the car parks (barriers pulled aside) and walkers out and about - usually them one side and a dog on an extendable lead on the other. 🙄

The fact you're asking on here, presumably hoping for support is either a good troll or a sign that you're hoping it'll be deemed OK while deep down accepting that it probably isn't. A car with a family and bikes loaded in/on it is a pretty big marker that you're off on a jolly day out though and, certainly seen out of context, it will fail the "don't be a dick" rule.

If you do it why not anyone else and before you know it everyone and there dog will be out and places will be full inviting a second wave. All in this together the trails will still be there when its all done with. Not to mention if you breakdown have an accident on route you will be causing unnecessary contact with someone who has to sort you out

I thought the wording of it was you could drive to walk but not to cycle

The general public has had no such wording. What you are referring to is the guide to police that was leaked. The official advice is still from your door

But the guidance we have been given has been pretty clear that we are only allowed out of our houses for work that can’t be done from home, some exercise and food shopping. So if B&Q is now open for buying paint and whatnot and these whispers from leaked documents not intended for us are flying about and taken as the ‘new rules’ it’s all so bloody vague it’s basically a free for all.

Trouble is if lots of people decide that's OK to do how quickly do those areas and car parks fill up? That's what has happened at a beauty spot near us, it's at least 3 miles from the nearest village, twice I've cycled past and the car park has been rammed. It's such a small area of woodland with man made walks so social distancing is going to be pretty difficult.

Would you pass other places appropriate for your ‘exercise’ on the way to wherever you are going to ‘exercise’?

I suspect that’s the ‘don’t be a dick’ test you need to apply here…

I'm going with this.

It seems entirely proportionate to travel a short distance in order to get to somewhere less packed than a local street, towpath etc. and take some exercise with less chance of breaking the 2 metre rule. Driving for an hour isn't just doing that and isn't what was meant.

Has anyone thought that maybe the "wooliness" of the rules especially after the Police guidance being "leaked" is actually the Government carefully stage managing a slow end to the lock-down?

Has anyone thought that maybe the “wooliness” of the rules especially after the Police guidance being “leaked” is actually the Government carefully stage managing a slow end to the lock-down?

No. Restrictions will last longer than they are leading us to believe. They'll not be shorter. I think they want a degree of disobedience simply so the curve doesn't go too flat. As a numbers game, I can see why. I just don't want my number to be part of that game.

I don’t think you’re being a dick at all, and it’s a perfectly reasonable question, given the actual guidance that’s out there, and the fact that lockdown seems to be an increasingly indistinct concept. However I would say it’s probably best avoided if you can, but if you really live in a city centre location and have no decent trails nearby then maybe it’s ok. But you’re going to feel a right **** if you come off and need medical attention.

As a numbers game i can see why....

Ehh??

in Wales there’s less ambiguity (apart from a confusion between national and Welsh rules) it’s basically no to driving unless you’re disabled or have autism. Also you’re meant to remain within walking distance of home at all times to avoid being left stranded. Actually now I’ve said that there’s still plenty of dicks online sharing more strict versions they’ve ‘interpreted’ for us all.

That said, I live in a City Suburb, trails and paths in every direction are busy all day, everyday to ride to the quiet spots takes 45 mins, that’s 45 mins of constantly trying for 2m but occasionally failing. If I drive to the quiet spots it takes 5 mins and I won’t come close to another soul.

Has anyone thought that maybe the “wooliness” of the rules especially after the Police guidance being “leaked” is actually the Government carefully stage managing a slow end to the lock-down?

I think it would be a good way to manage a relaxing of the lock down, so no, this isn't a government plan.

But you’re going to feel a right **** if you come off and need medical attention.

Frankly, and it varies from place to place I guess. A&E admissions are currently down 50% nationally. The NHS is actually asking people to make use of A&E if they need to.

Also with the cancellation of all non-urgent clinics and surgeries our local (huge) hospital which is also our main Covid centre has more spare beds than any any time in memory, last count there were about 200 spare beds. That was before the massive 2000 bed field hospital opened in Town.

I’m not saying that justification to be a dick about it, but after a month of near endless budget and a huge effort from the NHS, Military and construction contractors the NHS at least here has never had so much spare capacity.

Seeing as the government can’t seem to grow a pair and actually give proper guidance it’s people can do what ever they **** want as long as you can justify it yourself!

The government are ultimately responsible for confusion surrounding the restrictions. However, as far as I'm aware, their advice is still to stay at home and avoid All non-essential travel.

The NPCC guidelines were issued to police forces and not to the general public. It is not government advice, and just because you are likely to get away with it doesn't mean you should do it.

Driving an hour to a trailcentre or whatever is clearly self-indulgent piss-taking.

Patel has made disapproving noises about non-compliance with the regs; if she's the appointed representative at today's presser I wouldn't be surprised to hear her talk about clarifying the regs and more rigorous enforcement.
Sometimes it's not a bad thing to challenge rules and regs - a Brit trait generally but, given current circumstances, why can't people just say....is my intended action within the 'spirit' of the regs even if not specifically covered?
If the answer is either no or not sure, that means don't do it.
What iffery and smart arsed questions about can I do this, surely that's ok etc are both pointless and un-necessary.

Come on people do your bit, a relaxation of the rules is only a few weeks away and a if we mess it up and end up with a second peak we're back to square 1.

The NPCC guidelines were issued to police forces and not to the general public. It is not government advice, and just because you are likely to get away with it doesn’t mean you should do it.

I agree completely, but its out there in the public domain now, which is why I think the government should just state in black and white what people can and can't do as people clearly can't work it out for themselves.

The B&Q thing is right, gov say don't just go and buy paint for doing up the kitchen. But when B&1 reopen that's exactly what will happen. Why does B&Q actually need to be open?