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No, the Police guidance was provided because our ****less Government have managed a Pandemic as a political exercise and not a Pandemic. A lockdown as required would have been so politically damaging that they chose to leave it as vague as possible. Do what you want, remember though that as you ride your bike along there are 1000’s of normal people in NHS roles exposing themselves to the highest possible risk and that one person you pass could infect you and the infection chain starts again. Your choice really but as someone who has a sister who is an ICU nurse and who has been severely unwell but now back at work I think we all need to ignore the politics of this and take some personal responsibility to protect the vulnerable.
Oh look another thread, to be honest OP I don't see the purpose in this thread.
If you were looking for sign off of your plans, you'll never get it even if it's morally right someone will object to something. (this is not a view of whether I agree or not)
It's the way of the forum.
Sod it, I'm putting my board in the van and going surfing. I won't pass anywhere on the drive that's closer and surfable and once I'm there I won't be near anyone.
And if I'm going to do that, why shouldn't everyone else who hasn't been to the beach in weeks?
In previous weeks the main South Downs carpark near me has had 4 permanent vanners (there is always some regulars up there who presumably don't have houses) and 2-3 cars. After the comments about it being OK to drive for exercise, 20 cars the following day, car park half full!
To be fair the area has plenty of space for distancing as it's open grassland, but the change was very noticeable.
Sadly it looks like the two vanners staying at the next car park (including a family in a horsebox) were moved on yesterday so not sure where they have ended up. But the farmer in that area seems to be bit of a "*#£.
From North Yorks Police yesterday:
North Yorkshire Police
20 hrs ·Ahead of the good weather expected this weekend, we are again stressing the importance of staying home and continuing the fight against COVID-19.
Sadly, over previous weekends we've seen an increase in the number of people making unnecessary journeys into and around the region. In response to the growing number of people who are choosing to ignore the Government guidance and head to the dales, moors or coast for a day trip, we are increasing our patrols and key routes will be monitored for signs of increased traffic and visitors to the area.
Over 350 fixed penalty notices have been issued since the legislation was introduced in March and nearly half of those* have been issued to non-residents who are coming into North Yorkshire, to visit an open space or beauty spot. Particularly affected is the Craven region, where 65 of the 66 notices issued have been to visitors to the area.
Speaking about the recent influx of day-trippers to North Yorkshire, Assistant Chief Constable Mike Walker said:
“Usually we welcome visitors to North Yorkshire with open arms. However, for the sake of the health and safety of both the region and the nation, we are asking you to please stay away for the time being.
“We are aware of confusion that has arisen over the guidance around travelling for exercise and can understand that many people are looking for clarity around this issue. I believe the guidance issued by the UK Government couldn’t be clearer – to stop the spread of this potentially lethal virus, to protect the most vulnerable in our communities, our loved ones and our health service – we must all stay at home.
“In short, the virus moves if people move. So the way to stop the spread is to limit our movements down to only the very essential. I do not believe a group of friends travelling from West Yorkshire to climb the Yorkshire Three Peaks is essential nor do I believe a group of people travelling into the Yorkshire Dales from Bradford for a day out is essential. Exercise can be and should be taken locally following the Government guidelines, which have not changed since the day they were issued.
“Please believe me, I understand how important exercise is to people’s mental health. However, exercise can be taken from your doorstep and there is no reasonable or justifiable need to make a 50-mile trip to the coast, putting your own safety and the safety of others at risk. Not only that, by travelling long distances into unknown areas, you increase your chances of a road traffic collision, or needing emergency or medical assistance – all of which puts a strain on resources which should be focused on fighting COVID-19. That’s why our officers will be patrolling this weekend and continuing to engage, explain and encourage the public to do the right thing. Where needed, they will resort to enforcement to protect the public.
“So, I would urge you to stop and think before you pick up your car keys and head out the door - is your journey necessary and essential? Is it for food, medication or to support a vulnerable person? If the answer is no – then stay at home.
“If we continue to stay home, this will be over all the sooner. I sincerely hope in the future, we can look back at this period and feel pride at our collective response and our own individual behaviour and the sacrifices we have made to beat this virus, rather than with regret that more could have been done to save lives.”
Chair of North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, Richard Flinton, said:
“For those who still think a drive into our countryside is just the ticket on a warm spring day then our message is very clear. If you flout the national lockdown rules you may receive the ticket you didn’t want – by way of a fine. We are working really hard to educate people, but ultimately you risk a penalty and we are looking at further visibility along key routes, to drive the message home to the minority who aren’t sticking to the rules.
“Because the sun is up it doesn’t mean the virus is not every bit as deadly. Anyone can carry it, anyone can spread it and it is indiscriminate in who it hits hardest.
“Please stay at home and exercise if possible from your doorsteps, because a fine is not the only thing you risk if you don’t follow the guidance.”
@ads678 - just what do you propose all of us stuck at home do with our time? There'll be a lot of "home projects" that have been put off so now's as good a time to do them as any.
Most of those that I follow on Strava are staying close to home. Some push things, say doing an 80km ride that goes 25-30km from home, but one or two have been taking the piss - yesterday one who lives in Wales did a 200km ride from near Chester over to Bangor and back! He's a director of an industrial chemical company (they produce the base chemicals for medicines), lives out in the country so not exactly needing to ride a long way to get away from people.
The police document was only meant for internal distribution, CPOs aren't particularly happy that it's become public simply because you get a vast increase in "interpretations" of what those guidelines mean and more people then taking those as gospel and ending up taking the piss.
The Welsh 10 mile radius is interesting - I think I "might" have gone outside that area once since the lockdown started. touch and go whether I did, one loop of road was very close. That was a 64km ride without being convoluted and only using up maybe a quarter of the circle so you can get a decent length ride done close to home. Most of my rides have been within a 6km circle or so but as I've stated on other threads, I'm lucky in that I live in a rural location so have both quiet country lanes and a limited network of BWs (plus a bit of cheeky) close to home. Would be quite different if I lived in the centre of a major city.
@whitestone - i'm just saying what the government have said about buying paint.
If you have stuff at home already go for it build something. Buy essential stiff like plumbing fittings and shit, but buying garden furniture or a barbecue is not really essential is it.
I could do with relaying some slabs, but I'm not going out to buy some cement as its not essential...
Trouble is if lots of people decide that’s OK to do how quickly do those areas and car parks fill up?
Sums up my view too. If a few start it, the masses will follow. So for now, all my riding is from home.
I'm happy with the 10 mile rule. That gives me 4 Munro summits.
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. Partly because the Government couldn't manage a piss up in a brewery but partly because a significant minority of people are too stupid/ignorant/selfish to actually understand or abide by "lockdown".
Honestly, if half the folk around here were in Spain or Italy, they'd have been shot by now!
Why are people so desperate for the government to give and enforce strict time/distance/frequency rules? We all know what “essential travel” means, really, we don’t new laws written and applied, just use your own sense of social responsibility as regards saving the lives of others.
We all know what “essential travel” means...
Do you think? I wonder.
My car has been used for getting to work,
Shopping,
Delivering food and prescriptions to elderly parents
And
Working on My allotment, otherwise it’s been parked up at home
Walking and riding is done from my back door, although it’s only about a 20 minute ride to open country and still possible to find quieter trails as most folks seem to stick to the better known ones.
I go by the thought of “ if I have to ask if something is ok then it probably is not “
Along with the mantra “ just because you can doesn’t mean you should “
Its tough at the moment. Especially for those who do not have access to open spaces from their front door. But even if the guidance isnt that clear, the intention is. Stay home / local / essential travel only. If you need more clarification than that then you're either dumb or trying to justify how far you can push things for you're own selfishness.
I know this is all a bit "baby robbins / think of the children" but these are the times we are living in.
Tricky one. We are riding from home but the peak district is only an hour away and within the longer exercise than drive rule. I'm not sure how many more weeks we will resist for given how dull our local bridalways are
It's not tricky at all, driving for an hour to ride your bike is taking the pee. My local ride is pretty dull but tough luck, it provides me with the exercise required.
the peak district is only an hour away
How many people live “only an hour away” from the Peak District?
What if we all head there?
Tricky one. We are riding from home but the peak district is only an hour away and within the longer exercise than drive rule.
It is not a rule it’s guidance from NPCC to officers derived from CPS guidance and advice, it is quite specific in the NPCC publication that “...each case still needs to be considered on the individual facts as they present themselves...The applicable threshold is that of a ‘reasonable excuse’.”
Therefore saying you need to drive an hour to take exercise which is identical to the exercise you can take from your door, i.e cycling off road, because it is less boring may well fail the reasonable excuse test.
Got to confess, the clarity from the Welsh devolved government makes it so much easier....
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-52416541
You should only be riding from home, yes that’s boring and inconvenient but it’s the correct and safe option in these circumstances. I’m desperate to load the bike onto the car and head somewhere different, but I’m resisting and not giving the anti cycling brigade any fuel for their arguments. Ride from home only !!!
An ex-girlfriend has asked me to drive over to see her. She's half an hour away so as long as we "exercise" for an hour while I'm there then it's ok isn't it? I mean, I could stay at home and have a tug, but that's not as much fun. Surely getting laid counts as essential?
I'm not even riding from the door anymore, the local trails are far too busy and it's causing tension with residents and land owners. Although carparks are closed, laybys aren't and it's not uncommon to see 4 or 5 cars at each trail head. Coupled with being within half an hour reach of two towns, the trails are much, much busier than normal. (sorry for the link to fb)
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10222966869579073&id=1198848440
Much busier up Rivington yesterday, but almost all people who'd driven to go for a stroll.
Still seen nobody loading/unloading bikes.
That policing document really muddied the waters, and we're now in a situation where some people are taking advantage of a loophole and it's only OK because not EVERYONE is.
I'm gonna stick to riding from the house. Certainly wouldn't consider driving for an hour to ride.
I did a 40 mile road loop from home today, furthest I've ridden since lockdown, and I felt really guilty about it, despite being socially isolated the whole time.
Air ambulance took a mountain biker off Ilkley Moor today I hear. Hope (s)he heals fast.
I’m not even riding from the door anymore, the local trails are far too busy and it’s causing tension with residents and land owners.
I am, but I’m getting up at 5am to do it.
Whilst I was out walking my dog yesterday afternoon there were people sitting around by the local locks, whole families of more than one generation spread evenly across the lane I walk along, 2 groups of lads riding bikes together and I also got buzzed by a roadie. (Think I saw Tall Paul from here too but not sure).
The dog needs to be walked, so I have kind of accepted that I won’t get the place to myself but with riding, as it’s a want, rather than a need, I’ll get up early to make sure I don’t bump into anyone on my local trails (appreciate this isn’t possible for everyone). After 4 weeks and 20,000 deaths, a lot of people still don’t seem to be taking the distancing seriously which I find quite concerning, and a bit depressing.
People won't take it seriously until the Police can get enough boots on the ground to get to these locations and encourage/inform/fine people to fall in line.
They had cops on MX bikes out in our local country park recently, that must have surprised a few of the morons
On the ‘not far’ piece, I have just been looking at todays Strava feed and am a bit depressed that most rides I’m seeing are 50-100 miles of glorious Scottish sunny roads. I’m not being judgemental of it, just a bit down that folk seem to have given up on the whole thing.
Social distancing? Folk aren't even taking it seriously in the shops, despite many signs on the doors and on the floors. Again, we're worrying about the drip, drip, drip around the edges and ignoring the yawning chasm.
Colin, totally agree, my neighbour, a smart intelligent man, has today been to Aldi, to Lidl 3 times and to B&Q. He has taken his dog out for 3 walks.
My car hasn’t moved in a fortnight but will be driven tomorrow when I go to a COVID testing centre. I haven’t been in a shop for over a fortnight and have only been out for a short local road ride every few days. Wife is working (NHS key worker) and goes for a weekly shop at Morrisons.
Back from one of my usual variation loops on the bike from home in the eastern Peak near Baslow. Depressing number of cars parked up in lay-bys, families out for a stroll with the little one and endless convertibles and motorbikes ragging along the main road. I do get just deflated by the number of people who assume that either things don’t apply to them or because most people are being sensible then they can take advantage of the relative quiet of the countryside at the moment. I know it has been said countless times on here but people are generally selfish and only thing of themselves. ****ts.
Again, we’re worrying about the drip, drip, drip around the edges and ignoring the yawning chasm.
No, “we” are doing no such thing.
This is a mountain biking forum. We talk about how we’re going about getting some time in on the bike far more than what it’s like out shopping because… this is a mountain biking forum.
If you want to talk shopping, I’ve not been to any shop (accept the pharmacist for insulin for my son) for over a month.
I'll keep repeating - I'm not seeing any signs of the roads being busier, car park/laybys being used. A group of yoofs were down by the river a couple of nights ago, otherwise the outdoor rules seem to be holding around here.
kelvin - take a deep breath, exhale slowly and....relax.
'We' know this is the bike forum; btw, it's not the 'mountain biking forum'.
Today was by far the busiest I have seen it since lock down, like 3x more people than I have seen at any other time, I basically do the same loop everyday. First time I have seen large groups, I assume more than one house, out together and making it hard to keep distant as they spread over the whole path
Just speculating, is it the lack of perceived consequence that people are pushing the boundaries? Certainly not seen the levels of governance that are in place in other European countries such as the need for an attestation form like in France.
If you want to talk shopping, I’ve not been to any shop (accept the pharmacist for insulin for my son) for over a month.
PURITY SPIRAL!!!
If he puts a face shield on his helemt he'll be fine.
That's what Taylor Wimpey have done (face shield on the hard hat) to justify re-opening their building sites. https://www.cityam.com/taylor-wimpey-plans-to-start-reopening-construction-sites-next-month/
Most construction firms aren't even bothering with face shields, just re-opening most of their construction sistes https://www.building.co.uk/focus/coronavirus-the-major-construction-firms-shutting-their-sites/5105140.article
The tube will soon be full of builders again..........
The temptation is strong (I'm only 40 mins away from the peaks) But I'm resisting and still riding from the doorstep, early doors to avoid peak times.
Just speculating, is it the lack of perceived consequence that people are pushing the boundaries?
I think so. The Police are stretched, although I've seen them moving people on from car parks recently. I reckon a few roadblocks, fines and publicity would get the message across. Maybe the armed forces providing additional bodies on a temporary basis.
If you want to talk shopping, I’ve not been to any shop (accept the pharmacist for insulin for my son) for over a month.
Stockpiling?
Deliveries, booked in advance when it was clear this was coming.
No stockpiling. We don’t have the room for it even if we were inclined to.
Morrisons food boxes filling in when normal deliveries cancelled.
Anything else you want to know about how we’re minimising the risk to our son?
It was someone else doing the whataboutery about shopping being more likely to spread the virus than driving to somewhere you don’t live to ride. I think it’s entirely irrelevant to this thread, and a pointless distraction. Driving to somewhere like the Peak District for a nice day out is non-essential, your weekly shop isn’t.
The regs are actually tighter than I thought.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UvSxBC4rdN0K8cV_n13EuEAJliBLpz2E/view
I think so. The Police are stretched, although I’ve seen them moving people on from car parks recently. I reckon a few roadblocks, fines and publicity would get the message across. Maybe the armed forces providing additional bodies on a temporary basis.
So you want to introduce some variant of marshall law to cut down on a few people pushing the boundaries of vague guidance?
Seems sensible.
The police aren't stretched, crime is down unsurprisingly.
BBC News - Coronavirus: Recorded crime in Scotland down by a quarter since lockdown
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-52424893
(Yes its Scotland but it's an indicator for across the board)